CULLMAN, Ala. — Alabama Sen. Paul Bussman (R-Cullman) sees a worrisome trend in society of men “disappearing” and not fulfilling their role as leaders of their homes and communities, and he’s decided to do something about it.

Bussman has organized a free conference for boys and men, ages 10 and up, and hopes the speakers he’s enlisted — including a Navy SEAL and other published authors — will help empower attendees to “be the men that God has created them to be.”

“Over the last couple of years I’ve seen high statistics that say men are disappearing: not entering the work force, not applying for college or vocational schools,” Bussman explained. “As a whole, they are not staying with their families and raising their children. Where are they and what are they doing?

“We as a community have to do something to reverse this trend,” he continued. “Encourage men to become the leaders that they are supposed to be by re-engaging them in the community and re-engaging them in the work force. Empower them to understand how important their role is in society. Arm them with the tools needed to become successful in life.”

Organizers say the event will provide tools to guide men in the local community as they walk through the struggles of daily life, as well as give them a support group to lean on moving forward.

“As husbands, fathers and men, we all make mistakes, but we cannot let past mistakes keep us from moving forward and being a positive influence for the young men around us,” said Bussman, who was elected to a second term in the Alabama Senate last year.

Speakers highlighting the event include former Navy SEAL Chad Williams, Lead Pastor from Daystar Church Jerry Lawson and founder and director of Big Oak Ranch John Croyle.

The “Unique Male boys/men’s conference” will take place Saturday, March 21, from 8:30 am – 12 noon, at Loft 212, 212 4th Street SW, Cullman, Ala., 35055.

Info provided by the event organizers on the speakers can be found below:

Chad Williams
A regular guest on Fox News Channel, CNN News Room, Anderson Cooper 360 and more; Chad learned first-hand how precious and costly freedom is as he turned on a television one day to see footage of his friend and mentor, U.S. Navy SEAL Scott Helvenston viciously murdered and mutilated as he was dragged through the streets of Fallujah, Iraq and hung upside-down from the Euphrates River Bridge while an angry Iraqi mob repeatedly chanted in Arabic, “Fallujah is the graveyard of Americans.”

Steeled in his resolve, Chad followed in Scott’s footsteps and completed the US military’s most difficult and grueling training to become a Navy SEAL. One of only 13 from a class of 173 to make it; as a Navy SEAL, Chad served his country proudly on SEAL Teams One and Seven through multiple tours of duty.

Jerry Lawson
Jerry is the founder and Lead Pastor of Daystar Church in Cullman, AL where he resides with his wife, Leslie, two girls and a son. They found their destiny when they launched Daystar Church, along with about 100 other people. Since that small beginning, the church has grown into a large, multi-site church serving communities across North Alabama. Nothing gives Jerry more joy than seeing what Jesus can do for people who have lost all hope.

John Croyle
John was a defensive end for the University of Alabama’s 1973 National Championship football team, playing for the legendary Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. At 19, John felt he had been given a gift to work with young people. His dream was to have the best children’s home in America. On the advice of Coach Bryant, John declined opportunities for professional football to pursue his dream of helping children in need. Since 1974, more than 1,800 children have called Big Oak Ranch home.

In addition to his work on-site at the Ranch, John speaks across the Southeast at 75+/- events annually. Audiences range from corporate, motivational events to Christian-based organizations. Having learned a lifetime of lessons helping raise more than 1,800 children, John’s vision is to help people everywhere be better parents.

All speakers are published authors.

Note: For additional information on the conference or the speakers, please contact Holly Bussman at (256) 338-9083.

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— Cliff Sims (@Cliff_Sims) December 3, 2014