Being Full of the Spirit
September 7, 2025
WesleyMen’s Report to World Methodist Council
October 22, 2025International Men’s Day
The World Fellowship of Methodist & Uniting Church Men or WesleyMen is observing the 2025 International Men’s Day (IMD) on November 19th. With the theme: “Supporting Men & Boys to Know Jesus Christ”, the 2025 IMD is a celebration of global awareness for issues confronting men and boys: parental alienation, abuse, homelessness, depression, violence, and suicide. Men and boys are looking for a place to belong, to be included, loved, embraced and welcomed into a Christian community and to know the transforming love, grace and hope of Jesus Christ.
The IMD is observed on 19th November each year. In 2025, the day falls on a Wednesday, providing a platform to engage in activities and discussions related to men’s issues (including their health and well-being). WesleyMen recommends that Sunday, 23rd November 2025 be the culmination of the 2025 IMD in the context of Sunday worship service. Furthermore, we encourage the leadership of Men’s Fellowships/Organizations and Member Churches of the World Methodist Council to observe and promote the 2025 IMD and share this important directive to your constituencies.
Background Information
Every year, the world celebrates International Men’s Day (IMD) to recognize and appreciate the role of men as fathers, brothers, husbands, and colleagues. This day holds significant value as it promotes the positive role of men in framing society, state, and nation and also promotes gender equality. According to the IMD’s official website, the objective of this day is to promote gender equality, appreciate the positive contributions made by men to society, highlight discrimination against men, improve gender relations, and create a safe and better world.
Brief History of the International Men’s Day
Inaugurated in 1992 on February 7th by Thomas Oaster, the day was not celebrated until No
vember 19, 1999, but it came into existence after Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh re-initialized the day in Trinidad and Tobago. International Men’s Day gained massive support in the Caribbean, after which the day was accepted by the international community. Today, International Men’s Day is celebrated in many countries, including Singapore, Australia, India, the United Kingdom, the United States, Haiti, Jamaica, Hungary, Malta, Ghana, Moldova, and Canada.
The day holds significant value as it highlights the “Six Pillars of International Men’s Day”, which includes contributions, in particular for their contributions to the nation, union, society, community, family, marriage, and childcare. On this day, discrimination faced by men is also highlighted, which creates a chance to improve gender relations and equality. It is also a significant day for men all across the globe because it promotes awareness of causes related to men’s health and awareness of men’s mental and physical health. On this day manhood is celebrated and the power of goodness of men is acknowledged.
Theme: “SUPPORTING MEN AND BOYS TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST”
Six Pillars of the International Men’s Day
- Positive male role models
- Positive contributions to society
- Men’s health and well-being
- Discrimination against men
- Improve gender relationships and gender equality
- Safer, better world
Six Objective of the International Men’s Day
- To improve male health
- To tackle discrimination
- To foster positive gender relations
- To make the world a safer place for everyone
- To value male role models
- To acknowledge the contributions of men and boys.
Suggested Road Map to Guide the Celebration of the 2025 IMD
18th – 21st November 2025 -Men’s Fellowships/Organizations in the various conferences (countries) would be expected to select a day (preferably Wednesday 19th November 2025) to hold a seminar or a talk on the 2025 IMD theme. The objectives are: (1) To enable the men appreciate the need for the celebration of the IMD just as the International Women’s Day, which is celebrated in March every year, (2) To arouse the consciousness of men that they (just as women) have emotional challenges that need to be addressed to avert cases like drug abuse, depression and subsequently suicide etc., and (3) To challenge the men to be more committed to enable them perform their God given role creditably.
23rd November 2025 – Hold a Sunday Service Celebrating the 2025 International Men’s Day. Men’s Organizations & Churches are requested to develop and share a communique (based from your context) and be read from the pulpit during the November 23rd Sunday Service.
Sample Communique from the Africa Methodist Men’s Movement (AMMM)
The International Men’s Day (IMD) seeks to offer men a happy, incredible and fulfilling life. It is a day set aside to make men feel loved and appreciated. To achieve these, some form of action is required, not mere rhetoric. There is, therefore, every need to “shout out” to all men and boys to reposition them for them to fulfill their God given role as fathers, husbands, and leaders in all spheres of life. The occasion also focuses on men’s health, men’s vitality, and men’s resourcefulness to improve gender relations; that is, empowering men and women for the cause of humanity. The IMD celebration this year should awaken citizenship, caring, fairness, trustworthiness, respect, and responsibility for all humanity. On behalf of the Africa Methodist Men’s Movement (AMMM), we wish all men and boys in Africa and world as a whole, a Happy International Men’s Day!