Dedication. Grace. Leadership.

Hey there, I’m Jeff Ford. I’ve had the incredible opportunity to be the CEO of Man Up and Go for more than a decade and this site is dedicated to sharing my experience with you.

Jeff Ford speaks with college student

Up Close.

Up Close is dedicated to sharing some of my personal journey, leadership lessons, and incredible memories as CEO of the non-profit organization Man Up & Go. Together we’re fighting for the fatherless.

I’m often introduced as Jeffrey Charles Ford on stage or on video, but here, Jeff will do. Join my community of guys dedicated to Christ, accepting grace, and serving as a leader.

Up Close / Central Themes

Jeff Ford prays with families

Dedication to Christ

Living a life dedicated to Christ means aligning your heart, choices, and actions with His teachings, striving to reflect His love in everything you do. It’s about trusting Him daily, serving others selflessly, and letting His grace shape your purpose and direction.

Jeff Ford and Man Up & Go Students

Accepting Grace

Grace and forgiveness of sin mean recognizing that no mistake is too great for God’s love to cover, and His mercy is freely given. It’s about humbly receiving His forgiveness, letting it transform your heart, and extending that same forgiveness to others.

Jeffrey Charles Ford & Man

Servant Leadership

Servant leadership means leading with humility and a heart focused on serving others, following the example of Christ. It’s about putting the needs of others first, empowering them to grow, and finding purpose in lifting others up.

  • Fellowship matters because it brings us together, encourages us in our faith, and reminds us that we’re not meant to do life alone—it’s how we grow and support each other, just like Christ taught.

Featured
Inspired by Elon
Inspired by Elon

I’ve been diving deep into Elon Musk’s leadership style lately, and it’s been a real eye-opener. Musk’s unconventional methods might seem extreme, but there’s a lot we can learn from his approach, especially when it comes to driving impact and innovation. Here’s how I’m applying some of his principles to our mission.

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Where It All Started
Where It All Started

When I reflect on the founding of Man Up and Go, I’m reminded of a powerful moment in my life that shifted my perspective and ignited my passion for this mission. While I never imagined myself in the realm of adoption or foster care, a series of events and divine interventions led me to this crucial work.

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Mission & Vision
Mission & Vision

When I look back on the journey of Man Up and Go, it’s clear that the evolution of our mission and vision has been a deeply collaborative and transformative process. In case we haven’t met, I’m Jeff Ford, and as the CEO of this organization, I’ve had the privilege of working with an incredible team to refine our purpose and strategy, guided by insights from thought leaders like Simon Sinek and deeply rooted in our Christian faith.

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Man Up & Grow
Man Up & Grow

Looking back on the journey of Man Up and Go over the past decade, I’m amazed at how much we’ve grown and evolved. As the CEO of this nonprofit, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing and guiding our transformation. When we first launched Man Up and Go in 2014, it was driven by a profound sense of purpose and urgency. A friend and I had just returned from a transformative trip to Africa, and we were on fire with ideas. We knew we needed to act on our experiences and make a difference. This was also the year we decided to climb Kilimanjaro—a symbol of our commitment to reaching new heights in both personal and organizational goals.

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Dad Issues
Dad Issues

I think it's fair to say that most of us have some "daddy issues." Whether we had a great dad, a good dad, or maybe one who was just kind of okay—or even a dad who wasn’t present at all—those experiences shape us in profound ways. As humans, we all fall short, and sometimes, it’s tempting to compare our earthly fathers to our Heavenly Father. But doing so isn’t exactly wise because our Heavenly Father is perfect, while our earthly fathers, like us, are imperfect.

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