“Where am I going? … Most of us wouldn’t have an answer. That’s a wake-up call.”
When Scottish pastor and men’s-discipleship specialist Joe Barnard posed that question on a recent March or Die episode, it landed like a gut-check. Millions of men, veterans, first-responders, civilians alike, are drifting through work, relationships, and screens without a clear destination. Barnard’s answer is both ancient and refreshingly practical: spiritual fitness built on Christ-centered discipline and brotherhood.
Below is a quick-start blueprint you can apply today, plus resources from Cross Training Ministries and Mighty Oaks to keep you moving forward.
Table of Contents
Meet Joe Barnard & Cross Training Ministries
Barnard pastors Holyrood Evangelical Church in Edinburgh and leads Cross Training Ministries, a discipleship platform that “helps struggling guys build a lifestyle of putting Christ first.” His latest book, The Road Back to God: Faith for Men Dissatisfied by the Modern World, maps out a ten-step journey from secular burnout to wholehearted faith.
Why Men Are Looking Backward to Move Forward
Barnard sees a “quiet revival” among young men disillusioned with hollow success, political polarization, and endless phone scrolls. Many are revisiting historic Christianity, or stoicism, or even Islam, in a hunt for identity, meaning, and moral clarity. That hunger is a strategic window for churches, ministries, and mentors willing to offer substance over slogans.
The Three Barriers Holding Men Back
- Distraction & Attention Drain
Smartphones steal the focus required for prayer, study, and deep thinking. “If we can’t get a handle on our attention, we can’t direct our thoughts … we’re not going to ever be able to pray.” - Busyness & Performance Pressure
Packed calendars keep men reactive instead of reflective. Even well-intentioned Bible reading becomes a two-minute glance rather than a soul-shaping meal. - Loneliness & Shallow Community
Most men lack real spiritual friends. Without iron-sharpening-iron camaraderie, discipline fizzles and secret struggles multiply.
Cross Training’s 3-Part Solution
1. Simple Daily Routines
Barnard prescribes bite-sized, repeatable practices: Scripture reading plans, fixed-hour prayer, and screen curfews that reinforce Christ as first priority.
2. Bodily Discipline
Physical exercise isn’t an idol; it’s a stewardship tool. A healthier body supports clearer thinking, emotional stability, and readiness for spiritual battle.
3. Spiritual Friendship
Small squads of men meet weekly to confess, strategize, and pray. Barnard’s programs supply the framework, but the wins happen when brothers walk it out together.
From Discipline to Devotion: Holiness as the Endgame
Discipline is the doorway, not the destination. Barnard echoes the Apostle Paul’s athletic metaphors, “discipline your body” (1 Cor 9), to invite men into holiness: total, joyful devotion to Christ. “There is something you can be all-in for, and it’s worthy of all of you.”
How Mighty Oaks Equips Warriors on the Same Mission
Barnard’s roadmap echoes the journey every warrior takes inside a Mighty Oaks Legacy Program:
Digital & mental overload: Cross Training urges men to set phone curfews and build Scripture touch-points into the day. At Mighty Oaks, participants unplug for five media-free days of worship, journaling, and quiet reflection that reset the mind for Christ-centered living.
Physical stagnation: Barnard treats fitness as stewardship; Mighty Oaks lives it out with sunrise PT, ruck marches, and team challenges that link bodily discipline to spiritual resilience.
Isolation: Barnard insists every man needs a band of brothers. Legacy attendees process their stories in tight-knit squads, then plug into weekly Outposts nationwide where the motto “Never Fight Alone” becomes a lifelong reality.
Next Steps: Walk the Road Back to God
- Watch the full interview with Joe Barnard on the March or Die YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/x3P9RYN9szM?si=P058UEPDsLLLfr_O
- Pick one barrier (distraction, busyness, or loneliness) and implement a 7-day micro-habit to push back.
- Invite two brothers to tackle the habit with you. Use Barnard’s short-term “CT-12” challenge or join a Mighty Oaks Outpost for built-in accountability.
- Dig deeper: Grab The Road Back to God or explore Cross Training’s free resources.
- Apply for a Mighty Oaks program if you’re ready for intensive growth surrounded by warriors who “Never Fight Alone.”
“We are all laying down our life for something. Is the altar worthy of the sacrifice?”
Choose an altar that lasts. The road back to God, and forward into purpose, begins with a single disciplined step.
Recommended Resources
- Cross Training Ministries: Starter challenges & podcast Men Need Help
- The Road Back to God: 10-step guide for seekers & skeptics Amazon
- Mighty Oaks Programs: Recovery & resilience retreats for warriors. Apply Today
- Forward Edge Newsletter: Weekly action points for men of faith, subscribe today for free
