Brave Men Podcast with Paul Louis Cole

A tough former NFL football player becomes the director of a crisis pregnancy center and rescues gang members on the streets of Reno. Sounds like a movie but it’s the true story of our friend Otto Kelly. Here’s a powerful story of redemption that will help us all focus our lives as men and servant-leaders. Otto’s heart was broken as a young teenager when his father died. Finding Jesus began the healing of his heart. Following Jesus with the passion of a high-level athlete began the healing process for thousands of people over the past years as they met Jesus through Otto’s powerful ministry. Otto is in the Hall of Fame for Nevada Wolf Pack football and for many years led gang intervention in that region for the Washoe County public services. With his wife Joy they built a powerful crisis pregnancy center in Reno that has helped hundreds of women and couples. Otto is a great friend of CMN and the BraveMen podcast. Discipling men and raising up strong fathers is the calling on his life. For discipleship tools and resources for men – go to CMN.men

Transition. A code word for big changes and sometimes big fear – how do we carry faith in Christ and make it through the toughest times? Here’s some tools and hope. A compelling conversation with a global leader who is in the middle of transition himself. Duane White is a servant-leader whose personal pursuit of Christ has influenced the lives of thousands of people around the world. Duane leads the O2 Network of Churches, planted a significant church “The Bridge Church” in Denton, Texas and has trained over 150,000 leaders in 60 nations. He’s led teams in funding micro­-business empowerment projects, equipped and resourced missionaries and taken hundreds of people on short­ term missions trips. Born with a severe cleft lip and palate, Duane was told he would never be able to speak without impediment – now as an international speaker and author, he miraculously uses his communication skills to teach and challenge people to fulfill their God-given destiny. On BraveMen today meet a man who has been through transition, disappointment, victories, wins and struggles – and has emerged an overcomer and motivator. For discipleship tools that will engage the hearts of men – contact us at CMN.men. BraveMen is sponsored by the Christian Men’s Network Worldwide, active in over 100 nations.

Are we in a post-modern, post-Christian world? How do we navigate the future of the church? What does the current cultural upheaval mean for you and me as followers of Jesus? Jeff Greenway dives into the answers in a powerful treatise from the Bible and cultural trends. This is strong. This is clarity. Dr. Jeff Greenway is a fly-fisherman who is also Pastor of Reynoldsburg Church in Columbus Ohio and one of the founders of the Global Methodist Church and former President of Asbury Theological Seminary. His ministry to men has been a model of strength, honor and hope. On Brave Men today we hear from a global statesman for Christianity and one of the recognized thought leaders forming the world ahead of us. Jeff is also passionate about Biblical preaching and discipleship. Also passionate about his eight grandchildren.

How does a young man from Houston get involved planting churches in some of the most dangerous places in the world? And why? Steve Trevino is a church entrepreneur helping build the underground church and training leaders in the toughest places. This is his story and his why.  Steve was leading a church in Houston when he met a man that changed his life. That seemingly chance meeting opened up a decade of training and leading underground Christian movements. The application of that training is stirring the hearts of leaders across America and other western nations. The same values and efforts that have helped launch hundreds of churches in the most difficult places actually applies to cities and communities across America, Europe and Latin America. In the battle for cultural righteousness  - Steve is a developer of stalwart men. In this BraveMen episode Paul Cole talks with Steve about the concept of being "non-religious spiritually conspicuous". The issue says Steve is, "Christians who put limits on their obedience". This one hits hard. Get in touch with Paul or Steve by writing to Paul at Paul@CMN.men BraveMen is produced and sponsored by the friends and brotherhood of Christian Men's Network.

At 3:40am on February 24, 2022 Russian troops backed by missile attacks, air support and tanks invaded the nation of Ukraine. The result has been the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War 2 as almost 8 million Ukrainians have been displaced, food shortages have hit areas around the world, tens of thousands on both sides of the conflict have died. Today on Brave Men the pastor for many years of one of Ukraine’s most significant churches, Zhenya Kasevich. His insight and background on the church of Ukraine is enlightening. His hope for Ukraine is encouraging. His faith unwavering. To assist our friends in Ukraine CMN has launched a new Ukrainian translation of Never Quit, a powerful word on faith in the midst of crisis. Translated by a crew under constant risk in Ukraine this new book is online now and is free. Go to CMN.men and click on ‘Resources’.

Jon Tyson is a man on a mission – to cultivate renewal in the culture of the church – and rebuild the culture of nations. That’s a man you need to meet at the Lions Roar Global Summit on Manhood  in Dallas – Nov. 3-5, 2022. Just being in the same room with Jon Tyson will move your life to a new level. He is a noted shaper of cultural thought - author, teacher, pastor and provocateur of Christian culture. His teaching, writing, and media are helping pastors and leaders navigate a quickly changing world.   Jon Tyson is an ally who pastors Church of the City in New York City. Originally from Adelaide Australia, Jon moved to the United States twenty years ago with a passion to seek and cultivate renewal in the Western Church. He is the author of Rumors of God, Sacred Roots, A Creative Minority, The Burden is Light, Beautiful Resistance, and The Intentional Father which will be featured at the Lions Roar Summit. (details at CMNSummit.com)

How do you get your hope back when life is filled with chaos? Today a powerful word with Ps. Jamaal Bernard, a leading voice in American faith. He is a pastor, author, dad and cultural thought leader based in Brooklyn, NY. Today on BraveMen we talk to Jamaal about the fight for your heart - how to find the battle rhythm of hope. We deal with grief and trust and the residual effects of the pandemic. Jamaal will be a keynote speaker at the CMN global summit on manhood, "Lions Roar" in Dallas, Nov 3 - 5. He is well known across the nation as a pastor at the New York based Christian Cultural Center founded by his father Dr. A.R. Bernard. The influence of this ministry is felt around the world. Pastor Jamaal manages over 700 people who work as volunteer staff in multiple ministries both in the church and across the community. His messages on faith and brotherhood are heard by thousands every week. He is the author of “Unapologetic” a critical tool for the advancement of the Gospel as it equips readers with practical answers to the tough issues of faith in culture. He and his wife Rita have five children and work together lifting up Jesus and helping thousands of people across the most significant city in the world.

Abraham was depressed, he feared that all was lost, that he wouldn’t fulfill his destiny because he didn’t yet have a son. He had a promise from God - but couldn’t see how it would happen. Abraham would later be called the ‘Father of Faith’, but at this moment he was the victim of fear. Then God told him, “Look up, see the stars, your descendants will be more numerous than all of them. Take heart. I will fulfill my promise to you!” (paraphrase) In this powerful podcast Brandon Cole walks us through the often difficult journey of believing and trusting and keeping faith. When we can’t see a way out, when it all looks bleak - how do we fight for our destiny? How do we live a triumphant life in the face of great adversity? This is a transformative podcast that you will want to star, and share. Brandon Cole is a brilliant communicator and the lead pastor of C3 Fort Worth. A diverse and active church in the Historic Southside of Fort Worth, Texas. He is also the son of Brave Men host Paul Cole and the grandson of Dr. Ed Cole.

Guilt can be a burden, but shame can be devastating. Guilt can mess with your mind, but shame will mess with your soul. What’s the difference? How do we defeat shame? What’s the answer and what’s the process? Paul Cole takes us into a personal discovery of life after shame. Diving into the story of Peter in John 21 we find the answer. It’s simple, but it’s a complex situation. Peter has followed Jesus with all of his heart, but he’s made the ultimate mistake – he denied Christ. At the most critical time in the life of Jesus, Peter turned his back. Now we find Peter dealing with gut-wrenching shame and coming face to face with Jesus in the most unusual way. It’s a tremendous story – and it will bring tremendous freedom. This is one to share with friends.

Neil Kennedy is an author, speaker, and founder of FivestarMan ministries. He's authored numerous books including: FivestarMan: The Five Passions of Authentic Manhood, God's Currency: The Entrepreneurial Drive, Speaking the Father's Blessing. Today on Brave Men Neil takes us on the journey of authentic manhood. What are the five key ingredients to a fulfilled life. How do we navigate a life that is adventurous, significant and generous to others. How do we build a life that is resilient and powered by faith? Neil is a mature leader with the answers we all need to hear. Brave Men is a production of the Christian Men’s Network (CMN.men). For more information on CMN or our guests please write us at Paul@CMN.men You can follow Paul on social media @paullouiscole.