It is a challenging time for men in our society, especially young men, as the church seeks ways to encourage and edify men to become the men God wants them to be.That is the goal behind the upcoming, “Breakfast With Champions: Being Men With His Mission,” a mini conference for men to be organised by the inter-denominational group, United For Change, which will be held on June 16.According to Rev Nick Dill, rector of St. John's Church and a part of the United For Change administrative leadership team, “United for Change is a cross-section of churches from around the island that came together to look at things that impact the island.”In the past, much of their discussion has been reactive in dealing with issues and events effecting the the island, however, the group also has a desire to be proactive in providing people with answers and hope from a Christian perspective.One of those issues is the urgent need for men to rise to the challenges facing Bermuda's youth. According to a press-release from United For Change:“In his book, “To Own A Dragon”, writer Donald Miller quotes statistics taken from agencies across the United States on the effect of fatherlessness on children and young people.Here they are: 63 percent of youth suicides are from fatherless homes; 85 percent of all children who show behavioural disorders come from fatherless homes; 80 percent of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes; 71 percent of high school dropouts come from fatherless homes; 75 percent of adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes; 70 percent of youths in state-operated institutions come from fatherless homes; 85 percent of all youths in prison come from fatherless homes.“Behind these statistics is a question that is asked again and again - where are the men who will father, mentor, support and provide role models for younger men? Are we facing a ‘crisis of manhood’ as many would have us believe? This is an issue that has also affected the Church. God is revealed to us as our Father, yet in many of our churches He is experienced through the unconditional love of the mothers of the Church - which is wonderful embracing, consistent, serving and loving - but something or, rather, ‘someone’ is missing.”In looking to help men answer some of these questions, the group has invited pastor and international speaker, Richard Coekin, author of such books as “Our Father” and “A Few Good Men.” He and wife Sian, a GP, are the parents of five children.Rev. Coekin is also a founder of the London Men’s Convention, in which, every year in London, more than 3,000 men from over 300 churches come together to hear God's word, as it applies to men, and to encourage each other to go back to their home churches and communities encouraged and ready to serve.“We would like to see a similar thing happening here from across all denominations men coming together in Bermuda, encouraging one another to be God’s champion His man with His mission on their hearts,” Rev Dill said.“Those of us who are trying to fill the void find that life is tough. Christian men face many battles - the world, the flesh and the Devil contribute to the struggle of life - and these battles undermine and weaken our faith and effectiveness in doing the things God wants us to do.“Sometimes the greatest battle lies within us. The 'old' versus the 'new' nature. Everyone else seems to have life all sorted out, but when I look within, it is easy to become discouraged. There are real issues there - anger, materialism, pride, lust, fear of failure, complacency, apathy and the list goes on.“The temptation is to think we are alone in this - but we forget that we all face similar problems as men. What we need is to have a place where we can be reminded that the battle has already been won by our ultimate champion, Jesus Christ, and to have the honest support of brothers to encourage us in the fight.“We need to be His 'under champions' the champions God intends the champions of our families, churches and communities need us to be.”The breakfast and conference will run from 8.45am to 11.45 am at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess. The cost is $35 per person, or $60 for a father and son (over aged 13). If you are interested in registering, you can do it online at the United for Change website (www.ufcbermuda.org) or by calling 734-4673.Rev. Coekin will also be speaking on Father's Day, Sunday June 17, at St. John's Church at 10am on the topic “It All Begins With God”.“We would like to invite all to come and to bring your fathers, brothers and sons,” Rev. Dill said. “And at the Culture Fest on the next day, there is a particular focus on men and fathers.”“For the love of God, the sake of our families and communities, let us all play our part and let us pray for an uprising of Godly men in our generation and the generations to follow.”