daddy4ms

This article was written by Chad Frey and appeared in the Newton Kansas on August 27, 2014      Jerry Hager has eight children — one a step child, one adopted and some who he says he hasn't always been there for. By his own admission, he's been in trouble. Tuesday, however, was one of those concrete steps to show he wants to walk a different path with his children. "I am here now, and that is all that counts," Hager said. With two of his youngest children, Hager was at the kick-off of "Strong Dads" at cooper elementary school. "My dad wasn't there, and I am on my own," Hager said. "(Being a father) is not as easy as I thought." He's not alone in seeking out some help. More than 30 father figures showed up for a barbecue meal and the first night of Strong Dads. Each either received or will receive a duffel bag with books and toys of for their children and a book for themselves. The program stresses playing with, readin...

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of being trained as a Community Trainer Mentor for the KS Strong Dads Project.  This state funded program will help encourage fatherhood through events, classes, fun outings, and mentoring. I have been assigned Newton, KS as my location.  I look forward to equipping dads through the KS Strong Dads Project. The activities are fun and interactive for fathers and kids and the curriculum is well done with great research, good ideas, and allows for great interaction and participation.  If you would like more information, please let me know. Below you will see other CTM's who were trained in Hesston, KS.

Carey Casey is CEO of National Center for Fathering in Kansas City. He was a dynamic speaker with several interesting connections including President Obama, Tom Landry, and playing football in high school on the team the Titans played for championship game in the movie, Remember the Titans. Casey started by saying, "We have a fathering crisis." He shared many statistics that show we need to do something to help fathers in America. He shared 3 things of Effective Fathering: Loving-Fathers need to love their wives and their children. John 15:9 Coach-Dads need to be involved in the life of their kids. Help them as they make choices in life. Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:6-7 Model. Our lives should speak to our children. We need to "be a sermon." John 5:19 He challenged us to encourage a child who does not have a father (James 1:27) and enlist and challenge other fathers (Proverbs 27:17).