THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 15, 1996 TAG: 9609170516
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: PAUL SOUTH
LENGTH: 63 lines
Life is hard.
That's not exactly earth-shaking news. When folks come into the world, there's no guarantee that every day will include corn bread and sweet tea. Sometimes, it's hurricanes and castor oil.
And somewhere on the road of life, men get taught that when life turns sour, we're supposed to buck up, endure. To pour our hearts out, we're taught, just isn't done. Remember, big boys don't cry.
It's a wonder we don't all explode.
But at least in some circles from Hatteras to Manteo, that may be changing. In the early morning light, small groups of men gather at local restaurants to do more than drink coffee and stoke the rumor mill. With Bibles in their hands, and burdens on their hearts, they gather together to sharpen their faith, and strengthen each other, in hopes of becoming better fathers, husbands, providers and friends.
And at least one group is trying to change the entire community.
``It's as old as the hills,'' said 46-year-old David Clift, pastor of Duck United Methodist Church. ``A tax collector, fishermen and other average people with all sorts of problems got to together, and they had the same questions we do. In this group, I'm not a pastor. I'm a man like everyone else.''
Clift began meeting last February with restaurateur R.V. Owens III, developer Buck Thornton, banker Ray White and builder Robbie Parker.
``Ray and I have been talking about this for five or six years,'' Owens said. ``Then one day, Buck called and asked if we were interested in having a meeting, to talk about life, values and what brings out the goodness in people. We met the next day.''
The men gather over bowls of cereal and steaming plates of bacon and eggs at a local restaurant. The group is a smaller, more intimate version of Promise Keepers, a Colorado-based national movement that brings Christian men of all denominations, colors and creeds together to recommit themselves to their faith, families and communities.
``It's not as organized as Promise Keepers, but it's the same type of idea,'' Owens said. ``We want to tear down the walls between people.''
One way the group hopes to bust down those walls is through a Sept. 28 rally at First Flight Middle School featuring Clebe McClary. McClary was critically wounded in Vietnam, suffering the loss of one eye and his left arm. He had 34 operations to regain the use of his broken body.
The Rev. Billy Graham has called McClary ``a young man who represents all that is good about our country. . . . One of our best.''
Thanks to the group, McClary will speak free of charge.
``We're not going to pass the collection plate or anything,'' Owens said. ``We want all races, colors and creeds to hear this man, and the story he has to tell.''
Meanwhile, as preparations for the rally continue, the five men will continue to build their faith.
``We don't see ourselves as experts,'' Thornton said. ``We're just a bunch of beggars trying to figure out how we can give each other some bread.''
Owens compared the weekly gatherings to one of his little boy's most precious possessions.
``My boy has his little Mickey Mouse blanket,'' he said. ``Like him with his blanket, I feel comfort talking with these guys about things that really matter. I think we're taught early on that a man is not allowed to tell another that he loves him in Christ, or hold hands when they pray. We have to get past that if we're going to make the world better.'' by CNB