An Invitation to Heroic Fatherhood

Men of Gonzales… It’s time for a Revolution!

In 1836, William Barrett Travis wrote:

“I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch.”

I am no great soldier, no great leader…but I am calling on you in the name of God, for you and your children, for liberty and patriotism and everything dear to you, a Texan, to come on Father’s Day, with all dispatch.

I have watched the suffering of the children in our cities, towns and throughout Texas. I have stood by and done nothing. But as I was sitting in the pew last Sunday at the Episcopal church, alongside other believers in the grace of Christ, I found myself asking God to heal our world. I felt a sense of responsibility, of duty. It was placed upon my heart to invite you, the Fathers of our children, to come and worship together, as fathers, as families, on Father’s Day.

Yes, I know you’ve heard it before… you’re always welcome to church, but this is an invitation to YOU, the FATHERS of our children, to take that step that you need to make to start improving your own lives and the lives of your children.

In 1836, the men of Gonzales were called upon to fight for our freedom. I am calling upon you again, to begin a new revolution, on Father’s Day.

For Father’s Day, ask your children to join you and come to church, come back to church, or come to church for the first time. You’re invited, come join me.

For too long, I’ve stood by, not knowing what to do, what to say, how to say it, but wanting to do something.

Through Kairos, a prison ministry, I’ve seen and listened to the stories of men who grew up without a father, who grew up without knowing about God, they needed their fathers in their lives. Your children, young and old, need you, their father, to take up the yoke of responsibility, to lead, to follow, to worship, together.

You want to be Invited? The invitation is not only open; it is being thrust upon you by your sons and daughters, by your families and friends, by your fellow fathers!

Perhaps things haven’t been great between you, perhaps you haven’t seen your children in a while, perhaps there is some anger and pain there, some abandonment, but there is also love in there, hidden but not forgotten. It’s time to take up that yoke, and be a father to your children.

The invitation is open… Invite your children, your wife, their mother, to come with you to church on Father’s Day. Start anew, through Christ; be freed of the shackles of your past, and start anew.

Will it be easy? No, it may be the very hardest request you’ve ever made of them, but it will be a blessing. Ask your children to leave their phones at home, and come join you at church on Father’s Day. Start the Revolution!

Was I the “perfect” father? No, I was not, but you don’t have to be perfect, you just need to be there. They aren’t asking for perfection, they just need YOU! But we have to stick together. God’s family sticks together! And we, Men of Gonzales, no matter our color or creed, our history or language, we live in this beautiful land together. We live as neighbors. As family. As God’s family. Come, join me, You’re invited!

Let’s begin a Revolution in Gonzales, let it spread throughout the Great State of Texas, reclaiming our call to heroic fatherhood. It started here in 1836– and it can start here again.

Clip this invitation out of the paper. Post it everywhere you can; social media, the office, the store, the church…the bars, so that every father can hear the call. Spread the word throughout our beautiful land!

Come join us in celebrating heroic fatherhood on Father’s Day, in church, your church, my church, it doesn’t matter, just come! Bring your children for the love and meaning that is only offered by God, our heavenly Father.

If you don’t have a father in your life, please come, you’re invited. If you have the fortitude where your father does not, call him, and invite him to church on Father’s Day. You’re invited. Mothers, we need you to be strong and support your children. Invite their father to come join you and the children at church on Father’s Day. You’re all invited.

Men of Gonzales, You have been called; will you respond again? Will you again be the men of Texas that lead us to freedom, to capture heroic fatherhood?

Your children need you to be their Father. Come celebrate with them on Father’s Day in the presence of our Heavenly Father.

YOU’RE ALL INVITED!

W. B. Travis continued, “I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country.”

I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a father who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his children.

There is no greater purpose in life than to God and your children.

I’ll see you on Sunday, the 18th of June, our Father’s Day. God be with us all.

Sincerely,

Ross Tieken, 58 years old, a Gonzales County Resident

A God-loving Father, friend, husband, Texan.