The Crest of Elder Forge
At the top of this page you’ll see the Elder Forge crest: two hands, one passing the hammer to another. It is the symbol of legacy: wisdom, strength, and courage carried forward. The hammer is never meant to stay in one hand forever.
It is meant to be given, entrusted, passed down.
The Elder Forge
In every generation, the hammer is passed. From fathers to sons, from mentors to friends, from one weary traveler to another. Wisdom, presence, and strength are not meant to die with us, they are meant to be given away.
Elder Forge is a living book of those gifts. Each testimony here is a spark in the fire, a reminder that we are being forged together.
And you are part of that story. Your voice matters here. Your legacy matters here. Share with us the wisdom that has been entrusted to you…and also the wisdom you are working to pass on: to your children, your grandchildren, the players you coach, the students you teach, the people who look to you.
Because what you’ve received, and what you are giving, may be the very thing another needs to hear.
My dad passed a few hammers to me: the first hammer was simply his constant presence. He was “bigger than life” to me, and that gave me a sense of safety and security.
He also passed me a hammer of value. My dad always made me feel like I was valuable to him. That I was always welcome in his presence. That he was ALWAYS glad to see me.
Finally, my dad passed me the greatest hammer of all. The example of being faithful to God. Just seeing him studying his Bible in his chair so regularly demonstrated his love for God and for scripture. I am hoping to pass that very important hammer on as well.
These are some of the hammers I hope to pass on to my children and grandchildren as well. -AW
The most valuable lessons my dad ever taught me weren't spoken, but lived. I've unconsciously carried these four principles into my own life and hope to honor his example by passing them on to my children.
He taught me that:
Children, regardless of their age, need to hear that you are proud of them.
In moments where you could seek revenge, you should instead show mercy.
You should always be willing to apologize when you are in the wrong.
You should always remain open to your faith of Jesus.
In sharing these lessons, I hope to continue making him proud. -Jason
I just became a girl dad, and already I’m realizing that legacy isn’t always loud. That it’s in the quiet moments too. I want to pass on a life of steady faith, bad dad jokes, long hugs, and the kind of love that shows up daily (even when you’re sleep-deprived and holding a diaper like it’s radioactive).
But more than anything, I want my daughter to grow up watching how I love her mom. I want her to see what real love looks like—Through laughter in the kitchen, holding hands when we’re tired, forgiving quickly, praying together, and choosing each other daily. If she sees that, then she’ll know how to love and how deeply she’s loved too.
To me, legacy isn’t just about what we leave behind, but it’s about what we live out every day. Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” I believe that inheritance is more than the physical, it’s faith, character, kindness, and a life anchored in Jesus. -J
As a father of a now 6-month-old, the line between right and wrong has become crystal clear to me. Fatherhood quickly showed me the ways I needed to change so that I can pass on the best values to my son. Thankfully, I had great parents who built a strong foundation in me — and it’s that foundation I want to pass down. What does that look like?
Faith: Everything we do must glorify God. More than just a sense of obligation, it should be something we want to do. As the world grows more secular, we must stay anchored in Scripture so we don’t drift off course. My favorite verse speaks directly to this: Romans 12:2 — “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Kindness: This one is simple, yet so often misunderstood. Treat people with kindness — not because they deserve it, but because it reflects your character.
Joy: Life on this earth is a gift. Live it to the fullest. Step outside your comfort zone. Hike, swim in the ocean (even if it scares you, like it does me), skydive, bungee jump, or enjoy that over-the-top dessert.
Presence: As a dad, showing up matters. Be there daily. Say “I’m proud of you.” Play catch. Compete in an intense ping pong match. Work out together. Pray together. Do yard work together. Model what it means to be a present father and the spiritual leader of the household.
Honesty: Be truthful with yourself and with others. Stand for what’s right, but stay humble enough to admit when you’re wrong. True growth only comes when we’re honest about where we are and where we need to go.
These are the qualities I hope my son grows up to embody — the hammer I will pass down to him -Eddie
Twenty-one years ago, my wife and I embarked on parenthood with the arrival of boy/girl twins. Needless to say, there have been many adventures over the years, both joyful and challenging, but most recently the adjustment to having adult children (who still live at home) has been our newest season of life.
Parenting can take a different shape when our “kids” are adults, but there are still constants that I desire to convey — and hope will resonate as they continue to grow. These constants have been “handed down” into my life and thinking through the family members, friends, and faith partners who I’ve come to trust most for their consistency, genuineness, and Christ-likeness.
- Understand who Jesus is, biblically. Trends, politics, and culture will continue to change and evolve. The character and mission of Jesus, however, does not change.
- Show the life of Jesus in your words and actions. Specifically, be gracious, be forgiving, and be willing to joyfully mirror the nature of a servant in both personal and vocational endeavors.
- Love unconditionally, especially within your family. As time marches forward, there will be elements of disagreement or even diverging views in matters of life and faith. Strive to learn, and show, that your love for one another does not hinge on needing to be perfectly aligned on every topic.
Know Jesus. Be like Jesus. Serve like Jesus. Love like Jesus. These are the hammers I wish to pass on. -GR