Build-Up conference helps men grapple with life’s questions
Many guys don't have deep conversations, but the Build-Up conference wants men to start asking the big questions of life.
MANIWAKI, QC—A program aimed at helping men figure out some of life’s tough questions is making its Canadian debut this fall.
John Woodall, director of men’s ministries at Northpoint Community Church (an Alpharetta, Georgia congregation founded by pastor Andy Stanley) will present “7: Seven Questions That Rattle in the Minds of Most Men” at the annual Build-Up men’s conference October 3-5.
The Ottawa-area conference, coincidentally holding it’s seventh event, seeks to help both Christian and non-Christian men draw closer to God.
“These are questions we all ask ourselves, but many guys don’t go deeper or talk about them with other guys,” says Build-Up founder Stephen Rolston. We wonder, ‘who am I, where did I come from, where am I going?’ but we don’t delve into these questions.”
Sessions include teaching and small-group discussion to help men talk through who they are, where they are, why they are here, where they are going, what their story is, what about women, and who they can trust.
“It’s not a silver bullet, you have to digest these things over time,” Rolston says. “My hope is that everyone would take a step closer to God. What that looks like is different for everyone, but if we can create an engaging environment and we inspire men to dig into some of these foundational truths, it will be very helpful to them.”
Rolston says previous Build-Up events have had tremendous impact on participants, with non-Christians deciding to follow God, and other participants, like Christian St-Pierre, who believed in God, but was struggling to live for Him.
“I was introduced to the Build-Up conference four years ago,” St-Pierre says. “I was pretty messed up financially, emotionally, spiritually and drugs and alcohol were part of my life. A friend invited me and, since I couldn’t afford it, he said I could get sponsored. It’s held at a four-star hotel and the meals are phenomenal, so that was a clincher.”
St-Pierre’s friend told him if he didn’t like the first session, he could just enjoy the resort or go canoeing on the river, so he agreed, but he also brought another friend who “knew the real St-Pierre.”
“I invited him so I would have a party buddy,” St-Pierre admits. “We got lost on the way up because we were smoking dope. The next afternoon we had a break, so we canoed across the river to smoke dope again, but the Lord has a good sense of humour.”
While trying to get out of the canoe, the pair capsized the boat, which was carried downriver and lost. They spent the evening looking for the canoe, but had no luck. Eventually they gave up and returned to the conference.
“Finally, I told the truth to the friend who invited me and to Rolston. It was a growing point for me where I was able to move forward in honesty. The Build-Up conference was the catalyst that pushed me to get sober, quit smoking and get my life on track. Since then, I’ve attended every one. God always does something special. At first I thought it was a sort of retreat, but it’s more than that. It’s been a life changing experience.”
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