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- A MAIN GOAL of Men of Valor is to assist in the spiritual leadership development of ALL fathers, whether married or not. In so doing, CURRENT OR FUTURE MARRIAGES AND FAMILIES CAN BE STRENGTHENED. The character development of their children will be enhanced. Future marriages of these children will also be strengthened. Men of Valor honors the teachings of the Bible, both its Old and New Testaments. We welcome all fathers along with their children regardless of their spiritual heritage or preferences. Our Christian Camps are designed to help all of these fathers grow spiritually and commit to "BEING THERE WITH" their children in the spiritual development of their families.
- Influencing one's own children requires a presence, not a token presence.
- We uphold the Bible's admonition that children are to honor both parents (whether married or not), both mother and father, just as both parents are to honor and love their children.
- Children spell "love" as "TIME". Roadblocks that impede the presence of mothers and fathers with their children need to be dismantled.
- Society honors both parents by assuring BOTH parents an equal presence in the lives of their children. This is true in intact families. How true also should it be following the disolution of marriage!
- In general, we think a basic right and need of any child is to have free and equal access to their own mother and father. Preserving this child's right is critical following divorce, regardless of whether a father or mother is designated as a custodial or non-custodial parent. Why?
- The breakdown of equal access to children following divorce, (i.e. often court-mandated father absence) is associated with grave social ills and often catastrophic spiritual developmental atrophy of the children.
- Most states do not encourage or routinely allow, let alone mandate, equal access by children to thier non-custodial parent (usually fathers) following divorce. (As of this writing, it is unclear whether California is an exception).
- Among other goals, Men of Valor, Inc. hopes to re-unite these loving fathers (or their non-custodial parent) with their children of divorce. We hope to re-establish a presence and give a place of honor to both sides of the family tree.
- The presence of these fathers can allow fulfillment of the Biblical imperative: "He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers, or else I will come and smite the land with a curse." (Malachi 4:6).
- Immediately before the account of Sodom and Gomorrah, while speaking to Abraham, the LORD said, "For I have chosen him (Abraham, a father), so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." (Genesis 18:19). This Biblical imperative was, and is, to fathers.
- ALL FATHERS, married or divorced, are admonished to teach these words (of Biblical Wisdom, i.e, the Bible) to their children: "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:6,7). This requires the ongoing, active, involved presence of the father with his children wherever they happen to be living.
- These weekend or weeklong camps that, in addition to tons of fun and hiking, teach the tenants of faith found both in the Old and the New Testaments. During these uplifting experiences, we hope to help develop effective spiritual leadership and Biblical understanding in these fathers and their children that may favorably impact their marriages, their children's lives, and their own lives. This is our primary goal.
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- Our primary goal is to uplift and equip all fathers in their spiritual development and to strengthen their spiritual leadership in their families. This modeling for their children requires a willingness to "be there" in their children's lives.
- We encourage the development of father and children (both boys and girls) ongoing events in their religious communities. Events could include picnics, ball games, professional sporting events, front range hikes, movie nights, game nights, steak fries, pancake breakfasts, museum trips, etc. Not "mens events" but "fathers alongside their children events." This subtle paradigm shift of thinking is critical. It is a rarity in many religious communities today.
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- We advocate for the critical presence of both mothers and fathers in the lives of their children. Sometimes, this may require removal of barriers of access. We urge you to join us in the effort to EDUCATE the public at large, and enlist other individuals and groups, in our quest to routinely involve both mom and dad on a more equitable basis in the lives of their children following marital discord.
- In some instances, this education may need to interface with or involve those with an interest in public policy. Are you a public speaker? If not, can you open doors with organizations for those who are public speakers?
Join us in this effort by volunteering your time, helping to organize these camping and other events, implement them in your own religous or other groups, speak to various groups, assist with this website, etc. Can you help put us in contact with oranizations that might be receptive?
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In order to assist these families, Men of Valor
offers free eye examinations for glasses for divorced fathers and/or children of divorce, depending on the availability of time and resources. We also will provide scholarships to some of these fathers and their children who need finanacial assistance in order to attend these summer camps in the mountains of Colorado.
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- "And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers lest I come and smite the land with a curse." Malachi 4:6
- This is the last verse of the last chapter of the Old Testament. This is the "last word" i.e., it is a place of import in this part of the Bible.
- Then the LORD's voice, that of our Heavenly Father, was silent for 400 years. The curse of father-less-ness was, and is, father-less-ness.
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For more information contact: Steven W. Newell, M.D., founder
Men of Valor
9492 E. Aspen Hill Place
Lone Tree, CO 80124
Telephone: 720-635-5000
Fax: 303-790-4004
email: swnewellmd@menofvalor.net
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- Friends and Advisors
- James C. Randolph, Esq.
- C. J. Norris, Esq.
- Scott Swenson, Esq.
- Kevin Christian
For more information or questions, or to receive updates for meetings, events, etc., email your contact information to: men-of-valor@comcast.net -or- fax to 303-790-4004.
Please include your first, last name and middle initial, home, cell and work telephone, fax, email, and street address including zip code. Please also include if you want to assist us in some manner and what you would like to do. Thank you.
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