RiseUp Kings (RUK) experience

In today’s world, where traditional masculinity often faces scrutiny, my journey with the Rise Up Kings (RUK) experience offered a transformative path to self-discovery. I am a seasoned businessman and husband of 29 years. Like many Type A men, I had prioritized career and ministry over family, causing strain in my personal life. Seeking redemption, I agreed to join the experience, anticipating a challenging yet manageable event. What I encountered was unlike anything I had experienced… ever. 

But beyond the gender identity crisis, many men today struggle with finding fulfillment in their roles as husbands and fathers, especially as it relates to their relationships with God. That was about to be tested! The experience began with 26 men, including myself, being picked up from a hotel lobby by former military personnel, including Green Berets, Marines, and even a former NFL linebacker. We were divided into squads, setting the stage for intense physical activities. Crawling through mud pits and holding weight bags was just the beginning. These activities served a deeper purpose: to unearth our core motivations and test our limits. The breaking point for many was the ice bath. For one man who had never before heard from God, it was during this moment of stillness that he found profound spiritual clarity. For another, enduring the ice bath unearthed his deepest "Why" - to reclaim his family and demonstrate unconditional love to his wife. This grueling exercise was a powerful metaphor for life’s hardships, teaching us empathy and resilience.

Day two shifted focus to introspection and purpose. We learned about the four pillars of life: faith, family, fitness, and finance. An unexpected ride to a cemetery led to a poignant exercise: writing our own eulogy as if we had died that day and again as if we had lived to 100. This stark confrontation with mortality spurred deep reflection about the legacies we wished to leave behind.In a secluded woodland setting, we asked God pivotal questions: “What do you want me to know? Why did you create me? What do you want my life to look like?” This spiritual exercise brought clarity and purpose as we connected with God’s plan for our lives.

Throughout these exercises, many of us encountered profound experiences with God's love, leading some to commit their lives to Him. One man, rough around the edges from life's hardships, found solace and transformation in this ministry of hope. The experience revealed and confronted insecurities, allowing us to expose, face, and overcome them. I observed the remarkable change in my fellow participants, describing it as watching old men die and new men arise. 

The event had specific physical challenges that only represented a smaller portion of the entire event. The culmination of the first 2 days was a rigorous 90-minute activity involving various physical challenges. This grueling session symbolized life's ultimate tests, pushing us to our physical and spiritual limits. It concluded with water baptisms, marking a significant spiritual renewal for many participants. For me, this was a profound moment of rebirth and commitment.

In aworld where masculinity is often questioned, the Rise Up Kings experience provided a sanctuary for men to rediscover their identity and purpose. Through intense physical challenges, deep spiritual introspection, profound teachings, and genuine brotherhood, we learned to confront life's hardships with resilience and empathy. This experience, though not a traditional church event, offered a unique space for spiritual growth and personal transformation.

The most special aspects of the event are best left undisclosed so that future participants can discover for themselves the powerful and unexpected moments that make RUK truly transformative. The shared struggles, the revelations, and the brotherhood we formed are all parts of an experience that reshaped our perspectives and reinvigorated our spirits.

For anyone questioning their path or seeking a profound personal transformation, the Rise Up Kings experience is a powerful journey that offers hope, strength, and a renewed sense of identity. When that happens, true transformation can occur—not just in the men, but in their families, their communities, and the nation, as well.

As you walk into one of their teaching areas, a vast banner displays a powerful slogan from their founder, Skylar Lewis: "Change a man, change theworld." Well, consider me a changed man. Thank you, Rise Up Kings.

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