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What is EMBFP?
Every Man’s Battle For Purity (EMBFP) is a powerful, healing men’s ministry that originally was launched out of New Hope Church (formerly Crystal Evangelical Free Church) in New Hope, MN in 2002 and has since focused upon men in the church achieving and maintaining sexual purity as defined by God’s holy standard.
There are 4 Stages of EMBFP:
· Stage 1: The Battle – a stirring half-day kickoff event sure to get any man’s attention on the subject of purity.
· Stage 2: Purity Boot Camp – a week-long activity (five early mornings, Monday through Friday) to help men confront their sexual sins and count the cost of purity in their lives.
· Stage 3: Purity Platoons – a 16-week activity (small group format, meeting weekly) to provide men with the accountability, tools, encouragement, and discipline to gain and maintain sexual purity.
· Stage 4: Maturity Platoons – a 12-week activity (small group format, meeting weekly) to teach men to be fully devoted, passionate followers of Jesus Christ.
Hundreds of men have found freedom and purity in Christ through EMBFP which has a ~91% success rate for men who engage in the first 3 stages of EMBFP.
EMBFP is the flagship ministry of the National Coalition for Purity (NCFP) launched independently as a non-profit organization in August 2006 by Dr. Irv “Sarge” Woolf, who was responsible for its original launch and growth since 2002. The NCFP has since partnered with several Twin Cities metro churches to launch EMBFP programs for their members and communities and even more are planned for the calendar year ahead.
Why is this ministry important?
We know that 60-80% of Christian men struggle with sexual sins of some form and the figure probably doesn’t vary dramatically from church to church unless the church has been engaged in a bold, purity ministry like EMBFP.
Here are some other chilling statistics associated with the moral erosion of our culture:
- 56% of a sample set of divorce cases resulted from a spouse’s compulsive internet porn use or infidelity (source: American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2002).
- The pornography industry has rapidly grown to revenues of $13 billion per year in the U.S. ($97 billion globally as of 2006) and has outpaced nearly any other sector of the economy (source: Internet Filter Review website, 2007).
- The average age that boys are exposed to pornography is 11 years old and dropping (source: Internet Filter Review website, 2007).
We, as men, must protect ourselves, our wives, our children, and other families in our church and community from this terrible trend that is tearing lives apart.
Who should participate?
Two types of men should participate in general: (1) those who need to get pure and (2) those who believe this is a big problem in the church and society today and want to help men get and remain pure.
What are the benefits of participating?
There are many, tangibly and intangibly, but among them are:
· Getting pure and maintaining God’s standard of purity
· Helping other men and boys to get and remain pure
· Standing together for the purity of the church
· Standing against a common enemy--sexual immorality
· Preparing the church, the Bride of Christ, for the return of Christ and the marriage supper of the Lamb
· Being part of a counter-cultural, Biblically-sound revolution
· Taking back ground given to Satan by the church and Christians
· Restoring marriages and protecting children from divorce
· Providing effective worshippers, tithers, leaders for the local church
· Defeating dualism and secret living of men and women enslaved to sexual sin
· Equipping parents to train their children in healthy sexuality
Why the battle and military theme?
Because, as men, it fits our battle against sexual temptation and sin very well - even the Scriptures use many references to battle as analogies and imagery for fighting against sin and the Enemy (Ephesians 6:11-17 and many others).
If I go to the Battle must I participate in the other stages of the ministry?
No. The stages of EMBFP are connected, but separate. Each man signs up for each stage of EMBFP as they feel led. However, each stage builds on the momentum of the previous one, so it is a great benefit to participate in each of the four stages. Our data indicates that men do not become sexually pure until after participating in a Purity Platoon.
Is there a minimum age for the EMBFP? Can I bring my son?
Yes, fathers should consider bringing their sons if they believe they’re old enough. Like baptism, the age of maturity and accountability varies and should be based on prayer and good judgment. The simple answer is that boys 15 years old and up would benefit greatly. Youth are not permitted to be in Purity Platoons with adults. There is Youth Purity Platoon (high school and college age men) curriculum specially-designed just for them.
Why should guys commit to the purity boot camp or purity platoons?
To get pure, this is a big problem in the church and society today. In addition to ourselves, God may deliver our sons, brothers, fathers, uncles, friends, neighbors, and/or co-workers through us if we are faithful and true.
What goes on during the boot camps and purity platoons?
We engage in a balanced variety of activities including teaching, praying, round table discussions, Scripture memorization, and check-ins with our accountability partners. The training ground to become sexually pure.
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