Submission Number: 67
Submission ID: 8198
Submission UUID: 317ff0bf-8b9b-41f8-843a-9fd479d6d5d0

Created: Mon, 04/20/2026 - 10:36
Completed: Mon, 04/20/2026 - 10:36
Changed: Mon, 04/20/2026 - 10:36

Remote IP address: 65.60.161.110
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No
First Name Doug
Last Name Bierl
Email doug.bierl@gmail.com
Mobile Phone 7409723915
Address
94 E Broadway Ave
Westerville, OH 43081
United States
Birth Month September
Birth Day 23
Birth Year 1960
Why are you interested in pursuing this initiative? 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.
Tell us about your family: 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.
What is your experience with Zoweh events and/or resources? 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.
How did you first connect with Jesus in a personal way? 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.
Tell us about a time when you shared your Jesus story. 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.
Explain your familiarity with the following terms: wounds, vows and agreements. 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.
Tell us about a significant wounding moment that you experienced. 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.
Explain your personal familiarity with spiritual warfare. 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.
Give an example of how you have heard from God. 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.
Have you had any training in listening and/or engaging in another man's story? 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.
Which of the following books have you read? 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
How did you discover the Elder-Sage Initiative? I was at the Encounter weekend 4 years ago when the Elder-Sage initiative was introduced.
What is the best time to call you? 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.
First Name Dave
Last Name Noel
Email pastordave55@gmail.com
Phone (614) 620-4072