Endorsements

What is genuine masculinity? Could you define it? Could you plot a course and lead others toward the discovery of manhood? For every image of a truly heroic man, we have been given thousands of misrepresentations of what it really means to be a man according to our Creator’s design. If you are looking for a book to help you or your youth ministry discover and articulate what authentic manhood is—you have found it! Shawn writes with clear and unvarnished biblical accuracy. Throughout the book he weaves in his own journey and includes noteworthy coaches, teachers, and fathers who most of us can relate to. He also introduces us to a host of biblical characters as well as bringing to the table some of the great classicauthors like Calvin, Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Thoreau, and Shakespeare.

Brower gives us a sharp reminder that man has a propensity for "passivity." We need leaders! Where have the godly men gone? Don’t just buy this book, but read it, live it, and teach it!
— Steve Connor, Linebacker, the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles (now St. Louis) Rams; Founder, Sports Outreach International

As a man who did not have a Christ-centered spiritual mentor when I was young, I have spent much of my adult life trying to learn what it means to be a man who follows Jesus. Frankly, I have learned best from books written long before this present generation, with only a few exceptions. Dr. Brower has written one stunning exception. This book was significantly formative for me as a man who struggles with fear. It magnified Jesus and charted a course for me to follow as one who prays to be a man of God. I recommend this book both to Christian fathers, sons, pastors, and church members, and to cynics about the faith and inquirers into the truths of Christianity. There is much here for the teachable reader. Read slowly and savor carefully. You will not be disappointed.
— Joe Novenson, Senior Pastor, Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee

In a culture of perpetual adolescence, young men need wise guides and wise guidebooks. Shawn Brower has a proven track record not only as a coach and Christian school leader but as a wise guide for young men, and We Became Men is a wise guidebook that you’ll want to pick up, read, and use whether you are a young man looking for sage counsel or someone older looking to influence the emerging generation. The teaching here is clear, biblical, practical, and visionary. Many lives have been shaped for the better by Shawn, and I pray many more will be shaped because of his important book.
— John Stonestreet, Executive Director, Summit Ministries; Director of Strategic Partnerships, Colson Center for Christian Worldview

Shawn Brower knows young men. Athletic coach extraordinaire, he gets inside their heads and inside their hearts. In We Became Men, young men will be challenged to step up to the plate of their calling, to press onward toward the goal of their purpose in life, and to run the race set before them and already accomplished through the triumph of their gracious Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ. Here’s the perfect gift for every teen young man.
— Douglas Bond, Author, STAND FAST In the Way of Truth and HOLD FAST In a Broken World

"Do I have what it takes?" This is the question that either motivates or haunts every man. It has motivated Shawn Brower, compelling him to write this amazingly insightful work, and I am here to testify that the stories, insights, and wisdom of the following pages are not theoretical. They are the consummation of a life lived in the uncertain, risky, exhilarating challenge of training boys to become men and to know they have what it takes. Seven years ago the Lord introduced me to this man of passion, integrity, and vigor. A friendship developed on the field that summer that has translated into a life dedicated to helping our sons and their teammates become young men living in their "true masculine design." It has not been easy. The road less traveled never is. But it has been worth every trial and tribulation.

So spend some time with Shawn Brower, and discover "a young man’s journey to his true masculine design." Invite another man or group of men to read this book together, and if you do, be vulnerable, honest, and forthright with yourself and with these men. In so doing you will choose the narrow path less traveled, "for the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few"(Matt. 7:14).
— Bryant Black, former naval officer, history teacher, and  coach

Young men, if you are up for a challenge, read this book! Brower challenges us to step up and take responsibility—for our hearts, souls, and lives—under the authority of God’s Word. This is a great read for young men who are seeking to live truly (and biblically) masculine lives in service to the Lord Jesus Christ.
— Jon Nielson, Pastor for Senior High, College Church, Wheaton 

The Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood:  - Jeff Robinson, Ph.D.,serves as editor of Gender Blog and wrote... Put a book before me that seeks to unpack biblical manhood while discussing sports at numerous points and quotes the Lord of the Rings, Band of Brothers, Teddy Roosevelt, Louis L’Amour and J.C. Ryle, and you have my undivided attention. Shawn Brower’s new book, We Became Men: The Journey Into Manhood (P&R Publishing), has all the ingredients to offer a delightfully readable challenge for young men to embrace God’s good design for manhood.

Brower proceeds on the truism that the Christian life is a pilgrimage, a journey of adventure, discovery, risk and revelation that is to be lived for one purpose: the glory of God in Christ. The book provides fathers and sons a clear vision and direction for the lives of future men in vital, life-changing areas such as performance, temptations, relationships, idols, boredom with life, and many more. Brower’s work is addressed both to young boys and to fathers or other men whom God has called to raise and mentor boys.

For example, Brower gives wise counsel on the necessity of a young man choosing like-minded, godly friends who will accompany him on the path to manhood, but you will need friends who are willing to help you deal with sinful blind spots such as pride.

Writes Brower: “Without a doubt, life is an adventure. As we journey on, we’ll enjoy the adventure even more when we’re joined by those who have the same interests, men we can slap on the back for a job well done or laugh and celebrate with. Yet, in the ebb and flow of our adventures in life, we run into battles and travel through valleys, facing trials and adversities that are almost too much to bear alone. In such moments, the strength that allowed us to climb mountains, swim oceans, conquer fears, and brave the elements now isolates us from others. We are shaken to the core and too embarrassed to admit we need help. After all, a man’s strength is his identity; it is what makes a man a man. Let’s call this response for what it is: pride.

Brower knows young men well. He served as a high school soccer coach for many years, winning several state championships, and is now principal of Chattanooga Christian School in Chattanooga, Tenn.
-Jeff Robinson, Ph.D.,serves as editor of Gender Blog. He also serves as elder of preaching and pastoral vision at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.