Men's group plans interfaith program

It's not easy being a man.

At least, not the kind of man God intended, says Dan Steska.

Steska facilitates a program called Men's Fraternity of Southeast Missouri, an interfaith men's group.

"The premise of the whole program is the role of manhood is somewhat confused in our culture," said Steska. "Are you Rambo or are you 'Everybody Loves Raymond'?"

The group promises the "most remarkable personal growth experience of your life." That's exactly what participants get, said Steska.

Last year, a group of about 25 men from local churches held its first 24-session program. The group will begin a new program Sept. 15.

Steska hopes the new session, which is called "The Quest for Authentic Manhood," will attract about 200 men from throughout the community.

"People who went through it were so impressed they thought we needed to take it to a communitywide level," he said.

He hopes the impact will be communitywide as well.

"Men become better men, then families become better families and that affects the community," Steska said.

The local group is a spin-off of the national Men's Fraternity organization, which has about 2,000 chapters nationwide.

The sessions include a video series on various aspects of life men face, all presented from a scriptural perspective.

This 2005-2006 session is designed to help participants focus on a man's core identity and gives an overview of basic manhood issues.

For more information about the program, contact Steska at 339-0302.

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128