"TGIF" Group Spurs Discipleship Movement in Fernandina Beach

By Roberta Caponey

In 1999, inspired by The Man in the Mirror Weekly Bible Study, Ken Porter and John Van Tomme decided to hold their own Friday men's Bible study at John and Ken's workplace in Fernandina Beach, FL. A conference room was secured and 12 men gathered for what came to be called "TGIF," a non-denominational men's Bible fellowship.

Patrick Morley's Bible study served as their curriculum. Their mission statement read: The mission of TGIF is to teach and support men to be faithful leaders in their marriages, families, businesses, churches and cities and to teach them to equip others to do the same. Fast forward to 2004. The original TGIF group has now swelled to between 40 and 50 participants. TGIF also sponsors special Man in the Mirror events featuring speakers like John Campbell, Jim Neal and Dr. Charles Cooper. Their last event attracted 90 men from 13 different churches.

"TGIF" of Fernandina Beach, FL

Ken and John's vision is to establish men's small group ministries in 60 small churches in Nassau County. To that end, they've put together a packet of Man in the Mirror resources which they've titled the "D.R." (Discipleship Reformer) kit. It includes information on Patrick Morley and Man in the Mirror, a brochure about TGIF, event schedules and copies of The Mission Driven Life, Dads That Make a Difference and Seven Seasons of a Man's Life. Will Reingold is a regular member of the TGIF study. He writes:"Pat Morley's Bible study is where I go to get fed every week. I am continually amazed how Pat is able to pull out central ideas from Scripture, and then simplify them into what he calls "the big idea" . . . We always have lively discussions about our lesson and I always leave with a great teaching to reflect on. I know I could count on any one of these guys if I ever needed a good friend."