No Man Should Walk Alone

A book of great wisdom asks, "If a man walks alone, who will help him get up WHEN he falls?" (Eccl 4:10). Too many men walk alone.  If it's just "you and God" then good for you....unless God was right when it was just Adam and Him...and He said something like, "Hmmm....this isn't good...my man needs a mate - a partner!" We "barn brothers" readily acknowledge that a good wife is a GREAT thing.  We also know that we need brothers to walk with us, to fight with us, to get real with us, to call . Our friend author Gordon Dalbey says that "sometimes a man falls in - or jumps in - a hole too deep to get out of by himself."  Who will help him get out? Who will help him get out if no one knows he has fallen in?

"Trail Markers and Days In Between"

Friends and Allies,

Our hope is that you have enjoyed many hours of warm conversations, sharing of great meals, and much needed rest with family and friends during this season of the celebration of Jesus' birth! With the presents unwrapped and leftovers almost gone, many of us are turning our attention to 2012...new opportunities, celebrations, and challenges. I've been feeling that "pull" to just get 2011 over with and start over with the New Year. However, I've also been sensing a "different pull" if you will, to enjoy this day...and not rush it!

Before we know it, we will be seeing Christmas decorations going back up (in October!) to gather again. Time goes by too fast and we miss the "days in between" the events, celebrations, vacations etc. We need Trail Markers in life. Markers that help us understand where we've been, and guide us on the journey ahead.

The more trail markers we can identify in life, the more sense we can make out of life.(the good and not so good) What will you do with your "Days in Between" Christmas and New Years"? What will you do with all of the "Days in Between" in the coming year? Will we get caught up in "living for the weekends", "can't wait til vacation", Paydays, retirement, graduations etc.etc.? What will your Trail Markers and Days Between look like? Where will they lead you into...or out of?

We are thankful, that for many years, one of our "Days in Between" has included Tuesday nights, and Saturday mornings at The Barn.  www.barnbrothers.org So much has happened this year! Trail Markers for many men and their families have been created, and I believe that their "Days in Between" have more significance than they ever have for those that have been willing to engage and take risks! It's not always easy...but we know that engaging, staying the course and taking risk is So Worth It!

 If we put words to what has happened this year it would include many testimonies of many men that experienced an Awakening of their Hearts to More Life and More Freedom and More Intimacy in their walk and Calling with Jesus Christ. The wonderful outcome of this is men, marriages, families, and friendships on the adventurous journey of revelation, healing and restoration!

I'm thankful for the "Days in Between"!

Please do me a favor...please take a couple of minutes and watch the following video clip  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfgS1bH3Txo&feature=youtu.be

After that please take a moment and read the attached Barn Newsletter.

Thank you for being a part of this! 
We anticipate hearing about your Journey!

Enjoy your "Trailmarkers of Life and the Days in Between"!
 
Kevin S. Casner

What’s God up to in a Barn?

In March of 2005, eight men began meeting  to do a “Wild at Heart” DVD series in the second story of a “Barn” ten minutes south of Charlotte near Indian Land, SC…since then hundreds of men’s lives, and their families have been impacted! EVERY Tuesday night men gather from 15+ different churches, and some have no church.

“My marriage was blowing apart when a friend-who didn’t know about my marriage problems-invited me to come hang out with a bunch of men…in a barn! The encouragement and direction I have received from the ‘Barn Brothers’ has been crucial in our miraculous marital turnaround.” -32 year-old husband and father of two

Each week, we are humbled by these stories and testimonies of men experiencing  healing and restoration, as well as more of the Freedom and Life that Jesus came to give us all. (Luke 4:18) The lasting good fruit is spreading into their marriages, families & friendships!

We want men to quit taking the “Lone Ranger” approach to life and open their hearts to three of the most important biblical principles that Jesus intended for a man to understand and live by:

· The importance of walking with other men. Even the disciples were sent out in pairs to walk together.

· To realize they are not the only ones in the midst of their every-day battles, great and small.

· To discover their true identity as God’s beloved sons-sons called to fight-alongside of others, for their own hearts, marriages, families, communities, and churches.

We’re reaching out to friends and asking for a couple of crucial things:

1 – We need your prayers. We’re serious about this. This is a battle and the enemy greatly opposes what we do.  We need “cover”- seriously. We want God to continue to direct us in all our endeavors.  We get calls every week asking “How do you do this?” and we are looking to provide training for others that want to offer this.  We want to share what we’ve learned over the years to others. We currently have opportunities to start initiatives in Rock Hill and Huntersville. There are men driving 50+ miles ONE WAY to hang out with a bunch of men in a barn. Amazing things are happening and we feel God is calling us to expand but want to be sure we’re hearing Him clearly.  Your prayers can help support all this.

2 - We need financial support. We are involved in a number of things that require it…

·          Day-to-day ministry and outreach to the men that God brings across our path. It is our desire to help all men walk in the wholeness and freedom that we see happening within our groups regularly.

·          Monthly Rent/Utilities/Supplies at The Barn (the coolest meeting facility ever).

·          Providing scholarships for men to regional and national men’s events.

·          Initiatives in 2012 to include Father/Son & Daughter Outings and “Date Nights” and/or weekends with wives

·          We even have the ultimate vision of buying The Barn!                                                                                      

Many “Year End giving” request are being requested from many great ministries. We would ask you, our friends and allies, that if your life or the life of someone that you know has been impacted by what is taking place at The Barn, Please consider helping us as we plan for 2012!  The easiest way to give is through PayPal at www.barnbrothers.org. Or you may fill out the form on the back and mail it into us. Thank You for coming alongside of us with your prayers, and monthly financial support, or any one-time gift that you may feel led to provide. We are all honored to be part of this, and sincerely thank you!

The Barn Brothers

"The Barn" is a 501c3 Participant member of Faith in the Family International.            Send Donations by mail to “The Barn”, PO Box 49341, Charlotte, NC 28277

Kevin Casner- trueidentity77@gmail.com, 704-309-7075

Haines Maxwell - hmax@carolina.rr.com 704-564-5928

The Fourth Fisherman - Tonight 6:45 p.m.

The Barn and CBMC thank Joe Kissack - The Fourth Fisherman - for being with us tonight.  Joe told us he doesn't preach or teach....just tells his story. He was a Hollywood-TV-executive-kinda-fella who had everything...he thought.  The driven life of performance eventually sent him in a downward spiral until he experienced a divine disruption....or two.  A big part of his journey involves his connection several years ago with three Mexican fisherman who were blown 5, 500+ miles from their fishing spot and endured nine months at sea in a very small boat with nothing but rainwater, raw sea animals...and faith. Joe has written a compelling book about this story that will be released in March 2012 and is destined to become an impactful movie.  Check out the short video below and keep up with Joe's journey at http://www.thefourthfisherman.com/ .

It's Your Call Carolinas! Oct 7-9

"Your calling is to let the world experience the weight of your glory."  Thanks to Gary Barkalow for stirring us and helping us gain more clarity on the desires God has written on our hearts. A few favorite quotes from the weekend: "There is a vein of gold in everyone that the owner knows not of." - Jonathon Swift.  "Life is understood looking backward but must be lived looking forward." Coach Wooden - "Don't let what you can't do interfere with what you CAN do." "Most live in the 'If Only'...live in the "But Now..."  "Don't live apologetically...bring WHO YOU ARE."

It's Your Call Carolinas 2011

"It's Your Call Carolina's", Calling Retreat with Gary Barkalow

Gary has been studying and speaking on the subject of calling for 25 years. He is the author of the book, “It’s Your Call”. Founder of The Noble Heart ministry, Gary’s mission is to help people recover their heart, walk with God, interpret their life, offer their glory, and persevere with joy, equipping people to interpret their life as God instructs them in the way chosen for them”. (Psa. 25:12)


Before starting The Noble Heart ministry, Gary was on the leadership team and a speaker with Ransomed Heart ministries for seven years. Prior to joining Ransomed Heart, Gary was with Focus on the Family for nine years; first as the Director of Legislative and Cultural Affairs and later as the Director of Staff Development. Preceding his employment with Focus on the Family, Gary served as Vice President of the athletic branch of Campus Crusade for Christ, Athletes in Action. During his fifteen years with Athletes in Action, Gary performed gymnastic demonstration around the world, started several other sports divisions and developed A.I.A. ministries in Africa.

Register Today for "It's Your Call Carolina's!"

Join God's Men in Rutherford County - August 13!

We're looking forward to connecting with men in Rutherford County Saturday Morning, August 13 at the Sunshine Community Center on Calton Dairy Road. Kevin Casner, Haines Maxwell and Dean Randall and will be challenging men to fight for their marriages, families, churches, communities and nation. Call Dean at 704-562-9876 for more info.    8:30 a.m. – coffee     9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – program. Lunch will be provided after the program, so feel free to stick around.

Father/Kid Night at The Barn was a great Time had by all!

Intense Game of Football on the "Barn Turf"

"You Barn dudes are AWESOME! My kids came home talking a mile a minute! Fishing, shooting guns, hot dogs, coke, chips (not particularly in that order!),and, the icing on the cake,"the devotional was awesome Mom!" That said by my son! He told me everything about it and what the message was. So, rock on! With or without napkins, fruit or a correct head count (like the women would "need)!" Quote from a "Barn Again" Mom!

"I was encouraged to see men actually making an effort to get together, connect, and get real about being men of God. It was equally encouraging to see men engaging with their children and allowing them to be a part of their journey. Preparing the hearts and minds of children for life's journey in God's calling for their lives is a high calling. Our culture and the church has really sucked at doing an adequate job of this. However, I am encouraged that there are men willing to make the effort to deal with their stuff so they can better help the kids deal with their own."...First Time Visitor who attended on Father/Kid Night

Father/Kid Night at The Barn this coming Tuesday June 14th! 6 p.m.

Children 5 years old and up are welcomed to join their dads, uncles, Big Brothers etc. for some fun and food at The Barn! Bring your own airsoft equipment (Please Bring Safety Gear, goggles, thick clothes, hats,etc) and/or come out for horseshoes, cornhole, camp fire, volley ball, fishing, target shooting, movie clips etc. etc, If you can bring any of the following it would be great!

• Hotdogs
• Bottled Water and/or soft drinks
• Ice
• Hotdog Buns
• Smore  sticks and stuff for smores
• Chips
• napkins

Call Kevin 704-309 7075 or Haines 704-564-5928 for more info or questions.


There will also be some monitored extreme shooting sports. You may bring your own equipment , eye and ear protection.

On another note: If you're a Facebooker, join us at www.facebook.com/barnbrothers

Cool June Stuff!

Date Night at The Barn.  Saturday, June 4 Bring your sweetie if you have one...if not, bring yourself. Saturday, June 4 from 5 p.m. til 8 p.m. - ish! Food will be provided. If couples can pitch in 5 or 10 bucks that would be a big help...if you're not able, come anyway.
www.facebook.com/barnbrothers to register or email warriors@carolina.rr.com

Kid Night at The Barn - Tuesday, June 14  
6 p.m.     Barn dinner, games, fun stuff....bring a pack of weenies or other health food for the grill. Boys and girls of any age are welcome!

Zeb Gear at The Barn

Thanks to all of you that attended Zeb Gear's "Prepared to Go" presentation at The Barn this morning. We really believe that the information that Laura Kunzie shared is of the utmost importance. Please visit their website at www.zebgear.com . Additionally... Help support our mission at The Barn by using the code "Barn" on all of your online purchases from Zeb Gear. Whenever this is done, Zeb Gear has offered to donate a portion of  proceeds back to The Barn when this code is utilized!
You can add the Promo code in your shopping cart upon checking out. Please pass this information along!--REMEMBER The CODE! We have also added a direct link to Zeb Gears web site on our blog at www.sonsofissachar.org.

We hope to have Brian and Laura back to The Barn later this year to cover another segment of their training.

"Prepared to stay, Prepared to Go, Prepared to Serve".

"Prepared to stay, Prepared to Go, Prepared to Serve"..Our friends from Zebgear will be sharing some important information on disaster preparedness this Saturday, May 14th at The Barn from 8:45 until 12:30. This is for men and women. $30 per couple/$25 per single (Includes gift from Zebgear, 3 hour informational meeting , and lunch) We can take a maximum of 50 but we have to have your RSVP no later than Wednesday the 11th by midnite! email me or RSVP by Facebook.. trueidentity77@gmail.com

Fathered By God Intensive Starts This Tuesday at 7 PM

Last year we took 25 men through the Fathered By God 8 week DVD series by John Eldredge and his team at Ransomed Hearts Ministries. At the end of the 8 weeks we asked the participants their thoughts about the series. The most consistent response that we received, other than they loved it, was that "we could spend much more time on each of the stages...more than just one week...there is so much good stuff in there".

So...Starting this Tuesday...and going for as long as it might take, we're going go deeper into the six stages that a man goes through as he matures in life and faith. Come join us! we will be utilizing excerpts from the DVD series, and maybe throw in a great movie clip or two of our own each week....See You at The Barn!

Thank you for your donations to The Barn! You make it possible to for us to move forward in this weekly initiative to Awaken the Hearts of men, help them to Walk in their True Identity as a Child of the Most High King through an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, and for them to know their part in the Larger Story that God has called us to live in! All of this for More Life and More Freedom for our Marriages, Families, Friends and Communities.
Your Gifts to The Barn speak loudly to us..."I believe in what you are doing". We so need this....Thank You!

Also...TOP GUN is just 3 Weeks AWAY! Register now at the link to the right!

Things go better with Coke...Tuesday Night - February 22 7 p.m.

We are honored to have Bob Pettus join us on the 22nd to share his heart. After serving 12 years in the Human Resources role at Coca Cola Bottling Companies Consolidated, Bob was promoted to the newly created job of Executive Vice President and Assistant to the Chairman - where he served for 11 years before being elected as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors until retiring in 2007.  His business card simply says, "Wild Fish Catcher, Wild Bird Hunter, Wild Soul Seeker". You will be encouraged by hearing Bob's journey through great trials and God's even greater redemption.

Sexual Stuff

Nate Larkins - former pastor - shares his story on the I Am Second website of struggling with the grip that sexual things had on his heart, on his life. His brilliarnt book, Samson and the Pirate Monks, has encouraged many men on their journey to freedom. Check out his story.

Tuesday Feb. 1 2011 at The Barn!

Thanks to Michael Thompson from http://www.zoweh.com/ for making the road trip from Durham and sharing his heart for men and for God. Michael and his team have helped many of us clarify  the battle, our calling and our place in the fight as God's men. After playing college basketball in Oklahoma, Michael ministered with Athletes in Action/Campus Crusade and has been leading the charge ministering to men around the region with Zoweh based in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill for the past ten years.  ***Join a bunch of Barn Bros for the Top Gun event in March.

If you didn't get a copy at The Barn, be sure to check out Michael's book, Search and Rescue.  C.S. Lewis once said, "We search and search and search for life...and then we are found." Michael's book does a great job of addressing a cry many of us have expressed, "Where am I? What's going on?"

Tuesday, January 25th-ThePacific Part 10..With a very Special Guest! -7:00 sharp!

Next Tuesday we will be viewing the final episode of The Pacific, Part 10. As we have been watching this series, I've found myself holding my breath and overwhelmed at the intensity of the battle scenes...observing what these soldiers endured. In the midst of wave after wave of intense fighting, tragic loss and horrendous conditions, these soldiers resolved to move forward with the mission that they were chosen for.This was their story...and this is our story. I've seen many emotions stirred up in the men at The Barn during the viewing of this film, and during our breakout groups...but just like those soldiers fighting in The Pacific, we will resolve to move forward in our lives, taking back ground that our enemy has taken, and fight for each other and for those we love, not in our own strength but in the strength and with the leading of The Lord of Heavens Armies!

Our special guest this week will be Bill Smoaks father, Lee Smoak. He served in the U.S. Army's 124th Cavalry Regiment in the China-Burma-India theater during World War II and retired as a first lieutenant. A native of Orangeburg, S.C., he was drafted at 18 during his second year at The Citadel. On Feb. 2, 1945, his unit was ordered to take a mountaintop near LoiKang, Burma, away from the
Japanese.

Men PLEASE GET TO THE BARN AT, OR BEFORE 7:00 PM , GET YOUR COFFEE AND GET SETTLED IN SO THAT WE CAN GET STARTED BY 7:10...We want to give Mr.Smoak our undivided attention prior to seeing the last episode!   Your cooperation is appreciated

Current Mission..."The Pacific" 10 part Series at The Barn

Hey Men, This Tuesday 1/11/11,  We continue with Part 7 of "The Pacific"! Come join the men at The Barn as we experience the journey of three Marines, Robert Leckie, Eugene Sledge, and John Basilone, as they served in World War II, in this 'Made for HBO'-10 part mini series- ! Each one of these is about an hour long. There will be plenty of time to break into our smaller "Companies" of men to hang out and discuss. The Video Will Start Rolling at 7:27 Sharp!

Sons of Issachar Take the Island!

Nothing like men getting away from it all! Blessed to have a couple of days at Camp Canaan, an island in the Catawba River on the northern coast of Rock Hill, SC. Thanks to Eric for leading in worship and thanks to all the brothers who spent the weekend with us....lots of "heart" stuff...we believe God had something for each of us....that "thing" may be very clear (one brother said Sunday morning, "I'm a different man than I was three days ago") or it may be something that will show up on the journey days, weeks, or months ahead. Regardless of the depth of individual revelation, we all acknowledged that "as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." The Lone Ranger thing will not get us where God wants us to go.

"The Barn"... How It All Started, Part II

Continued from Part I...

About a year before I started the meetings at The Barn I was at my church and had gone up to speak with one of the pastors. After a brief exchange he looked at me and asked, " when are you and your wife going to start a home group"? I had just returned from my second Boot Camp in Colorado. I told him that what I really was interested in was "ministry for men", and told him of some of my experiences with the Wild at Heart message. He responded with, " ain't that somethin,..well if you do it and it works, we'll get behind you!"
Looking back, I think that I left a little discouraged. What I was wanting, in my heart...and my flesh, was for him to validate what I was doing and help me to get a men's ministry going for the church!...I'm so thankful today that he didn't!

We cranked up at the Barn utilizing a DVD series that Ransomed Heart Ministries made available. Many that have read Wild at Heart don't realize that there is a DVD series. One brother who showed up at The Barn about 4 years ago had read the book several times, then after going through the series said it was a "2 x 4 experience" for him...in a good way. He then went on to offer the series at his church several times...and is now an integral part of leadership at The Barn.

About 18 months after that conversation with my pastor, we were both leaving church one day and he asked, "Are you still meeting with those guys at The Barn?" I said that we were and he asked if I wanted to put out some fliers or brochures at the church. I responded "no, I don't think so"...this was because within the 8 guys that were meeting at The Barn, five different churches were represented. In consideration of those involved, I didn't think that it would be appropriate to make it a "one church" thing. Once again my pastor responded "ain't that somethin"! ...I believe that having multiple church's involved has helped to make the whole experience at The Barn more dynamic.

We had several meetings about what was going on at The Barn. He even got his interns to start reading Wild at Heart. My pastor was very supportive of what we were doing and gave me a couple of opportunities to be a part of the "men's outreach" that they were launching at the church. The men's outreach at the church evolved into a monthly meeting with a "speaker". The best part was when they would break up into small groups. where the men could share and build relationships.

I struggle personally with the way most churches approach "Men's Ministry". It turns into bringing in a "speaker", creating some type of service work, or having a worship night, mostly with little opportunity for the men to interact with each other. . All of these are great, but I have never seen where these get into the real issues that men are faced with these days. In regard to the issues that men face, I've heard pastors say "get over it" or stop doing that" etc. etc. If that really worked, I believe the fatherlessness, abandonment, divorce, addictions, and the lack of men participating in the church would be less of an epidemic than it is.

Over the last five and half years it's been amazing how men have "wound up" at The Barn. We've run in to groups of men in coffee shops looking to connect with others. Some have heard about it in casual conversations with friends, while others are sent to us from local Christian counseling. We've never really advertised or promoted The Barn formally...Guys just keep showing up...and more often than not, they keep coming back. About 8 months ago during a meeting at The Barn there were 19 men that represented 9 different church fellowships in attendance. I was wondering, "why do these guys show up here on Tuesdays"?...Maybe they are getting something that they can't get (or not offered) elsewhere.

Even though I know that "mens ministry" could be so much more than most make it, I'm thankful that God has given us this "mission" at The Barn. My hope is that we can be a resource for the entire body of Christ by continuing to offer a place where men can gather and experience More Life, Love and Freedom with Jesus Christ. As Jesus wanted His disciples to spend time with Him, we are intentional about creating an environment where men can experience God, receive healing and restoration in their hearts, and become the men, fathers, sons, husbands, brothers, and friends that God designed us to be!

We didn't start out to be a "ministry"...but "Ministry" is what happens... at The Barn

"The Barn"... How It All Started

 

In October of 2003, a great friend called me from Georgia to tell me about this thing that some of the men in his church were doing...some kind of "video series" from a book called "Wild at Heart".
He had never done anything like this before so I went and bought this book...

Before I continue, here's a little background...

I was raised in a denominational church where I had experienced "religion", but not so much of a "relationship" with Jesus Christ. After wandering for many years, I rededicated my life to Christ when I was 30 years old. This happened in a more charismatic church where I enjoyed some great teaching, awesome worship, new friends and ultimately met and married my wife.

During my years at this church, there was a series of meetings led by the senior pastor called "Real Men". I don't really recall much of the content of the series, but was excited about the idea of 200 +/- men gathering every week to fellowship, and build relationships. When the "series" was over the meetings were suppose to continue. Unfortunately without the senior pastors leading, the numbers diminished quickly...75, then 30, until it was about 7 or 8 of us that met every Wednesday night at a small home near the church...This was my first exposure to a "Band of Brothers", men coming together, warts and all, worshiping, telling stories...it was good.

Years later, at the age of 43, after reading "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge, I realized how I had been "walking alone", in the midst of many acquaintances, fellow workers, and relationships that never got beyond the veneer of the skin...to the Heart. There was also the realization that too much of my "Christian walk" had been about looking the right way, saying the right things, and being a "nice guy" with a "sinful and deceitful heart". When the internal struggles of performing to standards that I couldn't maintain sent me into a tailspin that led to old habits and addictions resurfacing in my life, I really did not have an answer...I mean I did have the answer, I just didn't know I had it...

"Wild at Heart" helped me get back to God's word, and started revealing truths that made the bible come alive as it related to me personally. The concept of knowing that we are in a battle, and we shouldn't fight alone brought clarity to many aspects of my life.

In May 2004, I traveled to Buena Vista Colorado for my first Wild at Heart Boot Camp. Over 375 men, from all different backgrounds, ages 19 to 75 converged on a Young Life Camp in the Rocky Mountains for four days of "unplugging from the matrix of day to day life" to experience the most "non religious" Christian gathering that I have ever been a part of. Thought provoking messages presented in ways that I could understand. Time alone with God asking Him questions and writing down what I felt Him speaking to me in my journal. I experienced a Freedom and communion with God that I'd never experienced before in my life. It was a realization of what Jesus said of himself as to "why He came"in Luke 4, when He quoted Isaiah 61.

In March of 2005, after going back for another Boot Camp, and also experiencing this life changing message in a small group format locally...I knew that I wanted to share this with other men. So the first Wednesday in March, 8 men and myself, with a 27' TV, a make shift surround sound system, and open hearts, started meeting at "The Barn"!....to be continued