“Dads have a profound impact on a child's life,” say religious leaders

For this year's Father's Day, faith leaders from across the country shared their thoughts with Fox News Digital about the importance of dads in the lives of their families.

Here are some compelling comments: words that have staying power long after dads' special day has come and gone.

'One of the most important factors in life'

“Young or old, male or female, we all look in the stands for our father and consider his presence and influence one of the most important factors in life, for better or worse,” said Tim Clinton, president of the American Football Association. Christians. Counselors, based in Lynchburg, Virginia.

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“Dads have a profound impact on a child's life by what they say and do or what they don't say or do,” Clinton also told Fox News Digital in an email.

“The investigation is clear,” he said. “If we could stop the problem of fatherlessness, our children would be better able to handle peer pressure, less prone to substance abuse, more secure in their male and female identities, less likely to experience mental health problems, and more”.

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Clinton said, “Our prayer is Malachi 4:6: 'And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers.' For the dads who show up, their kids see them at the game.” “.

'The only person in the world'

Pastor Jesse Bradley of Auburn, Washington, told Fox News Digital, speaking directly to dads, that while many other people “can achieve your work at workreplace yourself on your men's weekend league team or serve as a volunteer, you are the only person in the world who is the father of your children.

“You are the only person in the world who is the father of your children.” (iStock)

That special role, said Bradley, who leads Grace Community Church and is a father, “should be appreciated and be very high” on the list of priorities.

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Bradley told parents: “Enjoy your children and connect with them daily. Listen to their fears, find activities that are meaningful, give them wise counsel, create memories together, read the Bible, open your heart, participate in their games, Go travelingPray with them and try your best dad jokes.”

“Listen to your fears, find activities that are meaningful [and] give them wise advice,” a religious leader told parents about raising their children. (iStock, courtesy of user AzmanL)

He also said, “God is with you every step of the way.”

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And “the truth is that being grateful and intentional as a parent leads to the deep joy of parenthood.”

“Being grateful and intentional as a parent leads to the deep joys of parenthood.” (iStock)

“Essential for society”

Alex McFarland, a youth, culture and religion expert from Greensboro, North Carolina, told Fox News Digital: “Even ancient pagan civilizations recognized paternity by immortalizing their gods as men.”

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He said: “They understood the importance of men in society. I think they understood what current social trends ignore: societies that devalue fathers risk their demise.”

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Parents, he said, “are essential to a stable, long-lasting, morally healthy and economically resilient society.”