Who are We?

The Vision:

Training men in the ancient paths of masculinity. Jer. 6:16

Empowering them to expand God’s kingdom however He leads- Matt. 28:16-20

Who are we?

The team behind Hocoka Men are friends in their 60's, 50's, 40's and 30's. Troy Mangum  founded Hocoka and is a member of Lumbee Indian tribe in N.C. He invited his friends (from different races and backgrounds) to be part of the team. Our team are all active in local church communities including Southern Baptist, Assemblies of God, Charismatic (Radiance Church Network) and Chapel Hill Bible Church. The team include Robert Lee, Andy Poe, Stephen Alexander, Steve Gay, Troy Mangum and David Weiss. Please click links to find out more about each one.

What is it?

Hocoka is a ministry to and for Young Men. All we do points them to Jesus as the ultimate model of a masculinity.

We do this through two events a year

1- Adventure event with primary focus on friendship and adventure

2- A gathering of warriors Retreat with focus on growing men into on fire and healthy followers of Jesus

What is the foundational Scripture?

“This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it. I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But you said, ‘We will not listen.’- Jer. 6:16-17.  

Who participates?

Men of all ages but primary focus is for younger men in last teens, 20's and 30's

Is it associated with a ministry or church?

No. We are not a non-profit organization but a group of brothers/ friends. We have strong relationships with our local churches and ministries we are apart of  Vertical Life Church. Church Alive, Chapel Hill Bible Church, Southeastern Baptist Seminary. In addition Troy Mangum has a long history and deep friendships with local men's ministry called Zoweh out of Durham in which he was active part for last 12 years.

What is behind the Name?

Hocoka (hoh-cho-kah) is a Lakota Sioux word.

It can be defined in 3 unique ways:  

1-A method to transfer knowledge between men of different generations.

 The Sioux referred to Hocoka as a men’s talking circle. It describes a circle of older and younger men interacting with the intent purpose of masculine growth in younger men by the elders of the tribe. Also a place where important decisions were made.

2- A place of agreement between leaders around a joint & just cause

Hocoka is the center of the camp where the fire is during an inter-tribal council (a gathers of chiefs from different tribes).  Hocoka is the location of the discussion and deciding making activities in an inter-tribal council. Inter-tribal councils are meetings where Chiefs from various tribes gather to negotiate and make agreements on behalf of their tribes with other tribes. This is similar to when established older men with families, resources and influence come together in agreement for a common goal. Hocoka is a model of how older men can form alliances with one another on behalf of a worthy cause/goal (like reaching younger men for the gospel) vs. competing with one another.

3- Jesus as the center of all things.  (Colossians 1:17)

Having extensively studied Christian Evangelical Native American theologians, I (Troy Mangum) discovered within Native American philosophies the world is split into 4 sections. North, West, East, South/ Child, Young Man, Adult Man, Elder/ Earth, Wind, Fire, Water/ Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, etc.. The center of the 4 sections is where life revolves around. It is where heaven (sky) and earth meet. That place is called Hocoka by Native Americans. As I (Troy Mangum) studied this, it became clear to me Jesus is where heaven and earth meet. (ref. Col 1:15-16,19, Col. 2:9, Phil 2:7-9).  He was 100% God and 100% Man- he embodied where heaven and earth meet. Jesus should be the center of a man's life with all things revolving around Him.  Through every season, through every circumstance, through every life stage as a man, Jesus provides balance when He is rightfully put in the center of a mans' life.

Questions? Reach out below