What is Ironman?

Purpose:

When you mention the word Ironman, it conjures up the image of a rough and rugged man who can endure blistering heat and subzero temperatures wearing only a T-shirt and shorts, charge a whole battalion of men with only a pistol and knife (killing them all, even though he sustains serious injury!), kill a grizzly with his bare hands, and, of course, who never cries.  I’m sure you get the picture!
However, the Bible gives a clear picture of who and what an Ironman really is.  He is a man who leads his family by example and service, worships his God with passion and conviction, and serves his community with honor and integrity.  The vision of the Ironman ministry is to train men to succeed in all of these areas.

For that reason, we began the Ironman men’s network at Bethany in September 2000 and embraced the exciting challenge of developing men into servant-leaders.  "Iron sharpens iron," as Proverbs 27:17 says, and we know that when men get together, something explosive releases in the spiritual world.  So, we provide plenty of opportunities for men to work together to develop their full leadership potential.  We have quarterly meetings, Ironman Encounter Retreats, small-group meetings, Ironman Discovery classes, and weekly mentoring relationships.
And on top of all this, we have fun!  We do pray, serve, and enjoy the Lord together, but we also play together.  Ironmen regularly come together to enjoy sports and other events that men love, like basketball, golf, softball, fishing—and of course, eating!

Goals:

  1. To teach men how to be godly leaders, husbands, and fathers in a world that is desperate for genuine leadership.  We have quarterly messages at our men\'s network meetings that focus on topics such as prayer, holiness, finances, temptation, and integrity.  Men\'s lives are changed and restored while vision and purpose are instilled.
  2. To prepare men to be disciples and leaders who influence their world.  Several hundred men have completed the Journey course since the inception of the Ironman network.  The Journey is held regularly and includes a men-only Encounter Retreat conducted by a Bethany pastor.  The goal of the weekend retreat is to see men set free from bondages and addictions so they can live victoriously in Christ. 
  3. To prepare men for leadership through the Discovery classes.  Discovery is thirty weeks in length and is the place where the men of Bethany learn the principles of small-group ministry and servant-leadership. In the Discovery, men learn how the Word of God directs their lives, how to lead their homes and love their wives, how to develop lifestyles of prayer and evangelism, and how to become men of character and excellence.