NASHVILLE, Tenn. –– Baltimore-Washington Conference churches that want to expand their ministries to men may receive helpful guidance from James Gainey, a retired Air Force officer now serving as a systems engineer with a Department of Defense contractor.

Gainey was certified in absentia as a men’s ministry specialist by the General Commission on United Methodist Men during a March 5 commissioning service in Nashville.

Following an intensive training experience, Gainey is now qualified to lead a 12-hour training course titled “Understanding Men’s Ministry.” The course is based upon content and materials used by Orlando, Fla. based-Man in the Mirror in a 2½-day learning seminar. The condensed curriculum is packaged in four 3-hour sections.

“God has provided me lots of training and experience leading men in groups of various sizes thru high school and college sports, the Air Force, the local church and men’s organizations in Ohio and Maryland,” says Gainey.

Wants to enter full-time ministry

“I am being called by God to work with leaders of men in full time ministry as a Christian men’s ministry consultant,” he says. “I don't believe God is done with me in my current vocation just yet, but I feel that time may be coming within the next few years.  I don't know how to make the transition, but I believe God will make it clear when that time is right.”  

At present Gainey is working with the Washington Area Coalition of Men’s Ministries, the Maryland Coalition of Christian Men’s Ministries, the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries, Promise Keepers, Man in the Mirror, and United Methodist Men.  

“God has richly blessed me with a beautiful wife and two children, a 14-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter,” he says. “God has provided educational and job opportunities I could only have dreamed of as a lower-middle-class boy from a farm in rural Texas.  

“What I hope to hear from God when I meet him in Heaven is simply, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant,’” says Gainey.

“I am here to serve my family first, and I need all the help I can get to keep that in the right perspective. It is often easier to work with information systems or other men than my own wife and children on issues at home. None of us is immune to the trials of life,” he concludes. “We all need a few other Christian men––a band of brothers––we can count on in good times and in bad.”