'Our kids need us', say concerned dads

“What are we doing to bring about change in the lives of others – as fathers and social fathers?” asked Wesley Potts, one of the 35 attendees representing five churches from the broader Western Cape, at a Fathers Matter workshop held recently in Mitchells Plain.

The workshop, as the name implies, focused on fatherhood and was run by Heartlines, in partnership with Three Cord Ministries. The event was hosted at the Westreach Assemblies of God in Westridge, and covered topics such as why fathers matter, what is keeping them from being involved, key values fathers should pass on to their children and more.

Another key topic was the Fathers Matter Connect Group resources we have created, and how they can be used by men who have a heart for strengthening fathers in their community to host support groups for other men. So often men embark on the journey of fatherhood with no, or little, support – and a Fathers Matter Connect Group, which can be started by anyone, anywhere, creates a community to address this need.

Workshop facilitators, Olefile Masangane, Wesley van Graan and Brian Helsby, were encouraged by the response to the event and a number of the churches who were represented said they intend to run Fathers Matter Connect Groups. “The men felt it was helpful and practical,” said Helsby.

If you are interested in learning more about Fathers Matter, or would like to host a Fathers Matter workshop in your church or community, you can contact Heartlines Western Cape representatives Brett Anderson  brett@heartlines.org.za or Wesley van Graan wesley@heartlines.org.za.