By Matthew Henderson, Springfield

About 400 men were encouraged to build bonds of sincere brotherhood at the Catholic Men’s Conference, on Sat., Feb. 22, at Springfield Catholic High School. The 6th annual event also prepared for the launch of year-round men’s ministries at every parish. The first-ever Men’s Leadership Summit is planned for April 12.

Brotherhood as an antidote to social ills

This year’s event, entitled, “Building Authentic Friendships,” focused on tackling loneliness among men, which studies suggest is rising and linked to increased mental health issues and suicide risk.

The planning committee, made up of local laymen, selected drug-addict-turned-evangelist John Edwards, of Memphis, as the Keynote speaker.

A lack of quality friends, Edwards explained, led to a self-destructive cocaine habit, family strife, and legal troubles. It wasn’t until he became engaged with a parish priest that he began to turn his life around. Edwards later formed a unique type of men’s ministry at his church, one that encouraged open communication. In this group, men became vulnerable and shared their personal struggles. The attendees learned that they were not the only ones facing serious challenges such as addictions to drugs and pornography, marriage conflicts, and low self-esteem. This unconventional honesty helped build strong, authentic friendships, he said, which resulted in accountability and increased virtue.

Blueprint for building holy friendships

Successful men’s ministries can be built in parishes in the southern Missouri area, too, Edwards said. He travels the country teaching his system for launching and maintaining parish-based men’s ministries. The training is for laymen without any prior experience in ministry. The format focuses on four activities that help men grow in brotherhood and holiness: faith formation, worship, public service, and fellowship.

Edwards will return to Springfield for a live training session on April 12 at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Men who feel called to help build a men’s ministry at their parish should register by visiting www.catholicconference.men/summit.

Parish-based men’s ministries

Men in your parish are lonely. You feel God calling you to be part of the solution. But what’s holding you back?

• “I don’t feel worthy.”  We’re not looking for perfect saints. This is a grassroots effort. We’re looking for regular guys like you.
• “I don’t feel qualified.”  No experience is needed. You just need to step out in faith to try something outside of your comfort zone.
• “I don’t know where to start.”  We will provide you with a concrete plan for launching a men’s ministry at your parish.
• “I don’t want to do it alone.”  You don’t have to do this all by yourself. We want to build a small team at your parish to accomplish this goal. With a good team, you can divide the duties so each guy is only responsible for a fraction of the work.
• “What if I have questions later?” You’ll have access to ongoing training and support.

Your trainer: John Edwards

Discover our proven method for building fellowship between men hungering for authentic brotherhood.

If the Church wants to renew families, it needs to renew men. Men need to know they are loved. They need people who have their back as they try to become the husbands, fathers and leaders God calls them to be. They especially need other Catholic men who know better than anyone else what they’re struggling with.

John Edwards has known firsthand many of the struggles men go through. He struggled with addiction, went to jail and almost lost his marriage. When he came back to Jesus, he struggled to find other men to support him in his walk with Christ. He founded Pew Ministries to help parishes start men’s groups where guys can find the support they need to become the men they’re meant to be.

Note: This is not another Men’s Confernece. This is not a day inspiration. This valuable training is for guys who want to help build a parish-based men’s ministry. This is a call to serve.

When: Saturday April 12th, 2025

Where: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church 2200 W. Republic Road, Springfield, MO

Cost: donations accepted

Agenda: 

• 8:30 am  Holy Mass
• 9:00 am  Light Breakfast
• 9:30 am  Session 1 “The Mind And Heart Of A Leader”
• 10:30 am  Small Group Question/Discussion
• 11:00 am  Session 2: “What Men Need/What Men Want”
• 11:30 am  Small Groups Questions/Discussion
• 12:00 pm  Lunch
• 12:30 pm  Session 3 “How To Build A Successful Men’s Group”
• 1:15 pm  Small Groups Questions/Discussion
• 1:30 pm  Session 4 “Next Steps/Practical Suggestions”
• 2:00 pm  Final Q & A
• 2:30 pm  Dismissal