Wow, what do I write here? Let’s just dive right in! First things first. God does not desire to frustrate us when we are in His Will. God empowers us, when we are faithfully obedient. So, I have learned over the years that obedience is actually a blessing! I have also learned that God wants others to see Himself shining through you and I. Christ-Followers are Ambassadors for God, His “Warriors of the Word”, growing, in numbers, in personal discipline, based upon salvation. Together, “We learn how to Thrive!” This is my passion!

I deeply and profoundly believe that God is in control, and JESUS HAS ALL AUTHORITY, in Heaven and on Earth! (~Matt 28:18). The question that I had to answer was, “Have I been trained to live in the Authority of Jesus Christ?” At ENGAGE, That is where we start. If I do not have God’s Authority then I will struggle with life.

So, I want to teach men, primarily men, because I’m a man. I appreciate women but I don’t relate as well to women, not like I do to men. I guess this is because I grew up around all boys. I am the oldest of seven boys, three younger brothers and three younger cousins. We grew up together in the same town. I was blessed to have brothers and cousins, but again, we were all boys, all the time. Then I got married! So, I just like getting knocked around, roughed up, and challenging each other in a game or some type of competition. There might be a little “trash-talking” involved. It’s fun to get messy and mix things up! I grew up, literally the leader of a band of brothers. So, I get men. I appreciate men. We need to minister to our men!

My calling in life is “to encourage others to grow closer to God!” and men need to be led by men! Men are under attack, but God wins! When we are with God, we inherit the victory. God reveals our value to us, actually He is our value! Our value is God, and comes from God! I have learned that, sometimes the hard way!

I love going to the beach, snorkeling in the ocean, watching a movie or my favorite football team. However, God has taught me over the years that “nothing compares with actually participating in His Purpose, in His Kingdom”, in my own unique way. At the time of this writing, I am 62 years old and I have been following Jesus Christ for over 40 years now. I live in God’s Kingdom every day! I see Him moving in my life. It is exciting! I have studied God’s Word deeply, at first only for myself, but then for the benefit of others. I have always thought about others, every since Jesus came into my life, in 1982. To me, God is not only real, but He wants us to Thrive! That is what I want to teach you. You may not be currently taught to thrive. I see many men that are struggling to survive, including myself many times. That is what most churches teach and preach these days. God has shown me how to teach others how to Thrive! So, I want God to reach you, to teach you, hopefully through my life. That is what motivates me, encourages me, moves me, satisfies my soul. I am dedicating my life to teaching, encouraging and casting vision, to help others, primarily men, to grow into your own unique calling in life, so that you will be encouraged, motivated, inspired and sense that you are appreciated. You and I were created by God, to do amazing things, for God, with Him working through us. However, the world does not want you to do amazing things for God! I want to help you overcome the obstacles that the world throws at your feet, as you run the race of life. We are in this race together.

I must also be 100% Biblical. Therefore, I rarely adhere to man’s doctrines and theologies. I read my Bible. I study my Bible. I live out my Bible. Then I repeat, reading my Bible. When I hear preaching or read a book, those words go up against God’s Word. I listen to man, to a point, but I always reflect that word against God’s Word.

I believe that “God’s Word is in full harmony within itself” and if a theology or doctrine comes along that takes “a buffet” view, i.e., it avoids certain scripture, or puts one verse against another verse, I will reject those views or at least propose to the author “what about this?”. There are many in the church that are fighting, arguing and calling others Heretics, or False Teachers. My thought is ok, fine, show me in God’s Word what you are talking about. We will not all agree on everything but I will not modify or reject scripture to prove my “man created” doctrine. We also need to bring truth for the benefit of the hearer. God’s word is pure, it is not venom. We need to wrap truth in love.

I believe that the Church in America in 2024 is not bringing the fullness of the Bible. Your Church may be more biblically thorough. I pray that is the case! However, in many churches, verses are being avoided in preaching and teaching because that church leadership has decided that it is risky to preach those words. This is very dangerous. The Bible speaks very clearly about a luke warm church. These churches are creating adolescent disciples, rendering that church less and less effective for God. However, that church may be growing in participation but not in depth of knowledge and wisdom. ENGAGE comes alongside today’s churches. We seek to add an ingredient. We don’t criticize, argue or slander church leaders. We come alongside them and faithfully function in boldness. Afterall they have devoted their life to serving the Lord. That deserves respect and honor.

If you are a Christian that is frustrated, complaining about the culture and the church’s lack of concern? Then you should join us. ENGAGE will fill the void. We are like David to the Israelite Army sitting up on the hill. We are going down into that valley to slay the giant of darkness.

First though, I must thrive myself! I must ne taught to grow in God, beyond the noise, beyond the chatter, beyond the attempts to intimidate us. So we can say, “I know my God, yes, I know my God!”

Even in abnormal conditions, “I can Thrive”, living in the Power of God. That is what the Bible teaches. It does not teach me to survive. I already live for all eternity in God’s presence (read about David, in Psalm 16). What is there to be afraid of. Now, I am free! Free to help others live the same Thriving life! We teach men how to walk in “God’s Favor”. As Disciples, We all want God’s Favor, don’t we? When we have God’s favor, good things happen. Then, we can be lights for others. We have capacity beyond our needs. To selfishly serve myself is to be opposed to God!

However, for whatever reason, I have found that there are teachers and preachers, that are avoiding the more powerful teachings, and for several decades now. Now, many men are not attracted to church. We read our bibles and we don’t see that at church. “Something is missing!”

Today, God has called me to share insight into the power of scripture. Why? For the benefit of the community. So, I want to join with other Warriors of the Word, rescuing people from the dark world, as described in Ephesians 6:10-20. I want to become an Ambassador for Jesus, impacting the world, for the better of all whom we come in contact with. The Bible teaches, and I have found it to be true, that this is done in Unity with other believers. We call it Fellowship. I enjoy helping people see their value in life and that is what ENGAGE is all about.

ENGAGE is about Thriving! God is not a liar, He wants us to Thrive! However, there is a liar, who wants you silent!

There is no way that I can convey the entire power of God in this introduction of myself, I will never be able to do that, BUT, if you join “US”, you will see His Power, and how to receive the Favor of God!

“What else could we possibly desire but God’s Favor?”

I look forward to sharing God, with you, together,

Howard