On Tap

Journey Church men’s group provides fellowship in a casual setting

by Renee Roberson

It’s a well-known fact that local breweries in our area are a great place for friends to gather, nonprofits to gain support through joint fundraising efforts, and active individuals to enjoy activities like biking, running, yoga, and boot camps together. When Journey Church member Nate Olson was brainstorming a way to connect with other men in the church back in 2016, he wondered if meeting at a place like a pub or brewery would provide a common ground. He discussed the idea with his pastor, Matt Dawson, and before long Brews, Bibles, and Bros (also known as B3) was born. Olson serves as the group’s coordinator.

“I wanted to help guys learn more about themselves, each other, and more about God,” he says.

This isn’t a typical Bible study, reads part of the group’s Facebook page description, but rather a great environment to explore questions, verses, or thoughts that impact men in our culture, while enjoying a brew of your choice.

The group met at Old Town Public House for about a year, tried meeting at a few different breweries, and finally settled in on meeting the Fox and the Hound in Birkdale Village the second Monday of each month.

“We’ve met there for the past four years,” says Olson, who says participants may or may not choose to have an alcoholic beverage, in a non-confrontational space, and it’s more about providing a place for fellowship. In fact, he jokes that he’s not even a fan of beer himself. The first hour of their meetings includes open-ended discussion and conversation starters, along with dinner. They usually work from a theme, sometimes expanding the conversation from a Journey Church sermon series. Men from all ages attend and are invited to bring guests if they want to check it out. Olson estimates they have between 10-15 men consistently attending the monthly meeting. For July, they met at Joe Gibbs Racing in Huntersville to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility, hear a guest speaker, and enjoy a meal together. They also have family outings and have invited female members of the community to provide their perspective on different aspects of relationship to the group.

The group stays busy throughout the year. They do regular service projects at places like the Church of God Children’s Home in Concord and provide support with any members of their community who made need a helping hand. Each summer they hold a retreat at one group member’s farm in Virginia, which Olson says is a great way for the men to connect and unwind.

“We try to make it more than just drinking and fellowship,” says Olson.

Brewing Good Relationships

To learn more about B3, contact Journey Church at info@thejourneyonline.com.