About Father-Con
Father-Con was conceived after years of working on the prevention of human trafficking.
"If I thought the father was a threat,
I would not approach the child.
If I thought the child had friends that he would tell,
I would not approach him.”
- Jack Reynolds, convicted molester of over 300 children,
when interviewed after spending 13 years in prison.
What Men Can Do
When men prioritize being trustworthy and create space for children to feel safe and value honesty, the threat of being groomed and exploited greatly reduces.
We believe that all children deserve to have
a loving and involved father figure in their lives.
By supporting fathers, we can shape a better world for our children and future generations.
Our Mission
To bring a revival of the fundamental role of fatherhood to today’s family unit
Our Vision
To see loving, engaged fathers at the core of every family unit, and support for all those serving in the role of father figures
Faith and Fatherhood
Though Father-Con is not a faith-based organization, we recognize and uphold that religious beliefs and faith lay a strong foundation for understanding and encouraging behavior that strengthens individuals, protects families and provides for children to live with a sense of security that there is order and sense to the universe they inhabit.
I have always cherished the Prodigal Son story as told by Jesus (Luke 15:11-32) as an example of the redemptive and embracing heart of God as a parent who longs to live with and be surrounded by the company of his children. The heart of the father, is to rush down the road to embrace a son who has been conned into a demeaning life of indulgence, self-harm and harming others, that his life may be reclaimed and made significant again.
Whatever faith, or none, you adhere to, our belief at Father-Con is that we are called to care, to care about what happens to children and provide the best possible support and guidance to see them thrive.
Included below you will find messages and writings consistent with our core beliefs and mission. This is not an endorsement of any particular religion and no faith is required to join this movement to bring healing, hope and empowerment to families through uplifting the significance of fatherhood, so that exploitation of children will end sooner than later.
Patrick Erlandson
Founder, Father-Con
The War on Men
Owen Strachan
Strong men are not “toxic.” If they go away, evil men take their place, and weak men offer no resistance.
The idea that masculine men—assertive, risk-taking, single-minded—are a problem to be solved threatens our whole society. The cultural elites cheering the decline of men are trying to erase God’s design for half of the human race—the half that historically provides, protects, and leads for the good of others. The disappearance of the masculine ideal is bad news for men, and it’s terrible news for women.
The Role of the Church in Ending Human Trafficking
Through God's Grace Ministry
So can we end human trafficking? The answer is a resounding YES! What it will take is an effort by all community partners...., law enforcement, non-profits, schools, service clubs and churches. The main role of the church is to prevent human trafficking so it doesn't happen to begin with! Given that only 2% of victim are ever rescued, if we don't prevent human trafficking, it will never end! This book provides a step by step guide on how churches can prevent human trafficking and serve the needs of victims, with actions that churches are uniquely qualified to do, that utilizes very litte money and time.In addition, the book provides the websites to find downloadable resources, so it is not necessary to keep "re-inventing the wheel." Given that close to half the people in the US attend a church, once the church gets involved in a big way, we will see some real progress in ending human trafficking. If you are a Christian who feels called to be a part of the fight to end human trafficking, this book will be an answer to prayer.
Ending Human Trafficking: A Handbook of Strategies for the Church Today
Shayne Moore, Sandra Morgan, and Kimberly McOwen Yim
Human trafficking is one of the most pressing social justice issues of our time, and in recent years there has been renewed interest among Christians, as many have been stirred up to take their part in the ongoing battle. This is a wonderful thing―and yet misinformed and misguided efforts can do more harm than good. Ending Human Trafficking is a handbook designed to educate churches and parachurch organizations for truly effective work. In collaboration with The Global Center for Women and Justice at Vanguard University, Ending Human Trafficking is an accessible and compelling resource for Christian leaders, written by seasoned leaders in the struggle against modern slavery. Grounded in a theological response to the issue and filled with stories, up-to-date data, and practical tools and tips, it promises to be an invaluable resource for years to come.
Author Sandra Morgan was awarded the Wilberforce Award.
What People Say
About Father-Con
Mark Winkler
Author & Youth/Family Advocate
“Father-Con is a safe and diverse space. A safe space for fathers and fathers-to-be of all ages, races and religious orientations, to connect and share our parental experiences without the fear of judgement or shame. It is a healing space where fathers can learn and grow in their understanding and appreciation of the awesome blessing and responsibility we have been given to be a father to our respective children.”
Tera Hilliard
CEO, Forgotten Children, Inc.
“I love Father-Con! In a world that says men aren't needed, Father-Con dispels that myth and encourages father's to step up in the lives of their children, and community . I totally support Patrick and the entire Father-Con team!”
Juan Solis
Father Engagement Coordinator San Bernardino County
"Father-Con is a gathering that should be duplicated in every County, state and Country. This conversation does not happen enough, or at all. We hear why father involvement is important in a child’s education, the social, emotional and physiological healthy outcomes. However, rarely hear how the connection with one’s father can prevent a child from falling into the human trafficking dark world. In fact, men are seen as the bad guy in most occasions when discussed in the human trafficking world. Father-con touches on so many aspects of how the connection between father and child contributes to decreasing negative outcomes. Father-con has definitely open the eyes of many and improved my perspective on the importance of father engagement."
Dr. Jeff Brodsky
President/Founder
JOY International
"As one who travels and speaks about the tragedy and horror of child trafficking across America and throughout the world, I have seen the best in parenting and the worst. It’s easy to see the best when we see a child who grows into the man or woman of God He created them to be, with a full understanding of their identity in Christ and their destiny with Christ. This, to me, is the greatest quality we can teach our children.
The worst in parenting, is when I have seen fathers who have no understanding of their role and responsibility in the protection of their children and seeing many of those children trafficked into the sordid world of child slavery. The very man who should be protecting that child… becomes their abuser. This is almost always due to the lack of understanding, education, training and teaching those very fathers what their role and responsibility is.
This is why I love the ministry of Father-Con. They go above and beyond in searching for and reaching the hearts of fathers and turning their lives around by giving them a deeper and sincere understanding of how their lives affect the lives and especially the future of their children. When we can reach the hearts of the fathers, we can have a positive affect on their lives, their relationship with God and especially the future of their children. This is what I see as the vision, passion, and heart of Patrick Erlandson and the powerful mission of Father-Con."
Harold D’Souza
Labor Trafficking survivor, former United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, Founder of Eyes Open International
"Father-Con is a divine blessing in our community. At one point in my life, I failed on 4 P’s : I failed as a Parent, Provider, Protecter and as a Person. Today with Father-Con’s empowerment, education, enlightenment, and encouragement I flipped the 4 P’s into: Passion, Purpose, Power, and Prayers."