Discipling Men, Inc. 2025

2025 has been a joyful singing year in heaven. A vast number have been reached for Jesus Christ and are now being discipled. Many have gone from darkness to light, from spiritual death to spiritual life. Luke 15: 10 says there is joyful singing in heaven. We praise God for how He has sustained, grown, and multiplied His kingdom through Discipling Men, Inc. in 2025.

We celebrate two Bible studies who have been meeting for over seventeen years. Monday with Rob Crump, Buddy Flinn, and Alex Thompson, and Tuesday with Cecil Godman, Warren Boone, Fred Day, Steve Frazier, and James Dodge. Pictured is the Tuesday group going through Cindy Brinker Simmons’ book, Restored.

We are powerfully enabled to exegete the Word in these Bible Studies. Jerry Roberts and I co-teach the Growing in Grace Class at Second Presbyterian, and I teach apologetics through an organization called Students with A Purpose.

Discipling Men, Inc. is serving behind the scenes with Crosstalk, the Barnabas Breakfast and Nexus Leaders. These many opportunities enable us to meet with men, minister to men, and mobilize men. Thank you, Jerry Roberts, Mark Jenkins, Steve Frazier, Keith Parsons, Kem Wilson, Jason Little, Stephen Reynolds, Heather Hunt, and the entire Nexus Board.

One of the highlights of 2025 was planning, organizing, and leading 40 people in the Footsteps of Paul and John in Greece, Turkey, Patmos, and Crete. Susan handled most of the pre-trip details, and I led in teaching. We had great lessons on the trip by Jerry Roberts, Mary and Jimmy Edwards, David Stewart, Dan Meadows, and John Hammond.

Rhea Taylor and I led a team of eight men where 510 professed Christ in gospel hungry Cuba. Dr. David Stewart procured eight suitcases of medicine as well as 200 Bibles to take with us. Rounding out the team was Nick Bragorgos, Mark Petzinger, Sam Pope, Sam Shaw, and Bradley Wilford.

Leadership with the Emergency Services, as well as Chaplain in the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, gave me many opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ with law enforcement. Thank you, Sheriff Bonner, Jason Bartlett, David Barnett, and Daniel Frizzell for your leadership.

Troop 86 gave me the opportunity to see eight scouts receive the religious God and Country Award. Scouting still gives me the opportunity to serve monthly on the Thunderbird Eagle Board, as well as the Silver Beaver Committee. Thank you, Scott Knowlton, for five faithful years as Scoutmaster and Lee Rudd for heading up the Thunderbird Eagle Board.

My involvement with Friends of the Germantown Library opens literary windows through which people of diverse perspective are engaged through discussions, and dialogue. Serving in a secular community position offers evangelistic bridges. Thank you, Friends Board, for giving me a gospel platform. Thank you, John Pearson, Don Rhoads, Tom McFadden, Alan Bell, Alison Bodkin, Karen Rice, Lisa Marinos, Margaret Caufield, and Stephen Banister.

I had the honor of officiating at Katie and Carlos Infante’s wedding and Andy Reese’s baptism both in Pulaski, TN. I also officiated at Julia and Luke Johnston’s wedding in Huntsville, AL.

I served this summer as a commissioner for Discipleship ministries at the PCA General Assembly in Chattanooga. It is my privilege to serve communion and preach at churches in Covenant Presbytery.

Jerry Roberts, Board member with Discipling Men, Inc., and an Elder at Second Presbyterian co-teaches the Growing in Grace Class. He also teaches the Senior’s Class at Second Presbyterian as well as speaking at Opus, Story Point, and Germantown Village Senior facilities.

Thank you, Discipling Men, Inc. Board: Rob Crump, David Stewart, Rhea Taylor, Nick Bragorgos, Chris Craft, Bradley Wilford, Mason Kauffman, Steve Frazier, Fred Day, Hank Shelton, Mark Jenkins, Jerry Roberts, and Cecil Godman.

Thank you all for your support through your many prayers, encouragements, participation, and generous giving. To God be the glory for what He has done and continues to do.

In His love,

Don Riley