BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: REAL MEN. REAL ISSUES. REAL CONVERSATIONS. REAL SOLUTIONS.: REACHING & RENEWING MEN FOR THE KINGDOM! IT’S DAYTIME

By Marquis L. Cooper

How to save our men has been a topic of discussion that has taken place in schools, churches, community centers, social justice platforms, national initiatives, and other venues across this country for years. At some point in history, a seed of irresponsibility grew in our males. As a result of this seed still growing and getting out of control, many of our sons will not understand the vital role of becoming the priest, provider, and protector of their homes unless we change this epidemic now.

You may be asking, “How do we change this epidemic?” The answer to this question starts with shifting the male back into his proper or rightful position in the household. Whether you realize it or not, the male was created to lead. In many homes across America, the family structure now looks like the following: You have the son (in an unknown spot), mother (in the father’s spot), daughter (behind her mother out of her spot), and the father (totally removed from the family; he has no spot).

When this style of familial transfer takes place, it has a profound effect on the entire family unit, but mostly with the male. We can no longer make excuses for not reaching back to save our men; both the young and old.

Through the power of being REAL and TRANSPARENT we can save the lives of countless males of all ethnic groups in this generation. If you’ve picked up this curriculum, then you’ve already answered the first call God has extended to you. I believe your life is being changed now as you prepare to not just read this book, but to hear the voice of the Lord. The time is NOW!!! IT’S DAYTIME!!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781665502054

Marquis L. Cooper

Marquis is the Senior Pastor of Otter Creek Community Church in Little Rock, Ar. He holds a B.A. degree in Elementary Education from Philander Smith College, and a M. Ed degree in Counselor Education from UA Little Rock. While attending Philander Smith College he was a recipient of the Walton Delta Scholarship from 1994-1999. He is a licensed counselor for grades K-12 and presently serves as a school counselor at Don Roberts Elementary in the Little Rock School District. He wrote and published Guidance ~N~ Action in 2008, Sista Let Me Tell Ya, Bruh If You Only Knew in 2010, and R.E.N.E.W. (Removing Every Negative Emotion & Word) in 2012. R.E.N.E.W. is a curriculum designed for students ages 13 and up. In 2014, Cooper was featured in a book entitled “A Matter of Life or Death: Why Black Men must save black boys in public education”. In 2015, he was appointed to serve on the Suicide Prevention Council which was the first of its kind for Arkansas. Mr. Cooper has received many honors over the past few years. Some of which include: the JV Educational Leadership Award, Citizen of the Year Award, Moton Strong-Lee Hall of Fame Inductee, Character Education Partnership Award as a National Promising Practice in Washington, D.C., and the SRS Community Leader of the Year. Cooper is an accomplished educator. He has presented for multiple associations which include National Center for Youth Issues, TCA (Tennessee Counseling Association), ArSCA (Arkansas School Counseling Association), AEA (Arkansas Education Association), and the TCA (Texas Counseling Association). He has presented his workshop to thousands of educators, parents, and students since 2009. He lives in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is married to Karmen and they have four children.

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© 2020 Marquis L. Cooper. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted

by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse  10/12/2020

ISBN: 978-1-6655-0206-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-0205-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020918904

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed

since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do

not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright ©

1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000,

2001, 2002, 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Website.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Introduction

Suggestions for Using this Manual

Getting To Know YOU

Lesson 1   Real Talk 101

Lesson 2   Real Men. Real Providers.

Lesson 3   Real Issues

Lesson 4   Real Conversations

Lesson 5   Real Men Are LEGIT

Lesson 6   R.A.C.P. Men

Lesson 7   Reaching And Renewing Men

Real Solutions 4 Real Men

15 Tips For Men

Men Who Are Making A Difference

Cooper’s Nuggets 4 Life

Author’s Corner

Contact Information

Endnotes

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost, I want to thank God for giving me the vision to write this curriculum at such a time as this. I want to thank the greatest individuals in my life: my wife Karmen for always being in my corner pushing me to become the father, husband, and leader I have become. I want to thank my wonderful children: Marquis, Cobie, Nia, and Kalia. I want to thank all my family members who always believed in the gifts God had given me. I want to thank my lifelong friend Eric Norris for always being in my corner and supporting me for the past 40 years. I want to thank all my Otter Creek Community Church family for being the best church members on this side of heaven. All the members (men, women, children, and youth) at OCCC are God sent. I want to thank Donnell Parker (my father n law) who always reminded me to stay humble. I want to thank Shalada Toles and Latoya Davis for all the editorial work they put into this project. I want to thank a few of my adopted daughters: Mallory Gatson, Makayla Harris, Kristin Howard, Englysh Miller, and Courtnei Toney for always encouraging their Father Coop (this is the name they gave me as their high school counselor) to do more to help this generation of men. I want to thank my brother in Christ, Elder Corey Foreman for all the work he puts in to help our young men stay on the right side of the law, and for taking the time out of his busy schedule to write the Foreword. I want to thank all my former and present students for always encouraging me to keep moving forward. You guys really inspired me to keep making a difference in the lives of others. I am forever grateful to each of you. It is daytime!!!!

"I never thought I would be reading something so strong at such a young age. These are some of the most powerful questions I have ever seen in my life. These questions should make men want to be better. Mr. Cooper you are really going somewhere with this and I’m with you 100%"- Jahari Irvin, Class of 2018, J.A. Fair High School of College and Career Academies

This book is dedicated to the late Dr. William (Bill) Edwin Thomas- RIL Dr. Thomas aka Doc

FOREWORD

Rev. Marquis Cooper and I have shared many ministry moments helping men, young & old rise, just as the dry bones in the valley in the book of Ezekiel. Romans 8:30 reminds us that whom God predestinates, He also calls and whom he calls, He also justifies and whom He justifies, He also glorifies. I believe God called, predestined & justified Rev. Cooper and through Rev. Cooper’s obedience to the call, God’s glory is upon him.

Rev. Cooper is a nationally renowned motivational speaker, author, and professional school counselor. Most importantly, he is a carrier of the gospel. These great titles and acclamations are evidence that Rev. Cooper is exactly where he is supposed to be, doing the things that God has ordained him to do. I am proud to have witnessed the anointing in his life and to call him my friend.

Rev. Cooper and I share a passion for the mandate on our lives to spread the gospel. God has allowed us to be yoked together in the friendship for ministry. Marquis Cooper began his career as an educator after he graduated from Philander Smith