Last week, more than 20 men made a public commitment to be better husbands and fathers in front of the congregation of Hope Community Church in Niles.
Matthew Sehy is hoping that’s just the start.
Sehy is the organizer of a men’s Bible study at the church, based on the Christian movie, “Courageous” about four police officers struggling with their faith and their roles as husbands and fathers.
“I was really inspired by the movie,” Sehy said. “It was moving, a call to action.”
Sehy, a father of three from Niles, was so inspired that he met with a friend for a Bible study based on the movie. That went so well he opened up a similar four-week study to the men of Hope Community Church.
The weekly meetings included watching clips from the film, discussing the themes and reading from the Bible.
“It was just guys opening up about guy things,” he said, “supporting each other and leaning on each other.”
Each of the men involved in the study also took a pledge before the church, making a commitment to their wives and children.
“More or less, we committed to standards, to take responsibility for myself, wife and children, learn from my mistakes and walk in integrity,” Sehy said.
Sehy said he hopes he and the other men will stay true to their pledges.
“It’s something this world needs,” he said. “We need men to step up and lead again in their homes with morals and values.”
The Bible study got such a good response that Sehy is planning another four-week program beginning April 14. This time, he is opening it up to both men and women interested in building stronger families.
Call Hope Community Church at (269) 684-2770.