“What is the purpose of YBL?” There are three words that sum up our goals. They are Win, Build and Send. 

Win. Our first goal is to win businessmen to Christ. We want to show non-Christian men what it means to have a personal relationship with their creator, in a non-threatening and attractive way. We want to help them understand that real purpose and peace in life come from walking with Christ. Our semi-annual banquets are our main outreach activity. Our Business Forum Lunches are also a winning activity. The 3-week Investigative Study is evangelistic and at the beginning of the Concentrating on the Majors study we go over the gospel thoroughly. During the follow-up process after the banquets YBL members sometimes have the opportunity of sharing their faith with banquet first timers.

Build. Our building activities are varied as well. The Business Forum Lunch, in addition to being evangelistic, is for strengthening the faith of Christian men as well. As they hear Jackson businessmen share what it means to them to be a Christian in business, the men are challenged to a closer walk with Christ. Our main building activities however are the Concentrating on the Majors studies and the discipleship groups. It is in these environments that the men are continually exposed to God’s word and challenged to apply it to their lives. The accountability, encouragement and support, over time help these men develop into spiritual leaders.

Send. Sending is more a result than an activity. As the men grow spiritually they have more and more impact for God’s kingdom in their spheres of influence. At the office, at home, at church and in the community. Many marriages have been impacted through the years as men have begun to take seriously their responsibility for spiritual leadership in the home. Many children have benefited as well. We have seen businesses influenced and in some cases, practically the whole firm because most of the men were involved in YBL at one time or another. We have seen men move to other cities and start men’s groups and even impact a college campus. Members have gotten involved in politics, become business owners and firm partners.. Several men involved in YBL have gone on to become officers in their churches. And of course many develop their leadership potential as they lead the different YBL studies. Reaching men of influence is how we make a difference.

 Sometimes it is hard to measure results when your goal is to see people’s lives changed by the gospel. But I learned a long time ago that in God’s kingdom, the results are up to Him. Our part is to be faithful to sow the seed and to cultivate it, but He causes the growth. His promise though is that the gates of Hell will not stand up against His kingdom. YBL is a sowing; cultivating ministry in the lives of men and God is using it to build His kingdom.

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