by Joseph Brooks
College Hill Mennonite (Tampa, FL) hosted its 2026 Men’s Empowerment Network on June 13-14, bringing together men from across Florida and beyond for a weekend centered on the theme, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
The event combined biblical teaching, worship, fellowship, and conversation, featuring speakers from Mosaic congregations and beyond, including Tomas Ramirez (Iglesia Menonita Luz y Vida [Orlando, FL]), Pavel Gailans (Homestead [FL] Mennonite), Phillip Moore (The Refuge Church), author Nathaniel Roddy, and Sunday preacher Rev. Chidi Ihezuoh (LA Faith Chapel). Participants reflected on Scripture, encouraged one another in their faith, and discussed both the challenges and joys of following Christ, and the call of men in Joshua 24. The gathering generated enthusiastic feedback both from those attending in person and those participating online.
The weekend offered strong spiritual leadership and meaningful connections among the men who attended. Here are the key points:
Empowering: Participants described feeling strengthened and affirmed in their faith. The conversations throughout the weekend reflected a renewed sense of purpose and encouragement as men worshiped and learned together.
Engaging: From beginning to end, men were deeply engaged with the speakers, discussions, and one another.
Encouraging and Exhorting: The biblical practice of exhortation, walking alongside one another to build up, comfort, motivate, and encourage faithful Christian living, was a central part.
Exciting: There was enthusiasm throughout the weekend. Conversations continued long after each session, and many participants were already asking who might host next year’s gathering.
Edifying: Each speaker shared powerful messages that built up those listening. Charge!
Educating: We all learned a lot about the word of God and a little about one another.
Experience: Men traveled from Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando, Homestead, Miami, and other parts of Florida to participate. The presence of Rev. Chidi Ihezuoh, who traveled from California with his family, along with those who joined online, made the gathering memorable.
Example: Resolution for Men, a resource inspired by the film Courageous, was offered a practical tool for continued spiritual growth.
Joshua was a man of resolution. He knew who he was and what his responsibilities were. Time and again, his boldness, faith, and courage rallied men. Finally, standing before them near the end of his life, delivering a farewell address to his countrymen, his wholehearted resolve and commitment to God as the leader of his family still showed through. He said:
If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15).
From the heart, we at College Hill Mennonite are grateful to God for spiritual leadership and guidance, and the support from Mosaic, each guest speaker, family, friends in the community, and those who joined us online… May God bless you and keep you, in Jesus’ name, amen!
Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To share your thoughts or send a message to the author(s), contact us at communication@mosaicmennonites.org.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.