You're going to be needing a Silas (whilst being willing to serve as one as well)

The most important component of Samson Society is the Silas.  This is another man whom is tasked with taking the risk to serve you with a long-term view for what may turn out to be a short-term friendship.  And that's the best definition I can come up with after having the privilege of serving a number of men along the way.

Back in early 2014, before the Lord had enlightened me to the Samson Society here in Jackson, I found myself within a local men's parachurch organization desperate for help.  My heart had been shattered into what felt like a billion pieces at that time, and I was friendless - at least in terms of authentic friends.

During a retreat that I'd attended with this ministry, I was given the opportunity to tell my story which I did in gut-wrenching detail, and from there, I was asked what I "needed" at that point in time by one of the counselors present.  Immediately, I asked for "one friend".  And what followed was utter silence.  Until one of the 30+ men spoke up and volunteered himself.  That man eventually served somewhat as a segue for me into Samson Society.

Long before that event, it was as if I had been preconditioned towards the Silas concept prior to ever hearing about it, and a large part of that had to have been because I had seen tremendous personal growth via one in particular brotherly friendship.

So, why weren't there more volunteers who spoke up on that cold, February evening when I answered the question posed - "What Rob Turner do you need right now"?

The reason is no man typically wants to go at it alone.  Asking one other man to bear the burdens / walk through some season of life exclusively is foreboding and even in concept (certainly in reality), very tough.

Therefore, in order to best manage that emotional responsibility, a Silas must be one who truly has the ability to endear himself to men in general.  Otherwise, there's going to be absolutely nothing in it for him, and of course, that's unworkable in the long run.

Men who gravitate towards Samson Society tend to be these kind of men, therefore they're well suited to take on the role of Silas.  This role which likely will require far more from them then they'll ever receive in return.