REPORT: BOND's 8th Annual Conference for Fatherhood and Men
17226
post-template-default,single,single-post,postid-17226,single-format-standard,bridge-core-3.1.4,qode-quick-links-2.1,tribe-no-js,,qode-title-hidden,footer_responsive_adv,qode-theme-ver-30.3,qode-theme-bridge,disabled_footer_bottom,qode_header_in_grid,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-7.5,vc_responsive
Jesse and Men's Conference guests

REPORT: BOND’s 8th Annual Conference for Fatherhood and Men–Honest Talk and Brotherhood

SEE OUR MEN’S CONFERENCE VIDEO PLAYLIST ON YOUTUBE

For the past 27 years, BOND, the Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny has hosted successful events and conferences for men and families, and this year is no exception.

On Saturday, June 17th, 2017, BOND hosted our 8th Annual Conference for Fatherhood and Men and it was a huge success! Men of all ages and races from across the country attended the event during Father’s Day weekend.

The conference featured comedy, powerful and thought-provoking speakers and panel discussions, and a unique workshop led by BOND Founder and President, Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson.

The first panel featured CJ Johnson, CEO and Founder of Januel+Johnson—a Los Angeles based digital marketing agency; Robert Bakke, NASCAR driver, jet Captain and author; and Tim Alexander, filmmaker, father and family advocate.

(L-R: Jesse Lee Peterson, CJ Johnson, Robert Bakke, and Tim Alexander)

Jesse Lee Peterson peppered the panel with questions about the definition of manhood, marriage, parenting, anger, and more. One issue that provoked a lively exchange was the topic of blended families (stepfamilies). The question was asked whether it’s good for men to remarry and raise stepchildren. Interestingly, two of the panelists were divorced Christian men. One man had remarried and the other was engaged to a divorced woman with kids. These men expressed their strong support for “blended families.”

Jesse Lee made the point that most kids don’t want or like stepparents. No matter how nice the stepparents are kids yearn for their biological parents—especially their fathers. When men and women create “blended families,” the children feel they have to fight for their parent’s attention, and this causes them to be resentful and angry. It’s bad enough that children of divorced parents have to suffer the trauma of their parents splitting up; parents shouldn’t compound the problem by forcing their children to accept a stepparent.

Two of the panelists disagreed with Jesse and tried to make the case for stepparents, but no one denied that a stepfather—no matter how well meaning—could never fill the yearning that a child has for his/her biological father.

The panel also discussed the harmful impact of anger on families and children, and the need for men to overcome this destructive spirit, which first starts in the home with failing, angry parents.

Jesse asked who in the room has anger and most of the men, including the panelists, acknowledged that they struggle with anger at times. Some tried to justify it by saying “everyone has it” or that “it’s a part of being human.” The men said they truly enjoyed this eye-opening and helpful panel.

The second panel was a dynamic open forum discussion with audience Q & A. Panelists for this forum were Jerod Zavistoski, life coach and author of “The Methodology of the Modern Male,” and Cody Rutland, member of Proud Boys.

(L-R: Jerod Zavistosk and Cody Rutland)

The discussion focused on the state of the “modern male,” feminism, and whether men today are better off than their fathers. The panel discussed the crippling fear that consumes many millennial men when they’re confronted with situations that require them to speak up to “strong” women. The men also talked about the growing attack on straight white men and how they should respond to false accusations of “racism” and “sexism” by Black Lives Matter types and radical feminists.

The panelists were very open and honest. Panelist Jerod Zavistoski admitted that at times he’s afraid to speak out about race issues because he doesn’t want to be ganged up on and attacked by groups online.

Cody Rutland of the Proud Boys—a pro-Western fraternal organization for men founded by publisher Gavin McInnes—said he has no issues speaking his mind. He added that he’s become much more outspoken since joining the Proud Boys.

Next up was a special presentation on health and fitness by Patrick Rooney, Founder and Director of Greek Physique, LLC. Patrick gave a very educational talk on “How Men Should Eat and Train.” Patrick relocated from Los Angeles to Nashville, TN, where he operates his business. He’s a featured columnist with The Tennessee Star. Patrick works with men and women one-on-one or in groups (in-person or online.) He also had one of his clients give a powerful testimony about how he was able to lose significant body fat and correct physical weaknesses working with Patrick.

(Patrick Rooney)

The program concluded with a moving testimony by Jesse Lee Peterson. Jesse talked about the importance of putting God first in all things. He spoke about how he forgave his mother and father some 29 years ago, and God removed the spirit of anger from his heart. As a result, he saw the urgent need to help black men and families and started BOND—which has been “Rebuilding the Family By Rebuilding the Man” for almost three decades. Jesse also took plenty of questions from the audience about spiritual, family, and business challenges and imparted simple and honest words of wisdom to help the men.

(Jesse Lee Peterson)

The evening concluded with dinner on the patio catered by Komodo Café. There was also a raffle with great prizes to help raise much-needed funds for BOND.

(Dinner at Fatherhood and Men’s Conference)

Thanks to all the panelists, speakers, attendees, and volunteers for making this event the best to date. A special thank you to the Sponsors, particularly our Premier Sponsors, Phil Liberatore, CPA (StopIRSPain.com), Seton & Associates (SetonLawGroup.com), and Matthew 25:35 Foundation (Matthew2535.org) for making this year’s conference possible!

See photo slideshow

BOND is a nationally recognized 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization founded for the purpose of “Rebuilding the Family by Rebuilding the Man.” BOND doesn’t accept any government funds, and we rely on your donations to operate our programs and services. To make a donation, click here

7 Comments
  • Pingback:What is a man? BOND Men's Conference 2017
    Posted at 16:46h, 11 September

    […] Read full report here […]

  • Pingback:Emergency Appeal--We've been forced to move!
    Posted at 16:23h, 14 September

    […] annual Men’s conference has grown into a “can’t miss” event in the Los Angeles […]

  • Phyllis snapp
    Posted at 21:30h, 14 April

    We love you, Jesse…you are wonderful and blessed….thank you for bringing unity…..and for speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ. Black and white must unite for God to bless our nation….you are soo truly amazing!!

  • Aaron Leo
    Posted at 11:48h, 10 November

    Jesse you are such an inspiration, me and my girlfriend found by accident on youtube. Your words, values and political opinions are revolutionary. I have been trying to call into the Jesse Lee Peterson show for several months but can never get through, Since the great white hope supposedly didn’t win, we should vote you into office! Thankyou for being a fantastic inspiration! God bless You!

  • Castillo
    Posted at 13:54h, 16 December

    Reverend Jesse Peterson, would you say that when commercials and media show black people in subservient positions, that is racism. I have seen countless ads, commercials etc., where black people are washing a white mans car, or a caddy for a white man, etc., nobody says anything about that. Go to a local detailing car wash and see for yourself. Go to the grocery store or Lowe’s and take a look around. This may no be true in upper class neighborhoods, but in 2 out of 3 cases or more, it is factual. Sometimes things can be percieved as racist with the right agenda, when in fact people are trying to make a real effort to employ people based on qualifications. In the case of one of your guests that said black people are often denied jobs because they did not talk like a white candidate. Does that mean the black candidate was not speaking proper english or speaking ebonics instead of proper english? This statement required more clarification before an accurate conclusion can be posited. You have deflected erroneous and visceral responses to valid questions, in a meaningful way to better facilitate communication. Hostility from guests seems to follow harsh realities and questions that differ from their narratives. These narrowly focused arguments from angry guests, are fuel for biases that are typically off-base from the real issues. Keep up the righteous work that serves to hopefully enlighten people with a plethora of ego.

  • James Hake
    Posted at 13:41h, 28 December

    Nice, Aaron, that’s cool.

  • Joe Patterson
    Posted at 17:56h, 31 January

    Jesse, I’m a 50yr old ‘Black man’. In my late teens I purposely removed my father from my life. In my mid 30’s I had an unexplained yearning to seek out my father. in my early 40’s I found him at his mother’s house (she dead, lol) in Texas. I showed up unannounced and I found my father living as a vagabond. He was living in this house with the roof & floor caving, no electricity or running water and the house was full of debris. He probably hadn’t shaved or showered for weeks. I spent the day with him and I bought him lunch and I gave him a few hundred dollars. When I left to return home I was saddened but not surprised at my fathers disposition. I thought my visit would have resolved that yearning feeling but I still had it and I never understood why…. Until I found you Jesse. Man, that yearning could have been resolved by me forgiving him but I didn’t have that insight until now. Unfortunately he died several years ago so I never did get the opportunity. I think back on it now, and I realize that was my reason for seeking him out but I didn’t have the proper tools in my tool belt at that time. That’s life. I wish I had discovered Jesse and his staff before I took that trip. By the way, years after I made that trip I was cleaning my car and I found the hundreds of dollars that I gave him. He slipped the money in the rear pocket of the front passenger’s seat (so if your sitting in the back seat and looking forward, its that pocket on back of the front seat). Anyway the point is that he didn’t want my money, even though he was eating out of garbage cans.

Post A Comment