We would like to accompany you on a 40-day journey. More accurately, this is a 40-day new beginning. It will involve death to self and in that, complete surrender. God will more fully release the resurrection life of Jesus Christ in you if you are open to it. This is a journey that will perhaps be the beginning of the most profound transformation you’ve ever been through. You will never be the same once you are surrendered to and receiving the healing flow and presence of God, hearing His voice throughout your day.

Does the magnitude or intensity of this scare you? I used to wonder how I could possibly be free and change.
I seemed so stuck, sometimes despairing, struggling in my prayer life, even struggling for the desire to grow.
Similarly, I think my prayers and desires occasionally aligned with Augustine’s famous prayer, “Lord, make me chaste, but not yet.” Still, chastity is but one virtue and your desire for change might be pointed toward courage, humility, self-control, or another virtue.

At 44 years old, more than ever before, I know that I am free and equipped to live life to the full. Sure, I can look back and say, “I wish I had learned all this at the age of 15 or 20, how different things could be.” But, honestly, as you know, it’s much more fulfilling to live in the present and ask God, “What can I do differently today?” With the years and days I have left, I will live “to the full,” so long as I continue learning more and more about who I really am, listening to the voice of God, discerning with my brothers and sisters, and following His plan for my life. Am I perfect? Far from it! But, “God has redeemed me and has called me by name” (Isaiah 43).

- Will you go on this journey with us and maybe even bring a few of your brothers?

- Will you go on this journey with God?

It begins with a men’s retreat and you have two options for that retreat:

- On October 11-12 (Friday and Saturday) Deacon Ralph Poyo and a few other team members will guide a retreat at All Saints in Lakeville, MN which may also be live-streamed.

- On October 18-20 (Friday to Sunday), Mark Nelson and a few team members will guide a retreat at Broom Tree in Irene, SD. This second retreat option may not be live-streamed, but it will be recorded.

Participation in one of these retreats is required to be a part of the “40 Day Community Challenge.” (NOTE: For retreat team/leadership, our journey will begin in September with one meeting for small group leaders and two meetings/prayer and visioning times for mentors/directors. Deacon Ralph and Mark will guide these leadership meetings. Dates TBA.)

What follows the retreat is optional and you do not have to commit ahead of time:

Weekly small group meetings with your “brothers,” along with coaches and mentors. We encourage those forming small groups to consider how they can include elements like breakfast and communal prayer, along with the provided content that will fuel your discussions.

Weekly one-on-one mentoring sessions. 50 minutes in length, where you will meet with one of our coaches. These are set-up based upon your availability and that of the coaches, taking place either on Zoom or in-person.

One additional optional opportunity per week to participate in guided prayer with one of our coaches and other men as we learn to hear and listen to the voice of God. This prayer time will take place from 6:00 to 6:30 AM Central Time on Mondays. Each week will be guided by a retreat team member, and will be focused on prayerful meditations that will require a Bible and a journal. Recordings will be available for those unable to join at the given time.

Part of your commitment within this challenge is to pray daily for 30 minutes or more. These prayer times do NOT need to take place in a chapel, but certainly could.

Fasting will also be an integral part of your transformation. You will have the help of your new found brothers’ encouragement and solidarity.

Some have asked, “How is this different from Exodus 90?” Though there are a number of differences, the summary is here:

1. The weekend retreat experience is the common ground and launching point from which we start.

2. Of the disciplines that you undertake, a few will be common among all your brothers, while you will be invited to select several more optional disciplines from a short list of ten. You will pray and ask God which of these disciplines is meant for you in this particular season of your life.

3. Daily prayer will not include lengthy devotionals. Instead, each day will include a 3 to 5 minute audio or video that will help you quiet your mind and heart. You/we will also be learning how to better employ Lectio Divina and other methods of prayer, both on the retreat and in the 40 days that follow. There will be a priority on learning to listen to and discern the voice of the Holy Spirit.

4. This model also includes mentoring/coaching, 50-minute one-on-one sessions, on a weekly basis, for those desiring it.

Steps to Getting Started:

Step 1 - Sign up for a retreat. Click here

Step 2 - Pray for and ask a few other men and/or your pastor to join you.

Step 3 - We will get you more info on the 40 Day Challenge