Rallying for family
‘Many things in life affect our spirit — our waiora. If you break your leg you go to the hospital, if you’ve got a sore tooth you go to the dentist. Where do you go to heal your heart?’ SIMON DRUMM
It was far from a quiet weekend morning when hordes of motorbikes roared through Waipa¯ on Saturday.
About 100 leather-clad riders pulled up outside the Cambridge Town Hall as part of the nationwide Destiny Church Man Up/Tu¯ Tangata tour.
The group was met with families and supporters keen to check out the bikes and enjoy the free sausage sizzle.
After stopping off in Cambridge, the riders went to Te Awamutu where they were greeted by a large crowd gathered in the Pak’n Save carpark.
The riders then cruised to Destiny Church Hamilton for a Family Fun Day which included bouncy castles, live music, free burgers and Harley Davidson rides.
In the evening Destiny Hamilton hosted its New Approach Hui and gave away almost 1000 ha¯ngı¯ meals.
The event featured four former presidents and/or members of New Zealand gangs, who spoke of how the Man Up programme had changed their lives and relationships.
Organiser Simon Drumm said the rally was aimed at promoting Destiny Church’s Man Up programme and the women’s Legacy programme.
He said Man Up helps participants to identify and understand the core issues behind male dysfunction.
“It all starts with healing the heart,” Simon says.
“Many things in life affect our spirit — our waiora. If you break your leg you go to the hospital, if you’ve got a sore tooth you go to the dentist. Where do you go to heal your heart?”
The 15-week programme is aimed at helping men overcome violence, anger, depression, obesity, divorce, substance addiction and suicide.
“Man Up allows your heart to heal, and as that happens, you begin to love more and care about life more — and the lives of those around you.”
“In the people that show up to our programmes we’re seeing reduced offending, shifting in their goals and values and coming into better employment opportunities,” he said.
The women’s Legacy programme guides women to “make positive choices and uncover their inner beauty”, he said.
“Our programmes allow people to be that solid man or woman that your family needs.”