Josh McDowell, renowned author, apologist, and minister, blessed Whitefield Academy with his wisdom the week of March 5 and 6, speaking to Middle School and Upper School students at Thursday’s chapel, a group of parents and grandparents on Thursday night, and the Men’s Fraternity early Friday morning.
McDowell shared his personal testimony with the students at the chapel, revealing his difficult childhood and struggle for meaning and self-worth, while detesting his alcoholic father who he called “the town drunk.” McDowell became embittered and jaded as a result, and came to consider religion an absurdity, for the non-intellectual. However, when McDowell encountered a group of Christians in college with real, authentic relationships with God, he was challenged to test the claims of Christianity. He did, by traveling around the world researching the validity of Scripture, and convinced of the truth of the gospel, ended his search for meaning with a decision to follow Christ. That decision brought healing and transformation and he was able to forgive his father and others that mistreated him.
With this difficult childhood, McDowell offered parents personal insight into the needs of their children in Thursday night’s session about building relationships. He pointed out the seven A’s needed to build healthy relationships: affirmation, acceptance, appreciation, availability, affection, approach, and accountability.
“You have to lay a ground work of love and affection with your children if you are ever going to have
a voice into their lives,” said McDowell, emphasizing that without building relationships based quality time spent, there is no way to build mutual respect and hold kids accountable as they grow and mature.
On Friday morning, McDowell spoke candidly to the fathers at Men’s Fraternity, saying that the role of fathers in the family is vital.
“The absence of fathers in their children’s lives is the most common factor among troubled teens,” said McDowell. “The brokenness that comes from an unloving father is debilitating.”
McDowell encouraged fathers to maintain the proper balance between work and home, and never forsake the home for prestige or money. He concluded his talk with Men’s Fraternity by encouraging the group to continue seeking God and growing as husbands and fathers.