An Ode to Fathers
Heavy the load you carry
Tho daily you work and toil without recognition
You face each task with unwavering temerity
Your impact and fruitfulness only the future knows
Persevering you face each challenge and day with hope
And increasingly the strength of your character and courage shows
That you a singular man
Solely committed to your children and family
Is focused on developing and nurturing them according to God's plan
An Artoriginal June 2011
As we celebrate the contribution of fathers this year I recognize not only my birth father and the one for who I am named, Arto Woodley, Sr. I recognize the "fathers" in my life, those men who have had a significant impact on the path of my life. While many young men mature without fathers or significant male influences, I was abundantly blessed by men of different races who nurtured the spark God ignited in my heart. This diverse group of men helped fashion me as a leader and man.
In order for every man to grow to his fullest potential we all need men who stretch us beyond what we believe we can accomplish. These challenges enable us to see possibilities previously hidden from our perspective. For me each of these "fathers" created an inflection point in my life that pointed me toward the purpose for which God created me. They built on the foundation laid by God and my natural father. Each man and those honorably mentioned below will always be indelibly linked to my journey.
It is my hope that for each man who reads this will be inspired to reach a young man or some young men to excel and lead. Also, it is my dream that those fathers and aspiring father will reach deep into their souls to elicit the very best they can give to young people. The seed you plant in the life of a young man will have generational and eternal implications.
Eddie Woodley, Uncle, WWII Veteran, and Civil Servant
His example was supreme a young war veteran who moved his widowed mother and three youngest siblings from rural poor Mississippi to Toledo, Ohio. He housed and supported them even when the government moved him to Philadelphia and he live in the YMCA so they could continue living in the house he left them in Toledo. The "Chief" began mentoring me at 4 years old by telling me, "see yourself, know yourself and love yourself," wise words still today. He started my journey and was a surrogate grandfather since both of mine died young.
Edward T. Cook, Bishop, Jurisdictional Prelate First Ecclesiastical District COGIC
A lifelong friend and was a young early 20's minister when he articulated God's purpose for my life to me at age 7. At every stage of my development he has been a friend, counselor, and encourager helping me to see and understand God's possibilities in my life.
Joe Martini, Retired Bursar, BGSU
Joe should have kicked me out of Bowling Green. I owed over a $1,000 in fees, had no job or way to pay for school. Instead out of our debate about fees he offered me a job to pay for school. Along the way be became a friend and confidante that gave me valuable advice that enabled be to become the first in my family to complete college. He is still a friend and supporting my passion for children.
Clarence Terry, University Admissions Professional, BGSU
He bled the orange and brown of Bowling Green. This low keyed humble man gave me a job as a student recruiter and paved the way to my career in higher education. Clarence was a great encourager and opened the door to graduate school and the next phase of my young life.
Dr. Paul J. Olscamp, Retired University President, BGSU
He changed my life with the question, "How did you get to BG from the inner city of Toledo?" That question after a student recruitment trip together in Detroit altered the course of my life and allow God's spirit to point me to my life's passion children in the inner city. Dr. Olscamp's influence didn't end there he paved the way to graduate school and my first position in University Relations. His example as a leader and probing questions forced me to stretch toward my purpose.
Dennis K. Butts, Staff Pastor, House of The Lord, Akron Ohio
My friend and the man that helped me face the hard questions concerning my faith in Jesus, marriage, and fatherhood. Every man needs a Dennis Butts in his life. A man who loves the Lord and who isn't afraid the hard questions. His influence is helping me to become a better husband and father.
Willie Mitchell, Founding Pastor, Revival Center Ministries
The man that launched me into urban ministry with children. A true visionary who was decades ahead of his time. When we met he shared that God has inspired him to train leaders and then send him out. Before he died in one of our last conversations he confirmed God's call in my life. The call I was running away from, but was undeniable. I ended that conversation by affirming that what he shared was indeed what God had shared with me over 10 years before. Soon, the call came and I was launched into urban ministry.
Honorable Mention
All these men are equally important as the men above in other key ways.
Edward Cook, Deacon New Jerusalem COGIC
The man who told me 21 years ago, "Brother Woodley, live on one income." Life Changing advice.
David Smith, Retired Policeman
His wordily wise advice confirmed the training I learned at home. As a teen helped me focus.
Paul M. Kuck, Founder of Regal Marine
The man who turned his business struggles into to strength and taught me how to persevere in difficult times.
Dr. George D. McKinney, Bishop, General Board of the Church of God in Christ, Inc.
Preached the message that lead me to the Lord and created an early model of urban ministry in San Diego.
Carl Wagner, Educator/Coach
A great man and coach that looked past my raw ability at 15 and nurtured my potential in basketball and life.
The Apostle Paul noted in I Corinthian 4:15 to the saints in Corinth that even though they had many guardians they didn't have many fathers in Christ. The truth is we are all born with biological fathers but it takes many "fathers" for us to fully mature as men and leaders. On Father's Day 2011, I am humbled and blessed by all of mine.
Heavy the load you carry
Tho daily you work and toil without recognition
You face each task with unwavering temerity
Your impact and fruitfulness only the future knows
Persevering you face each challenge and day with hope
And increasingly the strength of your character and courage shows
That you a singular man
Solely committed to your children and family
Is focused on developing and nurturing them according to God's plan
An Artoriginal June 2011
As we celebrate the contribution of fathers this year I recognize not only my birth father and the one for who I am named, Arto Woodley, Sr. I recognize the "fathers" in my life, those men who have had a significant impact on the path of my life. While many young men mature without fathers or significant male influences, I was abundantly blessed by men of different races who nurtured the spark God ignited in my heart. This diverse group of men helped fashion me as a leader and man.
In order for every man to grow to his fullest potential we all need men who stretch us beyond what we believe we can accomplish. These challenges enable us to see possibilities previously hidden from our perspective. For me each of these "fathers" created an inflection point in my life that pointed me toward the purpose for which God created me. They built on the foundation laid by God and my natural father. Each man and those honorably mentioned below will always be indelibly linked to my journey.
It is my hope that for each man who reads this will be inspired to reach a young man or some young men to excel and lead. Also, it is my dream that those fathers and aspiring father will reach deep into their souls to elicit the very best they can give to young people. The seed you plant in the life of a young man will have generational and eternal implications.
Eddie Woodley, Uncle, WWII Veteran, and Civil Servant
His example was supreme a young war veteran who moved his widowed mother and three youngest siblings from rural poor Mississippi to Toledo, Ohio. He housed and supported them even when the government moved him to Philadelphia and he live in the YMCA so they could continue living in the house he left them in Toledo. The "Chief" began mentoring me at 4 years old by telling me, "see yourself, know yourself and love yourself," wise words still today. He started my journey and was a surrogate grandfather since both of mine died young.A lifelong friend and was a young early 20's minister when he articulated God's purpose for my life to me at age 7. At every stage of my development he has been a friend, counselor, and encourager helping me to see and understand God's possibilities in my life.
Joe Martini, Retired Bursar, BGSU
Joe should have kicked me out of Bowling Green. I owed over a $1,000 in fees, had no job or way to pay for school. Instead out of our debate about fees he offered me a job to pay for school. Along the way be became a friend and confidante that gave me valuable advice that enabled be to become the first in my family to complete college. He is still a friend and supporting my passion for children.
Clarence Terry, University Admissions Professional, BGSU
He bled the orange and brown of Bowling Green. This low keyed humble man gave me a job as a student recruiter and paved the way to my career in higher education. Clarence was a great encourager and opened the door to graduate school and the next phase of my young life.Dr. Paul J. Olscamp, Retired University President, BGSU
He changed my life with the question, "How did you get to BG from the inner city of Toledo?" That question after a student recruitment trip together in Detroit altered the course of my life and allow God's spirit to point me to my life's passion children in the inner city. Dr. Olscamp's influence didn't end there he paved the way to graduate school and my first position in University Relations. His example as a leader and probing questions forced me to stretch toward my purpose.Dennis K. Butts, Staff Pastor, House of The Lord, Akron Ohio
My friend and the man that helped me face the hard questions concerning my faith in Jesus, marriage, and fatherhood. Every man needs a Dennis Butts in his life. A man who loves the Lord and who isn't afraid the hard questions. His influence is helping me to become a better husband and father.Willie Mitchell, Founding Pastor, Revival Center Ministries
The man that launched me into urban ministry with children. A true visionary who was decades ahead of his time. When we met he shared that God has inspired him to train leaders and then send him out. Before he died in one of our last conversations he confirmed God's call in my life. The call I was running away from, but was undeniable. I ended that conversation by affirming that what he shared was indeed what God had shared with me over 10 years before. Soon, the call came and I was launched into urban ministry.Honorable Mention
All these men are equally important as the men above in other key ways.
Edward Cook, Deacon New Jerusalem COGIC
The man who told me 21 years ago, "Brother Woodley, live on one income." Life Changing advice.
David Smith, Retired Policeman
His wordily wise advice confirmed the training I learned at home. As a teen helped me focus.
Paul M. Kuck, Founder of Regal Marine
The man who turned his business struggles into to strength and taught me how to persevere in difficult times.
Dr. George D. McKinney, Bishop, General Board of the Church of God in Christ, Inc.
Preached the message that lead me to the Lord and created an early model of urban ministry in San Diego.
Carl Wagner, Educator/Coach
A great man and coach that looked past my raw ability at 15 and nurtured my potential in basketball and life.
The Apostle Paul noted in I Corinthian 4:15 to the saints in Corinth that even though they had many guardians they didn't have many fathers in Christ. The truth is we are all born with biological fathers but it takes many "fathers" for us to fully mature as men and leaders. On Father's Day 2011, I am humbled and blessed by all of mine.
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