Whatever the Cost
No More Excuses Men's Conference 2015
Saturday July 11,2015 the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship hosted their "No More Excuses" Men's Conference. This year's theme is "Whatever the Cost". Featured speakers were Mike Singletary, The Benham Brothers (Jason and David), Senior Pastor Tony Evans
Men of all demographics converged upon the campus of the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship campus for the 2015 No More Excuses Men's Conference. This year's theme is "Whatever the Cost" and the featured speakers were: Football (College/NFL) Hall of Fame Linebacker Mike Singletary, Jason & David Benham and Dr. Tony Evans. Football jerseys,denim and sneakers replaced suits, ties and loafers as men from as far away as Jamaica came to hear the message of "No More Excuses". The day began with music by Christian music artist Anthony Evans. From there, Mike Singletary captivated the capacity crowd with his story of his childhood and a kitchen table conversation with his mother that tore him away from his destiny of mediocrity.
At 12, Singletary became the 'man of the house' at the behest of his mother who saw he was on a trail of self destruction following the death of his older brother and sudden fatherlessness.
Before the Supreme Court ruling, the LGBTQ bully machine was running full force and Jason & David Benham found themselves ingb a head on collision with GLAAD and the gay agenda. The twin brothers recounted going through filming with Home & Garden Television (HGTV) and living through the experience of losing their show during pre-production. It was that challenge that pushed the Benham brothers to pursue God and discover purpose for their lives. Their book "Whatever the Cost" is the theme for this year's conference. The brothers consider themselves mentees of Dr. Evans and seek his wisdom in all facets of life. Following their infectious talk, copies of their book flew off the sale tables outside.
One of christendom's greatest 20th/21st century influences, Dr. Tony Evans closed out the afternoon session with a challenge to the men in attendance. He began his lesson with the story of Davy Blair; a seaman reassigned the day of the Titanic's maiden voyage who, in his haste took with him the key to the Titanic's "Crow's Nest" lookout cabinet. That cabinet contained high powered binoculars that in effect could have seen the iceberg ahead and averted one of the greatest tragedies at sea. It is believed that the binoculars could have seen the iceberg ahead and averted one of the greatest tragedies at sea. Dr. Evans admonished the men to simply 'be in place' with the keys from the conference because "too many people are depending on what you see!
From that illustration, Dr. Evans turned to the word, teaching from Romans 12:1. His word for the men in attendance: "Be willing to go all the way with God, whatever the cost!" He also challenged the men to surrender their lives to God and live in alignment with His word.
At 12, Singletary became the 'man of the house' at the behest of his mother who saw he was on a trail of self destruction following the death of his older brother and sudden fatherlessness.
Before the Supreme Court ruling, the LGBTQ bully machine was running full force and Jason & David Benham found themselves ingb a head on collision with GLAAD and the gay agenda. The twin brothers recounted going through filming with Home & Garden Television (HGTV) and living through the experience of losing their show during pre-production. It was that challenge that pushed the Benham brothers to pursue God and discover purpose for their lives. Their book "Whatever the Cost" is the theme for this year's conference. The brothers consider themselves mentees of Dr. Evans and seek his wisdom in all facets of life. Following their infectious talk, copies of their book flew off the sale tables outside.
One of christendom's greatest 20th/21st century influences, Dr. Tony Evans closed out the afternoon session with a challenge to the men in attendance. He began his lesson with the story of Davy Blair; a seaman reassigned the day of the Titanic's maiden voyage who, in his haste took with him the key to the Titanic's "Crow's Nest" lookout cabinet. That cabinet contained high powered binoculars that in effect could have seen the iceberg ahead and averted one of the greatest tragedies at sea. It is believed that the binoculars could have seen the iceberg ahead and averted one of the greatest tragedies at sea. Dr. Evans admonished the men to simply 'be in place' with the keys from the conference because "too many people are depending on what you see!
From that illustration, Dr. Evans turned to the word, teaching from Romans 12:1. His word for the men in attendance: "Be willing to go all the way with God, whatever the cost!" He also challenged the men to surrender their lives to God and live in alignment with His word.
NO MORE EXCUSES...WHATEVER THE COST...
Mike SingletaryThe Hall of Fame linebacker and coach led off with an exceptional teaching on "The Facts of Life" and shared his experience and how he made a decision to not allow the "facts" determine how he approached life.
|
The Benham BrothersYou may know these two from their fateful dealings with HGTV and the show that never was. After having filming halted in the middle of their pre-production schedule the twin brothers were thrust into a media firestorm that didn't only challenge their faith and beliefs, but strengthened their faith and resolve in God.
|
Dr. Tony EvansSenior Pastor of OCBF Dr. Tony Evans closed out the conference speaking a word to the men in attendance. He capsulized the day's events and conversation topics challenging all men to go all the way with God, whatever the cost, surrendering all to get in alignment with Christ. He closed his missive with this statement: "Don't pretend to be what you don't intend to be!"
|
Anthony evansChristian music artist Anthony Evans ministered during the conference. It's always great to have Anthony a part of the No More Excuses conference!
|
Kirk FranklinGospel superstar Kirk Franklin served as the conference host. He's got the gift of gab and he put it to great use! Kirk was the moderator of the afternoon's Q&A session with all the speakers.
|
Jonathan EvansFormer NFL Safety Jonathan Evans was on hand to pass punt and kick autographed footballs to the men in attendance. He and Kirk Franklin shared hosting duties throughout the morning session.
|
Q&A Session (Slideshow)
Following the lunch break, all four speakers sat down to answer questions submitted by the men in attendance
First things first, Kirk Franklin is a cut up and kept everyone in stitches in between questions. The talk turned serious following the initial question to Coach Singletary. In the questions, men asked about everything from forgiving themselves for past failures, coaching Michael Sam to loving your own transgender child.
The men deferred in large part to Dr. Evans, the senior saint of the group. One question directed to the Benham brothers about starting a business yielded this wisdom from fellow Christian reality television star Phil Roberts: "fish the river". Roberts was a fisherman while building his duck call business. The brothers worked odd jobs as they built their real estate business which currently boasts over 100 franchise locations.In regard to their entreprenurial venture, the brothers shared this advice: "let your money define your boundaries." They chose not to pursue loan funding but funded their venture with money made from odd jobs and full time jobs in their residence of Charlotte, North Carolina.
When asked about Michael Sam, Coach Singletary responded that it would be the perfect opportunity for him to experience the true love of Christ and walk away from the experience knowing God saying: "I need to re-think this!". Kirk Franklin stirred the pot comparing himself to his homosexual counterparts in church saying that "people are patient with the sins they prefer!" alluding to the fact that openly homosexual men are treated differently, even humiliated and publicly shamed in the black church experience. Franklin submitted his own question to the panel asking: "will straight men be comfortable walking out life with their sons who have same sex desires?" Dr. Evans was the first to reply saying that: "differentiate desire and action...the standard doesn't change but you must have compassion" From there, Dr. Evans expounded on his response along with Jason Benham.
The men deferred in large part to Dr. Evans, the senior saint of the group. One question directed to the Benham brothers about starting a business yielded this wisdom from fellow Christian reality television star Phil Roberts: "fish the river". Roberts was a fisherman while building his duck call business. The brothers worked odd jobs as they built their real estate business which currently boasts over 100 franchise locations.In regard to their entreprenurial venture, the brothers shared this advice: "let your money define your boundaries." They chose not to pursue loan funding but funded their venture with money made from odd jobs and full time jobs in their residence of Charlotte, North Carolina.
When asked about Michael Sam, Coach Singletary responded that it would be the perfect opportunity for him to experience the true love of Christ and walk away from the experience knowing God saying: "I need to re-think this!". Kirk Franklin stirred the pot comparing himself to his homosexual counterparts in church saying that "people are patient with the sins they prefer!" alluding to the fact that openly homosexual men are treated differently, even humiliated and publicly shamed in the black church experience. Franklin submitted his own question to the panel asking: "will straight men be comfortable walking out life with their sons who have same sex desires?" Dr. Evans was the first to reply saying that: "differentiate desire and action...the standard doesn't change but you must have compassion" From there, Dr. Evans expounded on his response along with Jason Benham.
The #NME2015 Experience
*Bonus Footage*
Dr. Evans interviews Coach Singletary. Coach Singletary meets the Benham brothers. Kirk Franklin literally sitting at the feet of Dr. Evans.
