Dads Don’t Have to Do It Alone
The Dad Collective

When I first started dreaming about The Dad Collective, it came from a heavy realization: many of us dads were trying to navigate the same challenges on our own. We were all asking how to raise our kids well and follow Jesus in the middle of a busy life, but we lacked a place for honest conversation. Once we started talking about this, it felt like that meme where everyone is pointing at each other saying, “You too?”

After a dinner with another dad where we identified this shared need for community, the idea finally took flight. To be honest, I worried no one would show up. Men’s events can be unpredictable, and I pictured myself sitting in a living room alone. Instead, thirteen guys joined us for our first meeting in January. We now have a solid core that meets every second Sunday evening to eat, pray, and open God’s Word together.

The practical details fell into place beautifully. A local couple even stepped up to handle the food so our host homes wouldn’t feel burdened. But the most meaningful moments happen after the official meeting ends. That first night, guys didn’t rush for the door; they stayed to talk and share their hearts. One dad even caught me in the driveway just to ask for prayer. That kind of vulnerability is exactly what I had hoped for.

It has been especially encouraging to see who is attending. We have dads who first connected with us through the Good News Club at Coventry Elementary alongside long-time members. This group exists to give dads a place to walk alongside each other—growing in emotional intelligence and practical faith. My hope is that no man in our church feels he has to figure out fatherhood alone.

Todd Hixenbaugh,
Kids & Family Pastor