Special Forces Training

“The greatest want of the world is the want of men—men who will not be bought or sold; men who in their inmost souls are true and honest; men who do not fear to call sin by its right name; men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole; men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.” —Ellen G. White, Education, p. 57

Under the leadership of Men’s Ministries Director Pastor Tony LaPorte, the Men’s Ministries team has been conducting a special training series exclusively for men entitled “Six Character Pillars Every Man Should Possess.” Following an introductory session on Monday, attendees have explored the pillars of trustworthiness, respect, and fairness.

Each session has focused on biblical examples and texts that illustrate these core principles. Pastor LaPorte highlighted Proverbs 16:11 to explain the biblical foundation of fairness: “Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of His making.” He noted that Proverbs teaches fairness in the same way Matthew 7:12 does: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Pastor LaPorte also incorporates the writings of Ellen G. White to reinforce each principle. He cited Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, p. 353, where she writes, “A man may not bear the most pleasant exterior, he may be deficient in many respects; but if he has a reputation for straightforward honesty, he will gain the confidence of others. The love of truth, the dependence and confidence which men can place in him, will remove or overbear objectionable features in his character. Trustworthiness in your place and calling, a willingness to deny self for the purpose of benefiting others, will bring peace of mind and the favor of God.”

The atmosphere in the room feels like a Navy SEAL training—Special Forces or Green Berets. The men are locked in, focused, taking photos of each slide with their phones. They are listening, learning, and patiently absorbing the tools to become all that God has called them to be.

“This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”

—Christopher C. Thompson