Men of Integrity to hold rally on Saturday

Many people will adopt a New Year's resolution. For some, growing spiritually in their relationship with God is at the top of the list.

A new ministry that aims to help people in this effort is Integrity Foundation.

On Saturday, the not-for-profit cross-denominational ministry will host a Men of Integrity rally at Christ Church of the Heartland in Cape Girardeau.

Kim Ferguson, executive director of Integrity Foundation, said the event will challenge attendees to be men of integrity and take on roles of spiritual leadership.

"I feel a real urgency in regard to men and their integrity and their leadership roles in the home," Ferguson said. "I think society sure has misconstrued that.

"I really believe that 2012 will be an important year for men in the church, to embrace and to accept their godly role as the leader of their home. I want to teach about that. I want to challenge men to that. I want to ignite them ... in regards to where God wants them to be, because I know that with the help of God and the guidance of God, that men can have a great experience in their relationship with their spouse and in their home."

Before founding Integrity in 2010, Ferguson worked for nine years at The Bank of Missouri. But ministry is not new to the Cape Girardeau resident, who has served in positions ranging from senior pastor at local churches to missions director for the Southern Missouri district office of the Assemblies of God.

Men's rally

At Saturday's rally, Ferguson said, he will challenge men to be tender warriors.

"In God, and only in God, can we have a tenderness that is godly. And yet, the warrior part that protects -- I want to see men that will be willing to guard their hearts so that they can guard their family's hearts and their spouse's hearts," Ferguson said.

One of the topics that will be addressed at the rally is the image of men.

"Hollywood's image of a man is not very good; it's weak. And we believe that the image of a man in the eyes of God is much different than what society is speaking," Ferguson said.

Ferguson pointed out that there is confusion in the world we live in, noting two different extremes of men: those who are too passive and those who are too aggressive. Instead, Ferguson said there is a medium to be reached.

"Godly assertiveness is where men are to be," he said. "There's only one way to be that way and that's through Christ."

According to Ferguson, confusion also pertains to the priorities in our lives.

"Christ died that we could have this abundant life. And I think we've missed the mark. An abundant life isn't how many cars, how many houses. It has everything to do with a peace in our soul that only God can give."

The movie "Courageous" has brought the issue of men growing spiritually and becoming leaders in the home to the forefront.

"'Courageous' and the thought of it fits in to what Men of Integrity is all about," Ferguson said.

He noted that one local police officer will be recognized at the rally, and his recognition will also be a recognition of all law enforcement personnel. Church pastors in attendance will also be recognized.

"I want men to understand their role of a spiritual leader in the home. When they're the husband and the father, God has given them an element of spiritual authority over their children that nobody else has got. And if they don't expound on that, no one else will pick it up."

Ferguson stressed that the rally is just as much for men who want to regain their integrity.

"Men that have failed can regain their integrity. This is vitally important in the day we live in, because we all fail. But as Max Lucado says, 'Failures are not fail.'"

Ferguson went on to note that there is always hope.

"Forgiveness is more than once or twice. It's going to happen almost every day in our lives."

Though Saturday's focus will be on men, Integrity Foundation also has a number of other ministries. Among these are individual meetings and group and church weekend seminars on fiance, church growth and leadership development, and home and relationship communication.

A reception will be held before the rally at 5 p.m. Saturday, and the rally begins at 6 p.m.

For more information on Saturday's rally, call 979-7102 or 270-4174, email klferguson@charter.net, or go to the organization's website at www.integrityfound.com.

lpresson@semissourian.com

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