Mentoring Anointed Leaders Everywhere (M.A.L.E.) pulled off yet another forum on October 30, 2015 entitled 'Calling All Fathers' to address the challenges of fatherhood in today’s society and attendance this time was far more encouraging than the first attempt over a month ago. Photo: Provided

Pastor Henderson K. Tittle. Photo: VINO/File

One of the facilitators Pastor Albert O. Wheatley speaking with the participants at the forum on Friday October 30, 2015. Photo: Provided

This is according to President of M.AL.E. Pastor Henderson K. Tittle of the New Life Baptist Church (NLBC) who spoke to this news site following the forum which was an open air, frank discussion among fathers of all ages and which took place on the rooftop of the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom.

He reported that the men were able to discuss openly and in a non-judgemental, non-religious setting those issues that they are grappling with in terms of raising their own children and reflecting on the interactions that they had with their own fathers when they themselves were children.

“The meeting began at 7:45 PM. It was chaired by the Vice President of MALE, Mackenzie L. K. Baltimore Sr where he started out with an ice breaker with questions to the fathers asking them how it was for them when it comes to fathering their children compared to when they were fathered,” said Tittle.

He said that persons guiding the discussion shared their opinions on different methods of fatherhood to which persons in the group responded with their thoughts.

“We have scheduled a next date which is November 27, 2015 which is the last Friday of this month for us to meet,” said Tittle. He said these sessions are going to continue on a monthly basis on rooftops and noted that the organisation will examine the possibility of other buildings being used for the sessions.

He said that about 18 fathers showed up and the session went well and lasted until shortly after 9:PM. Just about 8 persons came to the first session which was believed to be hindered by the 34 year old cut off age for participation. “We are looking forward to the next session where we will be going in depth into the different styles of fatherhood,” said Tittle.

All fathers regardless of their age or beliefs were invited to be a part of the forum whose aim was to put their heads together to come up with ideas “so that we could help our sons, the young men of this territory and potential fathers.”