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BY HARRISON N. JOHNSON

Since 1981 I have attended the Congress of United Methodist Men at Purdue

University in Lafayette, Ind., which many refer to as a mountain top experience.

I have always found the sessions to be challenging, exciting and highly motivational. This year, 71 men from the Baltimore-Washington Conference attended the congress.

Throughout the years, I?ve heard dynamic speakers that have included a bishop, a coach, a seminary president, United Nations secretary, founder of a cathedral, creator of an international Bible study and the head of the Board of Discipleship.

During the past, there have been more than 6,500 people in attendance. Our cup was literally running over.

We were men in mission, and gathering together each year, we were reminded that men were the fastest growing segment of the church.

However, something has happened. There is now a decline and we are trying to address that concern.

Although there was a decline in attendance at the UMM Congress this year, more than 2,000 brothers gathered.

Among this year?s highlights were the 35 workshops held to strengthen our UMM in becoming accountable disciples. Many of these workshops equipped young men to participate and keep our men?s groups viable, strong and growing.

A Hunger Relief Mission Gleaning Project was promoted by the Society of St. Andrew. They led a group of men who collected food from a farm near the campus. More than 20,000 pounds of cabbage was collected to be distributed to the hungry in 10 Indiana counties. More than 38,000 pounds of potatoes were shipped in from North Carolina and dropped at the stadium parking lot. Seventy five of us sorted and bagged them for distribution in 10 regions of North Central Indiana.

There were also many excellent speakers. I will never forget the story telling by Dayton Edmonds, a Native American; the great humor of Rudy Ruettiger, a highly sought after motivational speaker; and the encouraging words of the Rev. James Moore advising men to never give up on our commitment to Christ.

I was captivated by an electrifying message by the Rev. Tyrone D. Gordon of St. Luke Community UMC in Dallas.

Some of his most exciting words were: 'Lighten up on the brothers, there are men who will stand and say, ?I will put God first.? They will not go with the flow, when God got your back, you can handle anything; we will not be intimidated.' We gave him shouts of joy and a standing ovation for his message.

On Sunday morning, Bishop Violet Fisher, of the North Central New York Conference, in the closing message stated, 'Men are hungry for the bread, give them the bread of life.' She brought men to their feet expressing a great sense of joy throughout the music hall.

At the congress, a memorial service honored more than 2,400 saints who have gone from labor to reward within the last four years. As we sat quietly together, we reflected on men who were the founders, pioneers and leaders of their day, who developed many worthy ministries and established many chartered fellowships.

As we left the session we felt excited, highly motivated, spiritually renewed and energized with a determination to move on. This great feeling has been experienced many times before; it is a feeling that directs our inner thoughts that something great is about to happen.

The United Methodist Men is one of the most exciting ministries in the church and we must put forth our all to help it function, develop and grow.

The future of the UMM is in our hands. I invite you to come and join us in this effort of recruiting young men and establishing new Men?s Units and giving them our support.

The Baltimore-Washington Conference United Methodist Men will hold their annual meeting Oct. 8 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Baltimore-Washington Conference Center. We hope to see you there.

Harrison N. Johnson is the prayer advocate for the Northeastern Jurisdiction. He is the director of the Prayer Center for the Baltimore-Washington Conference.