JOIN A SQUAD
A BAND OF BROTHERS
“Find like-hearted kings living in the same direction. Sign treaties. When one kingdom is at war, both are at war.”
– Dan Allender, Intimate Allies
The U.S. ARMY is divided into UNITS: Fire Team (3-4), Squad (8-12), Platoon (15-30), Company (80-150), Battalion (300-800), Brigade (2000-4000), Division (10,000-15,000), Corps (20,000-40,000) and ultimately a vast Field Army (80,000+) of men.
BASE CAMP – Grand Rapids @ Founders Brewery/Railtown Brewery in Grand Rapids, MI is a Company of Men networked with several men’s ministry Platoon, Squad and Fire Teams of men; the combined spiritual equivalent of a M.A.S.H Unit, Forward Command & Communications Center, Mess Hall, Resupply & Reconnaissance Base from which to launch domestic/international men’s ministry events.
On Sunday, August 8, 2021, several Companies, Platoons, Squads, and Fire Team men’s ministry units throughout Michigan and beyond will gather @ BARN BASE CAMP – an annual fundraiser for a BATTALION of BROTHERS who feast & fight for each other as soldiers & sons. Fierce lords will gather in a fair land to listen to unforgettable stories & songs of love & war, shared & sung under sun & stars by Warrior Poets in the cavernous wooden hall of a BIG RED BARN @ Wildwood Family Farms, Alto, MI.
A Company of Men in a BREWERY and a Battalion of Men in a BARN has its place of honor and healing, but the greatest life impact happens in a Squad/Fire Team of Men. We recommend the following Squads of Men to experience maximum life impact like a Band of Brothers gathered around a blazing bonfire, feasting and fighting for each other’s hearts in some foreign forgotten field:
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CAMP I
Tuesdays @ 7:00 PM, Brickyard Tavern, 940 Monroe, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Contact: Kevin DeVries, kevin@GraceExplorations.com, 616.916.5909
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CAMP 1 SOUTH
Tuesdays @ 7:00 PM, Railtown Brewery, 3595 68th St, SE, Dutton, MI 49316
Contact: Steve Huizinga, stevehuizinga@gmail.com, 616. 299.8809
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OPEN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS GROUPS
Monday & Wednesdays @ 7:00 PM, Providence CRC, 7730 Eastern Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Contact: Steve Huizinga, stevehuizinga@gmail.com, 616. 299.8809
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RESTORATION MEN
2nd & 4th Thursdays @ 6:30 PM, Right Brain Brewery, 225 East 16th St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Contact: Brian Williams, bwill230984@gmail.com, 616.889.8878
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THE MEN OF GREATER KALAMAZOO
Every other Saturday starting June 8 @ 8:30am, Colonial Kitchen, 330 N. Drake Rd, Kalamazoo, 49009
Contact: Steve Johnson, johnsonsteven49004@yahoo.com, 269.370.5846
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WEST MICHIGAN WOLF PACK
Fridays @ 6:30 AM , Cornerstone Church – Heritage Hills Campus , 48 Lafayette Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Contact: Jason LaFountaine, jason.lafontaine@shawinc.com, 810.513.9594
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MEN OF ADA
Meets on various days/times at four Ada Bible Church campuses: Cascade, Knapp St, Kentwood, East Paris
Contact: Phil Niekerk, pniekerk@adabible.org, 616.622.3216, www.adabible.org/men/
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MOVIE NIGHT FOR MEN
1st Thursday Every Month @ 6:45-9:45 PM, Ada Bible Church – THE WHAREHOUSE, 1640 East Paris Ave Se, Kentwood, MI 49546
Contact: Tim Jackson, tim@stillwaterscounselingpc.com, 616.940.3833, https://www.facebook.com/1st-Thursday-Mens-Movie-Night-340521293172540/?modal=admin_todo_tour
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FREEDOM FIGHTERS
Wednesdays @ 6:30 AM, Kentwood Community Church – Ground Zero Room (Door A), 1200 60th St SE, Kentwood, MI 49508
Contact: Tommy Diaz, tdiaz@kcconline.org, 616.293.2644
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MEN OF IMPACT
Mondays @ 6:30 PM & Wednesdays 10:00 AM Impact Church – Lounge, 1069 Lincoln Lake Ave, SE, Lowell, MI 49331
Contact: Daniel Boon, daniel22boon@yahoo.com, 616.581.5208
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A FATHER’S WALK SINGLE DAD MINISTRY
Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 PM, Kentwood Community Church, 1200 60th St SE, Kentwood, MI 49508
Contact: Matt Haviland, afatherswalk@gmail.com, 616.581.4409
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FREEDOM 5:1
Tuesdays @ 7:00-8:30 PM, Kentwood Community Church, 1200 60th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Contact: Aaron Bailey, Awbailey74@gmail.com, 616.644.0800, https://subsplash.com/kentwoodcommunitychurch-/lb/ev/+gy4nfz7?start=1600167600
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GRANT MEN’S MINISTRIES
2nd Saturday Every Month @ 7:00 AM, Oakridge Restaurant, 9103 Mason Dr, Newaygo, MI 49337
Contact: Cal VanSingel, cvansingel@gmail.com, 231.250.5909
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NEW CANAAN SOCIETY
1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 7:30 AM, Kent Country Club, 1600 College Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Contact: Bob Sprotte, bob@sprotte.com, 616.822.6943, https://newcanaansociety.org/grand-rapids/
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RIDGE POINT MEN
3rd Saturdays @ 7:30 AM, Ridge Point Community Church/Lower Level, 340 104th Avenue, Holland, MI 49423
Contact: Bob Hazen bob@algebraforkids.com, 651.324.3004 or Keith Page pageke2001@yahoo.com, 616.560.0047
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REAL MEN
Mondays @ 6:30 PM & Thursdays @ 6:00 AM, Res Life Church – The Loft, 3233 10 Mile Rd, Rockford, MI 49341
Contact: Aaron Bronkema, bronkema.aaron@gmail.com, 616.437.9750
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CELEBRATION BIBLE CHURCH
1st Saturday Breakfasts @ 8:00 AM, Sports Center Cafe, 3957 56th St SW, Grandville, MI 49418
Contact: B.J. Goulette, bjgoulette267@gmail.com, 616.947.4580 or Kevin Ferguson, kssvin@gmail.com, 616.808.6289
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TRIBES CHURCH MEN
2nd Saturdays Breakfast @ 8:00 AM, Tribes Church, 6070 Kuttshill Dr NE, Rockford, MI 49341
Contact: Nick VandenBerg, nicholaas.vandenberg@gmail.com, 616.443.8483
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IMMANUEL REFORMED CHURCH
Tuesday Nights @ 7:00 PM, Location TBD
Contact: Doug Purdue, dep820@gmail.com, 616.430.2836
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MICHIGAN TRAIL BROTHERS
Monthly hikes throughout W. MI, www.facebook.com/michigantrailbrothers
Contact: Aaron Bronkema, bronkema.aaron@gmail.com, 616.437.9750, https://michigantrailbrothers.com
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CHRISTIAN SERVICE BRIGADE
A Boy Scout Alternative Father & Son Ministry – Meets @ various churches throughout W. MI
Contact: Kevin DeKam, MA Licensed Professional Counselor, West Michigan Wellness Group, kdekam@csbministries.org, 616.647.7716
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SEXUAL INTEGRITY Monday Evenings @ 6:30 PM, Keystone Community Church , 655 Spaulding Ave, SE, Ada, MI 49301
Contact: Seth, blueskyrenewal@gmail.com, 616.901.7358 NOTE: CLOSED CONFIDENTIAL GROUP. PLEASE CALL AHEAD.
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CORE REALITIES
CRU W. MI, 4-6 Week Discipleship Program, Locations TBD
Contact: Kurt Loosenort, kurt.loosenort@gmail.com, 616.498.1700
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KNIGHTS OF GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN SINGLES
3rd Thursdays @ 7:00 PM, Schmohz Brewing Co. 2600 Patterson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Contact: David Cox, coxd@gvsu.edu, 616.890.2307
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CRAIG’S CRUISERS
2nd & 4th Saturdays @ 2:00 PM, Essential Bean Coffee & Pub, 8980 N. Rogers Ct, SE, Suite D, Caledonia, MI 49316
Contact: Craig Dunlap, craigdunlap1@gmail.com, 616.334.1543
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FIRST RESPONDERS TRAUMA RECOVERY
Wednesdays @ 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Immanuel Reformed, 1300 Beltline Ave, SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Contact: John Collier, john@flministry.net. 616.951.1063
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ACT LIKE MEN
Every Third Sunday @ 6:00 PM , 3663 Chad Allan Dr, Walker, MI 49534
Contact: Ben Sheridan, sheridba@yahoo.com, 616.401.0528
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BASE CAMP – Lansing
Quarterly Sunday Nights, Sanctuary Spirits, 902 E Saginaw Hwy, Ste 3, Grand Ledge, MI 48837
Contact: Corban Robbe, corban.robbe@gmail.com, 517.526.3255
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THE BULLS – Lansing
Tuesday Nights @ 7:00 PM, 11929 Upton Rd, Bath, MI 48808
Contact: Scott Rolff, scottrolff@gmail.com, 517.819.2157
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FORGE – Lansing
Thursday Nights @ 6:30 PM, Log Jam Restaurant, 110 W. Jefferson St, Grand Ledge, MI 48837
Contact: Steve Hubbard, steve@awaken-church.com, 260.573.6447
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WARRIORS TABLE – Lansing
Thursday before Thanksgiving & Easter, Lansing Brewing Company, 518 E. Shiawassee St, Lansing, MI 48912
Contact : Kel Scott, kscott@mclpc.com, 517.230.1245
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THE KING’S MEN – St. Joseph
Monthly Saturday Breakfast @ 8:00 AM, The Chapel EFC, 4250 Washington Ave, St. Joseph, MI 49085
Contact: Corey Kugle, ckugle@thechapel-efc.org, 269.429.1041
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BAND OF BROHAM’S – Traverse City
Tuesday Breakfast @ 6:30 AM, Randy’s Diner, 1120 Carver St, Traverse City, MI 49686
Contact: Tom Crain, tom.c153@gmail.com, 231.342.4422
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MI MEN’S RETREAT
Wednesdays @ 6:30 AM, Keystone Church, 655 Spaulding Ave SE, Ada, MI 49301
Contact: Steve Timyan, stimyan@gmail.com, 810.523.2721
BHBC MEN
Contact: Jim Hale, jhale@bhbconline.org, 616.788.1288
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If you’d like to start a BAND of BROTHERS near you, please contact Nick Koogler, Area Director for Man In The Mirror Ministry @ nickkoogler@maninthemirror.org, 616.255.6700
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“He is lucky…to be in such company. Especially when the whole group is together; each bringing out all that is best, wisest, or funniest in all the others. Those are the golden sessions; when…after a hard day’s walk have come to our inn; when our slippers are on, our feet spread out toward the blaze and our drinks are at our elbows; when the whole world, and something beyond the world, opens itself to our minds as we talk; and no one has any claim on or any responsibility for another, but all are freemen and equals as if we had first met an hour ago, while at the same time an Affection mellowed by the years enfolds us. Life — natural life — has no better gift to give. Who could have deserved it?”
– C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
“And all the host laughed and wept, and in the midst of their merriment and tears the clear voice of the minstrel rose like silver and gold, and all men were hushed. And he sang to them, now in the Elven-tongue, now in the speech of the West, until their hearts, wounded with sweet words, overflowed, and their joy was like swords, and they passed in thought out to regions where pain and delight flow together and tears are the very wine of blessedness.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
