“Come follow me, and I will make you a fisher of men.”

I did not know where He was calling me, or what He was calling me to; all I knew was that He was calling me and that I wanted to go. This past summer, at the end of a retreat in Georgia, I heard those words. Not only did I hear those words, but I desired to experience those words. Not only did I desire to experience those words but I wanted to live those words.

After a semester of graduate work at Florida State University, my heart was restless. I enjoyed learning about the dynamics of the ocean and the exchange of energy between the ocean and atmosphere,

but my heart was not alive. I did not know why God had me in Tallahassee. I did not know why God opened the door into oceanography program at FSU; I did not know why I was studying a subject that I was not passionate about. God knew. God knew my desires. God knew the timing. God knew I needed to be in Tallahassee for another year.

FRATERNUS was introduced to me on a cool, October morning on the back deck of “The High Road House”. I remember the moment like it was yesterday. The first cold front of the season passed through the area earlier that morning leaving a cool, refreshing breeze and a deep, brilliant-blue sky. I live for mornings like this. Eight other men and I gathered in a circle waiting for Justin Biance, Tom MacAlester and Bob Schuchts to share the ‘FRATERNUS Vision’. After a moment of praise and prayer, the packets were handed out. Peering into the fifty page packet, I saw years of work, late nights, sacrifice, love, passion, faith, hope and perseverance. I saw life. I saw something that stirred so deeply within my heart. I saw something greater than myself that has the influence to shape society. I saw God.

I looked up, looked at the men around me, and realized this moment was sacred. I did not know how my life was going to change, but I knew a change was at hand and it was going to involve FRATERNUS.

Four months later, God made His calling clear through the proclamation of the gospel on a Sunday evening. “Come follow me, and I will make you a fisher of men.” He was calling me from the ocean, into the uncharted territory of the men’s souls. He was calling me and a team of men to LIVE those words. The joy. The beauty. The fear. The life. So many questions were racing through my mind, but the peace removed the fear and anxiety. God’s peace.

After a month and half of logistical work and preparation, God called again. He was calling me to “GO.” To go pursue my love for traveling, but with a new purpose: To share Christ’s love and spread the “FRATERNUS Fire” throughout America.

I can only speak with love and joy when reflecting on the past forty-seven days. God is here. God is here in America and God is here alive in His Church! From West Palm Beach to Ft. Pierce to Tallahassee to Houston to Durango to Denver to St. Louis to Steubenville to New York to Washington, D.C. to Nashville to Atlanta. I went with the intention to minister, but I was ministered to. Time and time again God affirmed the FRATERNUS team through words of praise from His people. Thanks be to God!

Yes, the trip was a success. God spread the “FRATERNUS Fire” to hundreds if not thousands of people in America. God ignited the Fire in the leaders and in the layity of His Church. And God provided. God provided workers, God provided financially and God provided spiritually. God provided and God continues to provide.

We give thanks and praise to our LORD for the great blessing of the past few months. For the people I met, for your witness of Christ’s Love, for your hospitality and for the love and joy you shared with me along my way. Thank you for your continued prayers and support! It is exciting to see what God has done, and we look forward to see how He will direct FRATERNUS in the future.

Peace,

Thomas