Raising Godly Men: A Conversation with Reecie D. Stagnolia III
Welcome to the Together for the Mountains podcast, where faith comes alive in the heart of the mountains. We believe God is on the move in Eastern Kentucky, stirring up something powerful through everyday people saying yes to His call. This isn't just another podcast; it's a front porch conversation about faith in action, community transformation, and the kind of love that steps outside the church walls to make a difference.
In a recent powerful episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with Reecie D. Stagnolia III, a longtime friend, teacher, mentor, and disciple-maker deeply rooted in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. Reecie's passion is to see godly men rise up to lead in their homes, churches, and communities, and our conversation provided not only encouragement but also practical steps for investing in the next generation of leaders.
Roots in the Mountains: A Legacy of Impact
Reecie shared his upbringing in Lynch, Kentucky, a small town at the foot of Black Mountain in Harlan County. He cherishes great memories from growing up where he knew almost everyone. His unique last name, Stagnolia, reveals his Italian heritage, common among many who found their way to Eastern Kentucky to work in the coal mines, including both of his grandfathers. Lynch continues to be a place where God is at work, as evidenced by tours at Portal 31, a former mine, and the community's revitalization efforts.
Education has been a cornerstone of Reecie's family legacy. His father, Reecie Stagnolia Jr., was a significant figure in the community, serving as the school superintendent of Harlan County schools and on various community and college boards. His dedication to education is honored through the Reecie and Martha Stagnolia Gallery at Southeast Kentucky Community Technical College and the Reecie Stagnolia Jr. Memorial Bridge. Despite his father initially advising against a career in education due to pay, Reecie found his passion leading Kentucky's adult education system. This passion stemmed from seeing how his father's own pursuit of a GED, after dropping out of school and joining the Navy, transformed their family's trajectory. This story underscores the profound opportunity education offers to enhance lives, especially in the challenging economic and educational landscape of Eastern Kentucky.
The Power of Spiritual Mentorship and Accountability
While his father and grandfathers were influential, Reecie credits other men with significantly shaping his faith.
• His high school pastor, Joe Bill Brown, who later led a mega-church, had a dynamic impact on his life and youth group.
• He fondly remembers deacons from his small Baptist church inviting him, as a young kid, to their prayer times in the church basement, a deeply impactful experience.
Later in life, after moving to Lexington and joining Southland Christian Church, two individuals became pivotal in his faith journey:
• Craig Avery: A great friend and mentor who taught Reecie and his wife in a Sunday school class for 13 years. Craig’s life lessons and challenges greatly impacted Reecie as a young husband and father. Craig also leads the 210 Leaders initiative, emphasizing that work and worship should become one, challenging the tendency to leave faith at the workplace door until Sunday.
• Mike Klene: Reecie's accountability partner for over 25 years. They met every Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. for breakfast, even continuing their meetings in Frankfort after Mike moved to Louisville. Their families also spent significant time together.
These meetings with Mike involved using an accountability card with seven challenging questions that serve as a framework for weekly check-ups. These questions are bookended by scripture, specifically Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another".
The key questions include:
• Are you in the word?
• Are you studying the word?
• Are you praying?
• How are you doing with your wife and your family and treating them?
• How are you investing in your kids and their spiritual life?
• Are you building a biblical marriage by honoring, loving, and serving your wife?
• Are you making a kingdom difference in your community and workplace?
• Are there areas of life where you struggle (lust, pride, greed)?
• "If you were on trial for being a Christian, is there enough evidence to convict you?"
These questions encourage a positive pursuit of godliness rather than merely a confession of sins, fostering challenge, support, and encouragement, much like Hebrews 10:24 suggests: "And let us consider how we may spur each other on toward love and good deeds".
Why Godly Men are Essential for Community Transformation
Reecie passionately articulated why raising up godly men is paramount for the mountains and rural churches:
• Startling statistics reveal that children without fathers are four times more likely to live in poverty, 279% more likely to be involved in violent activity, and two times more likely to drop out of high school, and much more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.
• The impact of a husband and father in the life of children is tremendous for their future growth, development, success, and ultimate walk of faith.
• In rural cultures, men often face challenges in being transparent, accountable, and vulnerable. Reecie stresses that vulnerability does not diminish masculinity; rather, it signifies strength and is essential for elevating Christ in one's life.
• Men need the courage to lead, not allowing society to disarm them or strip away their masculinity. Leading a family courageously has a profound impact on wives, families, communities, and workplaces.
Practical Steps for Churches: The Titus 10 Framework
For leaders seeking practical steps to invest in men, Reecie highly recommended the book Titus 10, which Southland Christian Church's elders studied. This book unpacks the expectations of a husband, father, and leader, focusing on identity, assignment, authority in Christ, character, and mission.
The book uses the imagery of God equipping Adam with a plow and a sword, calling him to a life of selfless love to cultivate, grow, and protect or guard. The sword represents guarding and protecting one's family from the destructive forces of Satan.
The Book of Titus clearly outlines the character qualities of an overseer or elder, emphasizing that these qualities are first played out in the home. As Reecie notes, examining how a man treats those closest to him reveals much about his character. Titus also calls older men to teach younger men self-control, and older women to guide younger women spiritually. This intergenerational discipleship is astounding in its potential kingdom impact.
Reecie likens the Christian walk to that of professional athletes: constant training is required to maintain a level of excellence in faith; it's not a "one-and-done" thing.
Engaging the Next Generation of Men
Today, younger men are "dying for an example" and "seeking after a mentor". Reecie drew parallels to the Promisekeepers men's movement he participated in, starting in 1995, where tens of thousands of men gathered in stadiums, singing and being challenged by speakers. These events led to the formation of small accountability groups, helping men move beyond surface-level conversations to deeper faith discussions. Reecie described these annual events as an "annual battery recharge". The movement culminated in the "Stand in the Gap" rally in Washington D.C. in 1997, which drew approximately a million men and was centered on 2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people who are called by name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from heaven; I will forgive their sin and will heal their land".
Actionable Advice for Churches
Reecie's advice to church leaders and individuals looking to invest in young men and women is clear:
• "The church is not a building." We must "break huddle and run a play," getting outside the church walls.
• Instead of immediately inviting new Christians or unengaged men to a Bible study where they might feel intimidated, start by building relationships and community through shared activities. This could include:
◦ Watching the Super Bowl together
◦ Undertaking service projects (e.g., helping an elderly woman with home repairs)
◦ Attending sporting events together
Building trust is paramount. In accountability groups, it's crucial that "what's said here stays here" to foster transparency and vulnerability.
Reecie's heartfelt prayer for men in the mountains emphasized the ripple effect their growth in faith can have on families and the next generation, transforming Eastern Kentucky.
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Remember: You don't need a big program to start discipling men; you just need a table, a couple of opportunities to engage, and a long-term vision.
We're better together! To stay updated with future episodes and learn more about Together for the Mountains, visit our website at togetherforthemountains.com or find us on YouTube.
