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MEET THE

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REAL MEN. REAL STORIES. A REAL GOD.
Forty-five Christian leaders. Forty-five unique journeys. Stories of failure, pain, redemption, and the grace of God that turns scars into wisdom.

Different stories.
The same hope.

⎯ A STRONGER
TOMORROW
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Chuck Stecker

Chapter 1
You Cannot Manage Sin
A Chosen Generation
Chuck Stecker is the President and Founder of A Chosen Generation, which helps churches, organizations, and families create strategies for intergenerational ministry. Chuck is an ordained minister, served in the military for 23 years, and is the author of Men of Honor Women of Virtue: The Power of Rites of Passage into Godly Adulthood and If You Passed Your Baton…TAKE IT BACK. For more information go to www.achosengeneration.info.

TJ Greaney

Chapter 2
Summer Rain
Kids Outdoor Zone
TJ Greaney is a believer, husband, father, and grandfather. His career is diverse—from building a construction company, publishing a country music and lifestyle magazine, and hosting an outdoor radio show/podcast for 30 years on ESPN, to today where he has built an international outdoor ministry for men and boys. He lives in a renovated horse barn in Smithville, Texas, where he is distracted on occasion by his grandkids, tractor, deer hunting, and trusted Border Collie, Hinge.

Roy Abbott

Chapter 3
Feel Her Pain
Focal Point Ministries
Roy Abbott founded Focal Point Ministries in 2006 as a servant-ministry to the local church in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. FPM trains, equips, and resources the local church in discipling men. Since 2007, FPM has hosted 62 Iron Sharpens Iron equipping conferences, ministering to over 35,000 men at these one-day events. As an ordained minister of the Gospel, Roy regularly engages men all over the Midwest. His trademark transparency puts men at ease and often gives him the opportunity to share the redemptive power of Jesus Christ in almost any setting. Roy and his wife, Kim, have been married for 46 years and reside in Fulton, Illinois. They have 3 married children and 8 beautiful granddaughters.

Brian Doyle

Chapter 4
Give Up and Grow Up
Iron Sharpens Iron
Brian Doyle is the Founder and President of Iron Sharpens Iron. He is married to Debbie and together they have eight children and ten grandchildren. Brian is committed to building godly men because when we build godly men…everyone wins. Over the last 25 years, more than 640,000 men have been built at Iron Sharpens Iron Conferences. Brian also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Coalition of Ministries to Men and the Fatherhood CoMission.

Jeff Kemp

Chapter 5
Expose Your Lie and Your Idol
Men Huddle
Jeff Kemp is a former NFL quarterback and author of FACING THE BLITZ: Three Strategies for Turning Trials into Triumphs and RECEIVE: The Way of Jesus for Men. He is the son of Joanne and Jack Kemp, a former NFL quarterback and Vice Presidential candidate. After graduating from Dartmouth, Jeff joined the Rams, making him and his dad the first of seven sets of father-son NFL quarterbacks. After 11 seasons, Jeff retired to focus on his passion for families and seeing men become better friends, husbands, and fathers, serving as president of Stronger Families and a V.P. at FamilyLife. He’s a Fatherhood CoMission ambassador and speaks at conferences across the U.S. Stacy and Jeff married in 1983 and have four married sons and ten grandkids. At MenHuddle.com, he coaches leaders and trains men in identity, relationship investing, and deep friendship with no-cost help at CORE3COACHING.COM.

Tom Cheshire

Chapter 6
Fired for God
Relevant Practical Ministry for Men
Tom Cheshire is the Founder and Executive Director of Relevant Practical Ministry for Men (RPM). RPM was founded in 2007 with the mission to be a resource to the local church and her men. With a vision to see every man complete in Christ, Tom has organized and executed over 60 Iron Sharpens Iron men’s equipping conferences over the last 20 years. Tom has actively discipled men for 25 years, all to the glory of God. Tom is married to his wife of 42 years, Jan, and they have two daughters and 3 grandchildren.

Rob Thorpe

Chapter 7
Face to Face with Evil
All in Ministries, Inc.
Rob Thorpe is founder and director of All In Ministries, Inc, dedicated to guiding couples to a Christ-centered marriage and equipping believers to live in victory over Satan and his forces of darkness. Rob has spoken at dozens of Iron Sharpens Iron conferences and conducted marriage workshops, classes, and retreats across multiple states. He and his wife Billie, live in Little Rock, Arkansas, and are proud parents of three sons and thirteen grandchildren.

Tim Brown

Chapter 8
Put Down the Wrench, Back Away from the Door
REUP Men's Movement
Tim Brown is an author, speaker, disciple-maker and the founder of REUP Men’s Movement, focused on encouraging, equipping, and empowering men to be who God made them to be in their leadership of their family, church, and community. Tim’s books, God And A Man and The Man Journey, have had a profound ripple effect in creating a desire for men to learn what is a Biblical man. Tim desires to see the next generations of men grasp who they are in Christ and start kicking the enemy around!

Ken McKenna

Chapter 9
Encounters with the Holy Spirit
Christian Service Brigade - Canada
Ken McKenna came to faith later in life and quickly developed a passion for men’s ministry. He currently serves as Vice President and Regional Director for Christian Service Brigade in Atlantic Canada. His hobbies include eschatology and classic cars. Growing up in the Vancouver area of British Columbia, Ken and his wife, Linda, now live in Kentville, Nova Scotia. They have been married 10 years after both being widowed. They share 3 children and 2 grandchildren.

Jonathan Daugherty

Chapter 10
Your Most Valuable Asset
Be Broken Ministries
Jonathan Daugherty is the founder and president of Be Broken Ministries and founder of Gateway to Freedom workshop for men. Jonathan hosts the weekly podcast, Pure Sex Radio, and is in demand nationally as a speaker on sexual purity and men’s issues. He has appeared on The Oprah Show, ABC’s Nightline, and other local and national media. He has authored Grace-Based Recovery, Secrets, The 4 Pillars of Purity, and other works. Jonathan lives with his wife, Elaine, in San Antonio, Texas. They have three grown children.

Jason Chio

Chapter 11
Bearing the Yoke
New Life Community Church
Jason Chio is a board member and men’s ministry leader at New Life Community Church in Ashland, Ohio. He and his wife, Salena, assist the pastoral staff with married and engaged couples by conducting relationship assessments and sharing their own struggles and victories to help strengthen others.

Scott Haima

Chapter 12
The Cost of Doing Nothing
National Coalition of Ministries to Men
Scott’s life work has long been intergenerational and masculine discipleship. This passion began when his dad started a Royal Rangers Outpost in Trenton, Michigan, and continued when Scott became very active in Christian Service Brigade (CSB). Scott served in the United States Air Force and held finance positions at Price Waterhouse-Coopers, Buffalo Sabres, and Merchants Insurance Group. For CSB Ministries, Scott was on the Board of Directors, then felt the call to full-time positions, most recently as President. Today, he serves as Executive Director of the National Coalition of Ministries to Men. Newly married, Scott now has seven children and fourteen grandchildren. He speaks regularly at men’s breakfasts, events, and Iron Sharpens Iron men’s conferences, and is now an Adirondack 46er.

Sam Black

Chapter 13
Walking Through the Wounds
Covenant Eyes
Sam Black is the Director of Recovery Education at Covenant Eyes and the author of The Healing Church: What Churches Get Wrong about Pornography and How to Fix It.

Neil Getzlow

Chapter 14
Don't Let the World Define You
The Gideon Factor
Neil Getzlow is founder of The Gideon Factor, helping men reclaim the Kingdom calling God has for them by providing Biblical coaching to overcome sexual integrity issues. Neil is the ministry lead for Celebrate Recovery at his home church, the Rock of KC, and is a certified sex addiction coach. He is the author of Unmasked: Conquering Sexual Sin and Walking in Victory. Find more information at neilgetzlow.com.

Jay Payleitner

Chapter 15
Eventually, the Dots All Connect
Jay Payleitner, Author/Speaker
Jay Payleitner is a national speaker and best-selling author of 40+ books including the bestselling 52 Things Kids Need from a Dad, What If God Wrote Your Bucket List? and 52 Things Wives Need from Their Husbands. Jay’s books have been translated into ten languages and sold more than 3/4 million copies. He has been a guest multiple times on The Harvest Show, Chris Fabry Live, and Focus on the Family. Jay and his wife, Rita, live in St. Charles, Illinois, where they raised five kids, loved on ten foster babies, and are cherishing grandparenthood. There’s more at jaypayleitner.com

Mike Young

Chapter 16
Practice Discomfort
Noble Warriors
Mike Young is the founder and director of Noble Warriors (noblewarriors.org). Since 2005 he has been serving churches as they equip men to walk with Christ and lead well. Mike and his wife, Stacy, live in Chesterfield, Virginia. They have three sons and a daughter, all married and living in different states. They also have four grandchildren. While life as “Pops” is awesome, the best part about being a grandfather is watching his sons become dads.

Stuart Sullivan

Chapter 17
Forgiveness
All in Ministries
Lt. Col. Stuart Sullivan is a retired USAF Squadron Commander and a combat veteran in the B-2 Stealth Bomber. He is a command pilot in both the T-38 Talon and B-2 Spirit with over 3,200 flight hours. He is the founder and CEO of All In Ministries, and coauthor of Operation No Coincidences. He currently resides in Knob Noster, Missouri, with his wife, Angie, and two children. There’s more at commitallin.org

Matt Haviland

Chapter 18
Out of Wedlock Dad
Alpha Grand Rapids
Matt Haviland is the Men’s Center Director for Alpha Grand Rapids and has been working with fathers since 2008. He is married to his amazing wife, Christy, and is the father of two wonderful kids. A native of Grand Rapids, MI, Matt enjoys family time, reading, playing golf, and almost all outdoor recreation. There’s more at mhaviland@alphagrandrapids.org

Steve Etner

Chapter 19
Only God Can Lift Us Out
The Pure Man Ministry
Steve Etner (a.k.a. The Purity Coach) is the founder of The Pure Man Ministry, helping men across the globe find freedom from lust and porn. Having personally battled with a 30-year sexual addiction, Steve not only understands the struggle, but knows firsthand the victory only God can bring. As an author, national speaker, Certified Professional Mentor™, and Purity Coach, Steve has dedicated his life to helping others live fully committed to, surrendered to, and used by God. Steve and his wife, Heather, live in Granger, Indiana. They have four children and 14 grandchildren

Kevin DeVries

Chapter 20
The Day the Devil Came To Church
Grace Explorations
Founder & President of Grace Explorations and True Summit, LLC. Son of Immigrants. Father of Champions. Fortune 500 Speaker. Well-Being Trainer. Extreme Explorer. Award-Winning Film Producer. Published Author. Serial Entrepreneur. Brand Ambassador. Thought Leader. Cardiac Arrest Survivor. Warrior Poet King. www.graceexplorations. com www.truesummit.llc

Jeff Frick

Chapter 21
Breaking the Cycle
GRAM Ministry
Jeff Frick is a pastor, chaplain, teacher, mentor, pastoral care provider, speaker, and author. He lives with his wife Laura in Shelby Township, Michigan, and they have been married for 35 years. He is a father, grandfather, brother, uncle, son, and friend to many. Jeff is involved in discipling men in several churches in the local Detroit area and spends his days encouraging men to receive the grace of our Father in Heaven and to trust Jesus, His Son, as their life source and purpose.

David Maddox

Chapter 22
Easy Money
Maddox Ministries Foundation
David Maddox served as a youth minister for twenty years before transitioning into the business world with a tentmaking approach like the Apostle Paul and so many others. At their farm in southern Alabama, David and his wife, Katy, used horses and water sports as activities for weekly gatherings of young people while raising their own five children. David is the author of Ten Minutes That Transform: Raising Your Children in the Admonition of the Lord, based on Deuteronomy 6:6-7. He is a husband, father, and grandfather, speaks at men’s conferences, and has served a number of churches as interim pastor.

Rick Magee

Chapter 23
A Father’s Redemption, A Son’s Healing
Kids Outdoor Zone
Rick Magee is married to his best friend Martha, has three grown sons, three daughters-in-law, and a granddaughter. Rick is a graduate of Mississippi State University and worked in the Forest Products industry for 14 years. He was then called into ministry and pastored for 14 years. Rick lives in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he serves as the Chief of Operations of Kids Outdoor Zone (KOZ), an outdoor ministry for men that equips them to mentor and disciple boys using outdoor adventure.

Thomas McMillan

Chapter 24
Surrendering to God’s Favor
Guardrails Ministries
Thomas McMillan is an Area Director for Iron Sharpens Iron and founder of Guardrails Ministries. As a dynamic speaker and teacher, Thomas seeks to create an atmosphere of growth and inspiration for men to see who and what they can become in their pursuit of God and God’s pursuit of them! He has worked in the insurance industry for over 25 years, served in ministry in his local church for over 40 years, and is currently Associate Pastor of Men’s Spiritual Development at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Newington, Connecticut. Thomas has been married to the love of his life, Laurie, for 46 years and they have three adult children, two children-in-law, and, most importantly, four grandchildren.

Jim Ramos

Chapter 25
Frame Your Wife Well
Men in the Arena
Jim Ramos is the founder of Men in the Arena; USA TODAY best-selling author of Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God, and Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage; and host of the #1-ranked podcast for Christian men, the Men in the Arena Podcast. Jim and his wife, Shanna, have three adult sons and live in Oregon. Find out more at meninthearena.org.

C. Marsh Bull

Chapter 26
The Silence of a Heartbeat
Men's Group
After finishing college with a business degree, Marsh Bull served honorably as an officer in the U.S. Army. After fulfilling his military obligation, he worked as a seasoned professional for over four decades with prestigious Fortune 500 companies. In 2023, Marsh published Saving America’s Corporate Soul, One Overworked, Undervalued, Stressed Soul at a Time. In 2025 he published Overcoming the Seven Fears: A Guide to Hope and Purpose. Marsh lives with his wife, Peggy, in Agoura Hills, California, where he devotes his time to family, his community, and mensgroup.org. At eighty-one, he experiences full peace and joy in his life, finding contentment no matter the circumstances and challenges he faces in life’s journey.

Mike Sandlin

Chapter 27
Don't Be a Lone Wolf
Cape Fear Men
After being diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer) in December 2006, the reality of the need to impact men’s lives became paramount. Since then, Mike Sandlin has led Men’s Bible Studies and Discipleship Groups to encourage men in their walk with Christ. He speaks at men’s groups regularly and spends hours just talking to men one-on-one about their spiritual walk. His life verse comes from 1 Thessalonians 2:8, “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” (ESV) The key here is to share, or pour, one’s life into others.

Jeffrey K. Butcher

Chapter 28
Questions I Wish I Asked at 27
Brotherhood of St Andrew
Jeffrey K. Butcher, born in Kokomo, Indiana, would move with his family to eleven states and one foreign country. Jeff served 32 years in the U. S. Air Force as a Public Affairs Officer and Combat Historian during three major wars, retiring as a Lt. Colonel. His journalism degree would also lead to work as a disc jockey, newspaper reporter, and a U.S. House of Representatives staff member. Concurrently, he had a 28-year career in Financial Services. As a cradle Episcopalian, Jeff became heavily involved with the men’s ministry community through the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and was elected National President from 2015 to 2021. He is also a Master Mason and a Shriner. Jeff and his wife, Rose, live in Louisville, Kentucky, and have five children and seven grandchildren.

Elmo Winters

Chapter 29
Created Different to Be a Difference Maker
Kingdom Group International
Elmo Winters is the Founder and Executive Director of KINGDOM Group International, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on uniting people across racial, cultural, and denominational lines. With over 48 years of experience in ministry and leadership, he is passionate about reconciliation, community building, and servant leadership. Elmo travels nationwide promoting the message of unity and love through speaking, writing, and outreach. He and his wife, Therese, reside in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Don Manning

Chapter 30
The One Thing
Crazy Cool Family
Don Manning spent 30+ years working his way up the corporate ladder serving as COO of a real estate company and then later owning businesses, while not losing sight of his more important role as husband and father of seven kids (yes, seven). After retiring, Don got his Ministry Doctorate in Christian Counseling and founded Crazy Cool Family, a ministry that blends biblical principles, scientific research, and practical experience to provide a framework for creating strong, loving families. Don serves on the elder board of Valley Creek Church, a church he and his wife, Suzanne, helped start over 30 years ago.

Jim Martin

Chapter 31
Idols
Men's Encounter
Jim Martin was baptized at the age of eight into the RLDS Church. After growing up on Marine bases, he finally settled in Independence, Missouri. Jesus has made known to Jim the ways of life and continues to fill him with joy. Jim is a lover of God’s Word, especially the Book of James. He calls himself a plain and simple Christian and loves his two wonderful Christ-following daughters and four grandkids.

Mark McGaughey

Chapter 32
Where is the King?
Abundant Life Base Camp
Mark McGaughey has served as Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Abundant Life Church in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, since 2014. He develops discipleship pathways and trains leaders globally to build spiritually healthy church cultures. Mark also founded BaseCamp Men’s Ministry, which equips over 300 men weekly to live out their identity in Christ. He is close to completing a Master of Arts in Theology from Liberty University and has served in pastoral roles in Texas, Florida, and as an executive pastor.

Glen Nash

Chapter 33
Leaning Into Transitions
Goods News Coaching & Counseling
Glen Nash served in six churches over 40 years as an associate minister in outreach, small groups, marriage ministry, guest services, support groups, benevolence, and men’s ministry. A long-term member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and Christian Coaches Network International, Glen now serves individuals, churches, and organizations as a pastoral, marriage, and grief counselor and certified life/ leadership coach through his own ministry, Good News Coaching and Counseling. He is also a volunteer chaplain for the Blue Springs Police Department, Central Jackson Country Fire Protection District, and Hero Fund USA. Glen lives in Blue Springs, Missouri, and has been married over 45 years to Kathy. They have one son, a bonus daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren.

Howard Pike

Chapter 34
Prepared for Leadership
Christian Service Brigade - Canada
Howard Pike is the president of CSB Canada, otherwise known as Christian Service Brigade, an organization dedicated to training churches and their men to build the boys of their communities into disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, thus fulfilling our motto, “Building Godly Men of Today and Tomorrow.”

Dave Howe

Chapter 35
From Porn to Freedom to Impact
Live Pure Ministries
Dave Howe is an author, speaker, small group leader, and musician. Two years after his own battle for purity, he cofounded For Men Only, a support group for men seeking freedom from sexual sin in the Twin City area. His devotional workbook, Live Pure and Free: The 90 Day Game Changer, won a Christian Indy award for its excellent contribution to Christian living. Dave is a proud dad and grandfather, and the husband of fellow writer, Barb. For further information, check his website at davehowe.org

Jack Ward

Chapter 36
Be All You Can Be
Rugged Faith Ministries
Jack Ward is the founder and CEO of Rugged Faith Ministries, founded with the vision of blending outdoor adventure and sound biblical teaching. Thousands of men and their families have been profoundly impacted by Ozarks Adventure Camp, Act Like Men conferences, Elevate Excellence conferences, Legacy Camps, and Rugged Faith Re-Charge Hikes. Jack is the author of Rugged Faith and Adventure with a Purpose. There’s more at ruggedfaith.net.

Rick Wertz

Chapter 37
New Dad
Faithful Fathering
Rick Wertz is the founder and president of Faithful Fathering. After fifteen years in the corporate world, Rick founded Faithful Fathering in 2000 to encourage and equip dads in partnership with the church to be faithful fathers. Rick has been married to his bride for 45 years. He has three grown children and four grandchildren. Go to faithfulfathering.org or email admin@faithfulfathering.org

Derek Handley

Chapter 38
Identity
STRATIA
Derek Handley is the Director of Ministry for Character that Counts, a national ministry that equips men, women, students, and athletes by communicating the unique and critical message of character, integrity, and accountability into our daily lives. He is a passionate and engaging speaker and has a heartbeat for discipleship. Derek served on KLIFE staff in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Branson, Missouri. He graduated from The Kanakuk Institute and University of Central Missouri, where he played football and was president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter. Derek and his wife, Mikala, have three children and live in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. For more, visit characterthatcounts.org

Dave Wertheim

Chapter 39
Life is Precious
Men U for Transformed Lives
Dave Wertheim is Founder and President of Men U for Transformed Lives, a bi-vocational pastor with the International Association of Ministries, and a respected speaker, motivator, and teacher. Dave has been mentoring and discipling men for more than 40 years and has led more than 75 small groups, directly impacting thousands of people. His books, including Men U: Courses for a Transformed Life, are endorsed as powerful tools to help men lead victorious spiritual lives, Dave’s business background spans 40+ years serving Hewlett-Packard and Cisco Systems in middle-management marketing and product management roles. Dave and Rose, his bride of 49 years, have three adult sons and four precious grandsons, and reside in Phoenix, Arizona.

Rich Gerberding

Chapter 40
Secondhand Passion
Men of AIM
Rich Gerberding has been involved with ministry to men for over 25 years, serving with Promise Keepers and Man in the Mirror as well as his own regional ministry, Men of AIM (Action, Integrity, Maturity). Since 2010 he has also promoted Christian films locally and nationally through Christian Movie Central. Many are surprised by his 30+ year engineering career at a Fortune 100 company and his hobby of cake decorating. He is currently working on his first book which introduces the concept of “Vegetables of the Spirit.” He and his wife, April, are empty nesters living in central Illinois… but hopefully not for too much longer. Learn more at richgerberding.com

Rod Handley

Chapter 41
Accountability: A Powerful Guardrail
Character That Counts
Rod Handley is Founder and President of Character that Counts, launched in 2000, to equip men, women, students, and athletes by communicating the unique and critical message of character (doing right), integrity (being whole through Christ) and accountability (honestly reporting to one another) into our daily lives. Rod and his wife, Janna, live in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. There’s more at characterthatcounts.org

Joe Storr

Chapter 42
Why Doesn’t This Work?
Joe Storr, Author
Joe Storr served as an Air Force officer before retiring from the military in 2006. He went on to complete his seminary degree at Talbot School of Theology and is author of The Courage to Be Honest; Facing Hidden Challenges of The Heart. Joe lives along the nature coast of Florida where he enjoys making furniture in his spare time, as well as exploring area lakes with family and friends.

Bobby Lutes

Chapter 43
From Bitterness to Brotherhood
Strong and Courageous Ministry to Men
Bobby Lutes is a much-respected electrical contractor with more than four decades experience, licensed in three states. But his true passion is leadership in ministry to men, lived out through Promise Keepers, Iron Sharpens Iron, South Carolina Church of God, the Santee Indian Tribe council, and as founder of Charleston Christian Men of Integrity. He married his “happily ever after,” Judy, in 1991. They have four adult children and are the grandparents to four superheroes and one princess.

Rex Tignor

Chapter 44
Let Go of the Past
Man Up Ministries
Rex Tignor is the founder of Man UP Ministries. His heart and passion are helping men unlock their God-given potential and helping churches build an effective ministry for men. Rex is the author of Living Out of the Rut and Grandfather Tune Up. He served as Men’s Ministry director for Redemption Ministries for the state of Virginia, which assisted more than 70 churches and is currently serving as Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Ministry Training Director for NE area.

Patrick Morley

Chapter 45
My Urgent Plea
Patrick Morley
Patrick Morley is the founder of Man in the Mirror, a ministry focused on helping every church disciple every man. He is the best-selling author of twenty-three books with more than 7,000,000 copies in print, including The Man in the Mirror, From Broken Boy to Mended Man, and What If Christianity Is True? Learn more at patrickmorley.com

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

PROVERBS 27:17
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