Becoming a Man of Valor
One of the greatest privileges of serving at The Root Cellar has been watching God transform lives—and then having the opportunity to tell those stories.
The stories that follow are just a few glimpses of what God is doing through faithful volunteers, generous supporters, local churches, and neighbors who are choosing to love one another in the name of Jesus.
And every story reminds us of God’s relentless love for our neighbors in Portland and Lewiston.
Thank you for making these stories possible. We hope you'll be encouraged as you read them—and inspired to help write the next chapter.
— Joel
Damon & Francisco
A few years ago, if you had met a young man named Francisco, you would have seen someone who handled conflict with anger and retaliation. Life had taught him to protect himself.
Today, we see someone very different.
Over the past year, Francisco has become part of Men of Valor, a new mentoring group where Christian men from local churches invest in the lives of a small group of high school boys.
Twice each month, they hike mountains, build campfires, open God's Word, ask hard questions, and simply do life together.
Something has changed in Francisco.
He has become a gentle giant.
He has developed a genuine hunger for God's Word and is learning what it means to follow Jesus in the everyday moments of life. His struggles haven't disappeared, but he no longer faces them alone. Faithful men are walking beside him—encouraging him, praying with him, and continually pointing him back to Christ.
This past winter, those same young men were invited to lead the worship service for Mountain Ministry at Sunday River. One by one, each teenager stood before the congregation, opened Scripture, and shared the hope of the Gospel.
Francisco was one of them.
This is what your generosity makes possible.
Not simply another program.
Not another event.
Young men becoming disciples of Jesus Christ. Young men who are learning to lead with humility, serve with courage, and influence their schools, their families, and—Lord willing—the next generation.
