(April 27, 2017) Husbands, sons and brothers are invited to attend the inaugural Men’s Conference this Saturday at the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Snow Hill starting at 11 a.m.
The event, which is being organized by Sylvester “Dawk” Bratten Sr., is an attempt to gather males together for an open discussion of the challenges facing the community. The gathering will convene at the Mt. Zion Church at 410 Dighton Ave.
“We will get the crowd to write down its concerns,” he said. “It’s an open discussion so we can talk about anything.”
Joining Mt. Zion Pastor Joe Poe for the conference will be a guest preacher, Reverend Tyrone Wilson.
Bratten, who joined Mt. Zion eight years ago, already sponsors a Men Strengthening Men meeting every third Friday at the church.
“I love the ministry,” he said.
Despite his current involvement with Mt. Zion, Bratten, who is presently a deacon in training, said he traveled a far different path in his younger days.
“I came from the streets,” he said. “When I made my mind up to come to the Lord I went full force.”
Having gone through his own obstacles in life, Bratten appreciates the impact of strained family relations.
“I was raised without a dad and lost my mom at age 11,” he said. “Because I was hurting inside I didn’t know how to deal with it.”
Although sponsored by Mt. Zion, Bratten said the event is nondenominational and the intent is to share insights and not hold a religious service.
“This is just a start,” he said. “You have to start somewhere and it’s not going to be the last [conference].”
Following the discussion the gathering will reconvene for a free barbecue at the pavilion in Byrd Park.
“Just bring your appetite,” he said.
Understanding the experience of being raised without a father figure, Bratten hopes events like the Men’s Conference can provide an outlet for those facing the same challenges he has overcome in his own life.
“The younger generation is running rabid,” he said.
Bratten encourages anyone who may be in a similar situation, or who knows others who are, to attend the event. He said it all starts with opening the lines of communication.
“You have to listen and to hear others concerns,” he said. “We’ve got to be able to communicate with all types of people.”
The event, which is being organized by Sylvester “Dawk” Bratten Sr., is an attempt to gather males together for an open discussion of the challenges facing the community. The gathering will convene at the Mt. Zion Church at 410 Dighton Ave.
“We will get the crowd to write down its concerns,” he said. “It’s an open discussion so we can talk about anything.”
Joining Mt. Zion Pastor Joe Poe for the conference will be a guest preacher, Reverend Tyrone Wilson.
Bratten, who joined Mt. Zion eight years ago, already sponsors a Men Strengthening Men meeting every third Friday at the church.
“I love the ministry,” he said.
Despite his current involvement with Mt. Zion, Bratten, who is presently a deacon in training, said he traveled a far different path in his younger days.
“I came from the streets,” he said. “When I made my mind up to come to the Lord I went full force.”
Having gone through his own obstacles in life, Bratten appreciates the impact of strained family relations.
“I was raised without a dad and lost my mom at age 11,” he said. “Because I was hurting inside I didn’t know how to deal with it.”
Although sponsored by Mt. Zion, Bratten said the event is nondenominational and the intent is to share insights and not hold a religious service.
“This is just a start,” he said. “You have to start somewhere and it’s not going to be the last [conference].”
Following the discussion the gathering will reconvene for a free barbecue at the pavilion in Byrd Park.
“Just bring your appetite,” he said.
Understanding the experience of being raised without a father figure, Bratten hopes events like the Men’s Conference can provide an outlet for those facing the same challenges he has overcome in his own life.
“The younger generation is running rabid,” he said.
Bratten encourages anyone who may be in a similar situation, or who knows others who are, to attend the event. He said it all starts with opening the lines of communication.
“You have to listen and to hear others concerns,” he said. “We’ve got to be able to communicate with all types of people.”