How one man said yes to God and God made him a fisher of men.

When Cory Towler decided to post a message on his neighborhood Facebook page asking if there were any men interested in joining a band of brothers, he had no idea that this simple message would result in over 50 men reaching out to say this is exactly what they have been looking for!

Cory’s Account - “When Warren moved to Summerville to start IMPACT Players, I was the first guy he called, and I was excited to help him lead a cohort in downtown Summerville. It was very rewarding, but to be honest, between the commute, taking time out of my busy schedule while running my business, and being vulnerable around other guys… it was feeling super taxing. 

Every summer, Impact Players take a break. During this break, Warren reached out asking if I'd be interested in co-leading another Impact Players group with him. Everything in me said, “No, I don't want to do this. I'm too busy.” I actually remember what I said, “Hey man! Let me think and pray about it. I might need to take a step back for the next round of Impact Players just to catch up with work and life.”

At the time, I believed it was the Enemy winning, but now, I know it was God saying, “I have another plan for you.“

About a week or so after I received that text from Warren, I did some soul-searching and praying. And I felt like the Lord was saying, “Hey, post about the small group in the Summers Corner Neighborhood Facebook page.” Ha, yeah, right. For the last 6-8 months, I've been diligently reaching out to men that I knew, asking them if they wanted to be a part of the men's small group. I was always met with the same answer, “I can't right now, I'm too busy, driving that far to get to a small group is a lot of time.” so on. So why on earth would posting about it in the neighborhood page be any different, especially with men I have no relationships with? 

Cory listened to the Lord’s leading and posted this invitation on his neighborhood Facebook page (on right). The response was surprising and immediate as a flurry of comments and interest flowed in from the post from men (and their wives) who were interested in finding a band of brothers in Summers Corner. When the dust settled, Cory had the contact information for over 50 men in his neighborhood who were looking for an IMPACT Players type group of men in their community!

This experience was reminiscent of a story found in Luke 5:4-11 - “And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word, I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.”

Just a couple of weeks later, Cory was looking at a group of over 30 men packed into his living room, all interested in becoming a part of an IMPACT Players Cohort in Summers Corner.

As Cory shared his heart for the men, the cohort, and his community, his eyes moistened as he talked about what IMPACT Players has meant to him as a man and as a husband.

Now, he was getting the opportunity to invite a small army of men in his community to experience the same kind of IMPACT for themselves.

Cory - “I opened with Ezekiel 22:30: “And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.”

I wanted this verse to be the mission for these Summers Corner Groups. Why? Ezekiel was looking for someone to rebuild the wall, for someone to stand in the breach and take responsibility for defending the wall and rebuilding it. But no one was found. Why? It all comes down to men feeling alone. Who wants to take on the responsibility of rebuilding the wall and standing in the breach by themselves? It's a monumental task for one man. These small groups aim to strengthen men by building a brotherhood in arms. So that whatever obstacles come in our lives, we've got brothers beside us to do it together.

After I shared, Warren spoke to about the history of the ministry, a bit of his personal history, and the overall mission of Impact Players. It was an incredible night. I've still got goosebumps about it all. 

Within just 10 minutes of the meeting ending, we had already filled up the first small group of 12. We are now working to get several other groups started here in the neighborhood due to the amount of interest and desire from these men to get involved. Praise the Lord.” 

IMPACT Players is actively working to identify, recruit, train and mobilize more men to lead cohorts in Summers Corner. Pray for Summers Corner, South Carolina… but also pray for the men in your neighborhood. What if there are thousands of neighborhoods just like Summers Corner that are simply waiting for a man to “stand in the gap”? What if there are millions of men across our country who are looking for a band of brothers, just waiting for someone to say to the Lord, “at your word, I will let down the nets”?

IMPACT Players is growing nationwide as more and more men are stepping up to move out of isolation and take intentional steps to find a band of brothers. If you are interested in joining a cohort, or getting one started in your own community, please visit www.impactplayers.org/cohorts and get connected today.