Empowering Fatherless Young Men Through Mentorship and Faith
Summary
The journey began in Oregon, where a ministry for single moms revealed a gap: young men in fatherless homes were being overlooked. Recognizing the unique challenges these boys face—especially the pain of missing out on experiences and skills often passed down from fathers—an intentional effort was launched to mentor them. The focus became not just on teaching practical trade and life skills, but on instilling a sense of identity and worth rooted in Christ. The statistics are sobering: a vast majority of high school dropouts and incarcerated men come from fatherless homes. The mission, then, is to intervene early, equipping these young men with skills, confidence, and a new trajectory for their lives.
The ministry has grown to serve in multiple states, including Texas, Oregon, Tennessee, and Florida, with day camps and occasional overnight experiences. These camps are more than just skill-building; they are safe spaces where young men are called up into maturity, given ownership of their growth, and surrounded by consistent, trustworthy male mentors. The intake process is intentional, setting expectations and affirming their identity as young men, not boys. Every camp is designed to be fun, educational, and relational, with plenty of food and camaraderie.
Partnerships with churches and single mom ministries are vital, though there is still much room for growth in church involvement. The ministry also works closely with schools and counselors, who recognize the need for positive male role models and practical training. Social media has become a powerful tool for reaching new families, often connecting with mothers who have been praying for such support.
The heart of the work is not just in teaching trades, but in speaking life and truth into these young men—especially about their identity in Christ. Every camp includes a short, relevant Bible study, often tailored to the needs of the group. Sometimes, the Lord prompts a change in plans to address deeper wounds, reminding these young men of their value and belovedness. The impact is seen in stories of transformation: young men who once believed they were destined to repeat the sins of their fathers now walk in freedom, purpose, and hope.
The ministry’s reach is growing, but the greatest need remains awareness—so that more young men can be reached, more mentors can step up, and more churches can fulfill the call to care for the fatherless. The work is intentional, relational, and deeply rooted in the conviction that every young man’s life is worth the investment.
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Key Takeaways
- The Power of Consistent, Godly Male Presence: Many young men from fatherless homes carry deep wounds and mistrust toward male authority. Overcoming this requires mentors who are consistent, keep their word, and patiently build trust. It is through this steadfast presence that the cycle of abandonment and pain can be broken, allowing these young men to receive guidance and love they may have never known. [16:13]
- Identity in Christ as the Foundation for Transformation: The most significant battle is not just against poverty or lack of skills, but against the lies these young men believe about themselves. Teaching them their true identity in Christ—beloved, chosen, and capable—reshapes their future. When a young man knows who he is in God’s eyes, he can rise above statistics and generational patterns, walking in confidence and hope. [07:52]
- Practical Skills as Pathways to Dignity and Purpose: Trade and life skills are more than just tools for employment; they are vehicles for dignity, confidence, and belonging. When a young man learns to fix a car, build something, or master a craft, he discovers his own capability and worth. These skills open doors to careers, but more importantly, they affirm that he has something valuable to offer the world. [11:56]
- Intentional Community and Ownership: The camps are designed to foster a sense of brotherhood and responsibility. By calling participants “young men” and setting clear expectations, the environment challenges them to step up and take ownership of their growth. This intentional community, free from judgment and full of encouragement, becomes a place where real change can take root. [19:29]
- Spirit-Led Ministry and the Importance of Flexibility: While structured curriculum is valuable, true ministry requires sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Sometimes, the greatest need is not another lesson, but a heartfelt reminder of God’s love and presence. Being willing to set aside plans to address the unique pain or questions of a young man can be the turning point in his journey toward healing and faith. [35:53]
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Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Origins in Oregon: The Birth of the Ministry
[03:10] - Addressing the Needs of Fatherless Young Men
[07:52] - The Impact of Fatherlessness: Statistics and Vision
[11:56] - Partnerships with Schools and Counselors
[16:13] - Building Trust: The Role of Consistent Mentors
[19:29] - Setting Expectations and Identity for Young Men
[23:11] - Church and Single Mom Ministry Partnerships
[24:45] - Reaching Families Through Social Media
[27:39] - Long-Term Relationships and Success Stories
[29:38] - Trade Skills and Career Pathways
[32:29] - Challenges in South Florida and Tennessee
[35:53] - Spirit-Led Bible Studies and Identity in Christ
[39:16] - Personal Impact and the Value of Intentionality
[44:48] - Measuring Impact and Camp Structure
[53:19] - How to Get Involved and Future Expansion
[59:45] - Following God’s Lead in New Locations
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
1. James 1:27
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
2. Psalm 68:5-6
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families..."
3. Ephesians 2:10
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
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### Observation Questions
1. According to James 1:27, what does God consider “pure and faultless” religion?
2. In the sermon, what are some of the practical skills and experiences that fatherless young men often miss out on? [[07:52]]
3. What are some of the statistics mentioned in the sermon about the outcomes for young men from fatherless homes? [[07:52]]
4. How does the ministry intentionally set expectations and affirm the identity of the young men who attend camp? [[19:29]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God places such a high value on caring for orphans and widows, as seen in James 1:27 and Psalm 68:5-6?
2. The sermon talks about the importance of identity in Christ for these young men. Why is understanding our identity in Christ so crucial for breaking negative cycles? [[35:53]]
3. What role does consistency and trustworthiness play in mentoring young men who have experienced abandonment or hurt from male figures? [[16:13]]
4. How do practical skills and trade training serve as more than just job preparation for these young men? What deeper needs do they address? [[11:56]]
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### Application Questions
1. The ministry requires mentors to commit for at least a year to build trust. Is there someone in your life who needs consistent support or presence from you? What would it look like to commit to them for the long haul? [[16:13]]
2. The sermon highlights the power of speaking life and truth over young men, especially about their identity in Christ. Who in your circle needs to be reminded of their worth and identity? How can you intentionally encourage them this week? [[35:53]]
3. The camps are designed to give young men ownership and responsibility. Are there ways you can help empower someone in your life to take ownership of their growth or decisions? [[19:29]]
4. The ministry partners with churches, schools, and single mom ministries, but there is still a need for more involvement. What is one practical way you or your small group could support or get involved with ministries serving the fatherless? [[23:11]]
5. Sometimes, the most important thing is to set aside plans and simply listen or respond to someone’s immediate need, as the Spirit leads. Can you think of a recent time when you felt prompted to change your plans to help someone? How did you respond? [[35:53]]
6. The story of the young man who believed he was destined to repeat his father’s mistakes shows the power of breaking generational lies. Are there any negative labels or beliefs you’ve carried from your family or past? How can you replace them with God’s truth? [[39:16]]
7. The ministry’s greatest need is awareness—so more young men can be reached and more mentors can step up. Who could you share this story or need with this week? What’s one step you can take to raise awareness or invite others to join in? [[53:19]]
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Devotional
Day 1: Serving the Fatherless and the Widow is a Biblical Mandate
God calls His people to actively care for the fatherless and widows, not as an optional act of charity, but as a clear command and reflection of true religion. When we step into the lives of those who lack a father or are vulnerable, we are living out the heart of God and fulfilling a core part of our faith. This is not a gray area—Scripture makes it clear that caring for the fatherless is central to our calling as believers. As we serve, we become the hands and feet of Jesus to those who need it most, offering hope, dignity, and a sense of belonging. [21:41]
James 1:27 (ESV)
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Reflection: Who is a fatherless child or a single mom in your community you could reach out to this week, even with a simple act of encouragement or support?
Day 2: True Identity is Found in Christ, Not Circumstances
Many young men struggle with their sense of identity, especially when their family situations are broken or painful. The world and even their own experiences may try to define them by their past, their parents’ choices, or their struggles, but God offers a different story. In Christ, each person is given a new identity—beloved, chosen, and valued—not because of what they have done or what has been done to them, but because of who God is and what He says about them. Embracing this truth can set anyone on a new trajectory, breaking cycles of shame and hopelessness. [36:40]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Reflection: What negative labels or lies about your identity do you need to surrender to God today, so you can embrace who He says you are in Christ?
Day 3: Consistency and Integrity Build Trust and Open Hearts
For those who have experienced abandonment or betrayal, trust is not easily given. Consistency—showing up, keeping promises, and doing what you say—can break down walls and open doors for real relationship and transformation. When mentors and leaders are faithful and reliable, they earn the right to speak into the lives of young people, sometimes even more than a biological parent could. This kind of steadfast presence models the faithfulness of God and helps heal deep wounds. [16:13]
Proverbs 20:6-7 (ESV)
Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!
Reflection: In what relationship can you commit to greater consistency and integrity this week, so that trust can grow?
Day 4: Godly Community and Mentorship Change Lives
Having godly men and mentors around is vital for growth, healing, and direction, especially for those who lack positive male role models. When men intentionally invest in the next generation, offering their time, skills, and encouragement, it can alter the course of a young person’s life. This investment is not just about teaching practical skills, but about imparting hope, vision, and a sense of belonging in God’s family. [39:16]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Reflection: Who is someone younger or less experienced you could intentionally encourage or mentor this month?
Day 5: God’s Direction and Timing Are Essential for Fruitful Ministry
Launching new initiatives or serving in new places should be guided by God’s leading, not just by good ideas or opportunities. Waiting for God’s “go” ensures that our efforts are aligned with His will and that the impact will be lasting and meaningful. Trusting in His timing, even when others have suggestions or when needs seem urgent, is an act of faith that honors God and brings about the best outcomes. [59:45]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Reflection: Is there an area of your life or ministry where you need to pause and seek God’s direction before moving forward? What would it look like to wait on Him?
Quotes
You throw out some statistics on the opener there. You know, another statistic to throw out there, 71 % of our high school dropouts are from fatherless homes. So, the brain thought – well, and here's another one. This is why I developed 75 % of men incarcerated are from fatherless homes. So, I took kind of those two pieces, slammed those together and said, okay, what can we teach these guys to put them on a different trajectory than what they're statistically aligned for? [00:08:00]
If we can sneak in there and teach them a trade, teach them a skill, you guys throw out identity as well. One of our biggest challenges, biggest things we have to overcome is identity. Teach them their true identity in Christ. They'll actually put them on a trajectory other than what they're aligned for. [00:08:41]
When they come in and they learn a skill, they get their life spoken into, they walk away with their head a little higher, a little more confidence. They can conquer more challenges. And so, yes, we're teaching them skills, but we're also building their confidence, showing them their true value and who their true identity is. [00:13:32]
Knowing your true worth, those, I mean, those attacks may sting a little, but they're not taking you down, you know? [00:14:04]
We always look for three ways to serve the church. How do we serve the single moms by mentoring their young men? How do we serve the young men specifically? And then how do we serve the men in the church to make them feel like they have value and something to, to give to the next generation? [00:16:17]
I had the ability and the right to speak into their lives that their dad didn't because of my consistency, because of I say what I do and I do what I say. And so that is a big thing. [00:18:08]
All of our young men that come to camp are called young men or campers. And it is a basic, basic line of identity. I tell the young men, our expectation for you is, is who you are and who you are as a young man. So I expect young men decisions. I expect young men behaviors. We don't allow boys or kids at camp. You are growing into a man, which means you are a young man, and I expect that behavior. [00:19:10]
At every camp, they can focus on three things. And those three things are every camp they're going to have a good time, they're going to learn something new, and they get to hang out all day with a bunch of dudes. [00:20:13]
Even when I throw out James 127, they're like, meh. I'm like, what do you mean? Like, this is, we're called to serve the fatherless and the widow. Like, it's not a gray area. This is what we're supposed to do. [00:23:11]
I'd say one to two out of five moms I talk to are in tears with me on the phone. They've been praying for something like this. They didn't know that something like this even existed. [00:25:22]
Part of what teaching them trade skills are is introducing them to a trade industry and getting them on their next step in life and handing them on to a new mentor or a new discipleship program in a trade industry. [00:27:46]
If they love plumbing, if they love electrical, if they love framing, they're going to tell us that this is like this is their wheelhouse. This is what they want to do. And then I can hand them on to you to disciple them and raise them up in that industry. [00:30:16]
I had to have a –conversation with a young man that was battling with suicide, battling with his school going completely down it, like went to almost nothing. You know, he's going to fail out of high school. I've had to have more of those conversations than I have anywhere else in South Florida. [00:33:15]
We literally tie scripture into whatever topic that we're teaching. And we run by that 95 % of the time. And I, and the reason I say 95 % of the time is like this last camp we just did here in Texas about two days before I felt the Lord saying, Hey, you know what? You have a study going, but I really need you just to share with these young men of how much I love them. [00:36:11]
All I could think of is my vision of dad is the dad that would lock me in my room with my sister in a twin size bed and no food. Like dude needs to know that his heavenly father loves him and that he's important. And so the Lord dumped that on me and said, that's what you're talking about this time. [00:37:09]
The 30 day devotional is literally 100 % built on who what's our true identity in Christ. And so, um, I think it's chapter 14 is I just, Lord's like, this is what you're talking about. And so I just opened chapter 14 and we worked through that day of the devotional of who he says we are, um, who he is, and we can believe what he says because of who he is. [00:37:55]
I knew having a good father in a positive male role in your life was important. That's why we started this. Um, but as I've gone over the last, you know, we, I've been doing this for almost nine years, but six years, you know, last six, seven years here in Texas, I've definitely dug more into the pieces of it and man, how important it is, uh, to just have good godly men around you, um, in your life, speaking in your life. [00:39:59]
Like before it's like, man, we just go out and have fun. Let's go fish and hang out and buddy, buddy with people. It's like, no, we like, we have to be intentional with this because of the impact we have on our future and on that one young man's life. Like that one young man's life is worth us being intentional and real with him. [00:40:33]
He, uh, locked himself in his room and said, because my dad is a murderer and I'm biologically connected to him, I'm also going to become a murderer. So I'm not going to be around anybody. Oh my gosh. And grandma tells me this. And I, like, I remember being on the phone with her. I said, you know, that's a bold faced lie, right? She goes, I know, I know. I said, then get his butt to camp. Like, don't let him sit in his room, get him to camp. And we're, we're changing that. We're speaking into his life. [00:44:21]
We can't serve the fatherless. We can't come beside the single moms and, and be able to help them by speaking to their son's life. Um, if, if they don't know we exist. And so that's our biggest thing, man, is getting out there and letting these, these moms know that we exist, uh, letting men who want to serve use their skills in a God, in a good, godly way. We're, we're there to be a resource for them too. [00:56:19]
The simplest answer is because, because God told me to do that. Um, there's been multiple times people are like, man, you should go here or you should go there. And I was like, until God tells me it's not, it's not happening because if I don't follow his plan and his will, may turn out okay, but it's not going to turn out like it should. [00:59:27]
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