Story of the Week: The Gold In Relationships

Eight years ago, Adam Fisher began leading a small group of middle school boys at Monument Students.

Eight years ago, Adam Fisher began leading a small group of middle school boys at Monument Students. His hopes were simple: He wanted to build lasting relationships with this group of guys, and he had five years to do it. He planned to stick with these young men until they graduated from high school.

One student in his group was Josh Douglas. “Adam really invested in me. Throughout high school, he made time to meet up with me outside of group,” Josh shares. “My faith became my own in my sophomore year of high school at winter camp. It was the first time I would say I experienced God’s presence.”

READY TO LEAD

Throughout their time together in the group, Adam noticed Josh’s developing character and the way he faithfully served. “I got to know his hard work, his dedication, and his care for others,” Adam says.

When Josh was a high school freshman, he was asked to lead a small group of fifth grade boys. He eagerly stepped into the role. Through Josh’s high school years, the group he led had trouble finding a second leader that stuck. “We must have had four leaders come through,” Josh says.

After the guys in Adam’s group graduated from high school, he found himself without a group of students to lead. He had seen Josh’s dedication and heard stories about the boys he was leading, so the decision was easy to come alongside Josh in leading the group.

GROWING RELATIONSHIPS

Adam became Josh’s co-leader when the boys were freshmen. They’re now juniors. Adam remembers, “It was almost intimidating stepping into the group, because Josh already had such a deep relationship with the boys.”

Three years into leading together, Josh and Adam’s relationship has only grown closer. Both men agreed that one of their favorite parts of leading the group is the fact that they get to do it together.

Not only is their relationship strengthening, but they’ve seen bonds form between the guys in the group. They laugh together between vulnerable conversations and meet up together outside of Woodmen Students gatherings on Sunday. They’re deeply involved in each other’s lives. “It’s a huge blessing,” Josh says.

Adam and Josh have also witnessed huge growth in spiritual maturity, as conversations in the group have expanded from surface-level topics to deeper issues of faith. Adam notes, “I’ve done far less, ‘Let’s get back on track,’ and far more listening as these young men talk about deeper issues in their personal faith journeys and how their generation is looking at Christ.”

FULL CIRCLE

It’s especially rewarding for Adam to support Josh in encouraging these high schoolers to grow in their faith. “I’m getting the same experience a second time — watching this group of high school guys mature,” Adam says.

As he’s led the group, Josh has seen God move in incredible ways. “We’ve heard many stories of experiences with the Holy Spirit and being guided by the Lord’s presence rather than just the advice or words of other people,” he says.

Adam believes the best moments in the group’s story are happening right now, and he’s grateful for the foundation Josh laid in the group’s early years: “The most fun times leading are junior and senior year, because of the depth of the relationships. But you can’t have that without the years prior. It takes time to build the relationships.”

THE LONG RUN

Adam knows the value of being rooted and continuing to serve and love others over the long haul. He started attending Woodmen nineteen years ago. He and his wife, Wendy have two children who are learning about Jesus in 56 and Middle School at Woodmen Monument. Adam fully surrendered his life to Christ in his college years. He recalls, “There are always mountain highs and valley lows, but my faith has been a priority ever since.”

Adam’s leadership in Josh’s life informs how Josh leads the group. Together, they’re committed to a relationship-first mentality. Josh shares, “Investing in people long-term is where you find the gold of the relationships.”

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