Men’s Iron Sharpens Iron
Which conference are you coming to?
Men’s ISI 2025 Orland Park, IL
3/1/2025
8:30am-4:00pm
Men’s ISI 2025
Rock Island, IL
3/22/2025
8:30am-4:00pm
THE ISI EXPERIENCE
The Iron Sharpens Iron Conference Network is made up of Christ-centered men’s ministries that serve local churches in their geographic region 52 weeks a year. ISI network ministries engage pastors and men’s leaders in ongoing relationships, providing training, coaching, equipping and resources. These vital resources help the church reach and build their men. While training and equipping local churches is the heartbeat of the regional ministries, the most visible resource is the one-day equipping conference held each year for men of all ages.
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Equip
Iron Sharpens Iron is an equipping conference for men. We not only seek to build up men as individuals, but we strive to help and support the local church by providing seminars to equip men to minister to other men in their own local church. Our main objective is to support you, the local church pastor and your men’s ministry leaders.
Growth
This conference is not just for the leaders. You just never know who God is incubating a new ministry in. You may have a man sitting in the wings right now that God is preparing to use to minister to other men. Don’t limit your men’s ministry leadership to just a few. Bring as many men as you can and help them to spread their ministry wings.
Fellowship
We encourage you to bring any and all of your men to ISI. It is a great time for your men to experience being with other men from other churches in your community and region, fostering unity in the Body of Christ.
Worship
During the three main sessions, ISI provides a masculine worshipful atmosphere where any man can engage the risen and living God. The music will be from the ISI Worship Band and will be Spirit-filled praise and worship blending both classic hymns and contemporary Christian music geared towards men.
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Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences are a resource offered by a regional ministry that serves local churches by equipping them to reach, disciple and mobilize men. This conference is not targeted to individual men but rather to local churches. Each regional ministry believes it is the responsibility of the local church to reach and disciple men and that the regional ministry hosting the conference is present all year long to serve and to help churches.
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Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences give regional visibility to the regional ministry. “Iron Sharpens Iron” is a network of ministries, not a national organization. Men in full-time vocational ministry lead these local, boots-on-the-ground ministries. These local leaders raise their families in the area, know the local turf and are passionate for their region. The conference is a one-day resource but the regional ministry leadership serves local churches fifty-two weeks each year. Revenue generated from the conference stays local and serves, in part, to help sustain the ministry year-round.
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Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences offer sixteen different equipping seminars designed specifically for men. The focus is on training and resourcing men to live for Christ in all areas of life. The seminar topics are specific to men and are rarely offered in the context of local church ministry. The conference does open and close with all the men together for a time of masculine worship and exhortative keynote messages from gifted national speakers, but the meat of the day are the equipping seminars.
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Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences are for men of all ages (13 and up). The conference platform intentionally promotes and encourages inter-generational ministry. The conviction is that manhood begins early and that men of all ages need encouragement to finish strong for Christ. Seminars are designed to be specific to different men in different seasons of life. Seminars are targeted for Emerging Men (age 13-19); Pioneering Men (age 20-29); Full Throttle Men (age 30-55) and Seasoned Men (age 55+).
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Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences are trustworthy. They occur once a year – every year – in the same location and in the same place in the calendar. The intention of the conference is to be a resource that local churches can trust and depend on. The ISI Men’s Conference is a reliable resource that can be added to the calendar of the local church. For example, 2023 will be our 17th consecutive year serving churches in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota through our Orland Park and Davenport events.
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Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences are one-day conferences. They start at 8:30 AM and end at 4:00 PM. Men can begin their day at home and have dinner at the end of the day at home. The (group) registration cost is $59 ($43 for students) (prices include lunch) and the one-day format eliminates extensive travel and lodging costs. This conference model is ideal in serving the majority of men.
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Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences are “live”. There are no webcasts, simulcasts, telecasts, or videotaped portions of the conference. All speakers and musicians are live and in-person at the event, available for the men to interact with.
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Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences are Christ-centered and are a resource to different churches across different denominations. The conference is intentionally a ‘safe place’ where denominational distinctives are not emphasized but rather there is an emphasis on the unity found in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences are “national” men’s conferences. The ISI conference network reaches out to churches all over the nation. Each conference features national ministries and resources that are specific to men and church-based ministry to men. The keynote speakers have a national platform with men and the seminar presenter line-up is comprised of leaders who are nationally known for their expertise in ministry to men.
2025 Men’s Conference Pricing
(NO REFUNDS)
Individual Early Registration: $59 per man
Group Early Registration: $49 per man (group of 10 or more)
After Early Registration Deadline : $69 per man
Student: $33 per man
(Ages 13-22 and in school full-time)
Lunch: $10 per man
For Men of All Ages
EMERGING MEN (age 13-19)
These are the men who are aggressively moving from living as a boy to living as a man. Give them room to grow.
PIONEERING MEN (age 20-29)
These are the men who are carving out their place in life. What to do? Where to do it? Who to do it with?
FULL THROTTLE MEN (age 30-55)
These are the men who are the producers and providers. They are warriors and are fully engaged in everything they do.
SEASONED MEN (age 55+)
These are the men who have “been there” and “done that” – and have lived to tell about it. They are a living legacy.
Orland Park, IL
3/1/2025
WHEN
March 1, 2025
8:30am - 4:00pm
WHERE
Ashburn Baptist Church
15401 Wolf Rd., Orland Park, IL, 6046
Schedule of the Day
7:30 AM - Registration and Exhibit Area opens
8:15 AM - Sanctuary Opens
8:30 AM - Conference Begins with Morning Main Session
10:10 AM - Break – Visit Exhibits, Choose Seminar
10:35 AM - Morning Seminar
11:45 AM - Lunch – Exhibits Open
12:40 PM - Mid-Day Main Session
1:15PM - Break – Exhibits Open, Choose Seminar
1:35 PM - Afternoon Seminar
2:45 PM - Break – Exhibits Open
3:00 PM - Afternoon Main Session
4:00 PM - Conference Ends
Keynote Speakers
Chris Harper
Chris Harper [aka Harp] is a speaker and disciple-maker serving as the Executive Director of BetterMan. Equipping more than 800 churches and 100,000+ men, BetterMan is unleashing biblical masculinity across the globe. Chris is passionate about biblical manhood, and often speaks on topics such as a man’s identity in Christ, the trouble and trials that threaten men, and the importance of being a gospel-centered husband and father. With a fiery and magnetic teaching style, Chris is sure to motivate and move his listeners. He desires to see generations of men grasp who they are in Christ and come alive!Chris and his wife, Ally, live with their four children – Scarlett, Malachi, Calvin, and Oliver – in Arlington, Texas. In addition to his family, Chris loves 90’s hip-hop, a good cheeseburger, and firmly believes Jordan is better than Lebron.
G.F. Watkins
G.F. Watkins is an international leader, speaker, visionary, church planter, and author of seven books. From his humble beginnings as a football coach, G.F. has gone on to plant churches around the world starting with PowerHouse Church in Katy, Texas, Powerhouse Namibia in Africa, and PowerHouse Peru in South America.
As a spiritual son to the late Dr. Edwin Louis Cole, father of the modern-day men’s movement, G.F.’s principle of ministry is the restoration of the world through the restoration of the man. This fundamental belief, that men are God’s answer to the world’s problems, birthed the largest Christian father/son campout in the nation called IntenseMen.com.
G.F. teaches that manhood and Christlikeness are synonymous. This truth is the foundation on which all of PowerHouse Church and its covenant churches are built on. Restore the man, Restore the church, Restore the world. It all begins with men taking responsibility and taking their rightful place.
After pastoring PowerHouse Katy for 20 years and planting churches around the globe, G.F. has stepped into the role of an apostolic leader and coach through his organization The Genesis Team. The Genesis Team serves as a covering and a resource to pastors and business leaders, their families, and their staff.
In 2009, JordanRanch.org, a faith-based retreat, was built to build men and raise sons!
In 2023, ManhoodUniversity.com began a new chapter of training leaders.
G.F. travels the world equipping God’s leaders with strategies for developing and growing strong men’s ministries and impacting the world with the gospel.
Check out our websites. If you see something you like, please give us a call. Your success is our calling!
GFWatkins.org
IntenseMen.com
JordanRanch.org
ManhoodUniversity.com
Rock Island, IL
3/22/2025
WHEN
March 1, 2025
8:30am - 4:00pm
WHERE
Heritage Church
4801 44th St., Rock Island, IL, 60439
Schedule of the Day
7:30 AM - Registration and Exhibit Area opens
8:15 AM - Sanctuary Opens
8:30 AM - Conference Begins with Morning Main Session
10:10 AM - Break – Visit Exhibits, Choose Seminar
10:35 AM - Morning Seminar
11:45 AM - Lunch – Exhibits Open
12:40 PM - Mid-Day Main Session
1:15PM - Break – Exhibits Open, Choose Seminar
1:35 PM - Afternoon Seminar
2:45 PM - Break – Exhibits Open
3:00 PM - Afternoon Main Session
4:00 PM - Conference Ends
Keynote Speakers
Dave Wilson
Dave Wilson and his wife Ann are hosts of FamilyLife Today®, FamilyLife’s nationally syndicated radio program. Lead pastor, Hall of Fame college quarterback, and nationally touring speaker, he wears a lot of hats, but it’s his singular passion for enriching lives through spreading the Word and wisdom of God that truly defines Dave. Since attaining his seminary degree, Dave has transformed his passion for sharing the message of Christ and unique nothing’s oG limits style into a 30+ year career in ministry. As a cofounder of Kensington Church, a national, multi-campus church that hosts more than 14,000 visitors every weekend, Dave’s energy and experience allow him to engage with crowds of any size. Dave has authored two books with his wife Ann, Vertical Marriage and No Perfect Parents. In addition to speaking, pastoring, and writing, Dave has been the NFL Detroit Lions Chaplain for 33 seasons. He is married to Ann and they have 3 sons and daughters-in-law and 6 grandchildren.
Jeff Struecker
Jeff Struecker leads the Unbeatable Army. He’s a decorated soldier who enlisted in the United States Army at age 18 and retired with almost 23 years of active federal service. in 2017, he was inducted into the US Army Ranger Hall of Fame. He is featured in the book Black Hawk Down. He spent most of his Army career in the 75th Ranger Regiment. While serving in this unit, Jeff competed in and won the Best Ranger Competition in 1996. He then served at the University of Louisville, where he was recognized as the US Army ROTC, Noncommissioned Officer of the year. Jeff spent his final years in the US Army serving as a chaplain in Airborne and Ranger units. Throughout his career Jeff has received many awards and decorations. Some of his awards include the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Military Freefall Master Parachutist Wings, and several foreign service awards. He has been awarded other commendations throughout his military career. Struecker’s messages focus on leadership, resilience, and faith, drawing from his experiences as a U.S. Army Ranger and his deep Christian faith. He typically addresses practical life lessons, spiritual growth, and overcoming challenges, blending biblical teachings with personal stories from his military career. Jeff is also the lead pastor of 2 Cities Church. He holds a Ph.D. and is a part-time professor on the faculty of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Dawn. They have five children and four grandchildren.
MEN’S CONFERENCE FAQ’S
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Focal Point Ministries will mail wristbands to registrants up to the week prior to the event. If you register the week of the conference we will have your wristbands held for you at the registration table.
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Sorry, there are no refunds. If your circumstances change and you cannot attend the conference tickets are transferable to another person. You may sell your ticket or bless someone else with it as a gift.
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Yes! Following in the Word will not only help you personalize the speaker’s messages, but will allow you to take notes in your bible to help you reflect on what you’ve heard!
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Although the doors will open at 7:30 a.m., the actual conference runs from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
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The Iron Sharpens Iron conference is for men of all ages, 13 and up.
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Yes! There will be equipping breakout sessions with topics appropriate for young men ages 13 to 18.
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Dress casual and comfortable. Sometimes the rooms can be very cold or hot; therefore, you may want to dress in layers.
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The conference is open seating. Seats are not assigned, it is a first-come/first-served basis.
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No.
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The lunch break is 1 hour. The exhibits will be open during this time where there will be opportunity to meet and talk with various speakers.
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Lunch can be eaten in the classrooms in the building.
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Yes, all sessions are recorded and are available for purchase in MP3 audio format. The entire conference is loaded onto a USB drive and you will be able to take it home with you when you leave!
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Yes, we encourage attendees to visit the exhibit area and check out the latest in men’s resources.
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Please fill out the Volunteer Form!
We are looking for volunteers in the following areas:
* Setup and bag stuffing
* Greeters/ushers
* Prayer team
* Speaker assistants
* Women to help with lunch and breaks
* Clean up
Conference Exhibitors
One of the hallmarks of the ISI conference is the Exhibitors Hall. If your organization is interested in being a part of ISI fill out the form below.