Who are Sundoulos Men?
Sundoulos Men WNY was inspired many years ago by the Promise Keepers, a nation-wide movement which re-gathered, re-focused, and reenergized men to be engaged in the work of Jesus Christ in both our families, and in the world.
For many years now Sundoulos Men have met regularly for Bible study sessions throughout each year, various fellowship gatherings, community initiatives, and our annual weekend retreats. As a para-church ministry, our goals have been to provide a model for small group men’s ministry and to break down various barriers within the Church. We want to provide repeated opportunities to demonstrate our oneness and unity as born-again believers in Jesus Christ, shining His light of hope into the world.
Since 2012, an initiative which started with a small group of men and women on a two-week mission trip to Uganda, has greatly expanded…or literally “blown-up” into a thriving outreach ministry over the years. We call it our East African Initiative, or EAI.
EAI has two main points of service in it’s support of the growing Body of Jesus Christ now within three of the nations within East Africa. It began when we’d asked during our first trip, “How can we best help support the churches when we return?” Their answer was simply… “We need discipleship!”
We responded by bringing a well established, small group discipleship course, “First Principals” developed by BILD International. Over the years, the results have been amazing! Pastors and congregants have found true salvation, many for the first time because they had previously believed in the popular prosperity gospel and were not truly born-again. To further assist in discipleship, we have developed our “Five C’s” as foundational Gospel “primer” to First Principals courses. The Five C’s are… The Core of the Gospel, the Content of the Gospel, the Conduct of the believer, the Context of God’s plan for the world, and lastly the Commission given to the Church to reach and disciple people of all nations, just as Jesus has called each of us to do.
The Second point of service, which has sprung out of the first, is caring for the poor and needy in Uganda and now Tanzania and Kenya. We have raised up a small team of indigenous leaders who are able to accomplish this work as our “boots on the ground.” Bishop Patrick and Pastor Joseph along with (blank blank) and (blank blank) not only implement and oversee the discipleship programs throughout a growing network of churches, but also keep a close eye on physical needs of people, helping, especially at times were famine and other problems arise. Essentially, we are able to demonstrate God’s love through our giving of essential needs. EAI also supports two schools in which almost 3/4 of the students are orphans. An education is a proven way out of generational poverty. Better yet, knowledge of Jesus Christ addresses the core spiritual needs of these children, helping them to live lives that contribute to society in the ways that God wants us to do.
In summary, Sundoulos Men WNY is still carrying out it’s core mission to lead men, and now women and children, to a deeper and more mature relationship in their discipleship as Christian people in the world, breaking down the borders of separation, not only within our community, but now also with an incredible outreach in a very desperate part of the world. All glory to God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
