BOYS TO MEN
SHAPING MEN IN THE IMAGE OF GOD
A CHRISTIAN INTERACTIVE COURSE FOR FATHERS & SONS
Boys To Men is a 10-week rite of passage into manhood, to help fathers affirm their sons as men. The course gives you a practical guide to grow your relationship with God together.
Walk with Jesus in the adventure of the Bible brought to life in a colourful story.
A GRAPHIC NOVEL
Build a habit of prayerful meditation and spiritual awareness.
REFLECTIONS
Take on weekly challenges to grow together and learn along the way.
ACTIVITIES
How do you raise a man? In today's culture, this is getting harder to answer as masculinity is suppressed in our world. It is crucial to provide young men with the right guidance.
We have created Boys to Men to equip fathers with the tools they need to shape confident and resilient young men in the image and likeness of God.
This comprehensive bible study program is designed to fit in with your schedule. You have flexibility in how you use the resources provided.
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED!
Collect the armour of God as you journey across the mountain.
Boys to Men is a gamified resource that empowers parents in the formation of their children.
Grounded in the wisdom of Scripture, the program will take the participants on a journey to discover timeless truths and practical guidance for navigating the complexities of life.
Through an engaging illustrated story, thought-provoking lessons, and action-oriented activities, fathers and sons will explore key topics such as self-sacrifice, hope, and courage.
THE TEAM
BEN OXLEY
Creator & writer
Hobart-born operatic tenor Ben, music became the glue for his life. He sang and performed in radio plays as a child, starring as Oliver Twist in his school’s production. After school, he pursued a career in broadcast operations, training as an audio and video tape operator. He studied music and began his professional career in Brisbane and Sydney with Opera Australia. Singing has taken him to Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, and Japan. He has appeared with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra on several occasions and sung for Dame Elizabeth Taylor. He met his wife Cheryl at the Sydney Opera House. They have two wonderful children, Joshua and Olivia, and grandson John.
JOSHUA OXLEY
Producer & writer
Joshua is a young opera singer and music teacher living in Sydney. He has a Bachelor of Music and a Postgraduate Diploma in Opera from the University of Sydney, and has studied a Bachelor of Theology at Charles Sturt University. After being an Evangelical Christian since birth, and a Lay Minister for 18 months, he has recently made the decision to become a catechumen in the Catholic Church with his wife, Sheridan. More than anything, Joshua wants to see and know more of the God revealed to us in Christ, and to make him seen and known.
DIANA AYOUB
Visual designer & illustrator
Diana is the co-founder of sydney-based visual communication agency, Sh8peshifters, where she helps businesses communicate effectively through illustration. She came to Australia in 2013 to study a Master in Design and later pursued a career in higher education as a lecturer and Head of Department of the Visual Communication course at JMC Academy. Diana is passionate about teaching, art and culture, and is always seeking projects where she can inspire people towards the true, the good and the beautiful. She believes Boys To Men is one of those incredible projects that have the power to send out ripples of change into our culture.
OUR STORY
BEN'S STORY
"My Dad died when I was 12. Dad was a faithful Christian man. He died reading this Psalm: “For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” Psalms 30:5 NKJ Many men were significant in my life - my uncle Ron, coaches, and mentors. Much later I was able to understand the importance of being recognised as a young man. When Joshua my son was approaching 13, I prayed to God for guidance. Hebrews chapter 13 was the passage that we looked at over 10 weeks. Joshua is a remarkable man today. We share a love of singing, and a deep desire to see men affirmed in their masculinity. When you have been through this course, it’s very important to affirm your son as a young man. Ask your pastor, minister or priest to present him to your congregation and community."
JOSHUA'S STORY
Over 15 years ago, Dad wrote a short 10 week course for us to do together. He called it Boys to Men. Other cultures had different rites of passage that affirmed a boy becoming a man, but there wasn't anything available to initiate me into manhood. At the completion of the course I felt something had changed. My life had purpose, direction, and meaning. I learned that it was my mission to discover myself by giving myself as a gift - just as Christ had done for me. Years later I suggested to Dad that we build the course so that more people can enjoy it, and other young men could experience true freedom in their lives. Since then, we have designed a graphic novel, reflections on Scripture, prayers, and activities. Our amazing illustrator, Diana, has also included gamified features to make the experience fun and accessible. These are all to enhance and encourage your journey towards God together. Although Boys to Men is for sons, we have created it equally for fathers. Your role in the family has been under more attack than ever. As a father, there are few things more important in your life than how you raise your children. I hope that our work compliments your devotion to bring your son(s) up in the knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of our Heavenly Father.
"Benjamin and Joshua Oxley are on a mission to help men live out God’s plan for their lives through an online program and graphic novel called Boys to Men...The program, for which they are seeking funding to complete, follows the gardener as he leads a father and son in overcoming various evils on the way to understanding their true purpose and identity."
- Georges El Akiki, Catholic Weekly
HOW YOU CAN HELP
We are looking for people who are passionate about supporting families and investing in the next generation to help us bring this project to fruition.
By getting involved in the B2M program, you can make meaningful impact. Here are a few ways you can help:
01. PROJECT FUNDING
We are currently looking for investors to help us take this project from proof of concept to launch.
02. INVESTMENT
Money doesn’t make the world go round. Offering your time and skills to help get this project off the ground is an invaluable way to invest in this initiative.
03. BECOME A CONNECTOR
Do you know anyone who can help us get this project off the ground? We’d really appreciate it if you spread the word, share this pitch document or put us directly in touch!
04. FOCUS GROUPS
You and your son could be part of the first cohort to get a taste of the Boys to Men experience. Keep an eye out for our upcoming events near you, and if you would like to host us in your church or local community, reach out below!
05. PRAY FOR BOYS TO MEN
Prayer is one of the most powerful things you can do to help us get this project off the ground. Thank you for your intercession!