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# Created User IP address First Name Last Name Email Mobile Phone Address Birth Month Birth Day Birth Year Why are you interested in pursuing this initiative? Tell us about your family: What is your experience with Zoweh events and/or resources? How did you first connect with Jesus in a personal way? Tell us about a time when you shared your Jesus story. Explain your familiarity with the following terms: wounds, vows and agreements. Tell us about a significant wounding moment that you experienced. Explain your personal familiarity with spiritual warfare. Give an example of how you have heard from God. Have you had any training in listening and/or engaging in another man's story? Which of the following books have you read? How did you discover the Elder-Sage Initiative? What is the best time to call you? First Name Last Name Email Phone Operations
90 Mon, 09/21/2026 - 17:03 Anonymous 2600:1002:b1bb:9b2:387f:e470:b1e:f5c0 Eric Pierce ewpierce33@gmail.com 4106605869
327 Knox Rd
Gettysburg, PA 17325
United States
 December 22 1968 This initiative was not even on my radar, but then G-D. After being invited to apply I am excited to see a group of Brothers willing to fill the gap that is in this world. I would be honored to be a part of this initiative. I am twice retired, military and fire department, as is my Wife. We are honored parents/grandparents to 3 wonderful children and 3 incredible grandchildren. Our road has been hard but incredible, and continues to be. I am thankful every day for the family HE has given me. No experience with Zoweh itself. I have been around John Eldridge’s teachings and the “Waterboyz for Jesus” here in Frederick Md.. I have known about Jesus most of my life. My first connection with Him came at a low point in my life/marriage. I found, was bestowed, a copy of “Wild at Heart” and I was in! Just this last weekend at a “Waterboyz Expedition” I was able to share my story. The impact to these Brothers, and Me, from my sharing turned into an experience beyond what I thought possible. Wounds are something we can carry in a healed state, like the scars that elicit conversation around a campfire. Wounds can also be unhealthy/unhealed, like fatherless trauma carried on through our manhood.
Vows are commitments made between individuals. We had vows in the military and fire service to watch each others back. I of course had my marriage vows in my covenant with my Wife.
Agreements can be confused with vows, but are usually unhealthy exchanges made with evil principalities. We tend to make agreements throughout our life that keep us in a wounded state.		 I was 15 1/2 when one of my largest woundings occurred. After my parents had divorced. My Father, whom I was living with at the time, went to jail and my Mother abandoned me. “I was on my own”, so I believed. In my experience spiritual warfare has been small subtle campaigns, other than the aforementioned event. They may have been small agreements made to get through a situation, or background whispers attacking my ego/pride. The worst attacks have come through my role as Husband. I have no delusions as my walk continues that the attacks will become more frequent and stronger, which is why this initiative is so very important. My FATHER and I talk every day, one significant conversation occurred this morning. I am just recently a 5 year survivor of throat cancer. Through my treatments my ability to taste was lost. One of my most cherished things was the robust taste of my morning coffee, that first cup. After being asked to become a part of this initiative I stated “let me pray on this”. I prayed my whole drive home and before I lay down for sleep. I got up early this morning, my time with G-D, and sat down to listen while enjoying the smell of my coffee. Imagine my utter shock when I tasted my first sip of that coffee. Five years of just being satisfied with the smell, but G-D!! I got my answer. I have studied, and have been mentored, to become Chaplain. My time in expedition has been filled with both listening and engaging. Most important has been my time as “Pops” and “PopPop” with my Sons and grandsons. The Screwtape Letters, Hearing God, The ​​Sacred Romance, Wild At Heart, ​​Fathered By God, Captivating Another Elder-Sage Anytime between 0600 - 1800 Eric Pierce ewpierce33@gmail.com 4106605869
89 Tue, 08/25/2026 - 12:40 Anonymous 68.66.112.209 richard collins collinsjr59@msn.com 2073182440
22 main st.
Windham, ME 04062-4224
United States
 October 4 1956 Heard about it in the books and short term zoom books and studys i have done with you all over the past year and a half and got to talk and see elder/sage in action at this year's heart of a warrior retreat. I beleave God has called me to walk along side of others ( and that is what I have been doing for years) for my remaining time here!! I Have been involved with Zoweh long enough to know that walking with you all is the same path and direction I have been on and you are helping me to grow and become sharper and more effective in God's plan in my life I have been married to my wife for almost 50 years. Our son Rik and his wife Sarah along with 4 children (21 years to 11). Our daughter Kattie and her husband Ben and Iona our 4 year old granddaughter ! We lost our Daughter to cancer a little over a year ago and watch Iona 5 days a week. ( we have watched her since she was 6 months old ) Our grandchildren are the joy of our lives!! I have been in 3 or 4 zoom events with you all and went to the Heart of a warrior retreat this year. I wanted to know that who and what I'm involved with and promote has the heart of God behind everything they do and I have seen that with Zoweh!! My wife and I got radicly saved when we were in our early 20s within a week of each other out of a hippie almost lifestyle . We had friends who met Jesus and we saw the transformation in there lives!! We also had Elders and leaders who came along side of us and walked us through many areas of struggles in our marriage and lives as young parents. My life has been a open testimony to Jesus and what he can do so it's hard to put my finger on one. I have been in the construction trade my entire life in different people's homes where my toolbox has always had scripture or biblical thoughts on it and my radio station was always Christian music or teaching. Most of my life has been a open invitation to why my life is different than others and has lead to many conversations and eventual life changes in many in my life an path. I had all of the above mentioned and God has walked me through many childhood wounds my parents passed down to me. Many I didn't realize I had until years later. He asked me to ask forgiveness of both my parents (and many others) when He would put his finger on things in my life! Tho it took some time to heal some of the wounds Asking forgiveness broke the cycle and opened the door to renewing my mind and breaking the I'll nevers and leading me to Freedom and learning to cover myself with God's protection and his full armor daily. My mom and dad were divorced when I was of 1st grade age and over the years my dad would tell me I would never amount to anything usually because I didn't do well in school. Eventually I thought that way about myself in my expectation and in the way I would even talk to myself. When I met the Lord he put his finger on those areas that I believed the lies the enemy would use to keep me in bondage and God lead me to ask my dad for forgiveness and I felt something release. Then the Lord showed me things I never knew about my dad's life and thou it didn't make his spoken words okay it helped me realize the why behind some of the things he would expect or say and it changed my dad and my relationship and the way I saw and prayed for him. We are in a war that ultimately has already been won . Yet Their are things going on that need spiritual eyes to see and understand . God encourages us to put on the Full armor of God daily to not only shield us but to direct us to counter the plans the enemy has. As shared earlier God's direction on how to deal with my dad and wounds directed at me. Quite often God will give me a word or knowledge of something someone is going through that only they and God know about. One example is i was coming home from Canada and felt like I should stop at a particular truck stop to get something to eat and a break from driving. I went in and when seated and my server took my order I felt like a tip wasn't what God had in mind and he encouraged me to give her a substantial amount of money. As I was having my meal and processing what God was sharing I asked what he wanted to say to her and he said tell her I'm winking at her. I questioned him and felt like that was it so when she came I gave her the amount God told me and she stepped back with a surprised look and told her God told me to give her that amount and He said he's winking at you! She paused and then said I got on my knees this morning and prayed to God. I said apparently he heard you! I don't know what happened between her and God but He has used me many times in circumstances similar over the years Yes I have been in leadership positions for a large part of my life and am always trying to expand my knowledge of God's word and ways in others ( part of my desire to become an elder sage!! I've heard it's a learning process ) I have been in a 2 year school of ministry training where we also did a book on listening not to mention Zowehs print out of listening and engaging. That being said I have much to learn!! King Me, The Heart of a Warrior, Search and Rescue, Waking the Dead, Hearing God, The ​​Sacred Romance, Wild At Heart, ​​Fathered By God, Captivating, Mere Christianity Zoweh Website Any time that works for you. I am in Maine eastern time Paul Kneeland p18kneeland@gmail.com 2073875931
88 Wed, 08/05/2026 - 17:28 Anonymous 2a04:4e41:2a05:6ee7::168f:eee7 James Withers jmarcwithers@aol.com 5203905935
6401 Woodbine Road
Woodbine, MD 21797
United States
 April 18 1957 In July of 2022 my wife of 39 and a half years unexpectedly passed away. Up to that point I had always thought I could deal with anything myself. How wrong I was! After many months of grief and despair, I slowly emerged thanks to the interaction and intercession of a number of good men, delving deeply into the Bible and connecting in a personal way with Jesus. In late 2022, My church (Damascus Road Community Church) had a course I took, called Rooted, with an interesting taxonomy of involvement with the church and our savior: consumer, connected, committed, and compelled. I felt a deep passion to learn and engage more both within and without the church community, help others as I had been helped, and move from being committed to being compelled. Accordingly I became a facilitator in the course our church offers, How You Get Through What You are Going Through (based on a study guide written by Rich Warren); a mentor in the related monthly session our church offers to the community (called You Are Not Alone); active in various Bible groups, and looking for opportunities to help others, especially men, based on my life experiences. I was married to my lovely wife from December 1982 until she unexpectedly passed away in July 2022. I have two children, a daughter born in 1984 and a son born in 1989. Both are faithful Christians and active in their communities. Both are married and have children: a daughter and son to my daughter and a son to my son. I have a younger brother and sister and two step-sisters and a step-brother. My father is still living (and is 92); my mother passed away in 1994. Nothing directly. Gary Chavez and Rusty Eckman have told me a little about your events. I grew up in the church and never had any doubts about the church or Jesus - but, truth be told, would not say that until the event I will mention that I had a personal relationship with Jesus. In the summer of 1993, we moved to a new post (I was in the Army) and I had to go away for three months for some special training. My wife had spent the prior year with a Bible group reading the Bible from start to finish and renewing and strengthening her faith. She challenged me to do the same as I was off and try to do it in three months. I had never read the Bible sequentially and accepted her challenge. As I read the Bible every night, I became more and more engrossed in how everything connected and ended up reading the Bible in two and a half months. I remember then finishing Revelations and having an epiphany: how connected and logical the Bible is and how the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross is the seminal event in human history. And praying and thanking him (Jesus) for what he had done for me and all mankind. In one of the How You Get Through courses, I became friendly with a man who had been a Christian, fell away from church and the gospel, had a bitter divorce, and was now struggling with what had happened to him and how he could reconnect with the church and Jesus and renew his faith. Over a number of weeks I had a variety of conversations with him both about scripture and highlighting my experiences. We struck a chord and I am pleased to say he did reconnect with the church and Jesus; I see him occasionally in a Bible study group and he is a transformed man. I hope you do not mind if I crib from the King Me book.

Wounds are pain and an injury (injuries) that are inflicted on a person. These can be emotional, spiritual and/or physical injuries arising from trauma, abuse, generational issues, etc leading to someone doubting themself, insecurity and deeper distress.

Vows are a coping mechanism a person undertakes to (try to) ensure the person does not experience the same pain/wound again. The inference is that this is a personal vow in which a person uses their will power to try to protect themself. While a vow can, at least temporarily act as a protection mechanism, it can ultimately become self limiting, precluding healthy growth and stifle intimacy with Jesus Christ.

Agreements inherently are self-deception in which a person trying to cope with a wound makes some kind of alignment, perhaps unconsciously, with a false narrative in an attempt to make sense of what has occurred.
My mother and father had a deteriorating marriage and divorced when I was 8. They would often involve my brother and I in their arguments and physical altercations. I remember one incident when my father and mother were slapping each other and my mother started yelling for my brother and I to run and get the neighbors to come to the house. My brother and I both ran off and hid and came back some time later. Then my father took my brother off to give him a spanking and my mother yelled at me for not bringing the neighbors. In general, spiritual warfare is the battle between good and evil. More directly, it is the battle(s) we fight against Satan, his minions and sin. Ephesians 6: 10-18 of course is a famous set of passages on how to arm ourself to combat evil. My personal interpretation is to be firm in one's faith and knowledgeable in the word of God. And this may seem a bit corny: as a metaphor I always think that the Holy Spirit is in my diaphragm ready to be tapped for strength and reinforcement. I hear from God in the insight and discussion I have with other Godly men; books I read with their discourse and reasoning (e.g. the Cross of Christ by John Stott), and occasionally in prayer answered. Often the first two reinforce each other as is the case in my example. In the Spring of 2023, I took the How You Get Thru What You are Going Through course at DRCC. After the course, a leader at DRCC reached out and asked if I wanted to become one of the course facilitators. We met and talked about it - basically they thought I could use my experiences to help others in future courses. At the same time I was reading a book by Jerry Sitter - A Grace Revealed. In this book, I'm paraphrasing, he talks about how most of us like the person we have become (or are becoming) but wonder at the circumstances that it took to get us to this point (especially if wounding and/or loss had to be overcome). This juxtaposition of events, along with prayer and encouraging thoughts, led me to conclude God wanted me to engage in this ministry and help others as I had been helped. Not through an organization like Zoweh. While in the Army (I was in the Army 20 years; retired as a LTC) and then in MITRE (I was an engineering manager), I took several courses (and taught a few) on giving and receiving feedback, counseling people, etc. But this was oriented towards the military and a large commercial organization - not training in engagement in another man's story. King Me, The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity Another Elder-Sage Mondays or Tuesdays during the day; depends on the date. (I own a farm and farm store and am often about; texting is a good way to set up a call with me.) Emmet (Rusty) Eckman emmet.eckman@gmail.com 7204271992
87 Wed, 08/05/2026 - 09:21 Anonymous 24.170.227.69 Stafford Ouderkirk Satff.ouderkirk@charter.net 703 728-1971
1320 Belvo Estates Dr
Miamisburg, OH 45342
United States
 March 17 1949 I am interested in pursuing this initiative because I believe God has been preparing me for it throughout my life, even when I did not recognize what He was doing.
For many years, I measured life by achievement, responsibility, leadership, and caring for others through the roles I held. Those experiences were valuable and shaped me in many ways. Yet over the past few years, God has gently shown me that the greatest gift I can offer another man is not my accomplishments or my answers, but my willingness to listen, care, pray, and walk beside him.
As I look at this season of my life, I realize God has given me a lifetime of experiences, relationships, successes, disappointments, and lessons that can now be used to encourage others. I do not see this as reaching the end of my journey. Rather, I believe it is the beginning of a new calling.
I am not pursuing Elder Sage because I think I have all the answers. I am pursuing it because I want to become the kind of man another person feels safe talking to. I want to learn to listen more than I speak, to understand before offering advice, and to trust God to do the work that only He can do in another person's heart.
If God chooses to use my story to help another man recognize His faithfulness in his own life, I will consider it a privilege to serve.
My hope is to leave this training a little wiser, a little more compassionate, and a little more like Christ than when I arrived, better prepared to walk beside the men God places in my path.
 God has richly blessed me with a family that has shaped my life in ways I have come to appreciate more deeply over the years. Looking back, I see His faithfulness woven throughout every season of my life, often through the people He placed around me.
I grew up with my brother and sisters in a home where my parents loved us and worked hard to provide for our family. They were not the kind of parents who regularly sat down to discuss life's deeper questions or offer much personal guidance, but I do not see that as a failure on their part. They gave what they had, and I remain grateful for the love, and values they provided.
Because of that environment, I learned independence at an early age. That independence became one of my greatest strengths, but it also led me to rely heavily on myself. Only years later did I recognize that while my parents gave me a foundation, God was quietly placing other people in my life—teachers, Scout leaders, military leaders, mentors, friends, and eventually Christian men—who would help shape my character and influence my faith in ways I never anticipated.
One of God's greatest gifts has been my wife, Carole. We have been married for more than fifty-five years, and throughout those years she has faithfully walked beside me through military assignments, frequent moves, career demands, retirement, and, more recently, my spiritual awakening. Looking back, I realize that many of the opportunities I was able to pursue required sacrifices from her that often went unnoticed. While I was focused on serving my country and building a career, she faithfully supported me, encouraged me, and stood beside me through every season. Her steadfast love, patience, and unwavering commitment have been a constant reflection of God's faithfulness in my life.
As I look back today, I realize that family is not defined only by those we are born into, but also by the people God brings alongside us throughout life. My parents, my wife, extended family, mentors, and the Christian brothers He has placed in my path have each helped shape the man I have become. Their influence continues to remind me that God often does His greatest work through ordinary people who quietly and faithfully walk beside me
 My experience with Zoweh began when I attended a Zoweh Encounter several years ago. Looking back, I now realize that event became an important turning point in my spiritual journey. It encouraged me to begin looking beyond what I had accomplished in life and to ask what God was doing in my heart.
One of the greatest blessings from that first Encounter was not only what I learned, but the relationships that followed. I met several men who have become trusted friends, encouragers, and fellow travelers in my walk with Christ. They have continued to challenge me, pray for me,and encourage me to take the next step in my spiritual journey. Those friendships eventually led me to accept the invitation to attend the Elder Sage retreat.
Since then, I have continued to grow through Zoweh resources, particularly The Heart of a Warrior by Michael Thompson. I have participated in and helped lead discussions within our men's ministry as we explored identity, healing, purpose, and what it means to follow Christ as men.
In addition to those studies, I regularly participate in several faith-based men's groups, including a veteran’s fellowship. Those relationships have given me opportunities to listen to other men's stories, share my own journey, and witness how God works through honest conversation, encouragement, and prayer.
Most recently, preparing for the Elder Sage retreat has deepened that journey even further. Writing my personal testimony, reflecting on God's quiet faithfulness throughout my life, and intentionally developing the skills to listen well have all become part of God's continuing work in my heart.
As I look back, I realize Zoweh has been much more than a retreat or a collection of resources. God has used it to introduce me to men who have walked beside me, encouraged me to discover my own story, and helped me grow from simply knowing about Christ to walking more closely with Him. I am grateful for how those relationships continue to shape both my faith and my desire to help other men experience that same hope.
 God and Jesus were always part of my life growing up. I believed in God, occasionally attended church, and considered faith to be important, but for much of my life it remained in the background while I focused on becoming independent and finding my own way.
Military service, raising a family, and building a career reinforced that independence. I learned to solve problems, accept responsibility, and accomplish the missions before me. Those experiences shaped me into the man I became, but they also strengthened my tendency to rely on myself more than on God.
Several years ago, God began quietly changing that. Through a Zoweh Encounter, faithful Christian friends, men's groups, Scripture, prayer, and honest reflection, I began to understand that my relationship with Jesus was meant to be personal, not simply something I believed intellectually. For the first time, I began to see myself not primarily through what I had accomplished, but through God's love and grace.
As I looked back over my life, I recognized something I had never fully seen before. God had been faithfully guiding my journey long before I realized He was doing so. The events of my life had not changed, but my understanding of them had. I began to see His hand in both the ordinary and extraordinary moments that had shaped me.
Today, my faith continues to grow. I do not see my journey as arriving at a destination, but as learning each day to know Christ more personally, trust Him more completely, and follow Him more faithfully.
 One of the most meaningful opportunities to share my Jesus story has been through writing and sharing my personal testimony, My Story—Getting My Heart Back.
What began as an assignment before attending an Elder Sage retreat became much deeper. As I reflected on my life, I realized I was not simply writing about military service, career experiences, or retirement. I was discovering God's quiet faithfulness woven throughout every season of my life.
Since completing that testimony, I have shared portions of it with close Christian friends, men in our fellowship groups, and others who have encouraged me throughout my spiritual journey. Their responses have been deeply humbling. Rather than focusing on me, many have shared that my story caused them to begin reflecting on God's faithfulness in their own lives.
That has become my greatest hope whenever I share my testimony. I do not want people to remember my story. I hope they leave encouraged to discover their own story and recognize the many ways God has been quietly working in their lives, often long before they realized it.
Sharing my testimony has also reminded me that every man has a story worth telling. Sometimes all he needs is someone willing to listen with compassion, patience, and genuine interest.
 One of the most meaningful opportunities to share my Jesus story has been through writing and sharing my personal testimony, My Story—Getting My Heart Back.
What began as an assignment before attending an Elder Sage retreat became much deeper. As I reflected on my life, I realized I was not simply writing about military service, career experiences, or retirement. I was discovering God's quiet faithfulness woven throughout every season of my life.
Since completing that testimony, I have shared portions of it with close Christian friends, men in our fellowship groups, and others who have encouraged me throughout my spiritual journey. Their responses have been deeply humbling. Rather than focusing on me, many have shared that my story caused them to begin reflecting on God's faithfulness in their own lives.
That has become my greatest hope whenever I share my testimony. I do not want people to remember my story. I hope they leave encouraged to discover their own story and recognize the many ways God has been quietly working in their lives, often long before they realized it.
Sharing my testimony has also reminded me that every man has a story worth telling. Sometimes all he needs is someone willing to listen with compassion, patience, and genuine interest.
 When I reflect on my life, I realize my most significant wound was not created by one dramatic event. Rather, it developed quietly over many years.
From an early age I learned to become independent. My parents loved me and provided for our family, but much of my understanding of life came through my own experiences and through the many adults God placed along my path. Independence became one of my greatest strengths, but it also led me to rely heavily upon myself.
Over time, I measured my value by my ability to perform, succeed, lead, and meet expectations. Military service and my professional career reinforced many of those qualities. They were honorable pursuits, yet they gradually became part of how I defined my identity.
Retirement exposed something I had never fully recognized. As many of the titles and responsibilities disappeared, I found myself asking questions I had never seriously considered before: "Who am I apart from what I have accomplished?" and "What does God see when He looks at me?"
That season became the beginning of God's healing work in my life. Through Scripture, faithful friends, men's groups, and deep personal reflection, I began to understand that my identity is not rooted in performance but in being God's beloved son.
Looking back, I now see that God used even that wound to draw me closer to Himself and to prepare me to walk more compassionately beside other men who may be asking many of the same questions.
________________________________________
 My understanding of spiritual warfare has grown gradually through my walk with Christ rather than through dramatic experiences.
For much of my life, the greatest spiritual battles I faced were internal. Pride, self-reliance, the desire to achieve, and believing my identity depended upon my performance quietly influenced the way I viewed myself and the world around me. At the time, I did not recognize those struggles as part of a spiritual battle.
Over the past several years, God has gently revealed those patterns through Scripture, prayer, trusted Christian friendships, and honest self-reflection. I have come to understand that spiritual warfare often involves believing lies about our identity rather than embracing the truth of who we are in Christ.
As God has continued His work in my heart, I have experienced greater freedom through prayer, confession, repentance, and trusting His grace instead of my own strength. I know the battle continues, but I also know that Christ is faithful, and that lasting victory comes through remaining close to Him rather than depending upon myself.
My familiarity with spiritual warfare is not based upon extraordinary events. It comes from experiencing God's patient work of transforming my heart and teaching me to recognize the daily battle between self-reliance and surrender to Him.
 I have never heard the audible voice of God, yet I can honestly say He has spoken to me in many meaningful ways throughout my life.
Most often, I recognize God's voice through Scripture, prayer, circumstances, and the wise counsel of other believers. There have been times when a particular passage of Scripture spoke directly to a question I had been wrestling with. At other times, God has used trusted Christian friends to offer encouragement or wisdom that I needed to hear at exactly the right moment.
Perhaps the greatest way I have heard from God has been by looking backward over my life. As I have reflected on my journey and written my personal testimony, I have come to recognize His quiet faithfulness in ways I never understood before. Events that once appeared unrelated now reveal a pattern of God's loving guidance, even when I was unaware of His presence.
One example that stands out is my invitation to attend a Zoweh Encounter and, later, the Elder Sage retreat. At first, I viewed those invitations simply as opportunities presented by friends. Looking back, I now see them as part of God's gentle invitation to begin a deeper journey of knowing Him and allowing Him to reshape my heart.
Hearing from God has not been about dramatic moments for me. It has been about learning to recognize His faithful presence through ordinary circumstances, faithful friendships, His Word, and the quiet prompting of the Holy Spirit over time.
 I have not received formal clinical training in counseling or psychotherapy. My preparation has come primarily through life experience, recent Christian discipleship, and intentionally learning to become a better listener.
Throughout my military career, professional leadership roles, and volunteer ministry, I have spent many years listening to people facing challenges, making difficult decisions, and working through personal and professional struggles. While those experiences taught me the importance of listening, they also showed me how easy it is to offer answers before fully understanding another person's heart.
Over the past several years, my preparation has become much more intentional. Through Zoweh, participation in several Christian men's groups, veterans' ministries, and my work with Crosswinds Foundation's Warrior Hope program, I have learned that one of the greatest gifts we can give another person is our presence and our willingness to listen without trying to fix them immediately.
Preparing for the Elder Sage retreat has deepened that understanding even further. As I have reflected on my own story, practiced listening skills, studied thoughtful questions, and learned to become more comfortable with silence, I have discovered that meaningful conversations begin when people feel safe enough to share what is truly in their hearts.
I continue to view myself as a lifelong learner. I am not pursuing Elder Sage because I believe I have mastered the art of listening. I am pursuing it because I desire to grow into the kind of man who listens with humility, compassion, patience, and wisdom, trusting God to do His work in another person's heart.
 King Me, The Heart of a Warrior, The Screwtape Letters, Wild At Heart Another Elder-Sage Tuesdays - Early Morning Don Jenkins djenkins@leadersadvantage.us 803-240-7391
81 Thu, 07/02/2026 - 09:45 Anonymous 208.38.225.198 Earl Moyer earl.moyer@gmail.com 9376021882
210 North Branch Run
Tipp City, OH 45371
United States
 February 11 1949 Ready to dig deeper and share my Christian growth experiences with other men. I grew up on a farm married my childhood sweetheart (at 19, she was 18), spent 24 years in the US Air Force. I have a Son (52), married with a son and daughter and Daughter (48) married with a daughter. Great, solid family relationships, all Believers. I attended Dangerous for Good event in Dayton, OH 2026; I have also attended Heart of a Warrior Expedition in Goshen VA spring 2026. Currentlyleading Heart of a Warrior Group/class and also completed The Good Man Series (June 2026). I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior at 17 while attending a Billy Graham Crusade (1966). Went into the USAF shortly afterward and did nothing with that first step of faith experience until 1974 when I became involved with The Navigators organization. The Navigators showed me what that decision some 8 years earlier was all about. I began my walk with Jesus as my Savior and never looked back, even with plenty of misteps on the way, He never left me. While on a Kairos Prison Ministry Weekend, one of the Residents (prisoners), asked me about who Jesus was (is), so the best way to explain who Jesus is was to step beyond the Biblical context and share WHO Jesus is and how following Him has impacted my life and my families life. The result of this was that it answered his questions and (seemed to) offer Hope to him in his life. Having experienced the Zoweh Heart of a Warrior experiences and studies, I have come to understand that the wounding has a spiritual dimension and the wounds men often suffer results in their life being (far) less than what God desires for them. The wounds lead to personal vows to never again do anything that would allow another person to "wound" them again. The wounds become scars that limit deep spiritual growth. Having reflected upon this for, what seems like, a very long time, I believe that the "wounds" that I have experienced have curiously resulted in me making decisions that frankly have improved my life. But in ministry with, and to, other men, I have learned that while my "wounds" are minor, I am able to understand and empathize with men who have suffered far greater (deeper) wounds by listening and often, just "being there" for them. I belive satan is real as are his demons. They frequently play a role in our every day life as well as those around us. I often choose to see the issues of my community, my nation, and the world, as issues of spiritual warfare - where spiritual (heavenly) forces are engaging with evil forces. The intent of the evil is to cause us to lose Hope and lose focus on our REAL spiritual calling as sons of God. While our purpose is to worship God in all things, our mission is to proclaim God and what He has done for us through Jesus Christ, practices of evil result in us becoming confused and disoriented to the point where we fail to undertstand/accept our mission - which requires overcoming the evil spiritual forces by actively engaging in spiritual warfare along with Jesus. When starting a recent men's group at my Church, I believe clearly that God provided guidance to me and I heard His desire was for me to start not just another men's group, but one focused on fathers with time demands of jobs and children/family activities that can conflict with their own spiritual growth. Having led a number of men's groups over the years, that particular vision had never occurred to me - I am confident that God "spoke" to me by revealing a desired different approach to discipling other men. I have experienced 21 years of prison ministry (Kairos International), served on numerous Emmaus Weekends teams, and led a number of men's groups, so yes, I understand, and I'm always looking to learn more. The Heart of a Warrior, Wild At Heart Zoweh Website Between 9:00 am-8:00 pm week days , I'm retired. Rob Ulmer rob.ulmer@stillwaterchurch.org 937-454-9405
79 Sat, 06/20/2026 - 03:39 Anonymous 2604:f440:8:4003:81dd:c370:7c63:472a Joseph Zgrabik geescravi@gmail.com 7042215875
6010 Webster Way
Waxhaw, NC 28173
United States
 March 14 1960 I would like to be there for other men in their struggles just as other men have been there for me in my struggles and continue to be there for me and for each other. I feel I have the gift of encouragement and empathize with other men in the battles they face. I sense the Lord speaking to me to tell me this is a good direction for me to pursue. I have been married for 41 years to my wife, Alfia. We have three adult children, Jacob (36), Hannah (34) and Aaron (30). Our two sons live in Phoenix, AZ and our daughter lives in Roanoke, VA. We have three grandchildren, from our son Jacob and his partner, Lisa. Jacob and I were always at odds, and I never thought I would ever have any kind of relationship together, but one day we talked about it all and hugged each other and shed a lot of tears. Today we are very close, all by the grace of God. Our youngest, Aaron, is in a recovery program in Phoenix. I first heard about through the one day event, Dangerous for God. At the time I was more involved with John Eldridge's book, Wild at Heart, but saw many parallels and good information in both. I attended Heart of a Warrior for the first time this past April 2026 I gave my life to Christ in 1979, after a friend convinced me that I should read the Bible. This got my curiosity and I managed to get a free Bible from somewhere because the enemy just would not let me buy one. I didn't know which one to buy so I just put it off for months. Then one day I was with a friend in the park, and I just started talking to the Lord, unknowingly out loud. I just figured I was just talking to myself, but then the Holy Spirit (didn't know it was Him but new something was different) - I can't even put it into words, implanted in my mind, convinced me, whatever you want to call it, that I needed to call out to Jesus for help. I believe when I did this, I became a believer because I already knew in my heart of hearts that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead. My calling out to Him sealed the deal that He did this for me. I say I got saved in 1979, but I came to really know the Lord in 1996 after my mother had passed away 2 years previous to this encounter with God in the desert of Tucson, AZ where we were living at the time. This encounter changed my perspective on how God reaches me and how intimacy with me is what He most wants in my life. I have shared my story twice recently in two different men's groups. Both time at The Barn in Indian Land, SC. I told about growing up Catholic with five brothers and one sister in Cleveland, OH and stories of how the nuns treated their students. I was humiliated in the 2nd grade and since then Jesus has redeemed me by walking with me through the incident allowing me to see what should have happened. Even going as far as telling me, "Ignore her (the nun) and come with me. I can't tell you how freeing that was. A wound is something that you have experienced that has driven your life to do things that you either have no idea you are doing or are stuck because someone has caused so much pain that it only brings about anger and believing lies about yourself and God. Wounds caused us to live a life in our false self. Vows, say I will never be like that person, do what that person has done, ever be like my father, ever be like my brother and turn from anything this person has done. Agreements are things we say are good in many ways and help us to make better choices. I made an agreement with myself and God that I will not react to anything my wife says without asking myself these two questions and agreeing on the next statement. first one - Do you think your wife is malicious? [I normally immediately say, No]. So, what is going on, then? Next, do not respond until you have the big picture (85%, 95% is not enough). This usually requires me to take some emotional risk, asking questions. My father wound was one of the biggest wounds for me that God has allowed me to walk through and bring about healing of my soul. I would always ask my dad for his advice when I needed to decide about something. He would never give it and say something to the effect, "I am not going to give you advice because if it doesn't turn out, you are going to blame me for your decision." I always looked at that as him being a cop out and feeling abandoned as a result, especially at a time when I could have really used his guidance. Then while reading, "Wild at Heart" The Father wound chapter God spoked to me about my father wound. He asked me pointed questions. Like, "Do you think your dad loved you?" [Yes, of course] Do you think your dad hated you? [No, not at all]. "What do you think he really meant when he said what he said?" "Do you think your dad gave you advice?" [What? Really!] This is where God healed me. I said "No" and then he showed me how my God lived by example and he trusted me to do the right thing(s), make good choices by the example he was to us all. I broke down in tears and the lie was exposed. This has given me much more courage to make decisions now, where before I would have a hard time picking what restaurant to eat at - I mean agonize over it. Spiritual warfare is real. The devil is real but God is more powerful than him. I would say the greatest spiritual battle every man faces is sexual satisfaction and the enemy knows it. God has designed us as men with this drive but the enemy constantly looks for ways to pervert it. The Scriptures tell us that the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. This is why we need to be in an intimate relationship with God and with our spouse to battle his wiles against our souls. The enemy is subtle and being in fellowship with other men helps us to talk about those attacks and makes us stronger for the next battle we face. I have so many examples and just had an encounter with God on my porch this evening that allowed me to say this simple statement to my wife who was sitting on the sofa at the time doing her schoolwork. "I am so glad that we can be together and have fun together!" Nothing earth shattering, but what has this done for my wife's soul. I may never know! A few Carolina Outpost ago, as I was going on the spiritual journey walk (my name for it), we were approaching the chapel with the bagpipes playing Amazing Grace and I felt like God gave me nothing, until, He said this to me, "Just relax!" I would like to say I complied willingly, but I did not. In fact, I got somewhat angry at God and said some choice words [If you will allow me to be real here] "WTF is that supposed to mean, God" Again, I heard, “Just relax!” I had to hear a few more times until my heart settled down. I was everything but relaxed. Now I was getting curious, my heart shifted to, "What is going on? "Next, God drew me to the side outside of view of everyone and I fell to my knees. More, "What is going on God?" Now, I knew I was in God's presence. Then it started: [I cannot tell this story without weeping] "Joe, I am so proud of you! Me: Thanks Lord, I really appreciate that!" God said this to me repeatedly again until He and I knew that I got it. I shall never, ever forget this encounter I had with my Lord, The King of kings, the lover of my soul, the One who calls me a Warrior for His Kingdom. I have had some time to listen to other men's stories, but I know this is something God wants me to do more of. I am just not sure how to do it as it seems that every time I reach out not much happens. Even so, I am not giving up because I think this is the path the Lord has me on. I need to listen more. I have been listening better to my one friends stories and his struggles, and this has brought us closer together as friends and brothers. At The Barn, I am in a group with other men where we listen to each other’s stories. King Me, The Screwtape Letters, Bondage Breaker, Victory over the Darkness, Wild At Heart, ​​Fathered By God, Mere Christianity Heard about this at the last Heart of a Warrior event this past April 2026 Fridays are best as I work remotely on Friday's and can take calls. Tuesday is about the only day that is very busy. Monday morning is good too. Wed or Thurs evening is fine too. Haines Maxwell haines@bravomarketingagency.com 704.564.5928
73 Thu, 05/07/2026 - 19:50 Anonymous 2603:80a0:3f00:1d4:80da:e83e:8893:af6d Kenneth Prine kprine6@yahoo.com 9037361134
167 Camp Rd
Longview, Texas, TX 75605
United States
 July 15 1957 The Lord has given me the opportunity to work with men in my local church through life groups. He has also through my own personal struggles laid on my heart that men, (including me), are not oriented and are struggling to be true image bearers of Christ. As I have gotten more involved with Zoweh through the weekly Zoom calls with Michael, the Holy Spirit has moved my heart towards ministering to men who are struggling with their walk with God. I feel called to step up and work with men to find their true self, as I am currently doing in my own life, and in doing thus fulfilling the Great Commission I am married to the most beautiful women in the world! She is the most precious gift from God. Her name is Kim, is a product of East Texas and grew up in Gilmer, Texas. When Kim and I married, she had four children from a previous marriage and I had two. Her children all live in Longview, Texas, while my son and his family live in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and my daughter and her family live in Texarkana, Texas.
Kim and I have seven grandchildren - Mckenzie; Michael; Hanna; Reagan; Emma; Knox and Hudson. We also have one great grandchild, Juniper and Juniper has a little brother coming soon.
 Three years ago, I bought Michael's book, "Heart of a Warrior", I ordered it from Zoweh. Michael's book change me as a man and ultimately help me to understand that I was disoriented.
Fast forward two and half years and I get invited to sit in on Zoom calls with Michael on the very book I had read prior and was in the process of teaching in small men's group.
On April 17th thru 19th, I was fortunate to attend my first Zoweh event, the Heart of a Warrior Encounter in Goshen, VA.		 I had surrendered my heart to Jesus during vacation bible school when I was 8 years old, and was baptized at Don Avenue Baptist Church in Denham Springs, Louisiana. I really did not connect with my Lord until I was in High School, as a member of Hebron Baptist Church. Two of my uncles were Baptist preachers so naturally I listened to the before, and after sermon discussions.
My uncle Kenny Bankston was having a revival at his church, which was about an hour and a half drive, my grandparents asked me to drive them to the revival.
It was during the service that I really felt the movement of the Holy Spirit in my heart and felt the call to minister, thus began my journey.		 When I was going to Southeastern Louisiana University, there was a guy in my speech class who was majoring in business so he could open up a liquor store.
I remember talking with him several times about what the Lord had done for me . One day as we were walking across campus and discussing how to be saved and what that means that he decided to give his life to Christ!		 I was not at all familiar with these terms until last year when we had a freedom weekend at church. The church had a speaker come in who has been in the freedom ministry for forty-five years. Her name was Linda Godsey, she wrote the book "Generational Iniquity". I was amazed finding the wounding that my heart endured in my formative years. Soon after I reread Michael's book, "Heart of a Warrior" and it all started to come together. I found more freedom while attending the Heart of A Warrior Encounter this past April. I remember my dad taking me hunting when I was about twelve years old. It was very cold and he had me on a deer stand a couple of hundred yards away in the woods. I became so cold that my fingers and toes were numb. I decided to go to him in hopes that he would help me get warm or at least go to the truck and turn on the heater.
Instead, he berated me for messing up the hunt, told me to never leave the stand for any reason until he came for me.
I was devastated and hurt.		 When I surrendered to the ministry and started college the future was bright, I was happy to be headed for what I perceived to be a rewarding career ministering to people. Satan had other ideas, he used a church member's unkind and caustic words towards me to destroy my identity and install guilt and shame. This led to me doubting my calling and eventually I dropped out of college and joined the military. It was many years later that I realized what happened, Ephesians chapter six became a rallying cry for my soul. Driving back and forth to Louisiana to take care of my dad, who had been on decline for most of 2015, I was feeling overwhelmed. The pressure of his condition, the driving and taking care of three households, (my mom too), and life group responsibilities left me drained. I was listening to Brandon Lake sing his song, "Hard fought Halleluiah", I cried to Lord for help and He answered me with, " It's ok son, don't be overwhelmed with life, be overwhelmed by by my Goodness!" Yes, the school of Hard Knocks! For some reason throughout my life people, mainly men, have sought me out for counsel and advice. It was always a pleasure to help another man with his worries and direction. The Heart of a Warrior, The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity Another Elder-Sage Call me anytime Bill! Kenneth Prine kprine6@yahoo.com 9037361134
72 Thu, 05/07/2026 - 17:18 Anonymous 174.56.73.151 Kevin Kuehn kkuehn3000@gmail.com 5054753912
8928 Oso Corridor Pl NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114
United States
 February 26 1959 God is telling me I need to get back working with Men
I have lead mens groups before but the last few years I have been drawn away in to the desert
God has been calling me to step up to my part of his-story, that my story needs to be shared		 Just me and My wife, we are empty nesters, 2 sons, one in the military (navy) one who has pasted away, and 1 daughter i have read The Heart of a Warrior and King Me. just started The Good Man Series Zoom gathering , with you on Thursday morning.
been a Wild at Heart (John Eldredge) fan and had lead it in men's group several times and have gone to a Wild at Heart bootcamp,
also have lead study on It's Your Call: What Are You Doing Here?: Gary Barkalow and have done several of his calling intensity
also have lead several other Men books in my groups		 This is a hard one to set in stone, I was raised a Lutheran and my dad was in the army, so went to several base chapel Sunday school when I was growing up Jesus has been a part of my whole life. even the time I started to go a Viking I saw Jesus as thor. ( i know this was wrong but i still did it),
Then a Lady I starting dating handed me a Book "Wild At Heart" that set me back on the path that I needed to be on. I have married that Lady and together we walk with God		 every time when a new men's group would start I would start with His-Story Finding him in the middle of our own
I also do a weekly substack. called His-story, so it is never ending for me right now		 A father wound is the pain left behind when a father relationship was broken, missing, unsafe, distant, or emotionally empty.
A vow is an inner promise a person makes during a time of pain, fear, or disappointment.
An agreement is when a person accepts a lie, identity, or belief as truth because of repeated pain, words, or experiences.		 There are some men who never say much, yet somehow teach you everything. I grew up in a military family. My mom was the wife of an Army man, and she ruled the roost with a wooden spoon and a firm voice. In our house there was structure, discipline, and expectations. You learned quickly what was acceptable and what was not. Looking back now, I understand much of that came from survival, responsibility, and carrying the weight of family life.
My father was different. He was a quiet man. Not weak. Not absent. Just quiet. He was the kind of man whose actions spoke louder than words ever could. He taught me without lectures. He taught me by doing. By fixing things. By showing up. By carrying responsibility without complaint. By working with his hands and figuring things out as he went. He taught me to become a jack of all trades. Learn how to repair things. Learn how to work. Learn how to adapt. Learn how to survive. If something breaks, figure it out. If something needs doing, do it yourself. He did not always know how to speak about feelings, wounds, fears, or disappointments. Many of them carried burdens silently because that was what they were taught a man does., but Inever learned to be a MAN
 The battle is on
Have you ever stood somewhere and realized no one else was standing with you? Not physically. But spiritually. You’re trying to do the right thing.
You’re trying to live it out. You’re trying to stay grounded in your faith. And it feels like everyone else has stepped away, or stepped back.
I have moments like that. Moments where you show up ready to serve, ready to stand, ready to do what you know is right.
And then you look around…And it’s quiet. you are there by your self behind enemy lines.
 I had a dream.
I was in a shield wall again, fighting alongside others. The line was strong, well-trained. We worked together, moving as one.
But then—we lost the man on my right. And just like that, my side was exposed. Training kicked in. Everything sharpened.
I could feel the pressure of the men behind me. I could sense the movement around me—the polearm coming over my shoulder from the second line.
Time slowed down. It felt like an eternity waiting for someone to step into that gap. But then—he did.
The line was restored. And together… we pushed forward. the day was won.

I believe this was a nudge from God.
A reminder to step back into something I started… but never finished.

 Stephen Minister training King Me, The Heart of a Warrior, Search and Rescue, Waking the Dead, The Screwtape Letters, Hearing God, Victory over the Darkness, It’s Your Call, Wild At Heart, ​​Fathered By God, Captivating, Mere Christianity Another Elder-Sage i work m-f 7am to 4 pm MST any time after that Dave Kyser dont@know.com 9046312926
71 Sun, 04/26/2026 - 13:05 Anonymous 2601:5c7:200:3610:fde4:da4e:5caa:f18b James Leichliter JimLeichliter@gmail.com 5405697472
10173 Timber Oak Dr.
McGaheysville, VA 22840
United States
 October 15 1975 I find myself in a season of life where God has positioned and empowered me to give back. Life experience and healing have come full circle... allowing to speak life and hope to others walking that paths that I've traveled before.. and learning from those who's path is different. I feel uniquely equipped to listen well and respond with love and grace. In short, I have wisdom and strength to offer, and an open heart and mind to receive and learn. My wife and I live in McGaheysville, VA outside of Massanutten Resort. We have seven children and four grand children between the two of us. We are both divorced and remarried. We have two sons serving in the Marines. One in Okinawa, Japan, and another in camp Geiger. Our grand children range from 2 years old up to six. Our families live very close to each other in the area and it's wonderful to be able to step in and support them as young parents. We attend DUCC (Divine Unity Community Church) which is a multi-cultural, multi-generational church of all ethnicities. my wife Tamara and I lead a small group for couples at the church. I've been attending the Zoweh Heart of a Warrior conferences since 2014 when it was called Top Gun. I've been to two advanced weekends. Also volunteered for kitchen duty for the women's deepening weekend. This past Heart of a Warrior conference I volunteered as a Medic. All that to say, once I first heard Michael's message in 2014, I knew this journey would change the trajectory of my life... and the lives of my children. I'm grateful for his life and influence through these conferences and experiences. Looking forward to joining arms with my brothers expanding the message and mission! It started in Youth Group at church when then landed me a job at a Presbyterian Summer Camp. The Camp Operations Director was an incredible man who took me under his wing while I was struggling with my Dad and my parent's divorce. He showed me love, compassion, kindness, grace and it was through Him and the camp ministry that I experienced God's love and grace. He was the reason I dedicated my life to God and haven't looked back. While attending Messiah University, I traveled the streets of Harrisburg, PA with the streetlights ministry to share God's love with people. I remember speaking with a man who had recently lost his son in a car accident and blamed God for taking his son away. I told him that God understands loss, pain and suffering, but he didn't want to hear any of it. After this heartbreaking encounter, I realized that sharing God's love with people through a street ministry probably wasn't the best avenue. Since then, I've tried to follow the "Preach the gospel... use words if necessary" approach by building relationships and trust. It has deeply shaped the way I "speak" and share my story with people. I've spend 1/3 of my life in therapy for the wounds I have sustained in childhood through my parent's divorce... and through my own. It wasn't until my late 20's and early 30's that I realized that a fear of abandonment and complex PTSD had ruled most of my life's choices and decisions. The agreements and vows to never end up in divorce, or for my children to experience a divorce... or be like my dad... or arrange for love because I didn't want to be alone... all of these things had to be undone, unlearned and rebuilt and recalibrated by the Love of God. This is ongoing life-long work that gets easier over time. Through acknowledgement of wounding others, asking for forgiveness, and rebuilding relationships with my children, God has graciously restored most of my relationships... I'm still trying to rebuild my relationship with one of my daughters, Haven. At age 9, my Dad left my mom and I thought I was to blame. He had snapped at me just before he left and I though I caused him to leave. I thought that I was too much and that he didn't love me anymore. I blamed myself for my parent's divorce and over time, developed an eating disorder. After six years in therapy as a kid, I was able to see what had happened and heal from this disease. I then became bitter and angry towards my Dad which greatly affected my relationship with God. We didn't speak for almost 10 years. I learned many hard lessons along the way... and I'm very proud and glad to say that my Dad and I are very close today! We have worked through all of our differences and we both have grown into better men because of it. I used to think that if God wanted us to engage in spiritual warfare, he would allow us to see angels and demons... and since we can't, then it's something I shouldn't really concern myself with. When I went to my first Top Gun conference, I remember expressing concern to Tom about how much emphasis was given to Spiritual Warfare and that perhaps, we were giving too much credit to the enemy for things that were just human brokenness.... essentially over spiritualizing things. Then came the beatdown! My first marriage fell apart, lost just about everything... even my job. It was a direct attack on my identity, my life, my family... to the point where I realized that the only way out, was through. It wasn't until I dug deeper into God, and began fighting the enemy's attacks that things began to get better. I began to warfare not only for myself, but for my kids. My naive view of my youth soon matured to the point where I now warfare every single day! We all have our special way God speaks to us. For me, it's mostly through a beautiful sunrise or sunset. It's also through trains! Messiah University is surrounded by train tracks. One night, while walking the campus and praying to God, I heard him say to get close to the train that was about to come by. As the earth shook and the torrent of wind came rushing by, I heard God say, "You will be like this train, carrying many into my kingdom." For me, this was an acknowledgement of his calling on my life, but also His commitment to guide and lead, love and restore. Now ever time I hear a train whistle, it's an echo of His faithfulness and calling on my life. It's an opportunity to give thanks and let God know that I love Him too! Yes. Most recently as a medic at Heart of a Warrior encounter this April. I also had a co-worker, Jeremy Cason, who wasn't married, but was living with his girlfriend and was a single dad to a little girl. He was struggling with depression and we became close. We'd talk on our lunch breaks about life and I encouraged him to go to therapy. He was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. I invited him to a Heart of a Warrior conference and he began to experience the community and friendship. After walking with him for a few years, I was let go from my job in a reduction in force. Unfortunately, I learned he committed suicide in a manic depressive state. As extremely tragic as this is, I was grateful to be a part of Jeremy's life and thankful that I could push back the darkness for my brother. As part of the brotherhood, we are called to speak life where we can, and be the presence of Jesus. That's what I hope to do with the Elder-Sage initiative. King Me, The Heart of a Warrior, Search and Rescue, Waking the Dead, Hearing God, The ​​Sacred Romance, It’s Your Call, Wild At Heart, ​​Fathered By God, Captivating, Mere Christianity Another Elder-Sage After 6:30 PM Dan Egbertson 7of.faith@gmail.com 540.718.7742
70 Mon, 04/20/2026 - 19:23 Anonymous 45.37.134.24 Kevin Randolph kivyrandolph@gmail.com 9199206652
207 Dixie Trail
Goldsboro, NC 27530
United States
 February 15 1958 Initiallly I was searching for a place to fit, a place to belong. It was my age bracket that first drew me to Elder/Sage, after I landed on the Zoweh site. That and the reality that I ended up at 68 yrs old pretty beat up. Need some help. After last weekend though, there is a shift in why I would give this a year to come into maturity. I saw, felt, experienced first hand the restorative power of one man standing with another. An ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on, maybe a neck to hug. It's so interesting to me that only days before Rock Bridge I asked God to give me the strength to "finish well." A phrase right out of the notebook. Only I hadn't seen a notebook yet. It might have been on my way home, I'm not sure, the thought struck me, why the need to ask? It is absolutely the Father's will that I do just that. Right now, at my keyboard, I want to do as much damage to the kingdom of darkness as possible. This burning thing rises up. Kinda like getting pissed. Holy anger? Is that even a thing? I wonder how old Peter was when he got it...So, were I to aid in being able to spare or help restore another man, I would count that as worthwhile. A lasting impact. 2nd marriage in the wind. 1st was wrecked by her affair. I was a long haul trucker. Waited 2 years for her to come back. Nope. I was awarded custody of our children. That should say something. 2 of those 3 children are severely and profoundly handicapped and in care facilities. I'm legal guardian of both. 2nd marriage was taken off the respirator and pronounced dead 6 months ago when the divorce I initiated was finalized. It hurt more than I thought possible. We have one boy, 23, bright, even brilliant. A graduate of NC State with his Masters in Aerospace Engineering. He lives with her for now, applying for positions that he is hopeful won't take him too far from home. I'm on my own. Not even remotely interested in sharing my hard fought, heart felt hallelujah with a female at this point. In 2011 I came to Top Gun. Then fell away. As the healing process of post divorce recovery dragged on, I pulled my dusty signed copy of Search and Rescue from my library. About a third the way through, I went to the Zoweh site, saw the Heart of a Warrior gathering in Goshen, debated for about 3 days then signed up. So I've been to two. With a loooong span between them. Which time? I'm not being smart here. When the pain of this divorce just about drove me mad. When I got tired of suicide ideations. I went back to the only church and pastor I trusted. There found grace, not finger pointing. I'm not a street corner evangelist. I can openly share at Recovery Alive on Friday night. A wound is more than a nick, or even a blackened finger nail. More than a casual slight. The kind that do not heal are the emotional ones. It is a slice into my soul, with the intent to eventually disable me or worse, turn me into an open enemy of The Kingdom of God. I've been through Elijah House training. Years ago. A vow is a contract, for me way more negative than otherwise, either verbal or with mental ascension that makes a statement that is binding from the point of issuance forward. It stands until struck down. An agreement is simply me going along with a thought. I can agree with a source of good, or I can agree with a source of evil. The danger for Kevin is when agreements work their way into vows. Yuck. The one, yeah, that one. It's when my father beat me unmercifully as a 6th grader. Couldn't have been more than 11 or 12. Us kids had been put with a family down the street for the evening. They were our babysitters while mom and he went out. We were and I guess it was me as the ringleader apparently very poorly behaved. I got it so bad at some point following that, at school I remember going into the boys room and pulling my pants and underwear down in front of the full length mirror. My butt cheeks looked like a rainbow. Purple, yellow, green, dark red. Can't unsee that. Over 55 years ago. Can't unsee that. That is subcutaneous bleeding. He beat me bloody. So I've processed my own William Young "Shack" moment countless times. No Daddy No. I don't have medals in this arena. The one time I vividly remember is when my wife's SUV was stolen from our home. She needed it to travel to Philly to see her mom. She was so tore up. It had been about 3 weeks with no word from the local PD. I was on my commute to work when this hot anger boiled up in me and I bellowed, "Satan you will take your filthy hands of Susan's car! I have the authority to command you to let it loose! And you will let it loose! Her car was found within the day. Somewhere in this timeline of post divorce crap, I was so beat down. Couldn't buy a happy thought. Straight up depressed. I had blurred the lines of no contact and was still trying to be a "nice guy". One morning in a fit of desparation I told God, yes, told Him, I needed a word. Just one word from Him would do. I made the agreement with myself I would tell no one of this. Not my pastor, no one. That way no one could influence the outcome. Within the day I clearly caught this thought. One word. "Boundaries" I bought the book by Cloud and Townsend, read into it and saw myself throughout as a compliant. They helped me get my "no" back. I know that I know He dropped that one word into my spirit. My life has improved markedly since I got my "no" back. On another example, every time I get so fed up with my job, so ready to leave and retire, I hear, "not yet". I train folks to drive tractor trailers at a community college. I'm an instructor there. He will gently remind me I'm there for more than a paycheck. Twice ex-cons have thanked me for helping them start a new path. That's His way of patting me on my head, it goes a long way. Simply, no. Search and Rescue, Wild At Heart, ​​Fathered By God Zoweh Website After 7 pm Pete Norris pastorpete01@bellsouth.net 9193445341
69 Mon, 04/20/2026 - 18:30 Anonymous 2603:6081:28f0:6220:51d6:1d73:130c:49fd Gary Hooks charlottehooks58@gmail.com 9198799008
819 Scott RD
Kenly, NC 27542
United States
 January 26 1966 I didn't have very many people or Godly men to lean on or go to when i was a young boy ,teenager or young man . i was in my mid 20s when i finaly got saved and by then i was already carrying a lot of baggage . I want to be able to help the younger men to not get so unoriented in their walk with Christ . To be the men God called us to be . I'm the father of 2 and step father to 2 more and their all my kids.My wife and I also have 9 grandkids and 11 great grand kids .I try to set the example by the way i live my life before them . i am part of a life group with 5 other men we have been going through the Heart of a Warrior work book for almost a year now and it has been a great thing for me, i didn't realize how far off i was in several areas of my life and its good to have brothers you can count on to stand with you when life gets hard . 2 of the men i'm group with talked me into going to the weekend experiance this weekend which was my first time . my first encounter with Christ was with the birth of my daughter . i couldn't father kids and my wife couldn't bear children , she started going to church an got saved and started praying for a family . within a year she was pregnant and not long after i could not deny God must have a plan of some sort for me . I've been blessed after i got saved my pastor and one of the elders did start to disciple me thats where i learned to not only share my testomony. but to teach and preach.
I work with a recovery program on friday nights and i have given my testomony there as well		 wounds things that you have experianced that hurt or did damage that you still carry around years later, they left scars
vows things that you have declared over yourself , or stated (i'll never do that or be that way)
agreements when you have agreed with something about yourself good or bad . giving the enemy a foot hold into your life if its not true 		My dad was quite the perfectionist nothing was good enough and i was always less than . Never making him proud or hearing good job son spiritual warfare is prayer against powers and principalities , fasting praying for others , I have been part of a deliverance ministy with my church for a few years . i have heard God through his word , he has answered prayer IE my kids . I was on a mission trip a few years ago and he lead and guided me when praying for a crowd people it was like i could almost hear what they needed or needed to hear . I am involved with a group of men now and we are engaged in each others stories . Sometime, most of the time we just need somebody to listen ,and to know we are not alone in our struggles . To know that we can can count on our brother to help hold us up when we're beet down . The Heart of a Warrior Another Elder-Sage after 5pm monday - thursday weekends about anytime Gary Hooks bigcountrysbbq@aol.com 9196251110
68 Mon, 04/20/2026 - 12:01 Anonymous 2600:1003:b854:cc9f:58a8:f911:46a8:30ae Mark Teachey Redcap511@aol.com 9196259766
405 Timber Court
Selma, NC 27576
United States
 December 31 1959 I’m ready to pour into the lives of younger men that need to know the compass of their heart and impact of being oriented Deb and I have two wonderful sons that bless us daily! They reaped the joy of coming up in a home that I (vowed) they would never experience the trauma I experienced. While driving home from the Heart of the Warrior with my Son, He opened up and stated he never was wounded by Deb or I and he cried for those that did (Especially the fresh Prince of Bel Air). Attended multiple times for HOW weekends, was on the team that previewed King Me. Currently conducting Art of Marriage training at our Church for 6 couples and mentoring 2 young Law Enforcement Officers at the Wilson’s Mills Police Department. I gave my life to Christ at the young age of 8. I have shared my story often and as recent as driving home with my Son Kevin! Yes, I am the definition of receiving wounds, and drawing a line in the sand and making a declaration that I will never….. One was I am taking this one story to my grave because it hurt so much to my young fragile heart! In reference to the above, About 4 months after I had given my life to Christ, two older teens introduced me to Playboy and Penthouse then proceeded to sexually assault me. I was ashamed, wounded, suddenly disoriented, and filled with fear that I disappointed God. I hid this story by developing a poser mentality. This sudden change in spiritual trajectory certainly confused and caused my True Self to fade as the days and events occurred. The mini tachycardia Wounds between the Major wounds kept me mentally and spiritually prone to stay ashamed. I remember my pulse quickened at the smallest of things! How long can this go on? I was crying out but feared my parents would just hate me even more for embarrassing them. Then Valentine’s Day at school was quickly approaching and I suddenly dreaded the valentines card exercise because I wasn’t worthy of praise or acceptance. My mom called me into the kitchen and handed me about 2 dozen Valentines cards to fill out. Oh no! I won’t . I am not going to fill out these! (I wanted so much to tell her why I was feeling the way I felt, but just didn’t get the opportunity!) Mom said, Oh yes you will because I went and bought these for you. This was followed by her quick back hand that landed on my upper thigh which caused me to shift in the tall barstool and lose my balance and fall. On the way to the floor my lip caught the black vertical steel support that was holding up the back of the chair and ripped my mouth open. I felt and tasted the sudden warm gush of blood quickly covering my t-shirt and all the valentines cards which I had carried to the floor with me. My dad quickly intervened and after stabilizing the scene, carried me to the emergency room for 20 plus stitches and absence from elementary school which was a little win! I vowed I would take this story to my grave! It is so real The first time I have heard from God and knew it was the first night back on patrol with the New Hanover County Sheriffs Department after bringing home our 1st Son. It was around 2:30 AM and on Hunters Trail Zip Mart when I heard God and/or my Guardian Angel verbally yell out” Turn around” which prevented me from being ambushed and killed that early morning behind a convenience store! I have King Me, The Heart of a Warrior, Waking the Dead, The Screwtape Letters, The ​​Sacred Romance, Wild At Heart During an invitation to a meeting Sunday morning at 7 at HOW weekend Evenings Mark Teachey Redcap511@aol.com 9196259766
67 Mon, 04/20/2026 - 10:36 Anonymous 65.60.161.110 Doug Bierl doug.bierl@gmail.com 7409723915
94 E Broadway Ave
Westerville, OH 43081
United States
 September 23 1960 I have been on the journey of healing and freedom since 2012 after attending my first event, a Wild at Heart Bootcamp. I connected with Zoweh through my first Encounter weekend in 2018. I completely align with the mission of Zoweh and I have a passion for helping men to grow in faith and walk in freedom. Through the Elder-Sage initiative, I can connect with men who have a desire to do just that, so I would like to serve in this part of what Zoweh is doing. I am married to Julaine and have been since December 1997. We were both previously married and divorce, and blended a family of six children, who ranged from 5 to 16 years old at that time. The oldest died of brain cancer in 2012 and the five remaining children are all married. We have eight grandchildren, two of which live nearby and the others that live in different states. I have experienced breakthrough in healing and freedom through the Heart of A Warrior Encounter weekends, as well as one Advanced weekend. I have also brought other men to the weekend, who have also experienced healing and freedom. I have read all three books by Michael, and used them (along with available videos) in men's small groups. My wife and I have lead couples through The Rendezvous Project, both in a group setting across 13 weeks and working with couples two-on-two. I also participated in the recent Father Matters Zoom meetings, and will be taking a group of men through that starting this week. All of the resources have been helpful. I was raised Catholic, went to Catholic schools through high school, and attended Mass regularly until I divorced in my mid-thirties, after which I attended and was involved in the Methodist church after marrying Julaine. Although I attended church and served in the church and community, I did not have a relationship with Jesus until I turned my life over to him in 2001, which began my journey and relationship with him. A former co-worker and friend was the one who was instrumental in helping me to see that I didn't know Jesus prior to that time. Since then, I've grown closer to Jesus through the Bible, books, retreats, and communion with him. I can't pick out a specific time, but I have shared my story in various settings. Sometimes, I will share it with a man I meet, if I am prompted to do so. I have shared it within men's groups that I have been a part of and that I lead. I have also shared it with married couples that my wife and I have coached or mentored. Wounds occur when something happens to us, when someone causes emotional, physical, or spiritual pain, either intentionally or unintentionally. That wound carries with it a message, a lie, about us, that we interpret that something is wrong with us in some way. Once we believe the lie, we make an agreement with it that connects our identity with the lie. We may also make a vow that we will never do something or that we will always do something, as a result of the wound. We think that vow disconnects us from the wounding moment, but it actually keeps us connected. One from when I was 5 years old. I was at our house that was being built by my dad (and others). I had to poop and I had seen men do it on the job site before, so I leaned against the wall and the poop fell into my pants. My dad had to take me to where we were living while the house was being built. Needless to say, he was not happy. He got angry and belittled me all the way home. I recall him saying something that associated me with shit and it was maybe the first time that I felt like something was wrong with me. The lie that came was that I couldn't do anything right, which I accepted as true. I know now that I made a vow that I would never be wrong and I would prove that I am right. This (along with other wounding moments with the same or similar message) set me up for a life of performance, perfection, and the need to be right. I am very familiar with spiritual warfare. I bring it into many conversations and groups that I lead, but also live out what we discuss. It is real and we need to fight against the enemy by enforcing the authority Jesus gave us to defeat every attempt of the enemy to harm us. I put on the full Armor of God daily, speak daily prayers to make declarations against the enemy and to align myself with Jesus and his kingdom, as well as the cross, resurrection, and ascension. I also take authority over foul spirits and anything I am aware of coming against me. I pay attention to when I am making vows and agreements, and break them when I become aware. One example when I clearly heard from him happened many years ago as I was driving from Columbus to Pittsburgh. I was listening to a show on the radio (which was not common for me to do) and Jimmy Carter was being interviewed about a book that was recently published. I don't remember what the book was about, but during that time, I heard God say that I should write a book. It came out of nowhere and writing a book was never on my radar. I then asked what I should write it about and heard that it would be about divorce. I remember questioning whether what I heard was real, but I noted it and sometime afterwards began to follow the path of writing a book. I eventually wrote and self-published it - The Divorce Pill - and it was very different from what I initially thought it would be. I have had many other times that I have heard from God through journaling and prayer, but that's one time that stands out, probably because it was the first time that I heard directly from God. Yes. I have gone through the Medic training twice. I also have gone through courses on listening in the past, as well as training as a certified coach, much of which has to do with listening. King Me, The Heart of a Warrior, Search and Rescue, Waking the Dead, The Screwtape Letters, Defeating Dark Angels, Bondage Breaker, Victory over the Darkness, The ​​Sacred Romance, It’s Your Call, Wild At Heart, ​​Fathered By God I was at the Encounter weekend 4 years ago when the Elder-Sage initiative was introduced. I recently retired, so have flexibility, but it would be best to connect during the daytime as evenings are often taken up by groups or other activities. Dave Noel pastordave55@gmail.com (614) 620-4072
66 Fri, 04/10/2026 - 14:27 Anonymous 204.111.195.214 Roger Franks roger@welcomehomefrederick.com (301) 938-0738
2254 Wetherburne Way
Frederick, MD 21702
United States
 June 4 1950 I believe God brought this opportunity to me at this time to formalize the reality of this important stage in my life journey.

He has already put me in this mentoring role with several younger men.

My wife would surely affirm its value in my life.

I know personally a few men who have been recognized as elder-sages in our area.

And the LORD has provided a level of life experience, through failures and successes, to entrust this important assignment to me, to connect with other peers in the important task of mentoring the younger men among us.		 I am celebrating 50 years of marriage to my wonderful wife on June 19, 2026.

We have 7 adult children who, by God's mercy and grace, are all following King Jesus.

And we have 12 grandchildren, and are actively engaged with the ones who live locally.		 I recently attended the Waterboyz Advance Expedition 11 in eastern MD, in which the Zoweh content was used for the first time.

I have read Heart of A Warrior and am reading King Me.		 As a freshman at Ohio U. in 1967, I was so troubled by the atheism of my professors, that I started reading the Gospel of John in bed for 5 minutes each night, prefacing it with a verbal plea for Jesus to reveal Himself to me through His book, if He was real. Sometime in January 1968 I crossed an invisible line from doubt to faith, and started following Jesus as Rescuer and King. Last Monday, while waiting for my car to be maintenanced, I was given a Spirit-prompted opening to share my Jesus story with a retired man who was raising day lilies all over his garden. He mentioned that he found a Bible recently in his mother's personal effects; I encouraged Him to read about the life and claims of Jesus, as I had first done over a half-century earlier. Wounds - those inner scars caused primarily by words that cut into my soul by others, whether intentionally spoken or not.

Vows - Promises I have made to myself to protect me from further wounding. One example is, "I will listen well, but never share with others at an
emotional level."

Agreements - Lies I have believed about myself, often planted and watered by the voice of my unseen but real enemy. For example, "I'm a failure",
"I'm not good enough for God to fully love me".
 My father angrily scolding me for tossing an item I saw as worthless. I have learned over time that I needed to be very aggressive with sinful thoughts, to immediately confront, and not entertain them, whether thoughts of
lust, fear, worry, resentment, pride or selfishness, to name a few.
Memorizing and stating relevant scriptures has been the key to experiencing victory.
E.g. "Father, I ask You to destroy the fortress of (pride) in my mind, and help me capture every thought to obey You." (2 Cor. 10:3-5).		 After nearly 10 years as a pastor in Orlando, I came home and told my wife that I had nothing more to say to these dear parishioners, that I myself needed to be in a more challenging environment so that I might grow in faith. It was an Abraham and Sarah experience with God that has marked my life, and helped shape me into the man I am today. Perhaps not formal training, but I would say my life is now characterized by this intention. King Me, The Heart of a Warrior, The Screwtape Letters, Bondage Breaker, The ​​Sacred Romance, The Road Back to You, Wild At Heart, ​​Fathered By God, Mere Christianity Another Elder-Sage Any time between 8 am and 8 pm. If I don't answer, please leave a brief voicemail. Flip Lacey philip.lacey@gmail.com 3015245383
65 Mon, 03/02/2026 - 05:29 Anonymous 2003:f7:b72f:9c00:e922:ae0e:31e5:f0b9 Roberto Weber roberto@waterboyz.de +491719234392
Auf der Huhfuhr 7
42929 Wermelskirchen
Germany
 September 4 1959 I think it's important for older men to support younger men in recognizing and becoming who they truly are.
I think it's important to pass on the values that God has given me.
 I have been happily married for 37 years. My wife is also a devout christian. We have a 34-year-old son who is not yet married. My father passed away a long time ago, my mother is still alive at 96, and I have a 70-year-old sister (non christian). To date, the only contact has been through Rusty Eckmann. At the age of 25, I was ill, and up until that point, I wanted nothing to do with Jesus. Since I was bedridden and no doctor could help me (something with my heart), I listened to the radio a lot in Argentina at that time. And then… someone talked about Jesus and said: If you are in a situation where no one can help you... Jesus will stand by you...
I felt that this was meant for me... The speaker then said a short, simple prayer, which I repeated.
A few days later, I regained my strength... and realized that life was returning. The doctors examined me again to be on the safe side... but they couldn't find anything wrong... I then knew... Jesus is real. I began to inquire more and more about Jesus and to learn about him.
 I have often told my Jesus story in my sermons, but also on expeditions.
 I first became properly aware of these concepts during my first expedition with the Waterboyz. And I rediscovered things within myself.
 One situation was when I had a misunderstanding with my son, and he didn't talk to me for weeks... a very painful time... Throughout my missionary career, I have often felt how the devil attacks at critical moments, and I then find myself in spiritual warfare.
But Jesus has always triumphed.
 God spoke to me in 2012 and said, “Roberto, the battle has begun. Equip the men.” After that, I started the Waterboyz for Jesus in Germany, Switzerland, Brazil, and Argentina. I took a short course with the Waterboyz expedition last year (with Rusty Eckmann) and have already put what I learned into practice here in Germany. Wild At Heart Another Elder-Sage I think it's better to make initial contact by email and then coordinate an appointment for a meeting, due to the time difference. Rusty Eckmann emmet.eckman@gmail.com +1 (720) 427-1992
62 Tue, 02/03/2026 - 11:11 Anonymous 2600:2b00:ad21:a700:ec6f:7772:2eb7:853d Stephen Russell (Russell preferred) Jones rjones@gemcitytire.com 937-272-4611 November 13 1963 I want to help others by listening, offering understanding and support and sharing what has worked for me and others if asked. I have been encouraged to participate in this program by other individuals who know me, my skill set, and my personality. My wife of 32 years is Shannon Jones. She is a community leader serving in both the Ohio Legislature and Warren County Commissioner. She also ran a large Non-profit organization specializing in advocating for early childhood development resources and programs.
My son is 26 and lives in Chicago where he works in Sales, directs, acts and does improv comedy at Second City and other venues.
My daughter is a student at Ohio University and is currently student teaching. She graduates this spring.
I am the oldest child and have 3 siblings Amy Webb, Rob Jones and Sarah Henderson. My mother is living and currently in a Memory care facility near me. 		I have attended numerous events In Colorado, Virginia and Dayton Ohio area. I have read Michael Thompsons Books Heart of a Warrior and King Me and led Mens groups that studied the books. Through my brother Rob Jones, John Stachler and Sean Harmon I have worked with Zoweh leadership and participated in group discussions and planning sessions. I gave my life to Christ as a young Boy and was Baptized. I attended a Southern Baptist church as a Boy and young man. When I married I attended the Catholic Church and we raised our children in the Catholic Church. I lost my personal connection to God for a period and attended church services out of an obligation but not really participating from the time I started College until my mid 40's. I was invited to a Mens Group at Southbrook Church in Miamisburg and reconnected to God in a very personal way and now the holy spirit helps direct me. I have shared my story numerous times with my Mens group, and I have shared with larger groups of Men as part of discussion groups. Wounds are scars and hurts that are often hidden or suppressed but which reveal themselves when put in an awkward or defensive position.

Vows are promises made such as a wedding vow but can also be vows we make to ourselves because of the previously mentioned wounds. An example is refusing to get close to someone or reveal our true self to others for fear of being hurt emotionally.

An agreement requires two people or a person and God, Jesus, Holy spirit-- Whatever you choose to call "God." An example of an agreement when talking to other men is "We agree that what is said or discussed between us doesn't leave our group." That is an agreement I have with the Mens Group Table I lead. 		I Flunked out of Law School the first time I attended. That experience made me doubt myself and I vowed I would go back and get my degree which I did several years later. That said, I felt like a failure and it still bothered me along with the numberous other failures and set backs along the way. As I have matured I realize that those failures and transgressions are all part of who I am today and I think of them as Gods way of keeping me humble and more accepting and forgiving of other people. God loves us all the same and I am no better or worse than any one of his children. I had a loving Mother and Father and do not have the issues some men have with authority figures. That said I can certainly understand why they feel the way they sometimes do and feel blessed I was raised by loving parents. I have been tempted and committed all the "sins" most young men commit. For me personally, I no longer give much thought to the sins that were emphasized in my Southern Baptist church and worry more about the sins of Pride and Judgement and Tribalism.

I attended a church service in Destin Florida a couple of years ago and the minister preached against homosexuality, said the USA is Gods chosen country and disparaged immigrants. It was the exact opposite of what Jesus taught. That was an instance where I saw Evil and hatred spewing from a person who claimed to be sharing Gods word. I saw an evil presence using that man to spread hate. 		Soon after I started attending Mens group 20 or so years ago, I dropped my children off at Sunday School and instead of attending the Church Service, I felt called to take a walk along a bike path that followed the Miami River located behind the church. It was early spring day, the sun was shining and there were occasional patches of snow on the paved path. As I walked, I cleared my mind and went into a meditative transe like state, I was no longer leading or making the decisions of where I walked or where I Looked and vividly sensed --- heard ---- "Everything Matters." Every time we speak to someone everything we think, every time we smile or say thank you or criticize or judge someone matters. Every decision we make impacts someone or something else. The "Butterfly effect is real" It impacted me beyond my ability to share and to this day I am a different man. I am much more tolerant, forgiving, accepting and thankful. I can't express adequately just how much it impacted me. Soon after I Started Mens Group another man asked me to start joining him for coffee once a week. He was not raised in the church, His father was an alcoholic and he himself was a recovering alcoholic. He felt comfortable talking to me and he asked me how to pray. He said he literally did not know how to pray and I shared that Prayer is nothing more than talking to God just like we were talking. Now he leads men and I learn from him. King Me, The Heart of a Warrior, The Screwtape Letters, Wild At Heart, Mere Christianity Another Elder-Sage Mornings before work, Evenings after 5 PM, 12 PM lunch hour. I can also schedule a call any time with notice. Sean Harmon sean@stachlerharmon.com 937-572-9671
61 Sat, 01/31/2026 - 01:08 Anonymous 180.150.80.127 GIULIO DI SOMMA DISOMMA15@GMAIL.COM +61414344632 November 22 1949 I HAVE THE DESIRE TO REACH OUT TO MEN IN MY COMMNITY. I INITIATED THE MEN'S MINISTRY AT THE OPEN CHURCH IN MERRIWA, PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND NOW WANT TO GO DEEPER AND REACH FURTHER. WHO KNOWS WHAT GOD HAS IN MIND ;) I AM 76 YEARS OLD AND HAVE BEEN MARRIED TO DOLORES FOR 30 YEARS, HAVE 1 SON AND 2 STEPDAUGHTERS AND 2 STEPSONS, ALL ARE MARRIED. WE HAVE 12 GRANDCHILDREN BETWEEN US. I HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH MY SON AND HIS FAMILY, WITH MY 2 STEPDAUGHTERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND CORDIAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH MY 2 STEPSONS WHICH I AM PRAYING FOR GOD TO REDEEM. I HAD WOUNDS WHICH HAVE BEEN HEALED BUT I DAMAGED MY STEPSONS AND NOW NEED TO REACH THEM. I READ THE BOOK HEART OF A WARRIOR ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO, HAVE DONE MANY OF THE ZOWEH DEVOTIONALS ON YOUVERSION, HAVE DOWNLOADED SOME OF THE FREE STUFF. LAST YEAR ATTENDED THE HEART OF A WARRIOR EASTERN CIRCLE AND HAVE SIGNED UP TO DO FATHER MATTERS IN THE EASTERN CIRCLE FROM JANUARY TO APRIL 2026. THE MAN ON THE MIDDLE CROSS INVITED ME AND I GOT BORN AGAIN AT RHEMA JOHANNESBURG IN 1992, WENT TO RHEMA BIBLE TRAINING CENTER IN 1993, 1994 AMD GRADUATED. GOT WATER BAPTISED AND HOLY SPIRIT FIRE BAPTISED THAT YEAR. WROTE A COURSE - TOTALLY WHOLE IN CHRIST IN 1995 AND PRESENTED IT AT WEEKEND RETREATS FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS. EMIGRATED TO AUSTRALIA IN 2007 AND HAVE ATTENDED 10 CHURCHES IN THE LAST 20 YEARS. I AM NOW AT THE OPEN CHURCH AND INTEND TO STAY THERE. SINCE SEPTEMBER 2024 I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH MEN'S MINISTRY AT THE OPEN CHURCH AND HAVE FOCUSSED ON BEING VULNERABLE SO THAT OTHERS CAN FEEL SAFE. I WALK ALONGSIDE MEN ON A ONE ON ONE BASIS AND AM CURRENTLY ENCOURAGING A YOUNG MAN WHO I LED TO CHRIST BEFORE HE WENT TO PRISON. I SEND HIM MY EXCERPTS FROM THE HEART OF A WARRIOR NOW THAT HE IS IN PRISON ;) OKAY, WOUNDS ARE THE TIMES WHEN I HAVE BEEN WOUNDED BY AUTHORTY FIGURES WHO SHOULD HAVE NURTURED ME. THOSE WOUNDS IF UNTREATED DO SUBMERSIVE WORK IN MY LIFE UNTIL THEY ARE HEALED BY JESUS. VOWS ARE THINGS I SPOKE OVER MYSELF SUCH AS, I WILL NEVER TREAT MY CHILDREN LIKE MY FATHER TREATED ME (AND THEN ID DID THE SAME THING). AGREEMENTS ARE THOSE TIMES I HAVE AGREED WITH THE WHISPERS THAT TELL ME I AM NOT GOOD ENOUGH. THE LYING VOICE OF THE ENEMY AND OF MY FALSE-SELF. I WAS ABOUT 16 YEARS OLD WHEN I BROUGHT A YOUNG GIRL HOME FOR DINNER WITH MY FAMILY; FATHER, MOTHER AND 2 YOUNGER BROTHERS. DURING THE COURSE OF THE MEAL I SAID WHATEVER OFFENDED MY FATHER AND HE THREW HIS KNIFE AT ME. I TOOK THE YOUNG LADY HOME AND NEVER SAW HER AGAIN. PRAYING FOR THE SALVATION OF MY FAMILY, PRAYING FOR THE BLESSING OF THE CHURCH I ATTEND, PRAYING FOR REVIVAL IN OUR CITY, PRAYING FOR THE SCHOOLS MY GRANDCHILDREN ATTEND, PRAYING FOR OUR GOVERNMENT, PRAYING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS TO PREVAIL IN MY COUNTRY - ON A DAILY BASIS. SIMILAR TO THE SWORD OF ARAGON STORY - I ASKED TO SHOW ME THAT HE LOVED ME. i ASKED HIM FOR A PAIR OF TYPICAL SOUTH AFRICAN SHOES - VELDSKOENS - WHICH IN AUSTRALIA IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. A SHORT WHILE LATER I WAS SHOPPING WITH MY WIFE IN K-MART WHEN AT THE END OF THE RACK THERE WAS ABOUT 30 PAIRS OF BLACK SHOES AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RACK, ABOUT WAIST HIGH, WAS A PAIR OF WHAT LOOKED ALMOST LIKE VELDSHOENS. BEIGE, WHEN I LOOKED, MY SIZE, AND THEY HAD BEEN MARKED DOWN TO A FEW DOLLARS. I BOUGHT THEM AND WEAR THEM AS MY CONFIRMATION THAT GOD CARES ABOUT THE DETAILS OF MY LIFE. SO MANY TIMES OVER THE YEARS I HAVE COUNSELLED MEN TO ENCOURAGE FREEDOM FROM PORNOGRAPHY, ADDICTIONS, BEING SPIRITUALLY LOST, TAKING THEM THROUGH THE RECOVERY FROM EMOTIONAL TRAUMA. MY WIFE AND I ALSO DO COUPLES COUNSELLING FOR BLENDED FAMILIES, SINGLE MOTHER FAMILIES. The Heart of a Warrior, Waking the Dead, The Screwtape Letters, Hearing God, Victory over the Darkness, The ​​Sacred Romance, Wild At Heart, Captivating, Mere Christianity EMAILS, ZOWEH WEBSITE, PODCASTS, ZOOM SESSIONS MOST EVENING BETWEEN 6:00PM AND 8:00PM PERTH LOCAL TIME (+8 UTC) EXCEPT WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAY. MICHAEL HUMBERSTONE michael.j.humberstone@gmail.com +61476284638
60 Mon, 01/19/2026 - 12:42 Anonymous 2603:6081:6cf0:9100:e490:a291:1b9:bcd4 Chris Cornell rgrcmc70@gmail.com 9194177281 April 10 1970 At this stage of my life, I’m interested in observing, accompanying, learning and guiding through a lifetime of experiences formed through faith. The ES Apprenticeship offers an opportunity to sit with men, listen carefully, and better understand how awakening-oriented work helps people name wounds, responsibility, and next right action.
 I’ve been married to my wife, Denese, since 1998. She’s a registered nurse with a long career in cardiac care, and her steadiness, discipline, and service have shaped our family life in quiet but powerful ways.

We have two adult children. Our son, Ryan, works in logistics and supply chain management, and our daughter, Kathryn, is beginning her professional life in public service as a congressional syaffers. Watching both of them step into responsibility has been one of the most grounding experiences of my life.

Family, for me, is where faithfulness is tested daily—not through big moments, but through consistency, presence, and responsibility.		 I attended Dangerous for Good last year, have listened to several Zoweh podcasts, and participated in book studies like Heart of a Warrior and King Me. I encountered Jesus early life through the Church, combat experiences and formation. Over time, that relationship has deepened through lived faithfulness, grounded in Military discipline, situational awareness, and discernment. When asked about how I stayed steady when my wife nearly died in early 2000’s. Many thought it was my Military training, yet they were surprised to know that My“Jesus story” means offering a truthful account of lived faith—how following Christ has guided how I show up, take responsibility, and remain faithful and reverent, maintaining calm in chaos. I understand wounds, vows, and agreements as natural human responses to pain and threat. Wounds are experiences that disrupt trust or safety. Vows and agreements are often the internal decisions people make—sometimes unconsciously—to protect themselves or regain control in the aftermath. I experienced a level of childhood uncertainty that carried a quiet sense of shame and self-reliance. It shaped some early schemas around control and responsibility, which I’ve had to become aware of and intentionally reorder over time. My familiarity with spiritual warfare is grounded lived experience—recognizing how fear, shame, resentment, isolation, and false narratives can degrade judgment, agency, and faithfulness over time. I understand spiritual warfare primarily as a battle for the heart and mind—where pressure, deception, and disordered attachments can quietly shape choices and identity. I hear from God most clearly in stillness—when I’ve stopped the conflict and sat quietly. What comes isn’t detailed guidance, but a clearer sense of how I need to act faithfully and responsibly. Much of my training came through leadership roles where listening accurately mattered—high-stakes environments where misunderstanding carried consequences. Over time, I’ve learned to ask fewer questions, reflect what I hear, and resist the urge to solve or interpret another man’s experience. King Me, The Heart of a Warrior, Wild At Heart Another Elder-Sage AM Michael Glass jmglass@costran.com (919) 291-7531
59 Mon, 01/12/2026 - 15:28 Anonymous 67.146.94.248 Scott Anderson seanderson512@gmail.com 9199969200 October 24 1967 I have been splitting my time between my initial call to spirituality and service (which was and is my involvement in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the eastern Circle Zoom calls / DFG workshops, etc... and basically been familiar with Zoweh for a number of years but not jumping in with both feet. When my friend Michael Glass embarked on his Elder Sage journey, I was intrigued and excited but wasn't sure I was of a certain caliber. When he told me about this 12 month Apprenticeship, I knew I could immerse into this and not only improve and deepen my relationship with God, but hone and strengthen my abilities to help other men to find the same restoration I have been experiencing by uncovering and healing and then helping others do the same. Not sure if this means MY family or my family of origin.
I am married with no children. My wife, Patricia, is also in long-term recovery. We help to look after her mother, now 82. We helped to walk her mother's late husband of 29 years through hospice and home about 2 years ago and shortly after that we were caretakers while her father spent his last few months alive as well. My family of origin is fairly typical, I suppose. My father and mother divorced when I was two and I lived with my mom... so I barely knew my father. I have two older brothers and a younger half sister (she was raised as my sister) - we are all 3 years apart. I imagine more details may become relevant as we move forward.		 I have been to Michael's tower meeting about 15 years ago then, more recently, Dangerous For Good workshop and many Thursday morning Zoom calls with the Easter Circle for both Heart of a Warrior and King Me. In a 4th and 5th step experience with my AA sponsor we went through my inventory of "Grosser Handicaps" - I now know this is manifestation of the wounds from my younger years - Following that experience, on my drive home, I felt the presence of Jesus in a way I thought not available to me before. I began to understand this was not a clockmaker God and that it was possible to have an active relationship with God - dynamic and evolving. As I work with men in the AA program, it is often helpful to the "newer" man to hear about my awakening to a relationship with God as it is often something that is still missing for him and his ability to see my evolution in that regard is often helpful for him to open to that shift as well. I understand wounds as the traumas we may have experienced that have caused us to adapt our behavior to seemingly avoid that traumatic experience again.
Tough to delineate between Vow and Agreement but I would say the vow is saying to oneself, "Well, I'll never do that again", or, "'This' will be my response if 'that' happens again".
I would define agreement as the unwritten SOP ... "this" IS my response when "that" happens.
 When I was about 6 or 7, I went outside our house door and then out the storm door from the vestibule. I had not realized that our little puppy had followed me out. When the storm door automatically pulled shut, the puppy's leg was in the frame and it broke the dog's leg. We were very poor and the inability to pay for the medical treatment of the injury left the only other option - to euthanize the dog. In my head, I was responsible for killing that dog. It has affected relationships with everything and everyone I am involved with for decades. I feel I understand that there is a battle for the hearts of men - a battle between good and evil, and I need to fit myself up for the action. I used to think I could just stay out of it and if I just try to do the right thing, I can slip by and not get into too much trouble. The more I lean, I believe there are no spectators and if I'm not fighting, I am still helping the enemy - in the words of a Rush song, "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice". After my last drink, I was suffering horribly from Delerium Tremens. I knew that all I had to do was walk up to the corner and get a small bottle of alcohol and take a few swallows and the psychosis and physical symptoms I was experiencing would go away. As I considered the trajectory of my thoughts and actions and negotiated with myself about getting to the liquor store, I heard and felt, as clearly as someone speaking, "Then what?!?" I know now (and I think I knew even then) that that was Jesus Christ saying to me, "That is the path back to where you were... there is another way". In the process of the AA program, once I had been through the steps and discovered some of the trauma I had experienced and how it was affecting my everyday life, there were and are as many opportunities as I care to embrace to work with other men new to the program and sit with them as they discover their own path to uncover their own past and how it is affecting them. I have witnessed and encouraged this journey for dozens of men. King Me, The Heart of a Warrior, Wild At Heart Another Elder-Sage After 5 pm weekdays - between 9 and noon weekends Michael Glass jmglass@costrancom 9198369021
58 Sun, 01/11/2026 - 15:57 Anonymous 107.15.24.57 Stephen McLaughlin mclau016@gmail.com 9193580194 April 18 1954 Continuation of my involvement with other men where the focus is on recognizing and growing in my relationship with Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit, while being guided, supported and supportinmg others. Married with two adult childeren
Wife is also retired, we have been happily and excitedly married 34 years. My daugther is 31 and currently lives here in Hillsborough NC. My son, Matthew passed away in January 2022. 		I met Michael Thompson when he was an associate pastor at our Church (New Hope) in Durham roughly around 2010. I have attended over 10 Top Gun, Heart of a Warrior and Advance conferences, having both led and served on the I team for many years and served in he role of Medic on at least 3-4 occasions . I attended conferences in Virginia, Colorado and New York as a team member. I have read the books and was part of a small group led by Michael Thompson for many years. I am now part of a small group with John Lane, Jeff Lawton and others. I grew up going to church and learning religion from my parents, and then the nuns in my school and priests in the community. My first connection with Jesus was as an alter boy, attending Mass every day in Lent and feeling a pull to the love of God. Later this grew through retreat programs in college, through a higher power in 12 step, and then through being involved with the Zoweh message. I have done this from the pulpit in a church in South Dakota, at Advance as a member of a small group, and most recently to my home church members, Having participated in much therapy early on as a young man, then having attended many Zoweh events, as well as being in a Zoweh small group for at least 10 years, I sm very familiar with the tems. I have done the workbooks and recorded my wounds, and broken my vows and agreements. I grew up in a family of six kids and a dad who worked 3 jobs. My mom bore the brunt of raising us. And she used alcohol to medicate her lonliness, and frustration. She would use phrases like "we got the wrong child at the hospita or you should be seen and not heard. At times she slapped my face. Then when my dad got home I got hit with the belt, sometimes using the buckle end. I felt defeated, hopeless and helpless. Like i did not matter I am familiar through many situations. The message of living in two kingdoms, reading Defeating Dark Angels, participating in a few spititual interventions with Dave Applebee (in Virginia). I experience my own spiritual warfare having struggled in my life with multiple addictions, and with living in the midst of the spiritual battle. While serving as a prayer member, like I team for a college retreat, I was in the midst of praying and asking God for a sign and he made it snow, It was mid October, an otherwise sunny day. I cried and felt so uplifted, so loved, so special. When I pray now, I receive messges through the daily scripture words, or through the happenings in nature around me. I have a masters degree in social work, had couseling training and was in therapy for many years as a young man. I am a member of a 12 step organization and have sponsored men in that role. I have been a small group leader on the Advance workshop and listened to men's stories in that role as well as served as a medic at Heart of a Warrior on multiple occassions The Heart of a Warrior, Search and Rescue, Waking the Dead, The Screwtape Letters, Defeating Dark Angels, The ​​Sacred Romance, It’s Your Call, Wild At Heart, ​​Fathered By God, Captivating, Mere Christianity Another Elder-Sage retired - most times are fine John Lane johnhlane3@gmail.com 919 627-2909