"Don't Do Life Alone" ft. Arturo Gamino & Cisco Terrazas

Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker (00:15):
From the city of Chicago, a city most recently
known for its crime and violencefrom this podcast.
We will be sharing stories ofredemption from individuals
raised in the tough streets ofChicago and from around the
country.
Some of them were gang members,drug dealers, incarcerated
victims, and perpetrators ofviolence.

(00:36):
Listen to my guest as they sharetheir experiences, struggles,
trauma, but also the strength,hope, faith, and perseverance
these have developed in them tokeep pushing and moving forward
in life.
Tune in to hear how their liveshave gone from darkness to
light, and from wrong to strong.

(00:58):
Hello everyone and welcome toanother episode of From Wrong to
Strong podcast.
I'm your host.
My name's Omar Calvio, andtonight we're doing something we
haven't done in a while.
I got a couple guests with me.
Uh, these guys were my originalvictims when I started my
podcast.
And what I mean by that is, man,we, I, I didn't know what I was
doing, but these two brothershere got Cisco, got Arturo.

(01:20):
They were the first guys thatstepped up to the plate and
joined me here for interviews.
Man, that was o over two and ahalf years ago.
Uh, so in a couple months?
Yeah, two months.
It's actually gonna be threeyears that we've been doing this
on October 2nd.
Uh, it'll be three years.
But yeah.
Anyways, uh, Cisco and Arturowere, uh, uh, two of the first
guys.
That man basically, uh,supported.

(01:43):
Uh, when I told'em we we'regonna do this, man, they stepped
up to the plate and they sharedtheir testimony.
They shared their stories, and,uh, here we are.
Uh, and not, not, not, not onlythat, but I've known these
brothers for years.
Um, we do, uh, we go to the samechurch, uh, new Life Community
Church, started off in, uh,Garfield Ridge, and now we're
at, uh, new Life, Cicero.
I think I've been there since,if I'm not mistaken, 2018,

(02:04):
somewhere around there.
Uh, but yeah.
WW uh, welcome to the podcastBrothers.

Speaker 2 (02:09):
Thank you, bro.
Man, man.
Yeah.
Thanks for having us again.

Speaker (02:11):
So, yeah, it, it's been, it is been a while.
And then, uh, they, they did theoriginal interviews, like I
mentioned, way back in thebeginning it was just audio.
We didn't have no video.
Mm-hmm.
Uh, but even throughout the lasttwo and a half years, you, you
guys have joined me to do.
Yeah, I believe it's been group.
I don't think we've done nothingindividual.
No.
Yeah.
It was like similar to this,right?
Yeah, exactly.
Yeah.
So, man.
But, but anyways, I know, youknow, if we, people that

(02:33):
haven't, uh, uh, heard from youguys, maybe, uh, people never
heard your testimony.
You want to give maybe a littleshort intro to who you are?
Maybe tell'em a little bit aboutyourself.

Speaker 2 (02:42):
Yeah, sure.
Uh, I'll start with, uh, me, uh,Cisco Terrazas, um, family of,
uh, three children, uh, married.
Um.
An engineer, uh, manager andmanagement now actually just
moved into management, uh, abouta little over a year ago now.
So praise God for that one.
Um, been, uh, now leading, uh,classes, which we're gonna be

(03:06):
talking about, uh, in a bit, uh,for a group, for life groups,
uh, for men.
Uh, it's, it's been great.
I mean, honestly, it's just evenparticipating and just kinda
helping out wherever I can with,uh, from Rock to Strong ministry
as well.
Uh, just helping out Omarwherever, wherever we can.
So.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's just been, it's been fun sofar, man.

Speaker (03:24):
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.

Speaker 3 (03:25):
What about your, I'm Arturo Gamino, um, married, um,
gonna be 20 years this fall.
Congrats.
Yeah.
Next month.
So, um, got two boys or twoyoung men.
Uh, got a old grandson.
Two dogs and a cat, and apartridge and a p ridge and aar
tree.
And no mice.

(03:46):
No mice.

Speaker (03:47):
Not no more,

Speaker 3 (03:48):
not no more after the cat.
Yeah.
No.
But, uh, but yeah, I've been,um, uh, like I mentioned, I got
a family, um, part of New LifeCicero, um, for, for quite a
while.
Um, and, um, and been involved,um, in different, um, aspects,
um, serving in, in, in thechurch, uh, part of the, um.

(04:08):
The men's ministry and part ofthe, uh, our security team, um,
and just always trying to servein different ways.
Amen.
Amen.

Speaker (04:15):
Amen.
So, no, today the reason we wegot together is at, at, at our
church and New Life.
They have what's called thesmall groups.
Uh, but now they call'em lifegroups.
So it's basically, um, groups,obviously the one we're in for
men.
But our church has groups forwomen.
They have a marriage group.
Uh, they got a group for, uh,youth.
Uh, so I wanted to get thesebrothers, uh, together'cause.

(04:37):
Usually in the fall, which islike in the beginning of
September, mid-September, theylaunch the groups, meaning that
for the summer, uh, we, we, wetake like, uh, two months off,
you know, I think it's from likeJune all the way to, yeah, to
September, actually, like maybelike three months off, right?
Mm-hmm.
Uh, but, but I believe thatthat's very important.
'cause man, uh, the, thevolunteers that lead these
groups, uh, the group leaders,man, they, they spend a lot of

(05:00):
time, uh, preparing themselves,you know, studying, uh, getting
in the word man.
It involves, um.
Buying snacks for the group.
It's, it's, it's a lot of work.
So, uh, I, I believe it's, it'sgreat that we take a a, um, a
break in the summer, right?
Like, to, to It's refreshing.

Speaker 3 (05:16):
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's, um, you know, gives you,um, it's just, yeah, like a time
to refresh to, to reenergize.
Mm-hmm.
You

Speaker (05:23):
know what, I know we're gonna get into it, that, uh,
we're gonna get into somequestions, but I, I let, let,
let, uh, let's start there.
Uh,'cause obviously these twobrothers, like I said, they
lead, uh, men's groups.
But, uh, let's start off withwhy, why is it important to take
a break in the summer?
You know?

Speaker 2 (05:36):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
I mean, um, for one, uh, we're,we're kind us as leaders, we're
constantly pouring out, right?
Um, we're leading, uh, a groupof men or just a group of
people, uh, with the word.
So it's like.
We're trying to like, prepareourselves with the material and
stuff like that.
And that's taking up yourpersonal time, right?

(05:58):
Um, that could be personal time.
You could be either with yourfamily or doing other stuff.
You know, me, I work from homein a sense, and there's times
where I can take like littlesnippets of breaks where I can
kind of use that time to come upwith material and stuff like
that for, uh, for leadinggroups, you know?
So it's like, it's like you've,you've told me in the past, or
told us actually in the past,it's like, you gotta count the

(06:19):
cost.
Because it's constantly pouringout.
Um, yeah.
I mean, granted the men willpour in, but the time, um, it,
it, it doesn't happen as oftenas we would want.
So even taking that break helpsus to actually get poured back
in, in other ways, you know?
Whether it be in prayer, right?
We had the time to do more inprayer.
Or even just like family, justin general, like family

(06:40):
gatherings and stuff like that.
It's the time we take off to goon vacations.
Yeah.
Family vacations, stuff likethat, you know, so Well, what
about

Speaker (06:46):
you,

Speaker 2 (06:46):
Arturo?

Speaker 3 (06:47):
Yeah.
Well, why is it important,right, to take a break in the
summer?
It's, uh, first, like Imentioned, it's, it reenergizes
you, refreshes you.
Um, and, and at the same timeyou're preparing yourself.
To be healthy, to be better, um,for when the season comes
around.
That way you're, you are, likeyou mentioned, we're pouring
out, right.
But you're giving, uh, uh, thebest you can to, to the men's

(07:08):
group or whatever group you areinvolved in.
Um, uh, at the same time, likeyou, family is very important,
you know, like it does take sometime away.
You mentioned, uh, you know,during the week we're preparing,
uh, we're trying to findresources and then come the day
of, of the group, we also, um.
There.
Uh, you know, and then on top ofthat, you know, we have work,
family, different, you know, wecome across issues as well,

(07:31):
worries, problems.
Um, and we got, we, you know, wehave our relationship with God
as well that, that we need tocontinue, uh, growing in.
Uh, so it just, it's just a, agood time to refresh, right?
I know the Bible talks about theSabbath, right?
About resting.
Um, and, but we rest in himright where he gives us, uh,
strength.
So summertime is, is a good timefor a break.

(07:53):
Um, but also use it wisely,right?
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Oh

Speaker (07:57):
yeah, definitely.
Yeah.
Yeah.
There's gotta be some wisdom inthat.
And, uh, definitely, uh,investing into the marriage,
investing into the children,grandchildren.
Grand.
Yeah, man, it's, uh, and eventhen, like fellowship and we,
whatever has got places, but,uh, I know we're, we're, we're,
we're, we're gonna, we're gonnaget into like leading a group,
but let's, let's go to thebeginning, obviously before you
guys became leaders, like, uh,leading a men's group.

(08:19):
You had to be part of a group,right?
Mm-hmm.
Like get poured into,

Speaker 3 (08:21):
yeah.

Speaker (08:21):
So how, how have li uh, life groups, small groups helped
you personally?
What, what, what did that do foryou?
Like, if you could go back,like, to the beginning, let's
say maybe when you first startedcoming to church.
Okay.
And when you could, you know,when you, maybe you step foot
into a group, what was thementality?
And then eventually as, as, asyou plugged into a group.
What, what did that do in yourlife?

(08:42):
Okay.

Speaker 2 (08:42):
Actually, what I forgot to add into my little
introduction is that I've metboth you guys through New Life,
Cicero.
So that's something, and, and Ithink I've been coming, uh, to
New Life, Cicero since 2017,somewhere around that time.
Um, and the first group that Igot plugged in was with, um, it
was furnace.
I wanna say it was furnacefirst.
And that was when, um, brotherRudy was actually, uh, Soto was

(09:05):
a running furnace, you know?
And then eventually I, uh, thenfound out that Arturo.
Let his Bible classes.
Uh, I don't know if it's alwaysbeen on Thursdays.
I don't know if it's, it mighthave changed, but Feels like it.
Yeah.
I wanna say back, back then, itmight have been.
It might've been.
Yeah, it might've been.
But um, yeah, so it's like the,that was my, my first official
Bible studies.
'cause furnace was more like forprayers, which was very powerful

(09:27):
in a, in a sense.
'cause it was just a men in agroup of circle and just heavily
praying man.
And that, and that wasbeautiful.
Uh, and then bible studies withArturo was like, it's like the 1
0 1.
It's like learning.
To, to learn about the OldTestament, the New Testament,
and all these books and stufflike that, you know?
So, yeah.
So it was definitely, uh,Arturo.
Arturo was my, my first go-to,you know.

(09:48):
Sorry, man.
I tried.
Hey, he still here,

Speaker 3 (09:53):
right?
Um, yeah, for me, uh, uh, uh,groups at the beginning were,
were really good because firstit's, it was, um, uh, you know,
uh, you, you, you kindamentioned as a new believer,
right?
Right.
Um, uh, so when you're startingoff, you, you just kind, you
don't know where to go.
Uh, so it's, it's first, it'slike kind of, um.
A form of direction, right?
You have people there that canmaybe, okay, well what do I do

(10:13):
as a new, uh, Christian man?
Or, or, you know, mm-hmm.
Well, what, what do I need tolearn?
And so you got people there tohelp you, uh, just guide you and
just, you know, answer somesimple questions or some deeper
questions.
So, mm-hmm.
Uh, so for me it was veryhelpful.
It, it, it, um, it, you know,you, like you said, you learn
things, uh, um, biblically, um,how to walk, you know, part of

(10:34):
the Christian life.
Um, and, um, and so.
Starts, it starts making youthink, you know, okay, maybe,
you know, when you first come toChrist, you don't know.
You hardly know anything.
Right?
Um, but you, you know thatyou're in need of a savior.
That's why you came to Christ.
But then you start learningcertain things.
We grow up a certain way and wemight have, uh, the old way of

(10:58):
thinking about religion orwhatnot, and it helps clear
things up.
So,

Speaker (11:03):
yeah.
You know what me, like when I,when I started, uh, well here
at, uh.
New life, uh, uh, uh, GarfieldRidge.
When we were meeting at KennedyHigh School, I had been outta
church for like two, two yearsplus maybe like two and a half
years.
So when I started going tochurch again, I had a, a
hesitation about connecting,like with a small group, you
know, with a, with a live group.
And back then they were meetingat a pastor, uh, Roger Cortez

(11:26):
house.
So shout out to Pastor Roger andthat's.
We're with, with, with Heit.
I, I, I gotta say it with, uh,hesitancy.
And then the reason I wannashare it,'cause maybe there's
some men out there that man,maybe you hesitate like, man, I
don't, you know, I'm not one.
I, I've had people tell me, man,I don't wanna go to a men's
group.
They're gonna make me talk.
You know, I don't want to talk,I don't want talk to strangers,
you know?
Mm-hmm.
I gotta share personal stuff,you know?

(11:47):
I don't even share personalstuff with people that I know.
So I, I, I feel you.
If that's you.
Yeah, man, I feel you.
And I get you and I, and I wentto a group just like that.
Like, man, I'm just gonna sit inhere.
I'm gonna listen to these guystalk and I'm not gonna say
nothing.
And to be honest, I think maybefor the first couple of weeks I
was like that.
But then, man, I got to meet,uh, pastor Juan, uh, Rudy and,
uh, pastor Roger and all the menthat were, that were meeting

(12:10):
back then.
And little by little, you know,I guess the, the wall started
coming down and I was able toconnect.
And here we are, like, I think Istarted in 2014 with New Life,
if I'm not mistaken.
So it's been 10, 11 years later.
Uh, for me personally, like,like I said, it was like a slow
process.
Like, and, and, and, and the,the reason I share that is man,
man, if you're not plugged in,if you're not connected.

(12:31):
Man, start off slow, you know,like go, go to the group and
just, uh, and, uh, listen tothe, to the teaching, to the
lesson.
Mm-hmm.
And, and what really like, uh,made me connect is hearing the,
the vulnerability andtransparency of other men.

Speaker 2 (12:46):
Yeah.

Speaker (12:47):
Like to, to hear man talk about man, like their
struggles, things that they'regoing through.
And here I am just sitting therelistening like, man, I'm, I'm
going through some of that.
Yeah.
Like, man, and, and, and then itmade me like be late.
Relate to, to connect.
Yeah, it's connect, you know,so, but yeah, I just wanna share
that, man.
It's definitely blessed mepersonally.
And obviously you grow in allthe lessons, Bible studies and,

(13:08):
and I, and I love the fact thatthey're, the lessons are geared
for men.
So it's not just Bible study,but they're like.
Practical life lessons, right?
Mm-hmm.

Speaker 3 (13:16):
No, absolutely.
They're, they're, they're morespecific, right?
Um, uh, and, and um, a lot oftimes, you know, people may
think, like you, you mentioned,oh man, I don't want to go, or,
you know, what are they gonnatalk about?
Feel uncomfortable.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and, but, but they aregeared towards men.
That's the whole idea.
Right?
And, and, and because, and so,um, and, and.
There's, there's, they'respecific, you know, because men,

(13:38):
everyone goes through thingsdifferently.
We have a variety of groups oflife groups, men, women, youth,
married couples.
Um, and so obviously the, thereason for different groups is
because there's different needs.
Uh, and so we try to, um, uh, beable to connect with those
needs.
Um, as us as men, we know someof the things that we go

(13:58):
through, we struggle.
Uh, so it's like you mentioned,vulnerability is important to,
to be.
For us to be vulnerable.
But he, like, uh, Omar mentionedif you feel hesitant about going
go, um, part of our, our, our,we share some guidelines, not,
you know, not so much rules, butjust to make the environment
more comfortable.
And one of'em is, um, that ifyou don't feel like talking or

(14:21):
sharing, that's fine.
That absolutely fine kickback.
Listen.
Um, you know, we have uh, somemen that have been around for
months and still.
Don't share, you know, I mean,they talk, don't get me wrong.
Right.
But, but I get that point.
I, because I'm, I'm also thatway and that made me think too,
like, so that was, even though Iwanted to learn more my be, I'm

(14:43):
introverted, so beingintroverted made me hesitant
because, man, I don't want totalk, don't ask me questions,
but we create an environmentlike, Hey, you're welcome to
share.
Um.
If you want to.
If you don't, I get, we get it,you know?
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (14:56):
Amen.
I think the key thing that youboth bring up is the
environment.
Um, it's about making theenvironment comfortable for men
to wanna come through.
And I think that's where, um,where I know a lot of men
probably are hesitant and wannasay, well, I don't wanna become
vulnerable and stuff like that.
'cause that's not how we alleach grew up.

(15:17):
More than likely, you know?
Um, it's been more like a.
Manly man's world where, um, youknow, we're not here to show our
feelings and stuff like that.
And to be honest with you,that's all lies.
That's all lies from the enemyman.
Um, you, you, you, you know,the, the whole purpose to know
and to get to know, uh, Christand God is for you actually to
make yourself, uh, vulnerable.

(15:38):
Uh,'cause that's the only wayyour true emotions and feelings
of what's really in, um, insideof you is what was trying to
come out.
But there's a force, there's anegative force that.
It's trying to tell you like,no, don't, don't let that out.
That's not supposed to seep out.
And that's, that's, that's thelie.
Um, because I remember evencoming to church, I was

(15:58):
hesitant.
I'm like, I, I don't even knowif I belong here.
Um, even at times where, um,where I was first starting to
lead is actually with your, uh,uh, Wednesday workouts on, uh,
Wednesdays.
And even then I was evenhesitant.
I'm like, I don't think I'mready because.
I feel like I'm not well preppedand stuff like that.
And, and again, these are allthings that, you know, just
comes in the back of our minds.

(16:19):
And these are things that we, wecan't allow, uh, to take a hold
of it.
It's like we, we kind of have toget ourselves in this
uncomfortable spot.
You know, we can't always be ina comfortable place, you know,
in order for us to see growthand, um, success.
It's actually getting yourselfout of those comfort zones and
actually throwing yourself, uh,to, to move to something greater

(16:39):
that actually God wants you todo, you know, in a sense.

Speaker (16:43):
You know?
Yeah, I, I think that word youmentioned growth.
That, that's the word that wascoming to my mind.
If you wanna see growth,sometimes you gotta put yourself
out there.
Mm-hmm.
And put yourself inuncomfortable situations that
ultimately will bring growth inour lives in many ways.
You know, now you, you know, ifsomebody's gonna be watching
this, how, how does a typicalgroup structure look like?
How does it start, you know,what are the, how, how does the

(17:04):
group look like, I guess if theygo

Speaker 3 (17:05):
Yeah.
Typical.
So we meet on Thursday nights,um, seven o'clock.
Right.
Um, I get there a little early,uh,'cause we have some men that,
that come earlier.
Um, and, uh, so typical, um, youknow, some little conversations
and as time goes on we get moreguys coming in.
So then either we get a bigconversation going or some
conversations kind of break out.
Uh, we have, um, food available,um, snacks.

(17:28):
Um, and so people are eating,you know, breaking bread, right?
Some fellowship going on at thebeginning.
And then, um.
And then we'll, uh, get into,um, into, uh, worship, um,
praise and worship.
We try to do a song or two.
Um, and then we, um, and then sosome of the lessons, uh, most of
the lessons are brought through,uh, like a video format.

(17:49):
A short video, uh, maybe about10 to 15 minutes at most.
Um, and it's usually a pastor,uh, that, um, that that'll have
these studies, uh, these seriesset up.
So we do series.
Um, they're anywhere from likefour to eight weeks.
Um, and, um, and so after thatwe'll break down, we'll break
into, um.

(18:10):
Into some questions and justkind of go over it, what we
listened to, what we heard, andthe scripture that was shared.
Um, so last season we weredoing, we actually went through
the whole book of Romans and westarted it in January all the
way through June.
So six months we were studyingthe book of Romans.
Um, and um, and that's actuallybeen the longest, um, session
we've had.

(18:31):
Um, we, we usually have the sameamount of time of, of study,
right?
Like January through, that's thewinter session, right?
January through June.
Um.
We will have like these sessionsthat are four to eight weeks.
This one ran all the waystraight through.
Um, and I think prior to that inthe fall we had maybe two or
three sessions.

(18:52):
Um, but basically like wementioned earlier, there, there,
there are, uh, sessions,biblical sessions that are,
that, um, apply to our lives,men's lives, how.
You know, how do we grow?
How do we fight these battles?
What do we do with this?
How do we react to that?
Um, and so, uh, and, and aswe're doing that, um, everyone,

(19:13):
you know, will, not everyonewill answer, right?
Um, whoever's comfortable, someare very comfortable, some are
not.
But we hear everyone, uh,everyone will share if they
wanna share.
And then PE people, the men pickoff off of that.
Um, and like you mentioned, ohman.
I was going through that, or I'mgoing through that, you know, or

(19:33):
it could be someone who hasn'tspoken, but, and they can say,
Hey man, I know I've neverreally spoken, but that really
grabbed me, you know?
Yeah.
And I'm going through the samething and I thank you, or
whatever.
Or they'll give some input, youknow?
So, but that's kind of how it,uh, a night will go, um, you
know, some fellowship, somefood, uh, praise and worship.
Um.

(19:53):
You know, the message, uh, thestudy and, uh, and then prayer.
We try to make some time forprayer as well.
Any prayer requests.
Um, if, you know, sometimespeople are not comfortable
praying, um, you know, put aprayer request and we'll pray
for you.
Um, we pray together.
So that's, that's a typicalnight.

Speaker (20:11):
Amen.

Speaker 3 (20:11):
That's, that's kind of similar for

Speaker 2 (20:12):
the Yeah, to be honest with you.
I'll just piggyback off of that.
So.
Yeah, same thing, same, samething here.
I mean, obviously he'll, heleads the, um, Thursday, uh,
evening groups.
Uh, I'll be leading theWednesday evening groups for
men.
Um, mine's just a littledifferent.
Um, and, and I know we'll getto, in regards to what that
topic is, but it's Oh, right.
Uh, just because there's a needof, I guess, us as leaders to

(20:37):
start pulling men up, man, likereally start pulling men up and,
and start, uh, encouraging them.
Encouraging them to, to, to bemore, to wanna do more, uh, uh,
to be more present in general,not just in church, not just
coming on Sundays.
Uh, but to wanna connect, bepart of community, and
hopefully, eventually also leadlike us just in general, you

(20:58):
know?
Uh, because we need moreleaders, you know?
Yeah.
Uh, we don't, we don't haveenough, you know, and, and I
know it's been, um, I know itfirst started off with both you
guys for quite some time, andthen I kind of jumped on, uh,
afterwards, you know, and.
And it's been great, but it'slike, but you know, from what
I've seen in his class, just ingeneral, it's a growth and it's

(21:18):
been a big growth, thank God tothat.
Um, and it's not, you know, likeI don't want men to just just
come and, you know, just be apart of something where it's
just like, like the, the Biblesays it's like just filling
yourself with milk and honey.
Let's, let's get above that.
There's, there's men that, thatneed more.
You know what I mean?
The meat, the Bible.
Yeah.
Like yeah, they need the beef,you know, the beef stuff, you
know, the meat and potatoes assay, right.

(21:39):
The beef.
Yeah, exactly.
You know, and I think that's alittle more on my end of what
I'd be teaching and stuff likethat.
Uh, just bringing'em more intolike that discipleship, you
know, taking that step further.
What is my next goal?
What is my next step?
You know?
And a lot of men, they don'tknow just the same way as we
started, uh, you know, when westarted coming into, uh, life
Group.
As we call it now.

(22:00):
Um, we weren't sure.
It was like an unsure, it waslike a question mark.
What, what are we supposed todo?
What are, you know, but this isall a, a, a part of the process.
That it's not just a physicalthing, but more like this is
your time to.
To, uh, spend time with God, uh,get in prayer and actually ask
him yourself, what, what shouldI be doing?

(22:20):
What do you need me to do?
Yeah.
And that's what each and everyone of us, that, that was a part
of our process, you know?
Yeah.
Now, thank God, it's like he'sgiven us and equipped us with
the right tools that we're ableto now lead and, and, and, and
move forward, you know?
Amen.
In a sense.
You,

Speaker (22:33):
you, you, you know what, um, the next question is,
it ties into group and, uh, can,can you share like a story
without naming names of someonewho's been impacted?
By connecting with a group.
Maybe somebody like throughoutthe years, I know you, you, you
know, you guys been doing it fora while, uh, without naming
names, uh, like a story of, uh,a testimony.
Maybe somebody gave you somefeedback how the, how being part

(22:56):
of a life group helped them,whether personally in their
family or in a situation thatthey were going through.
Mm-hmm.

Speaker 3 (23:03):
Um, praise God, man, that, that I, I think of so many
names, so many, you know, um,and as it's really a blessing,
right?
To, to be able to see livesbeing changed.
Um.
And so I, you know, you saidwithout naming names, without
names, yeah.
Yeah.
Example.
Yeah.
So, but there's, there's,there's so many examples.
Um, I think of one brother.
Um, so he started coming, man, Ithink even before COVID, I

(23:24):
wouldn't, he was hesitant tocome.
He would come once in a greatwhile, he would come with his
girlfriend and, um, girlfriend.
His girlfriend was involved, um,in the church, right?
Um, but he was like, ah, he comehere and there and cool, really
cool guy.
Um, and he, even one time hecame to a, a.
Um, a men's retreat.
And um, and I remember he toldme the next day, he's like, man,

(23:45):
I went to the men's retreat.
I looked in there and I walkedright out, you know, and I would
hardly see him.
So I would see him here andthere.
Um, and I would always tell himabout the group.
Men's group.
Men's group.
We would never come.
Right?
Uh, I think the year, the nextyear, he finally, at this time
he did go and stay at the men'sretreat.
Um, and man, he just loved it,you know?

(24:06):
And then shortly after thatstarted coming to the, the, uh,
the men's group and, you know,and years later he's been
coming.
He's been coming now for a fewyears.
Um, and now, you know, he, hegot baptized recently.
He, he, um, got married, youknow, so like really, he really
just involved now, like, youknow, they're, they're doing
the, the, the, he's evenserving, you know, and he's, uh,

(24:28):
and they do, you know, themarriage, uh, groups.
Um, and so.
Just to hear him like reallymad, like, I'm glad from where
he used to be at to like, man,mm, you know, now, like just
part of the, uh, the church ofGod really working in his life,
you know?
Um, you know, like all of uswe're not perfect, but, but
really seeking Gods just to,for, uh, just to change things

(24:48):
in our lives, be surrendered.
Uh, I think of man of another,another gentleman, um, who, who,
um, who was.
Incarcerated for a long time andrecently joined us, you know,
and he has some, I guess some,his part of his release, he has
some stipulations, but, and, andI think it was like a year, year

(25:09):
and a half of that.
Um, and man, we would pray aboutthings and he was able to go to
certain places only, you know,and men's group was one of'em.
And he's like, man, he loved it.
He, you know, it, it servedthem, it filled them.
Um, and, you know, but he, youknow, we would talk about things
about patience, you know,'causehe's waiting to get off this
stipulation.
Um, and, and just the growth,you know, I would see him

(25:31):
sometimes, um,'cause he wouldget there before everyone, and
he'd be at, at church.
He Right.
He'd be at the altar justpraying by himself, you know,
like, really seeking God, youknow?
Uh, so, and he's like, man, and,and same thing.
He, you know, he would say, man,this, this group has helped me a
lot, you know?
Um.
And man, like I said, I, I, Godman, I just see, you know?
Amen.
Yeah.
So it's, and um, and evenanother brother I think of, you

(25:54):
know, um, um, and I think hestarted coming.
I, I actually had known him andhis family for a long time.
Um, and, but he had heard yourpodcast and I think that's how
he got connected back to NewLife, Cicero.
But he, he, he did, he brought,started bringing his family, uh,
and, and just started bringingothers that, that, that, that,
that, um, that I've known aswell.
Right.
That, uh, um, but, and, and tothe group, you know, um, and,

(26:19):
and so.
He's, you know, he's been aroundnow, maybe a year or two now,
uh, over a year for sure.
Um, and just, you know, he's,he's also starting to step up.
Um, he grew up in, in aChristian home, but there's
always that struggle, you know,and I'm sure there's probably
people out there too, that mangrow, maybe grew up in a, in a,
in a Christian home.
Parents were.
You know, uh, took you to churchor something and, but, um, man,

(26:41):
God's God has got a plan nomatter, you know, how old we
think we are, what we've done.
Um, there's always a time, youknow.
But again, man, like, like Isaid, there's stories after
stories, after stories.
Uh, so man, you know, uh, andlike you mentioned, it does get
tiring, right?
Putting in, but man, that rewardthat, seeing that, it's like,
man, praise God, you know?
Mm-hmm.

Speaker (27:00):
You, you, I would say those, those testimonies are,
are where will make you want tokeep going, right?
Yes.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Let's

Speaker 3 (27:06):
it,'cause there,

Speaker (27:06):
there

Speaker 3 (27:07):
are times you get worry.
Yeah.
You get very, you know, you gettired and worry, but, but praise
God.
You know, if, like, if we leanon our own emotions or whatnot,
you know, it's like, man, we're,we're quick to, to, you know,
not allow God.
So.

Speaker (27:19):
Yeah.
Man.
What about you Cisco?
Anything comes to mind aboutsomebody in group?
Well,

Speaker 2 (27:23):
you guys are the OGs.
You guys got a lot of stories.
I don't got a whole lot, but,but if I can just actually bring
up once specifically, um, Imean, we're, me and this brother
we're, we're very, uh, close.
Um, he's actually one I actuallyalso mentored and, uh, helped
into baptism as well.
And, um, I, I remember, uh, justhim, actually, if, if I could

(27:44):
just quickly tell you a story.
I remember him coming to church,uh, and he came in late and it
was, it was a rainy day and he'slike, oh, did, did church start?
I remember he telling me, and,and I remember I was doing
security with Arturo that day,and he's like, and I told him,
yeah, yeah, it, it startedalready, I think we're like a
half an hour in and he was readyto walk away actually.

(28:05):
I told him, where are you going?
He's like, oh, well it's, it'salmost over.
And I'm like, it's never toolate.
That's literally the only wordsI said to him.
It's never too late.
And there was something aboutthose words that he turned
around, he looked at me, he'slike, okay.
So he, he walked right in.
And ever since then, it's beena, it's been a very, uh, deep
relationship with me and thisbrother, you know, and, uh, I've

(28:26):
just seen him grown.
Uh, and I mean, it's been alittle over, I think I wanna say
over a year now.
Since, since we've known eachother and he's grown immensely,
man.
I remember him actually, um,first starting initially with
your group, Arturo, and heactually moved on to another
group, and now I see himactually pouring into these
other men out to another churchlocation.

(28:50):
And I remember him, he, he askedme if I can come, uh, to one of
his, uh, teachings.
He was gonna actually lead.
Uh, one night, and I told him,yeah, that's fine.
You know, um, you know, I wantedto support him, you know,
because I, I see this growth inhim.
And man, when I saw him leadthat night, I was like, who the,
who is this guy?
Like, man, it is like, I'm notgonna lie.

(29:10):
It's like this guy was like, hehad, he was on fire, like I
knew.
That was the Holy Spiritliterally just pouring out on
him because he sounded like apastor.
Mm-hmm.
And I never, never heard thosewords.
And I told him like, man, what,what happened?
You know, he is like, I don'tknow, man.
He's like, something just tookover.
I'm like, yeah, the Holy Spirit.
That's, that's what it was.
Um, you know, so that's one,definitely one story I'm gonna

(29:31):
keep like near and dear to myheart because not only have I
seen it, him just kind ofgrowing in the church and even
within the church community.
Uh, but you know, he tells meeven how he.
How he's trying to regain arelationship with his family and
stuff like that, and everythingthat he's doing, even outside of
church.
And I just give him praise, man.
I give him praise and I keeptelling him, man, just keep

(29:52):
doing it, man.
It's like God's really, reallyworking in his heart, you know?
And, and I know a lot of peoplesay, well man, I'm too old.
I'm too old for this.
And.
You're never too old.
Trust me.
If it's one thing I, I, I, I canunderstand is that age doesn't
count, man.
Once we get to heaven, man, um,which is literally our goal,
man, to, to, to be up there withthe riches and the glory that

(30:14):
God is promising us, right?
If, if we're willing to take thestep and, and, and walk this
neural path and picking up ourdaily cross, right?
Um, that's the end game.
That's the end goal.
And there is no such thing.
'cause there's a lot of thingsthat, you know, that God is
promising us, you know, andthat's what we're fighting for.
You know, here on this, on thisearthly world, you know, so.
Amen.

Speaker (30:32):
Amen.
Oh, that, that, that's that.
That's great, man.
Some good, good, uh, uh,testimonies, like I said, that,
that that's what keeps you,like, well, wanting to come back
and continue to grow ourourselves or yourselves, and
continue to pour, man.
Yeah.
Now, in this upcoming season,which probably in a couple
weeks, I think we're gonnalaunch the groups.
Uh, what lessons or, uh,teachings are you guys gonna be
doing, uh, in the season?

(30:54):
Okay.
What's the, yeah.
Uh, so

Speaker 3 (30:56):
I got, um.
I got this one lesson picked outalready.
Um, and it's, it's the parablesof Jesus.
Uh, so that's a 12 session, um,study.
So it should take us throughthe, the whole, uh, from
September to December.
Then we take a, a break, uh, um,over the holidays.
But, um, that's, uh, that's,that's the one we'll be doing.

(31:17):
Okay.
The parables of Jesus.
So it's actually a, a study.
Uh, I got workbooks.
Um, they're, they're in the mailright now.
They're being, uh Oh, nice.
They're out.
Yeah.
So I ordered some, a lot ofbooks.
Um, and, um, so, um, we'll bestudying.
It's, um, you know, and just,just there, you know, we, I was
asking you guys,'cause, youknow, I pray about it and I, I'm
trying to figure out alwayswhat, what, um, lesson we should

(31:38):
do, what, what, uh, studies weshould do.
And I really wanted to be a Godthing, not, you know, not my own
uh, uh, choosing.
Um, and so this one really stoodout.
I had already, some other onespicked out.
This one really stood out and soI was asking some of the
brothers and, um, and, um.
So I asked you guys and, and youwere like, yeah, man, they both

(31:59):
and they both, you guys bothsaid similarly the same thing
that Yeah, it's kind of the, theparables are.
Simple stories, but they're veryprofound.
Yeah, they're very deep and,and, and, and man, like it
really opens your eyes wheneveryou're going through in life.
It's, it's, uh, it's going to berelatable.
So,

Speaker (32:19):
amen.
And, and, and you, you can't gowrong.
'cause basically the parablesare lessons that Jesus taught.
And you can't go wrong withstudying the words of Jesus,
especially.
Exactly.
Yeah.
What in the Bible, if you guysare not familiar, they call'em
the red letters.
The red.
Yes.
Anytime Jesus is talking,basically they print'em in red
just to like distinguish itfrom, from other, uh, writing or

(32:39):
other scriptures.
But man, like, as, as you weretalking right, of the parables,
they're like, man.
Can't go wrong with you whenyou're listening to Jesus for,
uh, 12 weeks straight.
So definitely man, check thatout, man.
Amen.
So what about you, uh, Cisco?
What, what do you got plannedfor this, uh,

Speaker 2 (32:52):
season?
Uh, well, my class is more, uh,like I was kind of saying like a
discipleship kind of a program.
Uh, this one actually, thestudy, um, that I decided to
kind of pick off of is actuallyfrom a book.
Uh, from a chaplaincy, uh,training that you actually went
through.
And, uh, oh, so that's a, aChristian chaplains and
coaching.
There you go.
That I, and, uh, they, theyactually have some, um, the

(33:14):
author, I can't remember the topof my name.
Uh, uh, uh, chaplain JimKirkland.
There you go.
Um, I gotta give him a shoutout, man.
Yes.
Shout out to him, man.
Uh, great, great book andeverything.
Um, here.
I'll get that.
Get out of the way.
All right.
All right.
Thank you sir.
No problem.
No problem.
Uh, he has, uh, eight, eightcore values in there that he,
um, actually, uh, talks aboutand they're beautiful man.

(33:36):
Uh, I thought that they were actthey're actually very, very
powerful in a sense.
I know it's a chaplaincy book,but if we really.
Uh, put if we really, uh, definechaplaincy.
Also, it's, it's a part ofdiscipleship as well.
I figured.
I'm like, this is gonnaliterally tie into what, uh, I'd
like to lead for, uh, uh, these,uh, for group, for, for men this
year.
So that would be, there's eighttotal values, um, core values,

(33:59):
but I'm gonna break'em up.
A little further so we can kindof extend it.
Hopefully it'll hold us out tolike, maybe the end of December,
but I, I'm, I'm already liketrying to pick out, uh, bible
verses scripture.
I already got some writing kindof going on, so, um, I also
wanted to actually thank youbecause, you know, I, I was
gonna take, I was gonna takelead on this, and you're like,

(34:20):
Hey man, maybe you should askfor an assistant or something
like that, right?
And I'm like, he's like, why,why am I not making my life
easier here?
It's like, ask for an assistant.
Funny thing is that I didactually find somebody, uh,
thank God, um, to also help toassist as well.
Amen.
You know, so that's a, that's areally good thing.
Um, you know, it's like, uh,it's again, it's like we don't
wanna, it's not like we're,we're saying that we don't wanna
take the burden, but it's like,but if you can help to alleviate

(34:42):
yourself, I mean, that's whatGod is also asking us to do too.
So that's something I gottaalso, uh, just wanna say shout
out and thanks to that person asgonna be assisting.
Um, but yeah, it's gonna be thecore value.

Speaker 4 (34:53):
And I think it's gonna be great.
It's gonna be beautiful, man.
Um, I'm more on the writing.
I'm the kind of person that'smore like, I need to kind of
think and put it on paper and Ikind of need to see it on paper
in order for me to kind of seehow I'm gonna be leading.
So.
Gotcha.
Oh yeah, yeah.

Speaker 5 (35:08):
That, that, that's a good way to, to go about it.

Speaker 4 (35:09):
Yeah.

Speaker 5 (35:10):
You know what, uh, you bring up something good
about the importance of havingan assistant, but, but, but not
only that, like, even with me,like I think about me, like when
I started assisting back then, Ithink it was Rudy.
Rudy Sotos always his assistantand just helping him, whatever
he needed.
You know, maybe on days hecouldn't lead the group, I would
step in, but it's mostly, Hey,bring snacks, whatever, praying,

(35:30):
you know, in the beginning.
Yeah, like, like smallresponsibilities.
Yeah.
Yeah.
But it that, that, that's whereyou grow.
So first it starts by joiningthe, the life group.
Mm-hmm.
Then it starts by serving in thelife group, you know, helping
any way you can, and then.
Uh, leadership, you know, where,where, where you got and, and,
and somebody did that for us.
Like I know the, he, he did itfor me.

(35:51):
Uh, you know, like somebody didit for, for you guys.
And it's important to bringothers along right.
To yeah.
To, to grow them as well, manto, uh, that that's his.

Speaker 6 (35:59):
Yeah.
No, absolutely.
And that's, that's the idea,right?
And that's what Jesus haddisciples, right?
And so, like you said, Rudy.
You were his assistant.
I, I would assist you when youstarted do leading groups, you
know, and then now, you know,like, and then that's the idea.
We just grow.
We grow.
Mm-hmm.
And we pour out, you, you'retalking about discipleship,
right?
Mm-hmm.
And, and, and so that's thewhole idea is discipleship.

(36:19):
Yeah.
You know, they help with theload, but also like, we wanna
see them grow and then we wannasee them.
Raise up other people to, toserve as well, because that's
the whole idea is like the, justto, you know, and that's, that's
real discipleship.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You

Speaker 5 (36:34):
discipleship and multiplication.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.

Speaker 6 (36:37):
Yes.

Speaker 4 (36:38):
Yeah.

Speaker 6 (36:39):
Amen.

Speaker 4 (36:39):
Yeah.
We're just here to model it, youknow what I mean?
Like we want them to kind ofsee, and of course, obviously
not model it through.
Through like, what we're theone, like from us, it's more
like through what's God doingfor us and through us, just in
general, that's what we wannamodel.
Hopefully they can see that andthey would wanna say, man, I, I
wanna do this too.
Like, I wanna one day hopefullylead also, uh, a group of men

(37:02):
and stuff like that.
So that's what we're trying todo.
Amen.
You know,

Speaker 5 (37:05):
you know, and staying on, on that topic, what, what is
it that you're praying for andbelieving for that God will do
through your group in thisseason?
What are some of the thingsthat, you know, like, man, God,
man, I, I pray I'm praying andbelieving that you're gonna do
this in, in, in our group, in,in the lives of men or even
maybe in your own life, youknow?

Speaker 6 (37:23):
Yeah.
Um, for me, yeah.
It, it, it's just like we werejust mentioning right now,
discipleship, we wanna, I, I'mbelieving and I'm even seeing
already, um, just men, um,stepping up.
To lead, uh, to, to, to discipleothers.
Um, and that's, and, and so, youknow, usually we have meetings
right, with people that, thatwe, we like, we feel God leading

(37:44):
us towards to.
And so that's, that's somethingcoming up soon where that, that.
So our group, our group is anice group, right?
And we have, we have guys that,that are on different, um,
levels, I guess if you wannacall'em levels or whatnot.
But, you know, it's like, youknow, baby steps, you know, in

(38:05):
the middle.
Uh, but there's always a, aplace for, for you to serve at.
Uh, you can always encouragesomeone, you know, um, uh, maybe
you've gone through this.
Two months ago now you canencourage someone else or share
with them.
Right?
So the idea is, so there's a, acouple guys, um, that, like a
small handful that have beenaround part of the group for a

(38:25):
lot of these guys have beenaround for a long time.
Um, but, um, you know, somewanna step up more than others
and, and like you said, wecan't, we can't hold them back.
We gotta lift them up, we gottamm-hmm.
Um, helped him grow and be partof the, uh, just to, to advance
the kingdom.
And, um, so.
Part of that too.
That's what I'm praying for.
And, and, and actually justreally believing because I,
like, I see it, uh, where we'regonna, they're gonna go off and

(38:50):
be mentoring these other youngeruh, um, guys, you know, not
younger in age, but just youngerin their walk, you know?
So that's what I'm, I'mbelieving in seeing, um, for
this, this fall season.
Amen.

Speaker 5 (39:01):
Amen.
What about you, Cisco?

Speaker 4 (39:02):
I mean, honestly, bro, I'm just praying for, um.
Four more men to just show up.
Um, just like it says inMatthew, right, the, uh, harvest
is plentiful, but the workersare few.
Uh, just, just praying.
That men take a bold step.
They wanna take a bold step.
You know, I'm, I'm not trying tobe rude, Rudy, uh, Arturo.
I'm trying to, that was rudealready, man.

(39:25):
Rude already.
Sorry about that.
Like, not trying to be rude.
It is like, but if I can takesome of your men outta your
class and want to take a stepup, you know what I mean?
It is like, that'd be great.
You know, it's like, and, andagain, it's just.
All around, just in general, youknow, it's just, it's still
rude.
Sorry.
Follow you Different names.
Stealing.
Stealing.
It's gonna be following meforever.

(39:45):
But I mean, we're, we're hereto, to help each other just in
general, you know, it's like,uh, just to be able to help men
just take a step, take a boldstep, you know, uh, get them out
of their comfort zone, you know?
I know there's some men.
That are, uh, great speakers.
Um, and, and they know, uh, in asense they know it too, but
they're, they're, they're stillscared.
They're scared to, to wanna getoutta that, that place, whatever

(40:08):
that place is, you know?
Uh, but hopefully we're, we'rehere to just kind of encourage
and just to be able to push in ahealthy way.
Yeah.
You know, obviously we're nottrying to force something, uh,
down someone's throat, butwe're, we're trying to push.
And, and elevate people, youknow, and put'em on a, uh, just
kind of like elevate them and,and put'em in an area where they
can be able to see that growthand hopefully they can see that

(40:28):
within themselves and, you know,give God praise for that.
And also just continue on, youknow, hopefully, you know,'cause
it's, it's not just within the,the four walls where we're
trying to keep the words, right.
We're trying to influence much,much more even outside the
walls, you know, where we'reteaching.
So that's just pretty much it.
You know what I'm praying for?
So, so that's

Speaker 6 (40:48):
why you come to the group every so often and then
take Guy, I seen that, bro.
I gave him my business cards,bro.
I gave him my business cards.
Snacks.
You go guys,

Speaker 5 (40:56):
we, we, we got better snacks over here on, uh,
Wednesdays.
I got healthier snacks.
Uh, but you, you know, no, that,that's, uh, that, that's great
that there's, uh, uh, differentdays.
Yeah.
You know, like for group, I knowsome guys maybe they can't come
on Wednesdays.
They come on.
Thursday.
So basically there's no excuse,you know, Hey, not, not only do
we got church on Sundays, twoservices, uh, 9:00 AM and, uh,
10:30 AM mm-hmm.

(41:17):
But we got two life groups formen, so definitely, you know,
uh, plug in, uh, uh, for, forany people that are, that are
gonna, uh, hear this or, or, orwatch the video, uh, what are
some ways that, whether, whetherthe people come to our church or
not, what are some ways thatthey could specifically pray or
support your life group?

Speaker 6 (41:38):
Yeah, you know what, um, pray for me for myself, um,
just to keep me, uh, uh,focused, um, not to be
distracted.
Um, you know, the enemy, uh,comes to steal, kill, and
destroy.
Um, and you know, I'm just theservant, right?
But, but the thing is that if,if I'm distracted, if I get

(42:00):
distracted or pulled away.
It, um, it can be like a dominoeffect.
Mm-hmm.
You know, people who, who youdon't even know are maybe
listening to you or, or lookingup to you and they see something
or, or, you know, um, that canbe a stumbling block to them.
So, so pray for me, my family.
Keep us in prayer that, um, thatGod's, uh, that we, we we be
protected, um, by God.

(42:20):
Um, uh, pray for the men, uh,hearts that our hearts would be,
um, prepared.
That we would just emptyourselves out, um, and, uh, that
we would just allow the HolySpirit to work.
Uh, and, and that, that, uh, Godwould just do mighty things in,
in the lives of these men.
Uh, pray for, for, for your,your loved ones, uh, that maybe
hey, um, they don't know God atall.

(42:41):
Pray that, that somehow God willmake a way.
'cause he will, um, just pray.
You have to pray.
Um, and, um, and so, um.
Yeah.
You know, I think prayer is a, ahuge one.
Uh, so specifically like that,you know, hedge of protection
around us, that we pray foranointing.
We pray for, uh, the power ofthe Holy Spirit to move.
We pray for, uh, chains broken.

(43:02):
We pray for men that don't knowyou to come.
Like I mentioned, if it's a, afamily, hey, uh, pray for them.
Maybe they don't want to hearit, but you know what?
God has a way of working.
You know, we're all here, we'reall serving God and surrendered
because people prayed for us.
So, amen.
Amen.
Amen.
About what you

Speaker 4 (43:19):
Yeah, I mean, I can't, I can't top that.
It's, it's really just down toprayer, man.
To be honest with you.
Um, it, it's as much as webelieve also in Jesus Christ,
our Savior and you know, God,his father, the Holy Spirit, we
also have an adversary, right?
Uh, so we know that when we walkinto.
This path, this narrow path andpicking up our daily cross,

(43:40):
we're, we're also gonna havethis negative force that's gonna
wanna come into tech.
You know, uh, first off, forthose that aren't familiar or
never stepped into a life group,all I ask man, is just pray.
Um, just anywhere you can find,whether it be your room, any,
just be.
Be alone and try to be one with,with Lord.
Like, just ask him the question,where do you need me to go?

(44:02):
Like, do I need to, uh, joiningLife Group is great just in
general, right?
Just where do you need me to be?
And you know what, not everylife group is going to be for
that person.
I'm just hoping that maybe youcan find a prime example of, uh,
something that maybe you can.
Find somewhere else, just ingeneral, right?
My, my group may not be the bestgroup.
Our tours group may, may not bethe best group, right?

(44:23):
But there's groups out there,there are, you know, it's just,
we gotta seek always, um, prayover that, you know?
Um, and also pray for theleaders.
You know, when once you makethat commitment, stuff like
that, we have to pray for ourleaders just in general, because
we always need a leader.
We always need someone to leadus, you know?
Um.
Uh, I mean, Jesus led the, the,you know, he was a shepherd,

(44:44):
right?
I mean, he always talked aboutleading the 99 and always went
for that one, right?
Um, that's kind of who we are.
We need to always be, uh, justbe preyed upon and stuff like
that.
So if people could just evenpray for me, for Arturo, uh, for
Omar, for each and every one ofus, and there's many leaders out
there, yeah.
Pray for us and our familiesbecause again, we have an
adversary that's always gonnawanna.

(45:05):
Uh, you know, destroy anythingjust in general when we're, um,
when we're praising the nameJesus, just in general, you
know?
So that's just something that Ijust ask for, for all those
people out there.

Speaker 5 (45:15):
Amen.
Amen.
I, I I love that you answer, wepray for me because as leaders,
that's, yeah.
Mm-hmm.
We're, we're a target, you know?
Yeah.
And you know what, uh, uh, theshirt right here.
Uh, stay humble when you saidthat, that that's humility.

Speaker 6 (45:29):
Yeah.

Speaker 5 (45:30):
Like knowing that Yeah.
You know, we, we, we, we, wemight have the title as like
leaders, like group leaders,but, uh, humility man, pray for.
Pray for me.
Pray for us.
'cause we need it.
Yeah.
You know, it is not easy.
You know, a a a lot of times wenot, not only do, not only do we
have a, a, a, a adversary likethe enemy, the devil that fights
us.
'cause man, we're God's usingyou to change lives.

(45:52):
Mm-hmm.
Like the, the varioustestimonies that you guys shared
about the impact that life grouphas made on these men.
And trust me, the enemy is not,not happy with, with what you
guys are doing.
Mm-hmm.
So, man, I love that.
Like, uh, and now shout out toPastor Hyman Cas.
Uh, men of God.
They came out here from Arizona.
That's where I got the church.
Nice.
Stay humble.
I love that.
Nice.
And, and that's one thing that,uh, we always gotta remind

(46:13):
ourselves, man, to stay humbleand, uh, uh, when we ask for
prayer, like when you ask forthat, that's say, man, I need
help.
Yes.
Mm-hmm.
You know, and that's a big

Speaker 6 (46:21):
one.
'cause we don't, like, that'ssomething we talk about too in
men's group, uh, is, is pride,right?
Mm-hmm.
Like asking for help, it'sdifficult.
It's not easy.
Like we talked aboutvulnerability, man, it was hard
for me, you know, to, to becomevulnerable.
I used to listen to everybodyand I'd be like, man, I can't do
it.
I'm not sharing, I don't wannashare.
Uh, you know, but part of it toois if I want others to, to hear

(46:42):
me and believe me, you know, Igotta be vulnerable.
I gotta be real.
Um, I, you know, um, Craig Kellesays, I.
People rather hear some, whatdoes it say?
People rather follow someonewho's real than someone who's
always right, meaning you canhave all the right things to
say, but if you're not sharing,you're not being real, you're
not, you know, being vulnerable.

(47:03):
Are they really gonna hear you?
What, what you're trying to say?
Yeah, you need to know, sharethe truth, right?
But he also gotta be real.
That, that's, that, that otherpart.
And, and, um, I believe wetalked about.
Um, how groups are, are part ofcommunity.
Yeah.
And that's community.
You know, like you gotta, uh,that connection of
vulnerability, so

Speaker 4 (47:22):
Yeah.

Speaker 6 (47:22):
Yeah.
Amen.

Speaker 4 (47:23):
Yeah.
There's no hiding that we're allsinners.
Right.
Um, we could be, uh, you know,digging deep into the Bible and
just picking scripture at thescripture.
Right.
If you're not making yourselfvulnerable to, to those that
are, that you're, that you'retrying to lead, um, they're
gonna know like, man, this guy'sbeing fake in a sense, or
they're gonna feel somethingthat's odd, you know?

(47:44):
And that's not what you want.
You need to also be a part ofthat group as well and be
vulnerable.
Um, you want, you, you need mento wanna pour themselves out
just as much as you should be.
Also pouring yourself out andsaying like.
What's on your mind and what'sgoing on?
You know?
'cause we're not perfect eachand every one of us.
Trust me, man.
We're, you know, even ourpastors has even said
themselves, like even themthemselves are not perfect,

(48:06):
right?
I mean, we're all the same in away.
But, but we all each bring agift.
We all do have a gift.
You know, there's those that,uh, are gift givers, you know,
those that want to teach, thosewho just want to encourage,
right?
Uh, I mean, these are all giftsand there's many more.
I mean, it's biblically sounded,it's, it's, it's written in
there, right?
So we all have.

(48:26):
Something to offer and to bringto the table.
The question is, where do you,where, where, where do you fall
under that category?
You know, is, and that's whatwe're trying to find, and that's
where we need God.
We need God to just kind of helpus to, you know, pull the weeds
all, all the way and just tryingto see what we can find, you
know, to see what is he callingus to do.
Amen.

(48:46):
Amen.
And, and I'm sorry.
No, go ahead.
Yeah,

Speaker 6 (48:48):
I was just thinking like, as you were sharing some
things, right, like part of um,um.
You know, talent and you weresaying, you know, gifts and
things like that you werementioning.
Um, but, but love is a bigthing.
You know, I, I believe we, overthe, the Sunday there was a
message, right?
And it was some, I forgot howexactly he, the pastor said it,
but along the lines that, um,that being, being very talented

(49:10):
without love is useless.
Yeah.
You know?
Mm-hmm.
And, and so, and kind of again,the same, similar, right?
The, um, the, the part about,uh, um.
Being real than always beingRight?
Right.
Like, you can be very talented,but without love, it's useless.
And so part of, you know, and wewere talking about vulnerability
and so we're sharing, we'rebeing vulnerable because we

(49:31):
love, and now we love becauseGod, you know, the Bible says
that God loves us first.
So now we love, you know, andbecause, I mean, we've talked
about that too, how difficultthat is, right?
Mm-hmm.
But those are things that Goddoes in us, right?
Um, and, but uh, so those, sothose things are needed, the
community, right?
Love.
Um, and, and so, uh, and beingreal vulnerable, you know?

(49:52):
Mm-hmm.
Uh, humility, you know, uh, so,amen.

Speaker 5 (49:55):
You, you know, if I could share, I know we're
talking about basically lifegroups, small groups, but, but
you guys also make yourselfavailable on one-on-one.
Yes.
That discipleship, I know youguys talking about leading men
through, uh, to, to b to thestep of baptism, but that
involves discipleship.
Yes.
So can you share a little bitabout that?
'cause I know we're, I know, Iknow what this is about.
Group.
But even, even love, I thinkthat one-on-one ties in is, is

(50:17):
where you

Speaker 6 (50:17):
really go.
Yeah, go ahead.
You know, so you, you, youmentioned in the beginning about
the breaks in the summertime.
So even though we were on breaksfrom the men's group, um, I
still really founded, like, Istill wanted to meet with some
of the guys, um, um, at the, um,and I was just allowing God for
them to reach out to me, youknow?

(50:38):
And so I had more time to, togive, you know,'cause it, we
mentioned time, it is timeinvolved, it's, it's, you know,
but now that I had the, theThursday freed up, um, I had
more time through the week.
Uh, because, you know, weschedule things, we, you know,
we all have work, family.
Mm-hmm.
Uh, extended family.
Right.
And, and, uh, we need to maketime for them as well.

(50:58):
But, um.
But I had, you know, this extratime, not, you know, a day, a
free day, and then the timethat, you know, we, we prepare.
Um, so I had a little extratime.
So that was part of what I wasdoing is just like you said, uh,
the one-on-one I had was able tomeet with a few guys here and
there, um, uh, and just, youknow, either break bread or
just, you know, get together andsee how things are going.

(51:19):
Um,'cause that's important too,you know, that's part of
community.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and I'm sorry, what was, uh.
Oh, no, no, it was just, just

Speaker 5 (51:26):
talking about, um, how, I know we're talking about
group, but even

Speaker 6 (51:29):
Oh, the, the, the, the, the mentoring, the, the,
the, yeah, the discipleship.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So absolutely like, you know,um, we, there, you know, you
know, the Bible says, uh, youknow, to repent and be baptized,
right?
Mm-hmm.
Um, so, so a lot of times werepent, right?
We realize, hey, we're in needof a savior.
I need to change how I'm living.

(51:50):
I need to surrender my life toGod.
God take control.
Repenting, right.
That you, you stop, you realizeI'm a sinner.
I I can't be living like this.
Turn away now.
Right.
You're doing that part, but italso says be baptized.
And so we do a mentoringprogram.
Mm-hmm.
Now, you know, the, I know weknow, um, uh, that you don't
have to be, go through the, um,the mentoring program to be, uh,

(52:13):
baptized.
Right.
I mean, and the Bible was clearthat.
People got baptized right thenand there, you know?
Mm-hmm.
But we, we do this just so, um,they're clear and understand
what they're doing.
And also as part of, uh,mentoring, like helping them,
walking with them, uh,discipleship.
Um, and so, yeah, it is time.
I hate to say use that word,time consuming.
'cause it sounds negative,right?
It's an investment.

(52:34):
But it's an investment.
Yeah.
You know, it does take time, butit's an investment, you know.
Um, and so I guess it's good toto to, to say it like that
because people can understand,hey, we want to give of our
time, you know, and that's

Speaker 5 (52:45):
love.

Speaker 6 (52:46):
Yes.
Like, like, uh,

Speaker 5 (52:48):
yeah.
Like that, that's one thingthat, that we'll never get back.
Like, like I heard, uh, like abusinessman say like, man, I
don't mind losing money, butwasting my time is like, yeah.
Yeah.
And it is, the time that we giveis a sign of love.
Like, man, now I'm making timefor you because I care about you
and, and I believe that like I'minvesting into you.
And then it's not only investinginto the individual, but it's

(53:10):
like.
We're pouring into, let's sayone man, right?
Discipleship.
Mm-hmm.
But then you see the change inthe marriage.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You see the change in thechildren.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You see like that domino effectagain.
Yeah.
It just in, in their cir circleof influence.
So, so that's why the enemy afight to c war.
'cause it's not just the group,it's not just that one.
Yeah.
What about you Cisco?
Like, uh, the, the importance ofthat one-on-one?
Like, I know you mentioned yougave the example of the one

(53:31):
brother, uh, but you know, tomake it so Yeah, I mean

Speaker 4 (53:33):
I've, I've had a, I've had the blessings of
actually walking a few.
Brothers to, uh, get baptized.
Um, yeah, that, that one-on-one,it's, it really is actually love
in a sense, man, I'm not gonnalie.
It's, there's nothing reallyelse to it.
I mean, if you're doing itwithout love, then it, there's
really no meaning to it, right?
Yeah.
Um, to me it's like.
I gotta, I, I know in the backof my mind, I'm like, I, I gotta

(53:55):
find time to meet with thisperson, um, to get into, you
know, the word and the scriptureand stuff like that.
Um, I know through us, throughNew Life, we go through a series
of, you know, of books, youknow, um, the first book is, I
know they're color coordinated.
I don't even want to get to it,but they're, they're each,
they're each obviously, uh,targeted for steps, right?
Yeah.
So one, the first one would bethe baptism, and we go through

(54:17):
that baptism, uh, kinda likeArturo said, we want.
People to know what, what, whatcommitment they're actually
making.
Because it's a commitment.
It's a commitment.
Like,'cause you're calling outthe name of Jesus, right?
Uh, to say that he is your oneand only savior, you know?
And that takes a lot, man,whether we like it or not, like
it's a lot because again,carrying your cross means a lot

(54:38):
of things just in general,right?
That means leaving everythingbehind of your thoughts and your
feelings, because.
We have to allow God to work inus, you know?
So again, it's just trying tohelp them understand what, you
know, what the next step is, um,and what baptism is all about.
But again, it's not even justabout that because it also gives

(54:59):
us time to actually get to knowone another as well.
Um, helps me to get tounderstand the person's
background and even share alittle bit of me and stuff like
that, you know?
So, and then not only that, thatconnection, uh, you form not
only a friendship.
Uh, but just more than that.
I, I really do think of it as abrothership, you know, kind of
in the senses, you know, becauseI know I can always, maybe,

(55:20):
like, maybe that person canalways rely on me or I can rely
on them for something, right?
So there's a connection.
You know, so taking them intothe steps of baptism is just,
just in general is beautiful.
And just to kind of hear thetestimony and how things change
and stuff like that, becausethat's what the purpose is of
baptism is to have that goodchange, that positive change.
You know, just in general, notfor them themselves, but like

(55:42):
for everyone that's connected tothem, like you said, like wives
or, or spouses, children and allthat stuff, and so on and so
forth.
And I've seen that.
I've seen the growth in allthese men.
Some way, in some way or form,you know?
Uh,'cause God works, God worksin mysterious way and he's gonna
do what he does best, you know?
Amen.

Speaker 5 (55:58):
End of the day, you know?
Amen.
And, and it's a blessing that,that he would use us in the
midst of that, right?
Amen.
Yes.
With, with, with our ownimperfections and shortcomings.
But you know, God could do itall by himself, right?
Absolutely.
He doesn't need us, but the factthat he choose us to, to be,
yeah.

Speaker 6 (56:13):
Thank you, God.
Like you sure.
It's very humbling, like, youknow.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Um, that, you know, to, becausewe know, we know that we're
sinners, we know that we fallshort, but for God to say no,
you, you, you are, you know, um,that no, you're good.
You're, you know, uh, you're,you have a clean slate.
Mm-hmm.
And I, this is what I think ofyou, you know?

(56:35):
Amen.
And, and God will use us, youknow?
So

Speaker 5 (56:36):
yeah, definitely.
All right.
What final encouragement wouldyou give to any, any man that is
watching?
What final encouragement orchallenge would you give them as
far as the importance of themconnecting to a life group?

Speaker 6 (56:52):
I would say, um, you know, at church we had this
thing right?
Where, where, um, where, uh,during announcements we
encourage people to do a, athree try, uh, challenge, right?
Mm-hmm.
So I, I challenge you guys comeout, you know, uh, and the same
thing, a three try challenge.
It's not perfect, right?
Um, but give us three, uh, threechances.
Give yourself three chances.

(57:12):
Really give God three chances,you know?
Um.
And, and let God work in yourlife, you know?
Yeah.
It's gonna be difficult.
You're not gonna want to come,you're gonna be, um, ah, man,
that's not for me, really.
I'll be all right by myself orI'll do a prayer on my own.
Uh, but, but, but, uh, we didn'ttouch on this, but part of Group
Life Group too is, uh, is, is sobeneficial because the community

(57:34):
part.
Isolation will keep us away fromGod and keep us away from what
God wants to do in our life.
Mm-hmm.
Um, Bible talks about that too.
Uh, it's clear.
Um, um, and, but, um, so stepout of that isolation and, and
get involved.
Um, or just come out.
Just come out, like I said, um,you know, kick back, listen and

(57:55):
listen to the men's stories tooas well, and just take it in.
Try a challenge.
Um.
We don't always have it, butmost of the time we got pizza
wings or something.
So can't go wrong,

Speaker 5 (58:06):
man.
They are

Speaker 6 (58:07):
too up.
What, what, what date?
I know you, I know it's gonna bein a couple weeks.
So what date, uh, uh, and timesare you, are you gonna be
meeting?
Yes.
September 11th.
Thursday, September 11th.
Um, we'll be starting again.
We'll be kicking off the fallseason at 7:00 AM at New Life.
Uh, 7:00 PM 7:00 PM Oh, pmSorry.
Oh, you're morning guy.
And I say eight.
Yeah, he's an early morning.
No, no, no.
7:00 PM 7:00 PM Yeah.

(58:28):
All right.
Hey, hey.
Oh, I, I think we shared it, butwhere, where do we meet?
Where, what do you meet?
Uh, new Life, Cicero New LifeCommunity Church, Cicero.
Mm-hmm.
Uh, that's 36 0 1.
61st Avenue.

Speaker 5 (58:38):
Amen.
Amen.
What, what about you, Cisco?
Any, uh, final encouragement,challenge, uh, to the men that
are gonna be, um,

Speaker 4 (58:45):
watching this?
I mean, to, to just get out ofthat comfort zone?
Man, to be honest with you, um,if you want growth, and I mean,
I, I think each and every one ofus, we've been in a place where,
um, it's like, you wanna dosomething better?
You don't know how, it's like,do the opposite of that.
And that's what we all had to dois do the opposite of that.

(59:05):
It's, it's get on, get out ofthat comfort, uh, comfortable
place and, uh, ask God to putyou in the place where you're
meant to be.
Um, and like Arturo said, uh,community is a very, very key
point, man, because if you'realone, um, it's kind of like.
You know, that's kind of wherethe enemy actually wants you.
It's kind of like the, the bestplace for him, uh, to be able to

(59:28):
kind of put you in a sense,right?
Because it's like.
We're, we're always gonna betold that we don't need anybody,
or we can do it all onourselves.
And, and again, that's, that'stotally not the truth.
It's, we need community, we needfellowship.
Um, that's bonding witheverybody.
Um, and trust me, we're each, weeach have our own mess in
general, that we constantlyalways have to like, just be

(59:50):
able to connect and to be ableto vent these things out, you
know, and, and those, that'swhat actually becomes beautiful
because, you know, um.
We all get to participate in asense.
And again, it's like if, it'sone thing I can actually tell
everybody, um, you know, when,when you participate in these
groups, this is something thatgets, that stays in within the
group, right?
It's not, it's not meant for usto go share outside or anything

(01:00:13):
like that.
Uh, you don't have to worryabout that.
This is something that is moreof a personal, uh, space for us
to be able to share and tobecome vulnerable in a sense,
right?
Where we're, uh, where we'retrying to grow, uh, uh, at a
different, at a different level,you know, just in general.
So if I can just tell people,man, it's like, get out of that
couch.
You know, don't, don't staythere.

(01:00:33):
We're not meant to stay there.
We're meant to, to do more.
And trust me, uh, that's eachand every one of you out there,
we're all meant to do something.
God has a purpose for you.
You know?

Speaker 5 (01:00:43):
Amen.
Amen.
And I agree.
Amen.
You know, uh, in September,usually kids go back to school.
Everybody gets in a routine.
So definitely come join us NewLife Community Church, Cicero,
whether that's on Thursday, 7:00PM.
Or, uh, Wednesday, 7:00 PMmm-hmm.
Come through, uh, a plugin.
And, um, I, I thank God for the,for the men that he's connected

(01:01:04):
me with, and men that havechallenged me and pushed me,
not.
I, I believe God used these mento challenge me and push me and,
and, and help me to grow.
And man, that, that's what wewant, we want to do for you guys
as well.
But man, I want to thank theseguys for joining me tonight.
Is, is there anything we didn'tget a chance to talk about?
Anything on your heart?
Any last words you guys wannashare before we get ready to,

(01:01:26):
to, to wrap up?

Speaker 6 (01:01:30):
Um, no.
Just give God a chance.
I know.
Um, just wanted to mention, youknow, a lot of times, you know,
we have hardships in, in life.
Um, man, we're frustrated, youknow, whatever it may be, work,
home, life, uh, single life,whatever it is, um, give God a
chance, you know?
Um, and that's what we wannashare with you is Christ, you
know?
Mm-hmm.

(01:01:50):
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.

Speaker 4 (01:01:51):
I mean, honestly, we can come up with a million
excuses not to be with God,right?
Um, but if you see that, youknow, you're not in a good
place, um, that's just, maybethat's what's missing in, in,
you know, your life.
You know?
Um, it's given, like Arturosaid, that opportunity, uh, to

(01:02:12):
under, to want to get to know.
Christ our savior, you know, uh,because trust me, um, he's here
for us.
He's always been here.
For us, it's just us wanting andneeding to open and connect.
And again, this is, this is anopportunity for each and every
one of us to do that, andhopefully one day to do that.
You know?
So hopefully this message doesreach those out, especially

(01:02:34):
those that trust me.
We, we've all come from a brokenplace.
Uh, you're not alone.
Um, we, we all are here to wantto love to express that, you
know, and that we all just wantto be, uh, just to be able to
connect in some way.
So just hopefully, if it's notwith us, by all means, trust me,
there's, there's someone outthere who wants to, and, and you

(01:02:54):
need to connect to trust me, youknow, so,

Speaker 5 (01:02:56):
amen.
And, uh, you know, um, there's,uh, 20, I believe, 26 new life
locations throughout the cityand suburbs.
So definitely if you're in theChicago land area.
There's a church where you couldgo plug, plug in, probably close
to your home, but it woulddefinitely, uh, uh, make a
difference.
Uh, I'm, I'm trying to thinkabout the quote.
I think it says that it insanityis doing the same thing over and

(01:03:18):
over again and expecting to getdifferent results.
Mm-hmm.
If that's you, you've just beendoing the same thing over and
over and wondering why, man,well, why, why, why hasn't my
life changed?
Man, it's you.
You gotta change, you gottachange your circle.
And I, as, as, as I was overhere, like, uh, as I'm, I'm
looking at these two brothers onthe side of me, uh, uh, somebody
said that, uh, tell me who arethe five, uh, closest people to

(01:03:42):
you, and I'll tell you who youare.
So like, if you guys think aboutthat, who are the five closest
people to you and do you wannabe like them in a sense?
You know?
And a lot of times we.
We blame others, but it's notreally them.
It's you, probably us.
Probably me.
You know, you we could say, ohman, I got like, go bad friends,
but I know I was a bad friendback then.

(01:04:04):
You know, my mindset and thethings that I wanted to do were
in the right things, you know?
But, uh, man, if you wanna seechange in your life, change your
circle, you know, come tochurch, come to a life group and
connect with men.
That are trying to change, uh,their lives.
Mm-hmm.
You know, they're, they'reseeking God, you know, we're,
we're asking God to help us.
Going back to what he said, man,uh, pray for us.

(01:04:24):
Uh, I, I, I go to church.
I cry out to God.
I need God to help mepersonally.
I need God to help me to be abetter husband, uh, to love my
wife with his love.
I need God to help me be afather, to, to be compassionate,
uh, to keep my emotions undercontrol, you know, that I.
Rage or whatever it is that,that we're going through,
whatever it is that mm-hmm.
That tries to, to, to attack us.

(01:04:46):
But you wanna see change in yourlife.
Dr.
Dr.
IWiN Lewis Cole says, change isnot change until it's change.
You know?
That's true.
Makes Trust me, I, I know a Godis still working in me.
And, and then the Bible talksabout this process of, uh,
sanctification.
I heard a pastor say that it's,it's not about.

(01:05:07):
Perfection.
But it is about growing, uh, uh,going back to a word we talked
about earlier, growth.
Mm-hmm.
That, that the, the more you seeGod, you, you'll see growth in
your life in certain areas.
I've been serving God 20 yearsnow and trust me, he's still
working in my life.
Amen.
And, and I know he works in mylife through, through the men
that I connect with.
I know that in, in the midst ofgroups, the, the lessons,

(01:05:30):
sometimes they speak to me like,man, something I needed to hear.
Or maybe somebody sharedsomething during group.
That encouraged me.
That challenged me.
But it's definitely been ablessing.
So that, that, that, that,that's what I want to end with,
man.
Plug in, uh, man, if you wannasee change, man, connect with
men that are seeking God.
Connect with men that'll prayfor you.
Uh, that'll, that'll have faithfor you.

(01:05:52):
That's one thing.
I was, uh, my last guest, uh,pastor Marco David, he said,
man, we need at times andseasons of our life where maybe
we're struggling.
We're battling, maybe our faithis being tested or tried.
We need men that'll have faithfor us.
Mm-hmm.
And he, he shared about the, uh,instance and what he, that he
was fighting through and he gavethe example of the, of the four

(01:06:14):
men.

Speaker 6 (01:06:15):
Yeah.
Through

Speaker 5 (01:06:16):
the

Speaker 6 (01:06:16):
roof.
Yeah, exactly.
We gotta bring, uh, we gottabring our brothers to, to before
God, you know?
Mm-hmm.
A lot of times we may bestruggling.
We may not be able to go, we maynot want to go.
Mm-hmm.
But a real friend Will, will,will take us over there to
Jesus, you know?
Yeah.
Or, or guide us to, you know, ifwe don't know him, if you don't
know him, uh, a real friend willguide you towards that.
But I did hear that podcast.

(01:06:36):
That was good.
Yeah.

Speaker 5 (01:06:38):
Okay.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Definitely encouraging man,that, uh, that, that, and, and,
and that's what you need, youknow, uh, connect with, with
people that'll push you and, andpush you.
Towards Christ.
Mm-hmm.
Amen.
Towards Jesus like, man, right?
Yeah,

Speaker 4 (01:06:49):
yeah, yeah.
Exactly.

Speaker 5 (01:06:50):
Amen.
Brothers, you guys wanna closeus out?
Maybe, I don't know if you guyswant to each say a short prayer
and then we'll get ready to wrapup.
Yeah,

Speaker 4 (01:06:57):
sure.

Speaker 6 (01:06:58):
Um, heavenly Father, we just, uh, we just come before
you, father God, and we want togive you all glory, honor and
praise.
We thank you, father God forthis opportunity, father God, to
uh, just to share, Lord God, uh,what you've done in our lives,
father God, just to share, uh,the joy that we have in you,
father God.
Um, thank you, father God for,um.
Uh, uh, for, for just being inour lives, Lord God, for working

(01:07:19):
in our lives, Lord God, for, uh,that, um, that we were also
once, uh, blind Lord God, andcould not see Lord God, uh,
where we were headed.
But, uh, you made a way, fatherGod.
And, and I thank you for that,father God.
I just wanna lift up, uh, uh,this, this podcast, Lord God,
and these brothers, father God.
Uh, I wanna lift up those thatare gonna, uh, be listening.

(01:07:40):
Father God, that you would, uh.
Grab their hearts, father God,that, um, uh, like my brother
had mentioned, or God, itdoesn't have to be one of these
groups, but, uh, there are, uh,groups out there, life groups,
biblical groups.
Father God, that you're thecenter of Father God, that, uh,
like my brother was justmentioning also where the four
friends bring, uh, you to Jesus,father God.
So, uh, come to Jesus.

(01:08:01):
Uh, I pray for these men to cometo Jesus, father God.
Um, and, um.
I just thank you for tonightand, and bless.
Uh, I wanna thank you for Omar,for his hospi hospitality.
Uh, bless him and his home andhis family.
Father, God, Jesus name.

Speaker 4 (01:08:16):
Amen.
Amen.
Father God, we just wanna saythank you, God, for uh, again,
just.
Uh, giving us this opportunity,God, to just speak your words,
right, because these are not ourwords, but your words, father
God, that, uh, is just kind ofbleeding out through our mouths.
God, uh, that I pray that, thatsomeone out there, uh, does hear
this message, God, someone that,you know, probably just going
through something, somehardships, you know?

(01:08:37):
Um, I know each and every one ofus have been there, you know, so
I pray that you know, you, uh,you use us and many.
People out there who are, youknow, uh, leading Bible groups
or, or are, or a pastor,whatever, that you continue to
lead us and continue to, uh, useus in a way, uh, where we're
just kind of continuouslysharing the word in, in one way
or another.
God leading, uh, them to you,father God, obviously, um,

(01:09:01):
pushing them towards you.
Um, I just wanna say, uh, thankyou for Omar and this, this
podcast, you know, it's, it'sbeen a blessing.
God, we're almost coming up, uh,three years, God in.
So many doors have opened God.
And I'm just thankful God in, ina sense that you continue to
lead us in the place where, youknow, this is, this is meant to
go God.
And I just pray that it justcontinue to just keep pouring

(01:09:23):
blessings and blessings uponthis, uh, podcast.
And Omar, God and his family,God I know.
They go through a lot.
Just in general, even just, youknow, being able to just be here
and be present, father God, toget these testimonies going and,
and I just pray more.
I pray more people come through,uh, to just continue to give out
their testimonies.
God, they're, they're beautiful.
There, there's something to tograb onto to know that, you

(01:09:46):
know, you're out there, you'reout there.
God just constantly, alwayslooking upon us and over us,
father God.
So I just pray for a hedge ofprotection over each and every
one of us.
God, the leaders that areleading God, our pastors, our.
Our youth group's got a men'sgroup, uh, women's group,
child's group.
There's so many groups.
God, as Arturo said, I pray foreach and every one of us, God

(01:10:09):
and our families God.
'cause I know the enemies outthere ready to kill, seek and
destroy at any given moment.
God.
So we always have to be ready,father God.
So I pray that you continue toshield us, God and protect us,
God, uh, and help us to, tocontinue to, um.
Build these programs, God, thethings that we need to do in
order for us to grow, uh, withinthese, uh, programs and
ministries and stuff like that.

(01:10:29):
God.
So continue to lead us.
Father God, may you continue to.
To, to push us, uh, to help usto, to continue to mold us
actually God, in the way youneed us to, to be molded God.
So may we continue to be thevessel's Father God, and I pray
that you continue to, uh, callon these people.
God, these people that havemaybe never been in a life
group, God, that they goparticipate God, whether it be

(01:10:50):
with us or, and there's manyothers out there.
God, I pray that you lead themone way or another.
God light that path for them.
God light that path for them.
In the name of Jesus, God, wethank you and we love you.

Speaker 5 (01:10:59):
Amen.
Amen.
You know, I'm, I'm gonna

Speaker 4 (01:11:01):
pray

Speaker 5 (01:11:01):
for you brothers.
Um, heavenly Father, I just cometo you this evening, come to you
in the name of your son, Jesus.
And I wanna pray for Arturo.
I wanna pray for Cisco.
I wanna pray for their, uh, uh,assistance and this season.
Father, those men that are gonnacome on, on the side of'em,
father to, to help'em.
To lead.
Father and I, I thank you for,for these men.
I've known these men for yearsand, and I know these men are

(01:11:23):
not seeking a, a title.
They're not seeking just a, a,a, a, like a, a, a position
father.
But they're seeking you.
Father, these men, I knowthey're after your heart, and I
thank you for, uh, I know, Iknow they, they call'em leaders,
but I know they're servingleaders.
Father, their, their desire isfirst and foremost to serve you.
And to serve these men, father,that, that you are bringing into

(01:11:44):
their lives.
So I just pray for them.
Father, I thank you for the, forthe, uh, humility.
I thank you for the fact thatthey're always, uh, seeking, you
know, knowing that they need youin their lives.
So, uh, uh, uh, heavenly Father,I pray that you will help'em.
I pray that you will strengthenthem.
I pray that you will give themwisdom, uh, from above.
Uh, I pray for their marriages.
Father, uh, uh, I pray that youstrengthen their marriages.

(01:12:07):
Uh, I pray that you protecttheir children, uh, their
grandchildren, father, theirpets, and, and their home.
Uh, I pray that you continue toprovide for these men.
Father, uh, blessed the work oftheir hands.
Uh, I know the, these men, they,they have a full-time job and
sometimes.
Father, that, that, that workcould take a toll on him,
especially on days when they'reabout to lead group father, I

(01:12:28):
know that personally that anyday that I'm getting ready to
lead men, to lead a study seemslike that's when the, when the
enemy attacks, he tries todiscourage.
Uh, but I pray for these menthat they will continue to, to
build on that cornerstone, whichis Jesus Christ.
I pray that these men willremain on that solid
grandfather, so strengthen them.
I pray that their faith willcontinue to grow.

(01:12:50):
I pray that you answer theirprayers.
Father, I pray that you meetevery need, uh, and I just thank
you for them, father and I prayfor this season of Men's Group.
Do what only you could do inthis group.
Father, I know they mentionedmany testimonies of which you've
done in in, in the lives of men.
Do even greater things in thisseason.
Father, uh, uh, I pray forsalvation.
I know Pastor Marco Davis saidthat's one of the greatest, yes.

(01:13:13):
Uh, the greatest things is thegift of salvation, father.
So I pray that men that don'tknow you, that they will step
foot into these groups and theywill come and bend their knee to
Jesus Christ.
Transform these men, change, uh,restore marriages, restore
relationship with, uh, withtheir children, father, and just
do what only you could do,father.
So I thank you for these men.

(01:13:34):
I thank you for their heart toserve, and then, and I know, I
know they're not asking for it,father, but I pray that you will
bless them as they serve.
Bless them as they work.
Father, that's not the reasonwhy they do it, father, but just
bless'em and strengthen them tocontinue, uh, uh, to pour out.
Father, as they pour out, I praythat through your Holy Spirit,
you continue to pour in Fatherand grow them.
Father, yes.

(01:13:55):
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Thank you.
Amen Brothers.
Amen.
This has been a blessing and aman.
I think that's it.
We're gonna get ready to wrapup, so I just wanna, uh, thank
you brother.
So with that, let's get readyto, uh, to sign off.
Uh, Matthew four 16 reads, thepeople who sat in darkness have
seen a great light, and uponthose who sat in the region and

(01:14:17):
shadow of death light has dawnalongside my guest, Arturo and
Cisco.
I'm your host to Omar Calvio,and we've gone.
From wrong to strong.

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