Bring Him to KOZ: The Healing Power of Positive Affirmation
It’s archery season in Texas, and while the mornings might not be as cool as the Grand Tetons, it’s still a perfect time to reflect on what truly matters in the hearts of boys.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about positive affirmation and how powerful it really is. My dog Hinge reminds me of that truth. Because he’s been trained with positive affirmation, he obeys quickly and with trust. He knows he’s loved and encouraged—and that makes all the difference in how he responds.
In many ways, the same is true for boys.
Why Positive Affirmation Matters
Many of us have seen it happen: a mom or grandma decides that because her boy misbehaved at school, he doesn’t get to come to KOZ this week. However, here’s the hard truth, KOZ may be the very place that boy needs most.
It’s not just a Saturday outing; it’s a kind of therapy. Not the kind that costs $200 an hour, but the kind that happens around a campfire, in the woods, surrounded by strong, good men who see him, care for him, and speak truth into his life. As a result, that’s where healing begins.
When a boy hears, “I see you. You matter.”
When a man looks him in the eye and says, “You did good, son.”
Those moments build something deep inside a boy that punishment never can.
The Biblical Model of Affirmation
Even Jesus began His ministry after hearing affirmation from His Father:
“This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” – Matthew 3:17
That affirmation set the foundation for everything that followed. In the same way, boys today crave that same kind of encouragement. They need it and when they receive it from their fathers, or from a godly man who steps in, they begin to heal and grow.
Most men can remember the few rare moments when their dad affirmed them. Those memories never fade. They mark us for life.
Bring the Boy
So, moms and grandmas, even if he’s had a rough week, bring him to KOZ.
Let us help him learn what it means to be a young man. Let him hear from men who will hold him accountable, teach him courage, and speak life into his heart.
When you bring him, you’re not rewarding bad behavior. Instead, you’re opening the door for healing, growth, and hope.
We’re in This Together
To every KOZ Leader out there, stay encouraged. You’re on the front line, giving boys what they can’t find anywhere else: truth, love, and affirmation. There’s a posse of men around the world standing with you in this mission.
We fight together.
We rescue boys together.
We grow together.
Regulators, mount up.
JOIN THE MISSION
If you’re already a KOZ Leader, thank you for speaking life into boys who need to hear, “You matter.” Your words of encouragement and steady presence are shaping hearts and changing futures. Keep sharing your stories, photos, and prayers.
If you’re new here and want to learn how KOZ mentoring brings healing through positive affirmation and outdoor adventure, visit https://kidsoutdoorzone.com/groupinfo. You’ll find resources to get a boy involved or to start a KOZ group in your church.
Together, we can build a generation of confident, Christ-rooted young men who know their worth.
To watch this week’s KOZ Raw, CLICK HERE.
