Omari Hughes
LEARNING FROM MEN PODCAST
Omari K. Hughes serves as the Lead Pastor and Co-Founder of New Life Church in Laurel, Md. Born in Richmond, Va. Pastor Hughes is the son of Frank and Cheryll Hughes, the proud father of an amazing son, Khalil Omari and husband of the love of his life Natalie Mischel Hughes.
He obtained his B.A. in broadcast journalism from Hampton University in the spring of 2006 and his M. Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary in the spring of 2012. From 2012-2018, Pastor Hughes was blessed to serve as the Pastor of the Church of the Redeemer Baptist in Philadelphia, PA.
In 2018, he responded to God's call to return to his home church-Reid Temple AME, where he was blessed to sit and serve under the visionary leadership of his Father in Ministry Dr. Lee P. Washington, former Senior Pastor of the Reid Temple AME Church. It was under Dr. Washington's spirit lead leadership, that he was first called to serve as the Co-Lead of Reid Temple's New Life Laurel, an off-site ministry of the church.
Under his leadership, that ministry grew from a monthly bible study, to a weekly gathering averaging over 400 persons in attendance.
Discover insights from Pastor Omari Hughes on how men can embrace vulnerability, understand God’s will, and find balance in work, family, and personal growth. This episode offers practical advice and heartfelt reflections to help men lead stronger, more authentic lives.
Key Topics - What You’ll Learn:
The importance of vulnerability in defining true masculinity
How to discover and walk in God's will through relationship and time
The significance of self-awareness, including strengths and flaws, for impactful leadership
Balancing work, family, and personal time with practical strategies
Lessons learned from generational differences and intentional mentorship
How struggles and challenges shape character and faith
The role of community, accountability, and vulnerability in growth
Practical steps for helping younger men find purpose and direction
The importance of joy, fun, and authenticity in a man’s life
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and episode overview
00:29 - Pastor Omari Hughes introduces himself and his ministry background
01:13 - How Omari spends his favorite Saturday with zero responsibilities
02:00 - Reflecting on the importance of rest and nature for recharge
03:21 - Omari shares which historical figure he’d dine with and why
04:29 - Lessons Omari wishes he’d learned about masculinity when younger
04:42 - The reality that hard work doesn’t always guarantee victory
05:12 - The significance of resilience and God's grace in life's challenges
06:10 - Embracing the truth that work is unto the Lord
07:01 - Insights from the story of the prodigal son on love and disrespect
08:28 - Vulnerability and emotional expression as strength
09:37 - Victory through vulnerability and authenticity in men’s lives
10:06 - Addressing the emotional struggles men hide and how to open up
11:13 - Teaching men to express feelings healthily from a young age
12:07 - The importance of modeling vulnerability for the next generation
13:14 - Parenting lessons on apologies, grace, and emotional openness
14:39 - The journey of loving others without fear or shame
15:14 - The importance of self-awareness and knowing your struggles
16:23 - How understanding your struggles helps you stay out of trouble
17:21 - Building meaningful relationships for accountability and growth
18:23 - The biblical evidence that even leaders struggle and show vulnerability
19:17 - Defining personal wins aligned with God's will
20:44 - How to discern God's will through relationship and time spent with Him
22:47 - The analogy of spending time with God similar to knowing loved ones’ preferences
23:59 - Delighting in God and cultivating desires aligned with His will
24:44 - The ongoing battle of the flesh and fruits of the Spirit
25:34 - The significance of grace and perseverance in spiritual battles
26:23 - Balancing provision and presence in family life
27:48 - Practical steps for intentional relationship-building with family
29:40 - Accepting your father’s humanity and extending grace
30:23 - The importance of repentance, humility, and continuous growth
32:22 - Practical daily and weekly habits for spiritual and personal growth
34:45 - The value of community, accountability, and vulnerability with close friends
36:27 - Building a support system with a therapist, mentor, pastor, and friends
38:41 - How older men can intentionally invest in the next generation
40:45 - Final advice: Have fun, enjoy life, and live authentically
41:34 - Closing thoughts and encouragement to live joyfully
Connect with Omari
- https://www.newlifenation.org/our-pastor
- https://www.threads.com/@revomarihughes
- https://www.instagram.com/revomarihughes/
Stay connected:
Join our email list at mojesus.org/email.