Paul Cole : Maximized Manhood

The 318 Project

Paul Cole is a co-founder and current president of Christian Men's Network. He is a husband to Judi Cole for almost 50 years. Father to 2 sons, Brandon and Bryce and 1 daughter, Lindsey, and grandfather. He is a speaker, preacher and author. Paul has written 2 books entitled "Just a Bartender" and "Daring".

Christian Men's Network was started after Dr. Edwin Louis Cole spoke at a men's event at an Oregon men's camp in the summer of 1977. His passion for men to reach their full potential as Godly men was birthed at that moment.

Dr. Cole wrote the book "Maximized Manhood",that has sold millions of copies and been translated in 36 languages. From that, he also wrote several other books and workbooks to form the Majoring in Men's Curriculum as a tool to help mentor and disciple men.

Christian Men's Network is operating in 134 countries and the books have been translated into 36 languages.

In this episode, Paul talks about what CMN is doing currently with reaching men and families around the world.

We talk about the lack of father's in the family has led to many societies issues of incarceration, gangs, drug abuse, premarital pregnancy and fatherlessness in the home.

The emphasis of CMN is to help pastors and leaders to be able to train the men in their congregation through discipleship.

Paul states, "Many pastors are trained to preach sermons but not how to train men.”
“The immaturity of men has led to the mediocrity of men.”

“God wants us to have a Maximized Manhood and God wants every man to be three things. Consistent, decisive and strong. Consistency, decisiveness and strength are the hallmarks of a mature man”.

Why so many men have struggles in life is because they don’t know their identity. Many have a mid-life crisis because they haven’t found their identity.

“Pressure doesn’t make a man. Pressure only reveals a man for who he really is”.

Paul shares the definition of maturity. Maturity isn’t about age, but the acceptance of responsibility. Maturity is the strength to make the right choice even when the emotions or context of the moment would cause you to do something different”.

Paul also shares how the word “Peace” is misunderstood or misinterpreted. By society’s standard, Peace is the absence of conflict, the absence of storms, the absence of problems. However, “Peace” in the Word of God and lived out in the life of Christ never meant the absence of conflict, it always meant the presence of God even in the middle of the conflict”.

We discuss what CMN is now doing with their Dangerous Nations and Global Fatherhood Initiative. Their goal is to go into the 50 most dangerous nations to help equip 50,000 pastors in the next five years in countries such as Nigeria, Bulgaria, Vietnam and Iran.

Paul also shares stories of men that have over the years had a heart to reach men and change their countries. Men like Pastor Eddie Leo in Jakarta, Indonesia and Alex Mitala in Uganda.

Through the “Majoring in Men” in Uganda, they have seen the AIDS rate go from 33% to 6.4% over a 28 year period by teaching men the honor and respect of women and virginity.

Paul tells how men 30 years ago wanted 3 things:

1. Success
2. Respect
3. Legacy

But, today they are looking for:

1. Identity
2. Purpose
3. Brotherhood/Belonging

For further information about Paul Cole and Christian Men’s Netw

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