Week before last, I wrote about The Forge, which is a beautiful coincidence because just last week, Dads4Kids’ friend Andrew Gray (who’s also speaking at our upcoming Men’s Summit) launched an exciting new program called The Forge. Watch the video below to find out more.

We were honoured to have Andrew speak at last year’s Summit, and he’s back again this year, along with Dr Allan Meyer, Paul ‘PJ’ Bedwell, and the one and only Warwick Marsh. Andrew has also become a great friend of Dads4Kids. He played a key role guiding the passing of the Dads4Kids baton this time last (read the full story here). In fact, it’s exactly 12 months to the day since I took on the role of leading Dads4Kids, and what an honour it’s been. How fitting to be writing about the amazing work of Andrew Gray and his team this weekend.

The Forge posits that maleness is born, but manhood is formed. Professor and Author Camille Paglia describes it this way:

A woman simply is, but a man must become. Masculinity is risky and elusive. It is achieved by a revolt from woman, and it is confirmed only by other men. Manhood coerced into sensitivity is no manhood at all.

As a former boy, now a middle-aged man, a husband, and a father of 5 daughters, I couldn’t agree more.

I’m so thankful my father, Dads4Kids cofounder Warwick Marsh, played a crucial role in forging my brothers and me into the men we are today. Growing up, our family’s musical adventures travelling and meeting people from all walks of life helped us to develop and grow. Dad was intentional in surrounding us Marsh boys with positive male role models, many of them godly men, to guide us into manhood.

My parents also understood what Paglia means by masculinity being ‘risky and elusive’. That doesn’t mean risk-taking is the apex of manhood, but a big part of boys becoming men is learning how to take responsibility for oneself and how to manage risks, both for yourself and others around you.

At 7 years old, my brothers and I were each gifted a special Swiss Army Knife (I still have mine), which was the pinnacle for a young boy like me. Used incorrectly, it could cause injury, as I discovered one day while foolishly throwing it around with the blade extended (and managed to puncture my foot — I never did that again!). I’m convinced that my parents entrusting me as a young boy with something potentially dangerous was helpful for my development into manhood.

During our teen years, we learnt how to safely fire guns (.22s, shotguns, and I remember having a sore shoulder after shooting a .308), we rode down fire trails as fast as we could go on our BMX Bikes, and we conducted many experiments in pyrotechnics. We thought we were just having fun, but my parents understood that these experiences were critical for our development from boys into men.

Andrew Gray gets it too. He explains on The Forge website:

Growing older doesn’t automatically make you the man you were meant to become. You can carry responsibility, build a career and do everything expected of you—yet still know there are parts of your life that remain unformed.

Manhood is not a moment. It is a process.

The Forge is a purpose-driven community for men who refuse to leave their growth to accident or chronology. It is an environment where men can face what has shaped them, take responsibility for what comes next and build alongside other men.

Men need more than information. They need truth, application and other men willing to walk beside them.

I’m forever grateful for my parents and their wonderful discipleship, but eight years ago, I was floundering. I’d lost my way, and a structured environment like The Forge that Andrew and his team have created would have been helpful. Thankfully, in 2018, I attended my first Dads4Kids Men’s Summit, and it changed my life. The 2026 Men’s Summit is only a few weeks away – both Andrew and I would love to see you there!

The Forge, and the Men’s Summit, exist because manhood doesn’t just happen by accident or simply through the passage of time. Andrew writes:

Through years of mentoring men, I’ve seen capable, responsible men reach a point where achievement alone can no longer answer the deeper questions: Who am I becoming? What is shaping me? What am I here to contribute?

The Forge was created for men dealing with their past, building for their future and facing the giants in front of them—not as isolated individuals, but as a brotherhood.

Maleness is indeed born, but manhood is forged. No matter where you’re at in your journey as a man, whether younger or older, take some time today to reflect and ask yourself this question: What needs to be forged next in me?

Lovework

Check out The Forge and complete Andrew’s free assessment. It only takes a few minutes. If you haven’t already, make sure you register today for the Men’s Summit, 28^th – 30^th August 2026 at The Tops Conference Centre (just south of Sydney) – registrations close soon. I’d love to see you there!

Yours for the forge,
Nathaniel Marsh

P.S. If you’re encouraged by the work of Dads4Kids and can support our vision to build men, grow fathers, and change generations, please consider supporting us on a monthly basis.