Aug 20

Aug 20 Those Among The Chosen Men's Conference

Raoul Dennis

People

PHOTO: LLOYD JEREMIAH // PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA.

1,400 Join Together At First Baptist Church Of Glenarden

By Allana Haynes

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LLOYD JEREMIAH // PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA

FULL PHOTO GALLERY HERE

“I’m here for the men who hit rock bottom, for the men whose first marriage didn’t work out, for the men who were adulterers and liars and cheaters, for the men who had a dream to get into a position and lost everything,” said former mayor of Detroit and CEO of Movement Ministries Kwame Kilpatrick. “[There’s] a few of ya’ll in here that know what it’s like to have to lay on the ground and have to make a conscious, intentional decision to get up and the only reason that you sit here is because of the pure power of the Holy Spirit.”

Kilpatrick was speaking from the heart. He’d been there himself. Kilpatrick shared his testimony of finding faith while serving nearly eight years in federal prison from 2013 to 2021.

**NFL Hall of Fame Coach Tony Dungy (red pullover) and CBS Sports anchor James Brown (blue jacket) listen to the message at the Chosen Men’s Conference, Aug. 14 and 15.** PHOTO: LLOYD JEREMIAH // PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA.

Fourteen hundred men gathered for the second annual “Chosen” Men’s Conference at First Baptist Church of Glenarden International in Upper Marlboro, Aug. 14-15.

The conference was two years in the making.

Featuring a powerful lineup of faith leaders and worship artists, the weekend combined spiritual growth with fellowship and inspiration.

Inspired by 1 Peter 2:9, the conference challenged men to fully embrace their identity in Christ, walk boldy in their calling and grow as disciples equipped to lead, serve and impact the world as a chosen generation, according to FBCG.

The two-day event kicked off with a family night featuring worship led by Anthony Evans and a message from Pastor Jonathan Evans.

Men of all ages packed the church’s worship center the following day for a full day of worship, speakers and conversations centered on purpose, integrity and faith.

The day featured spirited worship led by Joshua Copeland, impactful messages from former mayor of Detroit and CEO of Movement Ministries Kwame Kilpatrick, CBS “NFL Today” host James Brown and former NFL head coach Tony Dungy and a comedy set from author, comedian and singer-songwriter, Broderick Rice.

Brown explained the difference between believers and disciples, focusing on discipleship, development and growth.

“A believer is one who has been born again,” he said. “Becoming a disciple is an ongoing process of maturation in the Word of God.”

Dungy challenged the men to take a step further in their faith.

“We want everybody to walk out of here as a believer, but we want you to walk out of here as a disciple as well,” he said.

During the conference, men shared what they learned from each message.

Nathan Dessaso, 69, of Washington, D.C., learned about the importance of being faithful.

“If you’re going to walk with Christ, you need to do so wholeheartedly,” he said.

Thomas Robbs, 71, of Fort Washington, learned to prioritize faith over works.

“It’s not about works, it’s not about service, it’s about faith and believing in Jesus Christ,” he said.

Antonio Varner, 59, of Stafford, VA, learned how to share his faith with those around him.

“I learned [how] to talk to other brothers or other people and lead them to Christ,” he said.

Michael Perry, 52, of Upper Marlboro, hopes men leave better than they arrived.

“Our charge as men is to be leaders – leaders in our homes, leaders in our churches and leaders in our communities,” he said. “Having an opportunity to come here and learn from all of the wonderful speakers they’ve had is powerful.”