Calvary Chapel Oceanside

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2025 TRUE VALOR

The men of North County San Diego will be uniting for a two-day conference called
True Valor: Restoring the Heroic Virtues of Biblical Manhood.

In a day where the known fortifications and virtues of Biblical manhood are under attack, now more than ever do God’s men need to rise up and restore the wall to remain the Priests, Providers, and Protectors we are called to be.

This conference will be many churches but one brotherhood.

This is a charge to every man and neighboring church to help repair the breaches.

This is a call to arise and build.

Now is the time for True Valor.

virtues of biblical manhood

Biblical manhood is not defined by dominance or passivity, but by the courageous pursuit of Christlike character. At the heart of this calling are four heroic virtues:
Leadership, Sacrifice, Courage, and Mission.
These are not abstract ideals, but practical, Spirit-empowered traits that shape how men lead, love, serve, and stand firm in in their everyday relationships and responsibilities. When embraced, these virtues restore what the world has tried to erase and awaken men to their God-given identity and influence.

Leadership

Biblical leadership begins with humility and responsibility. It’s not about control or status, but about serving others, taking initiative, and setting a godly example in the home, church, and community. A true leader reflects Christ by leading with love, wisdom, and conviction, especially when it’s hard.

Sacrifice

At the heart of biblical manhood is sacrifice. Just as Christ laid down His life for us, men are called to lay down their lives for others, whether through purity, service, or self-denial.

Courage

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the resolve to do what is right in the face of fear. Biblical courage is rooted in faith. It is trusting God’s promises and standing firm when the world pressures you to compromise. It empowers men to protect, speak truth, and persevere through trials.

Mission

Every man is called to live with purpose. Biblical mission means aligning your life with God’s greater story by rejecting aimlessness and embracing intentionality. It’s about knowing who you are, why you’re here, and how your gifts and influence can advance God’s kingdom in everyday life.

2025 CONFERENCE VIDEOS

2025 Main Sessions

Virtue #1- Leadership

Sep 19, 2025 • Pastor Dan Leitz

Virtue #2- Sacrifice

Sep 19, 2025 • Pastor Chris Cannon

Virtue #3- Courage

Sep 20, 2025 • Pastor Kevin Bruce

Virtue #4- Mission

Sep 20, 2025 • Pastor Kyle Reno

2025 WORKSHOPS

The Angry Tyrant

Pastor TK Williams

Jethro's List

Pastor March Villareal

Relational Evangelism

Pastor JC Cooper

Dangerous Calling

Pastor Chris Cannon

2025 guest speakers

Kyle Reno

Dan Leitz

Chris Cannon

Senior Pastor
Crossgates Church

Lead Pastor
Calvary Chapel Oceanside

Founder & Executive Director
Sword & Shovel

Kyle serves as Senior Pastor of Crossgates Church in Brandon, MS. When he was 19, he came to Christ through the investment of his baseball coach and a local church experiencing a real move of God in his home state of Alabama. Kyle has never had a season since coming to Christ that he didn’t have a Spiritual Father. This has shaped every aspect of his life and ministry. For one stretch that mentoring came through Robert Lewis, Founding Pastor of Fellowship Bible Church and creator of Men’s Fraternity and this season changed his life and ministry forever.

Kyle wants to be a part of the next great move of God that is marked by men fully alive, passionate prayer, and the presence of God being experienced in local churches. Toward this end, he is also a national speaker on behalf of BetterMan ministry and serves on their board.
Kyle and his incredible wife, Katie, have been blessed with four sons and one daughter.

Dan loves Jesus and His Church. He loves the Gospel, and its power to transform people. Dan wants to see many come to the saving knowledge of Jesus and learn to walk with Him daily. He loves God’s Word (the Bible), and loves to teach it. He's been teaching it for over 15 years. Dan is so blessed to be a husband and a father of three boys and one girl.

Chris is a native of the South Bay in Southern California. As a husband, dad, grandpa, and former pastor, Chris is devoted to leading men into discovering the overwhelming and all-consuming journey of following Jesus Christ into every aspect of their lives. He is confident that it is never too late to enter your manhood and that “though the righteous fall, they get up again.” Proverbs 24:16. When he’s not leading men, he can be found playing pickleball, collecting sea glass with his wife Anne, or wrestling with his grandkids!

Kevin Bruce

Men's Pastor
Calvary Chapel Oceanside

Kevin grew up in Central CA and moved to Oceanside 20 years ago after graduating from Calvary Chapel Bible College. He soon met his wife Rachel and together they have three children, Zaydin, Asher and Makaira. Kevin has been in bi-vocational ministry for 15 years until joining the team full-time at Calvary Chapel Oceanside in 2019. His main areas of focus have been to equip the men of the Church as leaders at ManUp and to foster and cultivate prayer. Kevin longs to see a recovery of Biblical manhood in this generation, and to see an army of priests, providers and protectors raised up. He believes that winning the men is key to turning the tides spiritually in our day.

2025 workshops

Leading With Prayer

How to cultivate a leadership focus that places prayer as priority and raises others into prayerfulness.

Recommended For: Emerging and Current Leaders, Fathers at all Stages

Workshop Speaker:
Pastor Kyle Reno, Crossgates Church, Brandon Mississippi & Betterman

The Uriah Principle

The first place to start as a leader is right where you live, work and play. How to model integrity, go the extra mile, and live above compromise.

Recommended For: Leaders, Fathers, Business Owners,
Lay Ministry Leaders, Pastors

Workshop Speaker:
Pastor Kevin Bruce, Calvary Chapel Oceanside

Messy Leadership

How to navigate leadership when you are being opposed, cleaning up other's messes, and having a tough time.

Recommended For: New Leaders,Tired Leaders, Leaders in Transition, Dad's Dealing with Rebellion

Workshop Speaker:
Pastor Jeremy Aylett, Mesa Church, San Diego & SEND Network

Becoming Second

How to avoid costly regrets and not sacrifice your family for the world of greed and personal ambition.

Recommended For: Men, Fathers, Workaholics

Workshop Speaker:
Pastor Justin Windham, Faith Community Church, Carlsbad

Put Me In The Gap

Many men want to make an impact, but aren't willing to pay the price tag. Learn how to organize your life around sacrifice and service in order to have the ultimate impact.

Recommended For: Young Men, Older Men, Late Bloomers

Workshop Speaker:
Pastor Steve Adams, Calvary Chapel Oceanside

The Angry Tyrant

How to courageously overcome prideful oppressive tendencies and surrender your anger by placing yourself on the altar.

Recommended For: Men, Husbands, Fathers

Workshop Speaker: Pastor T.K. Williams, Calvary Chapel Oceanside

Breaking Lust

In this workshop we will address the pitfalls of lust and self-serving sin by looking at the true love and sacrifice of Christ. How did Jesus overcome this world as a single man?

Recommended For: Men Battling Lust in all its Forms- sexual sin, body appetites, selfish living, addictive tendencies

Workshop Speaker:
John Choi, Calvary Chapel Oceanside

Spines of Steel

How to raise up children to be fearless, know their identity, and have God's courage in today's woke culture.

Recommended For: Fathers, Prospective Fathers, Grandfathers, Mentors, and Men in Roles of Leadership

Workshop Speaker:
Pastor Bill Davis, Calvary Chapel Oceanside

Just Ask Her

How to overcome timidity in relationships, foster healthy communication and enjoy lifelong dating while married.

Recommended For: Husbands, Men is Relationships

Workshop Speaker:
Pastor Harv Sega, Calvary Chapel Oceanside

Relational Evangelism

How to pierce the strongholds of darkness by sharing the Gospel with colleagues, classmates and teammates.

Recommended For: Professionals, Athletes, Students, Disciples

Workshop Speaker:
Pastor JC Cooper, The Mission Church, Carlsbad

Jethro's List

How to guard against a savior complex through multiplication by sharing mission and success with others.

Recommended For: Men, Leaders, Fathers, Training/Disciple Making

Workshop Speaker:
Pastor March Villareal, San Diego Christian Fellowship, South Campus

Dangerous Calling

Identifying the threats men face in living on mission and how to overcome them.

Recommended For: Men of all ages

Workshop Speaker:
Pastor Chris Cannon, Sword & Shovel

A look back at the 2024 conference

The True Valor trailers are a call to arms for the men of North County. We believe men will be inspired and encouraged by the story and challenge presented. Shot on location at several known North County landmarks, this is truly an event for our cities and men. Please join us in sharing these with local pastors, leaders and men to help spread the word and rally others!

True Valor Teaser Trailer (1 minute)

True Valor Trailer- full version (2.5 minutes)

deadly manslayers

Passivity

Embracing the Role of Priest, Provider, and Protector
Death exists because the first man fell to the manslayer of passivity. This session delves into the dangers of avoiding responsibilities and the tendency to take the path of least resistance. We will learn how to reject passivity and embrace our roles as spiritual leaders in our homes and communities, addressing the evils that come from inaction and the neglect of confronting sin.

Fear

Overcoming the Fear of Fulfilling Your Calling
This session targets the paralyzing effects of fear which prevents men from taking risks and advancing in their spiritual and personal lives. Drawing inspiration from biblical figures like Gideon, we will be equipped with tools to overcome fear, embrace our God-given missions, and step into our callings with confidence and courage.

Lust

Breaking Free from Sexual Sin
Sexual sin is a pervasive manslayer that diminishes integrity, destroys relationships, and quenches our spiritual calling as men. In this session we will be provided with strategies to confront and overcome sexual sin, including resources for maintaining sexual integrity and rebuilding relationships affected by this manslayer. We will leave equipped to lead lives of purity and honor, enhancing our spiritual strength and impact on the world.

Aimlessness

Cultivating Vision and Intentionality
Aimlessness, or the lack of a clear vision for life, is a major manslayer. In this session, we will develop a spiritual compass for ourselves and our families. Through practical guidance and biblical principles, we will learn how to set intentional goals and live purposefully, fostering discipleship and leadership in every aspect of our lives.