As Father’s Day approaches, it’s worth taking a moment to think about the influence fathers and father figures have on the lives of boys.
For some boys, Father’s Day is a celebration filled with gratitude and memories. For others, it can be a reminder of absence, disappointment, or questions that have never been answered. Regardless of a boy’s circumstances, one truth remains: every boy needs positive male influence in his life.
In this KOZ Raw, TJ reflects on the importance of fatherly influence and challenges KOZ leaders to remain focused on the mission God has given them. His message serves as both an encouragement and a reminder that boys are watching, learning, and being shaped by the men around them every day.
Fatherly Influence Has Shaped Boys for Generations
Since the beginning of time, boys have learned how to navigate life by watching the men around them. Fathers, grandfathers, coaches, mentors, and other trusted men have helped teach boys how to work, lead, persevere, and care for others.
The challenge today is that many boys are growing up without consistent fatherly influence. When a boy has experienced abandonment, neglect, or the absence of a father, even concepts like a loving Heavenly Father can be difficult to understand. That is why mentoring matters.
A boy often learns about God’s love through the actions of the men who invest in him. Long before he fully understands theology, he notices who shows up, who listens, who keeps promises, and who genuinely cares about his life. For many boys, the men in KOZ become living examples of what godly manhood looks like.
The Men Along the Trail Matter
Few men can point to a single individual who shaped their lives. More often, growth happens through a collection of relationships over time. A grandfather offers wisdom, a coach provides encouragement, a youth leader speaks truth and a mentor models integrity.
TJ shared that his own life was shaped by various men he encountered throughout his journey. Some demonstrated character traits worth following, while others provided examples of what not to become. Either way, those relationships helped shape the man he is today.
The same is true for the boys in KOZ. Every campfire conversation matters, every fishing trip matters, and every KOZ Saturday matters. Boys are constantly gathering pieces of wisdom and examples from the men around them. The investment may seem small in the moment, but the long-term impact can be life-changing.
Why Father’s Day Matters to the Boys in Your Group
As leaders, it is easy to assume Father’s Day only affects boys who openly talk about their family situations. The reality is that every boy processes fatherhood differently. Some are celebrating strong relationships with their dads, while others are carrying wounds they rarely discuss.
Many may not fully understand the emotions they feel when Father’s Day arrives. That is why a simple text message, phone call, or conversation can have a powerful impact. Letting a boy know that you were thinking about him reminds him that he matters. It reinforces the relationship you’ve built and reminds him that he is not walking through life alone. For a boy who lacks consistent encouragement from a father figure, that small gesture can mean far more than we realize.
The Two-Letter Word Every Leader Must Learn
While the first part of TJ’s message focuses on boys, the second part speaks directly to the men leading them.
As many KOZ leaders discover, serving boys often changes their own lives as well. Men grow deeper in their faith, become stronger husbands and fathers, and develop a greater sense of purpose. Because of that growth, they often become the people everyone depends on. They are the men who show up. They are the men who get things done. They are the men churches and organizations call when help is needed.
While that reputation is a blessing, it can also create a challenge. Eventually, every leader must learn a difficult two-letter word: No.
Learning to say no is not about becoming selfish. It is about understanding your calling and protecting the time, energy, and focus required to fulfill it well.
Operating in Excellence Requires Focus
When God calls a man to invest in boys through KOZ, that calling deserves his best effort. Learn about the fatherlessness epidemic. get to know the boys in your community and build relationships with other men. Invite more leaders into the mission and become fully invested in changing the trajectory of boys’ lives.
The problem is that good opportunities never stop appearing. Every church has needs, every ministry needs volunteers and every event needs workers. Without healthy boundaries, a leader can become so busy doing many good things that he loses the ability to do the most important things well. Excellence requires focus and sometimes saying no to one opportunity allows you to say yes to the calling God has placed directly in front of you.
Don’t Steal Someone Else’s Blessing
One of the most challenging parts of leadership is knowing when to step aside and allow others to serve.
TJ points out that when the same people continually volunteer for everything, they can unintentionally prevent other men from stepping into opportunities that could help them grow. Sometimes another man needs the chance to serve, lead, and discover how God wants to use him.
By handing off certain responsibilities, leaders not only protect their own focus, they create space for others to find their place in ministry. Healthy leadership is not about doing everything yourself, but it is about helping others become who God has called them to be.
Focus on What God Has Called You to Do
Toward the end of the message, TJ offers a powerful reminder that throughout life, there will be hundreds of good things we could do. Yet only a handful of those opportunities align with the unique calling God has placed on our lives.
For some men, that may mean investing more intentionally in their marriage. For others, it may mean spending time with children or grandchildren. For KOZ leaders, it often means staying focused on mentoring boys and building relationships that can change generations.
The key is seeking God’s direction and asking where He wants us to invest our time, energy, and influence.
A Legacy Worth Leaving
As Father’s Day arrives, remember that your influence matters. The example you set matters and the conversations you have matter. Most of all, the time you invest in boys matters.
Whether you are a father, grandfather, mentor, coach, or KOZ leader, God can use your presence to help shape a boy’s future. Long after the fishing trips and campfires are over, the lessons learned and relationships built will continue to impact the next generation.
That is a legacy worth pursuing. Happy Father’s Day from all of us at Kids Outdoor Zone.
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