It had nothing to do with the food and everything to do with the men he was eating with.

Chautauqua Lake’s Men of Integrity organization held its first meeting in a year with 114 people attending. The Men of Integrity is one wing of The Better Place Ministries, and it aims to bring together, encourage and uplift men from across Chautauqua County regardless of denominational affiliation.

“This is wonderful,” said Miller. “Before our sabbatical we would average 50 or so participants, 70 or 80 would be the high, this time, we’ve shattered all previous breakfast records.”

As the sun broke the horizon the parking lot at the Busti Church of God was overflowing with program participants, who by all accounts were eager to “throw down some chow.”

More than 114 men assembled at the Busti Church of God for the inaugural return of the Chautauqua Men of Integrity breakfast, Saturday morning. Several egg-based dishes were present, to include one that had bear meat in it for the men to enjoy. P J Photos by Christopher Blakeslee

“There’s got to be more than 30 different dishes here,” said Benny Carlson, a member of Conduit Ministries Church. “I’m hungry – I even seen an egg dish that had bear meat in it.”

After breakfast group attendees headed to the main worship center in the church to sing songs of praise and hear a message from the guest speaker, Brice Dieter, an alarm technician who also has a dual role as the music leader for Men of Integrity.

Dieter spoke at lengths about his third son’s struggle with a form of pediatric cancer, his faith and how during scary times there seems to always be positive breakthroughs.

“I have four sons, and I’m married to my wife Amanda,” said Dieter. “The journey with my son’s battle with cancer is a miracle – one that only God could have done. The doctors were baffled, Amanda and I were shocked when he was all but declared cancer free. There’s still a little bit more cancer, but it’s almost undetectable, and we know God is in control.”

After Dieter gave his testimony, he played more worship music, and the group was dismissed until its next meeting. “I can’t wait for the next event,” exclaimed Dieter. “This was a wonderful turnout.”

For more information on the Chautauqua Lake Men of Integrity or The Better Place Ministries visit thebetterplace.org