Stephen Ashton

Mentoring Leadership Masculinity

REAL Manhood

"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." — 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 The world is confused about masculinity. Some push an image of manhood that celebrates dominance and selfish power. Others try to erase manhood altogether, taming boys into passivity and ...
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Stephen Ashton

Leadership Masculinity

3 Ways to Engage Men and Grow Your Church

Engaging Men to Grow the Church How do you grow a church? Is it better programs? A sharper sermon series? More polished music or better coffee in the lobby?
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Stephen Ashton

Mentoring Leadership Masculinity

Three Factors to Forge Manliness

“Let childhood and boyhood be prolonged, let manhood be postponed, but let manliness be promptly developed.” - George Walter Fiske
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Stephen Ashton

Mentoring Leadership Masculinity

7 Transformational Men's Ministry Ideas That Actually Work

When most people search for men’s ministry ideas, they’re looking for activities to keep men involved—a breakfast, a retreat, maybe a golf outing. Those have their place, but if we’re honest, many of them don’t move the needle. They get men to show up, but they don’t awaken the heart of a man. They don’t engage men in ...
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Matt Gidney

Let Boys be Boys Troop Adventures Masculinity

Five Peaks in Five Days: Troop TX-0022 Conquers the Wheeler Peak Wilderness

Wheeler Peak Wilderness, Taos, NM – July 2025 On July 17, 2025, Trailmen of Troop TX-0022 stood on top of Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s highest summit at 13,160 feet. But their story began long before the final summit. It began with a bold idea: a backpacking trip to conquer five rugged peaks above 11,000 feet in the ...
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Staff

Parenting Leadership Masculinity

Letter From a Proud Trail Life Mama

The following letter sent earlier this summer to the Trail Life Home Office is being shared here with Ginny's permission. This letter is to every member of the Trail Life family that, by God's grace, makes stories like these possible. Keep Walking Worthy! It's making an impact every day.
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Mark Hancock

Mentoring Parenting Let Boys be Boys Masculinity

What Every Boy is Asking

A boy doesn’t usually say it out loud. But he’s always asking: Who’s in charge? Who’s with me? What’s the mission?
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Matt Gidney

Parenting Let Boys be Boys Leadership Troop Adventures

Blisters, Grit, and Grace: How One Trailman with Autism Became a Leader Worth Following

When 16-year-old Noah laced up his boots to summit Guadalupe Peak—the highest point in Texas—he was ready for the challenge. But by the time he descended, his feet were raw with blisters and his spirit was wavering.
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Matt Gidney

Service Leadership Masculinity

A Rose for Texas, a Flag for a Hero: Trailmen Honor a Marine’s Legacy

“They gave us a beautiful gift. They gave us hope.” - Kitty Gandee
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