Faith
Honoring Men and Boys on International Men’s Day
Faith Facts
- International Men’s Day, observed on November 19, celebrates the theme “Celebrating Men and Boys.”
- Founded in 1999 by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, the event promotes positive male role models, men’s health, and strong families.
- Faith leaders and advocates emphasize building stronger families through honoring masculinity rooted in responsibility and integrity.
Observed in over 80 countries, International Men’s Day is an opportunity to affirm the value men bring to families and society.
The initiative calls believers to uplift men as providers, protectors, and servant leaders, reflecting the biblical design of manhood.
Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, son of a Presbyterian minister, sees the day as a way to
“heal our world”
by giving hope and faith to those in need.
“The concept and themes of International Men’s Day are designed to give hope to the depressed, faith to the lonely, comfort to the broken-hearted, transcend barriers, eliminate stereotypes and create a more caring humanity,” said Teelucksingh.
Key pillars of IMD include honoring male contributions, improving gender relations, and promoting healthy masculinity in the face of negative stereotypes.
Family and faith-centered organizations highlight the need for men who lead courageously, love sacrificially, and strengthen the moral fabric of communities.
Warwick Marsh of Dads4Kids, a Christian outreach, encourages society to celebrate pure masculinity and recognize its role in building just, thriving families and societies.
“Lately, I’ve noticed a growing narrative in society that men are inherently dangerous, and that the solution to ‘toxic masculinity’ is to feminise them. But here’s why this approach isn’t solving the problem — it’s exacerbating it,” Marsh wrote.
“When we strip men of their natural masculinity, their strength, courage, and sense of responsibility, we don’t eliminate toxicity.”
“Instead, we create a void filled with insecurity, passivity, and resentment. Weak men, unsure of their purpose and lacking direction, are far more dangerous than strong men who have been taught to channel their masculinity constructively.”
He believes that
“strong, grounded men”
lead with integrity and protect the vulnerable, embodying courage in the service of faith and family.
Marsh urges all to teach men to be strong, honorable, and purposeful, so that generations may flourish under God’s design for manhood.
Now more than ever, Christians are called to affirm the God-given strengths of men, encourage them to stand for truth, and foster homes where fathers and mothers raise children in love and faith.
Faith Facts
- Three-quarters of girls and young women aged 7 to 21 have experienced online harm, with cases of sextortion rising by 2,600% in 2024.
- The UK’s Online Safety Act recognizes online threats to young people as ‘Primary Priority,’ but enforcement remains challenging.
- Christian communities are called to provide safe, supportive spaces and cultivate biblical truth and discernment in young lives.
The internet shapes the lives of nearly all young people, providing opportunities but also exposing them to unique dangers. Girls and young women face particular risks, from online abuse to harmful role models that can erode self-worth.
As Christian leaders, it is vital to confront digital misogyny and reject values that contradict God’s design for human dignity. We are called to respond with moral clarity and courage, standing firm for truth.
Education anchored in biblical wisdom offers protection, teaching youth to discern what is real and valuable in God’s sight. Programmes like ‘Staying Safe in the Digital World’ equip girls with practical tools and spiritual strength.
Effective legislation is needed to hold tech companies accountable and protect the most vulnerable. Discussion about these challenges within faith communities ensures young people know they are not alone and have trustworthy adults to turn to.
Trusted adults—whether parents, teachers, or Christian volunteers—must be visible advocates, offering both guidance and protection. Children and teens need opportunities to discuss online challenges openly and access support when needed.
While practical steps like limiting screen time are important, true safety stems from a blend of spiritual discipleship and digital awareness. Our actions should point to a lifestyle of wholesome relationships and faith-filled living, not just restriction.
We must model healthy habits, prioritizing time with family, faith, and activities that nourish the soul. The digital age demands active stewardship, rooted in our biblical calling to protect, love, and guide every child.
Now is the time for Christians to lead, championing online safety and Kingdom values for girls and young women—and shining as a light in the darkness of the digital world.
Faith Facts
- More than 200 celebrities, including Mark Ruffalo and Benedict Cumberbatch, signed a petition urging the release of convicted terrorist Marwan Barghouti.
- Barghouti, linked to the Fatah terrorist group, was convicted of orchestrating attacks resulting in the deaths of Israeli civilians.
- Christian leaders criticized the celebrities for supporting Barghouti, calling attention to the moral implications of their actions.
Christian values call us to remember the sanctity of life and the importance of standing with victims of violence rather than those who promote terror. These public figures’ actions raise important questions about our nation’s moral compass and the need to uphold biblical justice.
“Barghouti was convicted of five murders. That’s bad enough, but he also led one terrorist organization and co-founded a second, responsible for incalculable human suffering,” said Liora Rez, StopAntisemitism founder and executive director.
We must remain steadfast in upholding truth and defending innocent lives, rejecting the glorification of those who inflict suffering. Let us pray for discernment and courage to stand for righteousness, no matter how popular the opposition may be.
Faith Facts
- The House of Bishops paused standalone same-sex blessing services, citing constitutional and theological concerns.
- Current guidelines still allow ‘Prayers of Love and Faith’ in existing church services.
- The decision follows legal advice warning changes must follow proper Church governance.
The Bishop of Winchester, Philip Mounstephen, emphasized the importance of adhering to Biblical doctrine and church law in considering changes to marriage teachings.
He addressed the Winchester Diocesan Synod, affirming that upholding God’s design for marriage preserves unity and integrity within the Church of England.
“The sheer constitutional difficulty of making such changes brought us face to face with the importance of due process,” Bishop Mounstephen stated.
The bishops’ consensus to pause reflects a commitment to protect the Church’s foundation and honor scriptural values before adjusting any practices.
He warned against circumventing established governance, highlighting that such shortcuts undermine trust and stability in the church community.
Rev Canon John Dunnett, representing evangelical Anglicans, also expressed ongoing concern about the direction of these issues, underlining the need for vigilance in preserving Christian doctrine.
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