	From the Chairman

	Dear Friends: I hope this finds you well and that you are enjoying the summer along with some relaxing times with family and friends. For Souly Business, the first half of 2008 has been filled with many blessings from our winter and spring retreats…and we anticipate many more from our two upcoming fall retreats. You may recall a recent communication from our Executive Director concerning expansion opportunities for Souly Business and our board’s discernment of a call to geographically grow the ministry. Perhaps that begs the question, “Why grow?” Is it simply because we live in America and in our system of capitalism and free enterprise, growth is good? In an attempt to answer that question, I’d like to invite you to join me in reading about and celebrating the work of Christ, and Christ alone, in impacting the lives of men through Souly Business over the past year. If, after reading their stories, you still have questions regarding our desire to make this ministry available to men in other areas, please call me. In the meantime, if you or someone in your world would like to discuss the ministry expansion opportunity, please let us know. Grace and Peace, Sonny Newton Chairman, Board of Directors

	Souly Business -My Story By Brad Jubin

	On Saturday, February 9th 2008 at Souly Business XV, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. By God’s grace embodied in the men at Souly Business, my heart was opened and I received the good news of Jesus Christ. My life is forever changed and I was literally rescued from a life of spiritual irrelevance. God had never been a major part of my life. I believed in God, but only called on Him when things went wrong. Prayer, for the most part, was alien to me. However, I did have two modes of prayer- blame and negotiation. And I was convinced that I did not matter to God and referred to myself as a “lost soul”. Fortunately, my bride has a strong and enduring faith. We have two wonderful children and I had made a commitment to attend church with my family so my children could make their own decisions about religion as they grew up. In retrospect, I am appalled at that thought. I am blessed to be married to a patient, faithful wife and realize today that she was providing the Christian foundation for our family…all alone. And I was certain I was in control of my life….as evidenced by my ability to stay up all night worrying about the next day, the next deal, or the next catastrophe. I also ate too much, drank too much, exercised too little, and exhibited a complete lack of patience with my family. Sure…I was in control. I am grateful to my dear friend David Tennery for inviting me to Souly Business and for seeing me as his brother and as a beloved child of God. Though very apprehensive about attending the retreat, for some reason, I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. I thought I could just show up, hide in the background, learn a little, and then get back to my life. I was very wrong. At first, I was bit overwhelmed, but the men at Souly Business were so engaging and genuine that, in a short time, I was relaxed and comfortable. Looking back, my heart began to open with the first handshake. I learned later that David had been praying not only for me, but for my wife and my children as well. There is no doubt that those prayers were answered. On Saturday, I laid down the old me and was blessed with a new life…a life focused on love, peace, humility and respect. My personal and professional lives are now combined into one joyful life as a Christian. Whether at home or at work, I am a Christian, a husband, a father and a servant to the people I lead. I live in the “now”, in the moment. Though as yet, I haven’t quite grasped the abundant life (that’s still too big for me to comprehend), my new relationship with Christ has allowed me to focus on living the abundant moment. Perhaps the abundant life is simply living a long string of abundant moments. While my days are now filled with joy and wonder, at times I am drawn back to my old ways. I struggle daily, but know I’m fighting a good battle for the best cause. This inspires me each day to confront my shortcomings and pray for the courage and conviction to overcome them. How has my life changed since February? When I hug my bride I take time to feel her hug me. I leave my cell phone in my car during T-ball practice (thanks Rob). I read my bible daily. I pray daily and often on my knees. I speak openly of my faith…and I invite Jesus into in my workplace. At church, I listen intently to the sermons and sing hymns of praise. I’m eating right and I exercise regularly (at 4:30am!). I have given up alcohol and caffeine and have lost over 40 pounds. I sleep worry-free at night. After 44 years, I feel as though I am only 4 months old. I am new!! Today, I am drawn to Souly Business as a young child is drawn into the loving arms of his mother. I’ve already been back to serve a new group of Brothers because there’s nothing like witnessing and experiencing the work of God in an atmosphere of love, acceptance, and understanding. And I’ve already registered to serve at the next retreat in October and pray that I will see you there as well. On Saturday, February 9th 2008, I began a new life.

	Souly Business -My Story By Rob Dugas

	The March 2007 Souly Business weekend was bitterly cold. I remember spending “what feels like” three hours huddled in a small stairway…hunkered down, trying to hide from the howling wind. Spiritually, I had spent most of my life hunkered down, coming up for God when I needed Him, but avoiding Him when it seemed like I had solutions for the inclement weather in my life. That weekend, I heard men just like me share their experiences and life lessons. I heard of tragic choices…and of redemption. I listened to stories of passion and of humility. I saw a man pray, and knew that it was my Lord speaking through him. Three things happened that weekend that changed my life…and gave me life. All three came from God. He didn’t show up that weekend…I did. He was always there. The first thing God revealed to me was that I did not have to wait for calamity in order to turn my life over to Him. Why would He have me hear men speak of hitting rock bottom, only to then accept God fully and find redemption? The point was that I did not have to sink to the bottom and then ask for God’s intervention. The point was to go to Him now. The second thing I learned was that God was not looking for acts of faith from me. He just wanted my faith…in Him. However, He didn’t just want me to believe in Him, but to believe Him. I asked, “What is it that you would like me to know?” And He let me know that He lives within my heart and soul. I suddenly felt like I had company in my home, and it wasn’t as tidy as I would have liked. Time to start picking up around the house! The third and most impactful thing, was witnessing God in another man, and seeing God work through that man. This man did something I had never seen before. He stopped…and he listened. He waited…and he listened. God was always there, like the quiet hum in a room. He’s there if you stop…really stop…and listen. That weekend, I stopped my speeches to God, and started my note taking from God. He’s always there, like that quiet hum in the background. I saw God in another man that weekend and I felt God in me when I got in my car Sunday afternoon. That was new. That was awesome! He’s still here, in my heart and soul. I still need to tidy up, and I still don’t give God the time He deserves. But He understands and loves me anyway. Thinking back, that weekend really wasn’t so cold after all!

	Souly Business -My Story - By Cort Flint

	I attended Souly Business in May 2008 and have never been touched by Jesus as He touched me that weekend. It was another layer off the onion. I went to Souly Business much like Jacob approached the angel of the Lord, not letting go until he was blessed. Jesus began dealing with me on the very first day and dealt with me more and more throughout the entire weekend. By Sunday, everything made sense. The Lord's voice was clear. He spoke to me about perseverance, about compromise, and about the burdens I still carried. I had failed so often in my desire to please Him and in my desire to overcome the sin in my life. I thought I knew the joy of the Lord…until that weekend. God spoke to me throughout the entire weekend. However, I was most impacted on Saturday evening when we watched a video clip from "The Passion". I had seen it many times before, but not in the way I saw it that night. Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed. But He also told Peter that He would always love him and would never let him go. After the third denial, I felt Peter's pain as it was my own. Then Jesus looked straight into Peter’s eyes…and into my eyes…and said, "Cort, I will always love you and I will never let you go". I have been saved since I was a little boy. However, fourteen years ago, in a motel room with more money, drugs, and power than I knew what to do with, I got down on my knees, and with a sawed off shotgun, cried out and asked God to save me from my own life. It wasn't until the final night of the retreat, that I was able to truly receive what Jesus did for me on the cross, understand His love for me…and rest in Him. I thank God for Souly Business. It is a ministry anointed by His hand. And now, it represents a cornerstone in my life. It changed my life. My Brothers, go to this retreat with the attitude of Jacob and like me, you will be blessed!



	Connecting men in the workplace with our Heavenly Father... and one another
	Upcoming Retreats North Georgia Men October 3-5, 2008 February 6-8, 2009 NE Tennessee Men November 7-9, 2008 ------------------------------ Souly Business for Men REGISTER today ------------------------------ Testimonials "...nevertheless, it's extremely hard for me to put into words what this weekend meant to me, and the level of impact it has had on my life." -Jared "I learned that I share my faith at work by serving others, by doing my job with excellence, by displaying Christ-like character, and by working for an audience of One." -Brian