Last year’s ManUp, by far, captured our largest audience ever. Over 65,000 people tuned in to hear Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Tomlin, Ed Glover, and company share their failures and success in marriage, fatherhood, and mentorship of fatherless youth. We were grateful technology allowed us to present the Gospel and the mission of Urban Impact to men across the country for the first time; however, the online-only conference lacked a major component which ManUp attendees grew to love in the first 8 years. Standing shoulder to shoulder worshipping, learning, and fellowshipping with men on the same journey, albeit in different stages of life and from different backgrounds, is an essential element.
On June 12th, 2021, we were able to regather in-person at Victory Family Church and sharpen each other again. Emceed by Steelers Chaplain Kent Chevalier and Color Analyst Craig Wolfley, ManUp was a much needed day of being filled by the word of God through worship, teaching, and creating personal commitments to our self, family, community, and the fatherless of Pittsburgh.
Bishop Claude Alexander’s powerful message “ManUp like David and Goliath” challenged that sometimes we do not “man up” because:
- We desire something more than God
- We don’t understand the full purpose God has for us
- We did not have a good example set for us
Thirteen breakout speakers consisting of local pastors and ministry influencers led small group sessions such as “Raising Sons: Building in a Vision for Greatness”, “Processing a Sexually Broken Culture”, and “Being the Spiritual Leader of Your Family”.
Mike Tomlin and Cam Heyward shared their experiences growing up without fathers and how they beat the odds to become successful on the football field, but more importantly in their homes and communities. When asked the one thing they wish to leave with their kids, Mike Tomlin quickly answered, “To live a life that shines a light and to honor God more than anything.”
If you came to ManUp, thank you for making an effort to be a better man, husband, son, brother, etc. This world needs more men to step up as godly role models and lead their families and communities. If you missed it, all the featured speakers are available on our YouTube channel by searching “ManUp Pittsburgh 2021” and we will be live again in June 2022.