Brothers & Friends,
I am writing you to express my thanks for your generosity in supporting Locking Arms over the past two years. December 1st marks our two year anniversary so it is with great thanksgiving and admiration we recognize your faithful support. The picture above depicts a group of our men and boys (Bridge Mentoring) from our recent retreat at Jumonville. It is a powerful microcosm of how we are helping to bring transformation to men’s lives from age 12 to 70.
Many of you financially support your local church as well as other good ministries. In this recognition, we humbly ask you to consider a financial gift to Locking Arms at this time. The success of our golf outing in August (Net proceeds of $25K) got us through 3 months of payroll, ministry support, and program expenses. Thank you for your role in that success. We need your help to move forward into the new year with assurance.
How Locking Arms Made an Impact in 2016:
1. Weekly Huddles: Our leadership team is facilitating 10 weekly huddles with men around the city of Pittsburgh. The locations include: North Side, Sewickley, East End, Monroeville, Point Breeze, and the South Hills. We have both early morning and evening huddles. I am currently leading or co-leading 7 of these weekly huddles. We average approximately 100 men each week participating. They are centered on spiritual friendship and disciple-making through the study of God’s word, prayer, and iron sharpening (Proverbs 27:17).
“My Tuesday morning huddle on the North Side has been a huge blessing, helping me, and encouraging me to go deeper with God.” John D.
“You experience men in the huddle loving and supporting one another in the love of Christ.” Larry F.
“Thankful for the honest hearts in the huddle produced by transparent leadership.” Dave S.
2. Monthly Events: Every month we plan and sponsor different men’s events around the city of Pittsburgh. They are designed to impact men with a witness of Christ’s love in the gospel and to draw new men into our fellowship. In the past year we had over 700 people participate in Locking Arms special events. They have included: a Pitt game and tailgate (70 Dads, youth coaches, and players attended), 2 retreats (125 men attending), 2 cigar dinners (85 attending), our Marriage Celebration Dinner (110 attending) and our annual Christmas Breakfast (200 attending).
“The cigar dinners are a great, safe place to bring men who are searching for God.” Bob M.
“The retreat was a great opportunity to share and hear the word of God with men like me. Jason Wolfe’s faith story really impacted me.” Lee W.
3. Del Rey Pastors Support & Mission Trips: Each year Locking Arms makes two mission trips to the Dominican Republic (January with MGM & July with Del Rey Boys Camp). A big focus is the support of the 20 pastors who live and lead churches in the sugar cane villages. These men and Pastor Anna are currently being trained by Del Rey Ministries. Our short term mission trips support their long-term mission commitment in training indigenous leaders who are building the kingdom of Christ. Locking Arms gave over 10% of our annual budget in this support.
“The experience of spending time in the Dominican at MGM in connection with the Del Rey pastors has been a vehicle of the Lord to expand my capacity to love and experience God’s grace.” Joe G.
“My week in the DR is a time of serving with my brothers and renewing my spiritual life. It’s my best week of the year.” John C.
4. Bridge Mentoring Program in Wilkinsburg: Locking Arms provides ongoing mentor recruitment, financial support and event support to the Bridge program. This includes financial support for: summer camp, events like Pirate games, and personal support for Director Joanne Galinowski. Some of our men are actively engaged mentoring boys at present.
“Being a Bridge mentor has exposed me to God’s kingdom in a new way and deepened my faith through my relationship with Shamir.” Dario D.
We need a strong year end to meet December and January budgetary needs. If you can help us with a one time donation, or join our team of monthly donors, we greatly appreciate your support. You can donate at our website below or mail us a check.
Locking Arms Men, 6307 Oyster Bay Court, Bridgeville, PA 15017