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Athletes in Action
“We just launched the Core 300 movement here at UCLA. Art's
messages from the life of Gideon have clearly been penetrating
lives of student athletes at UCLA.
When you have college students telling you (that have not yet
attended) that they have heard from other students how good the
meetings have been speaks volumes - students are talking! Our
attendance has doubled from last year. We have had 3 first time
decisions and a 8-10 recommitments to start our fall quarter.”
Rev. Mike Buchanan
AIA Regional Director of Campus Ministry
Pacific Southwest and Greater Northwest
AIA Campus Director UCLA
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Changed Lives
What Core 300 Men are experiencing...
I highly recommend Core 300 to assist you and your church in
implementing this incredibly motivating training for men to
“Rise-Up” and take leadership in the local church. Your church
will never be the same!
-Larry Carignan, Elder, Calvary Community Church
As a
Christian therapist I see men every week who have lost their way
due to a false masculinity that abdicates their role as a
servant-warrior who loves and protects his wife and children.
Called to War is not about macho, but about freedom. Art takes a
man through the journey of Gideon from fearfully farmer to
mighty warrior. Men can be freed from the very false and often
toxic armor we put on for self protection and learn a new
openness before God and other men.
-Rick Blackmon, Ph.D.
The best part about Core 300 men's discipleship was seeing how
my life has changed afterward. After 12 years of trying to live
the Christian life, I recommitted my life and determined to get
rid of my selfishness so that God can use me, unhindered. There
was a renewed vision of the spiritual war at hand and a
realization that God has a part for me to play. Now, nearly a
year later, I’m living a freedom in Christ I’ve never
experienced before. I’m not only back in the saddle, I’m
watching God work in ways I didn’t even know were possible.
- Joel Cheek
The Core 300 men's curriculum is
effectively tapping in to what is needed to engage American men
in powerful kingdom-focused ways in their families, churches,
and communities. With Gideon as a case study, they use the
biblical themes of the warrior to challenge us to "get into the
arena" -- first by building key interdependent men's fellowship
with other men, then freeing us from the common bonds that tend
to drag evangelical men down, and finally by "spurring us on to
love and good deeds" in practical ways. Both the content and
the approach are motivating and transforming.
- Steve Adams, Christian Associates,
Strategic Partnerships
The Core 300 men's Bible studies and the close friends I have
found there, has brought a sense of direction and has already
helped me be a better father to my children, helped grow me
through some tremendously difficult trials, and created a band
of close Christian brothers who really know me, warts and all.
- Al Williams
For 30 years, I had tried with all my heart to follow Jesus, but
I kept my head down and tried to avoid conflict of any kind.
Especially in the spiritual realm. When pressed, the best I
would do is play defense and yield as little ground as possible.
Today, I am a Warrior. When I wake up, I awaken to the
invisible battle in this fallen world (and sometimes in me) and
take it on, offensively. Although I do not win every fight, I
have set my face for and found victory as God’s Mighty Warrior!
- Mike Gregory
I was a Christian that believed he should be instructing men,
not taking a course for men. I believed my walk with God was
strong, my marriage was solid, and that as a man I pretty much
had it all together. But then I encountered the Core 300 Warrior
mens discipleship training. The men's study asked me to look
deeper; past the surface to realize who I had become and what I
was lacking in my walk with God. In my men's group were men like
me. Together we grew and became more self-less. And, with the
guidance of the Core 300 leadership, we began to more fully
understand the needs of others and have again become servants.
For some, the series reminded us again what it means to walk in
the essentials of servant leadership, for others, the series
taught us how.
- Dave Tofanelli
It is amazing what being a part of the Core 300 men's ministry
has done to change my and the other men's life. Learning to wear
the Armor of God sets you apart and prepares you take on the
curve balls life throws at you. The armor protects us from the
anger, lust, jealousy, and greed that can control your life. One
of the best parts of being in the Core 300 is sharing the story
of the coin with other men who have not experienced being a part
of the Core and seeing their desire to become a Warrior, Priest,
and King.
- David Lippman
For me, prior to the Core 300 men's study, I found myself on the
edge of the arena. I knew I wasn’t simply sitting in stands, but
on the other hand, I wasn’t in the center of arena, fully
engaged in God’s battle either. I wasn’t working together with
other men in a small group. Discipleship, for me was
misunderstood. Learning how to lock shields with other
Christians. Men, bonding in trust, and seeking the protection
that comes when a men's small group loves and defends one
another, was a wondetrful experience that has changed me
forever.
The Warrior study opened my eyes and my heart to where God
really wanted me to be, that is, fully engaged in the center of
the battles of my life. It has been though this study that God
has used me to “step up” and to “get out of my comfort zone.”
As a result of the Warrior training, the personal bondage to
porn, a failing marriage, and other personal failures in my life
are being defused. I can now say that I am engaged with other
men, in the core of God’s army as he uses me and my fellow
Warriors to accomplish His will!
- Len
Upon graduation from the Warriors men's study, I was presented
with a majestic coin that I carry in my wallet. This coin
reminds me daily to put on the Armor of God and be prepared to
face each day. What Art and his team gave me in this men's study
was a delightful insight to myself. The courses were not easy
and in fact I had several classes where the subjects were
downright uncomfortable. I therefore have learned to be a
Warrior, a Priest and a King. All were brought to me as
challenges to undertake and conquer. This men's ministry is an
experience that can change each men's life and make him an
overcomer.
- Jim, McMichael, Lt. Colonel, USAF Ret
Women
I was given the chance to be a Squad leader for the Core 300,
study on Gideon and I am so thankful for the opportunity.
I have learned so much about myself as well as others in my
squad. Even though it was originally written for men, I find it
even more challenging for me to dig deeper.
God has used this study to challenge me in areas of my life that
I have been shoving in the back corner of my heart, and also
challenged me with my relationship with my boyfriend...we have
both grown because of this study. I have had to make
sacrifices, because we are called to be in the world and
not of the world.
This study is a good reminder for me to keep myself in check and
make sure that I can still hear that still quiet voice of the
Holy Spirit, and what He has for me each day! I love it! and
love learning how to be a Warrior in the arena!!
--Kaila Shull, Catcher, UCLA Womens Softball, All Pac 10
Leaders
By leading a table group in the Warrior study, I was able to be
open and honest with other men and I quickly became a mentor for
the men at my table, providing them encouragement and guidance.
As we prayed together and prayed for one another outside the
study, it was obvious that God was listening, as the praise
reports reflected God’s goodness, mercy and healing!
- Len Krukowski, Squad Leader
Youth
This last weekend my Dad and I went away for a time together
and when we ere not surfing or eating, we were learning about
Gideon..and how God called him a Mighty Warrior even though he
was hiding and alone and afraid. God took away my fears and
called me into mens discipleship as his Warrior and I was filled
with the Holy Spirit and received a new kind of strength I have
never felt before. When the summer is over I can't wait to go
back to school."
- Jordan, 12
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