First Name: Stephen Russell (Russell preferred)
Last Name: Jones
Email: rjones@gemcitytire.com
Mobile Phone: 937-272-4611
Address:
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Birth Month: November
Birth Day: 13
Birth Year: 1963
Why are you interested in pursuing this initiative?:
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. 

Tell us about your family::
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. 

What is your experience with Zoweh events and/or resources?:
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. 

How did you first connect with Jesus in a personal way?:
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. 

Tell us about a time when you shared your Jesus story.:
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. 

Explain your familiarity with the following terms: wounds, vows and agreements.:
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. 

Tell us about a significant wounding moment that you experienced.:
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. 

Explain your personal familiarity with spiritual warfare.:
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.   

Give an example of how you have heard from God.:
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. 

Have you had any training in listening and/or engaging in another man's story?:
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. 

Which of the following books have you read?: King Me, The Heart of a Warrior, The Screwtape Letters, Wild At Heart, Mere Christianity
How did you discover the Elder-Sage Initiative?: Another Elder-Sage
What is the best time to call you?: Mornings before work, Evenings after 5 PM, 12 PM lunch hour. I can also schedule a call any time with notice. 
Reference
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First Name: Sean
Last Name: Harmon
Email: sean@stachlerharmon.com
Phone: 937-572-9671