It’s designed as a place for men to get together and encourage each other in a relaxed atmosphere.

It revolves around a bi-monthly dinner, a keynote speaker and an emphasis on being real.

This is a concept that has been steadily brewing in the mind of Tony Richardson from Northwest Church.

Earlier this year, he visited a similar men’s dinner at Manilla and came away profoundly impressed.

What he saw was ordinary blokes being up-front about their walk with Jesus and the struggles that sometimes come along.

He came home saying, “Tamworth needs something like this.”

The idea incubated for a while, then Tony decided it was time to push a few doors.

First stop was Gregory’s on Goonoo Goonoo where he spoke with Greg Johnston. Greg received the idea with enthusiasm and some parameters began to emerge.

The first meeting would be Friday November 17 at Gregory’s, starting at 7pm. It will cost $25 for a two course meal with RSVPs in by the 13th so that catering can be organised. From that moment things started coming together.

Tony shared the vision with a couple of mates, Dale Martin from the Presbyterian Church and Ben Tomlinson from the Baptist Church. They were all enthusiastic to make it work.

The speaker would be Mike Spencer, a local author who has recently published a book called One People, One Destiny, which chronicles the history of Australia from a Christian perspective.

But many churches have men’s meetings. What’s special about this one?

“It’s all about unity,” says Tony. Young and old from any church, or no church at all. In fact, it’s just the thing for men on the fringes, who won’t come to church, but might find this less daunting.

“If men can get together and be of one mind, we can encourage each other to make a stand for what is right, in our families, in our church, or council, or commerce. We can make this city a place where people want to live because they have no fear.

“Being a Christian on your own is hard. But when men get together and make an effort to be together in Christ, it’s easy.

“We’ll enjoy each other’s company and together we’ll support each other.” he says. “The Bible says, when brothers dwell together in unity, the Lord commands a blessing.”