06/23/2026
“Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success.”
Allegedly, the Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton placed this advertisement in a London newspaper. According to the story, more than 5,000 men applied for the daring polar expedition. On August 8, 1914, twenty-eight men boarded Shackleton’s ship, Endurance. What followed was an ordeal that would last twenty-one months and two days.
Fifteen months into the journey, the ship became trapped and then crushed by Antarctic ice. The crew spent five months in makeshift tents on drifting ice floes. Eventually, they launched three salvaged lifeboats and sailed to a barren spit of land—the first solid ground they had set foot on in 497 days. They were 10,000 miles from home, and no rescue was coming.
Shackleton and five crew members then set out in a 22-foot lifeboat to sail 800 miles across one of the most dangerous stretches of ocean on earth. Their destination was South Georgia Island, home to a remote whaling station. After seventeen days of battling frigid winds and treacherous seas, they landed on the wrong side of the island. Undeterred, they crossed a mountain range considered impassable to reach civilization. More than four months later, Shackleton returned to Elephant Island and rescued the twenty-three men left behind.
Against all odds, every member of the expedition survived.
This understated “hazardous journey” of “bitter cold” and “long hours of complete darkness” was endured by extraordinary men. Do you know the single quality Shackleton prized most in those he selected? It was not experience. It was not physical strength. It was optimism.
Survival in a hostile environment requires confidence, resilience, and a positive outlook.
False starts and emotional spurts seldom accomplish much. But sustained enthusiasm in a worthy cause is often the incubator of achievement. With Shackleton’s story in mind, consider a few characteristics of ROUGH-CUT MEN.
MANLY MEN TAKE RISKS
Can you imagine thousands of men responding to Shackleton’s invitation?
The dangers were plainly stated. The hardships were not concealed. Yet men were drawn to it. Why? Because deep within the heart of every man is a longing for adventure, challenge, and purpose.
Men trapped in routine and suffocated by the mundane were stirred by the possibility of a great quest. Shackleton’s appeal to courage and heroism captured their imagination.
Our feminized culture has stripped much of the manliness from society—and, sadly, from many churches. Passivity has become normal. Acquiescence has become respectable. When challenge disappears from the pulpit, is it any wonder so little happens for the glory of God?
Watered-down preaching inspires nobody. Neutered Bible teaching grips no one. Accommodating messages rarely call men to courage, sacrifice, or achievement.
Yet I believe thousands of men would catch fire if pulpits once again proclaimed the demands of the gospel under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus called men to surrender fully to His Lordship. He commissioned His followers to take the gospel to every creature. The supernatural power unleashed in the Upper Room ignited ordinary men who turned the world upside down.
When revival fire seizes the hearts of men, things happen.
Men with burning hearts pursue God-sized dreams.
MANLY MEN ENDURE HARDNESS
Shackleton and his crew were rugged men. Their pioneering spirit prepared them for unimaginable adversity. Their shared mission forged a bond that enabled them to persevere through cold, darkness, hunger, and hardship.
United in heart and purpose, they strengthened one another through their corporate agony.
Paul exhorted Timothy:
“Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3).
To endure hardness means to bear suffering as a soldier in God’s army.
If military men can form bonds stronger than death, how much more should God’s men be united in the cause of Christ?
I thank God for fellow soldiers who stand beside me, encourage me, and help carry burdens during difficult seasons. I thank God for mentors, exhorters, and trusted confidants.
Some burdens are simply too heavy for one man to carry alone.
In God’s army, we bear one another’s burdens. This unique fellowship strengthens us and increases our capacity to endure hardship.
MANLY MEN STAY IN FAITH
Shackleton was wise to recruit optimistic men.
The Antarctic was no place for complainers, pessimists, or men who constantly expected the worst. Their positive outlook helped sustain them through one of the most miserable ordeals imaginable.
No doubt they had moments of discouragement. But they refused to surrender hope. They learned how to strengthen one another with the expectation that they would survive.
You had better identify and surround yourself with faith-filled men.
Recruit loyal followers of Christ as your closest companions. Doubt is contagious, but so is faith.
You need friends who stick closer than a brother.
There will be seasons when your faith is weak and you need to borrow strength from another believer. At other times, you will help carry someone else.
The battle behind every battle is ultimately a battle for faith.
Paul told Timothy:
“Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12).
The fight of faith is simply the determination to stay in faith. Refuse unbelief. Refuse despair. Refuse to quit trusting God.
The shield of faith paves the way forward.
Skeptics are everywhere. Doubters are plentiful. But manly men keep believing.
Iron sharpens iron, and faith-filled brothers stir faith in one another.
MANLY MEN DO EXPLOITS
Shackleton was a visionary who attracted lion-hearted men to a historic mission. What they endured and accomplished was unprecedented.
And not a single man was lost.
Consider the exploits recorded in Hebrews 11. These heroes of faith:
“subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword,… waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens” (Hebrews 11:33-34).
What exploits!
These examples were preserved to inspire us toward mighty triumphs in our generation.
Today, pioneers are in short supply. Yet the need for brave, confident, aggressive, faith-filled, and manly men has never been greater.
Biblical masculinity is not something to apologize for. It is something to celebrate.
When churches intentionally cultivate masculine virtues, they will attract visionaries, missionaries, pioneers, dreamers, and courageous men who desire to accomplish eternal exploits.
The advertisement read:
“Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success.”
Shackleton’s call to adventure was remarkable. But it pales in comparison to God’s call!
The Lord is summoning men to join the ranks of Spirit-filled adventurers on the quest of a lifetime—to accomplish mighty exploits, to see souls converted, to advance the Kingdom of God, to lay up treasures in heaven, and to fulfill their divine assignment.
We are not here merely to make a living. We are here to make a LIFE that counts for eternity.
Harold Vaughan
*The Men’s Prayer Advance is an event to Inspire, Instruct, and IGNITE men for God’s glory. This is not a glorified “Men’s Retreat.” We WILL NOT have goofy skits, raffles, Super Bowl adverts, movie clips, celebrity testimonies, Christian comedians, target practice, or sponsor a golf tournament.
We WILL HAVE industrial strength Preaching, heart-felt Praising, and Prayer. If you are longing for a MANLY MEN’S event—you will feel at home here at the Men’s Prayer Advance. Register Today… and bring a friend!
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**Christ Life Ministries also sponsors MAN UP Weekend events for local churches.
