It is with a humble and grateful heart that I have the honor of serving as Lay Director for Men’s Walk 71A, which will be held December 3–6, 2026. I don’t take this calling lightly. From the first phone call to every team member who has said “yes,” I have watched God go before us. This weekend is not about me or any one of us. It is about Him and the men He is already drawing to that campground.

The theme for Men’s Walk 71A is “Stand in HIS Love.“ Our scripture is 1 Corinthians 16:13–14 (ESV): “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”

The world has its own definition of a man. It tells us a real man is measured by his paycheck, his toughness, his success, and his ability to handle everything on his own. It tells us never to show weakness, never to ask for help, and never to let anyone see what we’re carrying. So many men are worn out trying to live up to that standard, standing on their own strength until they have nothing left.

Scripture defines a man differently. God’s Word calls us to be watchful, to stand firm in the faith, to act like men and be strong. But in the very next breath, Paul says, “Let all that you do be done in love.” A godly man’s strength is not found in himself. It is found in the love of Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for us and rose again on the third day. That love is where we stand. When the pressures of work, family, temptation, and the enemy’s lies come against us, we don’t stand firm by gritting our teeth. We stand firm because we are rooted in His love.

My prayer is that every pilgrim on Walk 71A will lay down the world’s definition of a man and pick up God’s. I pray each one leaves on Sunday knowing he is loved by his Heavenly Father, and ready to stand in that love as a husband, father, son, brother, and friend.

Our theme song is “Stand in Your Love” by Josh Baldwin. It reminds us that when we stand in God’s love, fear has to go, and I believe it will speak to the heart of every man on this weekend.

Fourth Day, we can’t do this without you. Every walk is carried on the prayers and servant hearts of this community, and I am asking you to show up for these men.

Pray
Begin now, and please sign the prayer chart. Pray for the team, for the pilgrims, and for every unseen detail. Pray that walls come down, chains are broken, and men meet Jesus in a real and personal way.

Sponsor
Think of the men in your life: your husband, son, brother, coworker, or friend. The man who seems to have it all together is often the one who most needs to hear he doesn’t have to stand alone. Ask God who needs this weekend, and then invite him.

Serve
Sign up to serve a meal. Provide agape. Every plate served and every act of kindness shows these men what the love of Christ looks like.

Show up
Come to candlelight. There is nothing like a pilgrim looking up to see a room full of men and women who came just to pray for him.

If God places it on your heart to serve in any way, please reach out to one of our team heads listed below.

Standing in His Love, Doug Francis SIWE 59, Table of Phillip