Life is crazy, it really is. The last two years I have been filled with transition, moving home in August 2010 for my last semester of college for an internship. My parents moving shortly after that, different job starting that January, two months into that I had an upcoming trek called the world race that was happening in 8 months! I left in October 2011 to what I thought was going to be a new move every month, that was true…for 3 months. Then I was called up to be a Squad Leader for B squad, then my moving was every 3-7 days, sometimes a bit more, sometimes 1 day! Life has gotten so wild and I havn't been able to expect anything…because nothing is the same,wherever I go. Ive been somewhere around 40 or so maybe more cities/towns/villages in the last year. Slept in over 80 different beds/floors/seats/tents. Not much has been consistent, but one thing for sure is the consistent Men of God directly pouring into me, doing life with me. This is to you Men.
When I moved home in August 2010 I was in a crazy life transition, Jesus was on the move in my heart and he knew just who to go to as tools to help redeem and build me.
Meet Adam Guiliano, Ryan Gavin and David Mcleaf. Three Men of God who never gave up on my heart, who always spoke life into me, always believed in me, when I was so confused and didn't know up from down they pointed me towards Jesus. When I showed up to Crew now 'Connect' (young adult ministry in SWFL) these men including Mike Rubino and Jon Lambert welcomed me with open arms, showing me the value and truth and necessity of Men of God in this world. The value of who I am in Christ. 9 months every Monday, Adam, Ryan and myself at Men's Monday night, molding and shaping me.
Thank You.
(Me – Adam – Ryan)
Meet Bruce Banko, I call him 'Pops'
– Shortly after I came into a personal relationship with Jesus, this mans life changed. December of 2010 he gave his life to Christ. Same man who drove me 40 minutes everyday for 5 years to Pop Warner football practice, who coached every sports team of mine when I was a child, the same man who for the year before I left for the WR dug into Gods word with me over an omelette and coffee almost every morning. Same man who has been co-shepherding my family with my amazing Mom for over 30 years.
Thank you.
Meet another Bruce Banko, my brother.
He may not know it in his heart yet, or come to full terms of the truth of the Gospel, but I see him as a Man of God, prophetically speaking I know this. His passion and heart for others only comes from one place, Jesus and the love of Christ. He has always been there for me, no matter what.
Thank you.
(Brotha Bruce)
Meet Thomas Wensil, I call him 'Tom' 'Tweezy' 'Thompson'
I met him at training camp for the world race just over a year ago now. Little did I know but for 9 months of our life we would be living together, leading together, sharing food, beds, rooms, drinks, clothes. I have never lived as closely to anyone in my life, right now we are in a Bus from Moshi, Tanzania to Morogoro, Tanzania, shoulder to shoulder, if only I had a nickel for every time we did this. I'd probably have 20 nickels! Maybe more. His heart is pure, it's wild and he is a dreamer. He is a man who is fully after God's heart. I've never seen someone with such a passion to Worship Jesus, he is a wild man. Everyday he leads by example, he speaks life into me and over me. Heck, I'll say it, we've cried together. We've also stayed up til 3 am in Vietnam to watch March Madness together. (12 hr time diff. From EST) He is a baller.
Thank you.
(Tom – Sray – Me)
Meet Sean Russell
Yeah, we lived together in college, we partied together in college. Sean not only became one of my best friends but the first man to ever read the Bible with me in my whole life. In the early journey of my hearts battle to drop sin and come to Christ, Sean was there. Hungover, not hungover, random mornings once I got my hands on my first Bible we sat at the kitchen table in Stonebriar in Orlando reading together, talking about Jesus. He would whip up some breakfast sandwiches (english muffin, Tennessee pride spicy sausage, egg over easy and pepper jack cheese.) He was one of the first to water this planted seed.
Thank you.
(Sean – Bros)
Meet Mike Sanders, kid lightning,
The man who gave me the random nickname Bobby and Papa Christmas (now just papa). Talk about the joy of the Holy Spirit, talk about a man who lives out 2corinthians 5:13 "If we are out of our mind, as some say, it is for God, if we are in our right mind, it is for you." This man helped lead Bsquad into a Squad of Honor, of Drive, of identity in Christ. Unashamed and Untamed by the world. Reps the Kingdom of Heaven everywhere he goes.
Thank You.
(Me – Mike)
Meet Noe Rivera
After 3 months on the world race, I moved up from a Team Leader into Squad Leader, co-leading a group of 45 missionaries around the world, I felt sick when I first moved up, oh I was excited but felt sick. Haha. Noe became my Field Support, my go to in the States and my leader. Noe has continually poured into me of my identity in Christ, constantly pouring wisdom into my life, checking up on me, never failing to speak truth or shying away from it. He has helped me grow to be a leader, a Man of God, and his confidence in his identity in Jesus is contagious.
Thank You.
(Noe)
Meet the Men of B Squad.
David Gardner – unrelenting faith in Jesus.
Mickey Wingrove – True to the Fathers heart.
Jake Schmitt – childlike heart who is filled with wisdom.
Jordan Dale – passionate and driven.
Wade Carlton – Warrior Heart
Dan Lidwin – Mini Solomon
Paul Annunziello – amazing husband – Gets 'Ish' Done.
Andrew Ingrassia – Prayer warrior, unrelenting.
Nate Herndon – Man of Conviction, leads to action.
Brian Cooke – redeemed, white as snow, man of Pursuit.
Jeremy Cearbaugh – amazing husband – content but never satisfied – always digging
Ben Coppock – passionate, dreamer, heart of Gold.
Dan Matundan – definition of Love in a Mans Heart
Brandon Boyd – New Creation – filled with the Fire of God
Thomas Wensil – See Above
Ryan Banko – Me!
These 15 men on B squad, I want to say Thank you. I couldn't have ever asked for better men to bring Jesus to the nations with, it's a perfect fit. It hasn't been easy, at all, and this next month and 1/2 it won't be either. But we've gone to War with each other, we've fought for each other. We've called each other up into Men of Honor, men who want to see the Kingdom of God on earth, men who want to see a changed generation. Men who know the power in the name of Jesus. Thank you for always seeking after me, seeking after my heart, seeking to build me up, sharpening my senses, praying the Fire of God into me, Your needed, each and every one of you.
(Top L To R – Jeremy – Mickey – Paul – Brian – Thomas – Dan M – Dave)
(Bottom L to R – Dan L – Wade – Brandon – Andrew – Nate – Ben – Me – Jordan – Jake)
(When it all began – Training Camp – July 2011)
Thank you to the countless Men who have helped build me. Thank you God, for putting every puzzle piece in its correct place. Thank you God, for these men and their pursuit of you. Thank you for Brothers in Christ.
