By Abigail Roberts
The barber shop has long been a place where men have gathered and shared stories and struggles while receiving a hair cut.
After years of barbering and connecting with people from all walks of life, Jon Miniard said he recognizes there is a need – one he hopes to meet with a new idea called ‘MEN-istry.’
Miniard, a father of six and owner of Trackside Trimmers Barber Studio in McKinney, has been cutting hair since 2018.
“Over the years, I’ve come to realize that the barber chair often becomes more than just a place for a haircut,” he said. “It becomes a place where people open up, talk about life and carry burdens that aren’t always visible.”
Miniard said he realized that many men don’t have a healthy outlet to talk about pressures they face at work, at home, in their marriages or internally.
“I personally struggle with imposter syndrome and the feeling that I have to wear a mask or entertain others instead of being authentic,” he said. “These meetings were created to provide a space where men can be real, honest and supported, while keeping Christ at the center of it all.”
The first MEN-istry meeting was held Tuesday, Jan. 6 and the results exceeded Miniard’s expectations.
“The openness, honesty and vulnerability that took place was incredibly encouraging,” he said. “It confirmed that there is a real hunger for this type of community.”
Miniard wants men to know that they’re not alone and that strength does not come from isolation.
“My hope is that this becomes a place of accountability, encouragement and growth,” he said. “Scripture tells us that ‘iron sharpens iron,’ and that’s the heart behind these meetings. Men walking alongside one another, building stronger families, stronger businesses and stronger faith through genuine connection and support.”
Miniard said the weekly meetings are open to all men.
“You don’t have to have it all figured out to attend. If anything, this is a place for those who know they don’t,” he said.
Seeing men show up to Tuesday’s first meeting and share and support one another reinforced that this is something worth continuing and nurturing, Miniard said.
“My hope is simply to create a safe, welcoming environment where men can grow together and find encouragement for the road ahead,” he said.
SO YOU KNOW
The meetings are held every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Trackside Trimmers Barber Studio in McKinney, Kentucky. Updates, reminders, and any schedule changes will be shared through the Trackside Trimmers social media pages, which is the best way for people to stay informed.
The new MEN-istry meetings will be held in what used to be McKinney Baptist’s Fellowship Hall. Miniard said these meetings pay homage to the building’s past.
