FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Answer:   Bring the following:

•  WARM winter clothes - a warm hat,  gloves and snow boots.  You will have to walk short distances outside between buildings to reach the Dining Hall , Cafeteria , Youth Center (the Advance Registration Area) and the Chapel  for our four Fellowship Meetings.
• A small flashlight is helpful if outside in the evening.  
• A large  Bath Towel  (1 or 2  for use after a shower).   Alton Bay provides sheets, pillows, blankets and small hand towels. 
•  Soap for shower use  
• IMPORTANT ->   Bring an open heart and  your Bible!
• Also, BRING a FRIEND, if possible!

Answer:  

NO, you do NOT have to be an actual "business man" OR an official  "member" of FGBMF to attend.   FGBMF is a worldwide , Christian fellowship (not a church) and we welcome individuals from all professions, all walks of life , and from all religious backgrounds.  We jokingly consider a "business man" to simply be a person who makes and spends money in order to live!  

Answer:  

Yes, a limited number of partial FINANCIAL SCHOLARSHIPS might be available  (usually up to $50. per person, on a first-come, first-serve basis )  to help individuals with a financial need attend. 

To request FINANCIAL SCHOLARSHIP assistance,  as soon as possible make a request to John Fay at 781-475-4215 OR by email at newenglandmensadvance@gmail.com   

Also, be advised that  any "FIRST TIMER" attending the  2026 NE Advance is automatically eligible for a "25% FIRST TIMER DISCOUNT."  If this applies to you, indicate you are eligible and then include your 25% First Timer Discount when completing  the Online  OR Mail-in Advance Registration Form.  

Answer:  

YES, he can attend if accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or other family adult. We have no age restrictions.  However,  when deciding about possible attendance, good parental judgement should be exercised concerning the youth's maturity and overall life experiences.  We do not offer any separate youth activities or youth  meetings at this annual NE Men's Advance.

Answer:  

YES, free will offerings may be taken in one or more of the four, large group "Fellowship Meetings,"  in order to help meet Advance expenses.  There is never 'pressure' to give. 

Usually during the first  Advance "Fellowship Meeting" on Friday morning, the total budget need is presented.  Then men  are encouraged to  quietly pray and  then simply give as they feel led by the Lord.  Once the Advance budget need is met - either in that first Fellowship Meeting or in a later meeting,  no additional offerings are taken.  Checks  should be made out to "FGBMF Men's Advance" and are Federal Tax Deductible.   

Over the past 46+ years of the NE Advance, we are so very thankful to have been greatly blessed by the Lord  through faithful giving by men who listened and  responded to the leading of the Holy Spirit.   Every year, the budget needs of the New England FGBMF Men's Spiritual Advance have been either met or exceeded!

Answer:  

The short answer is YES.  Since the inception of  the  New England FGBMF Men's Spiritual Advance  over 46 years ago, it has been planned and promoted  as a "Men's" Advance. If lodging is involved,  some  logistics and  supporting the ministry needs that might  arise within a mixed men and women's group, can  at times be challenging. Nevertheless, we have never turned away women from attending our annual Men's Advance meetings. Of note, FGBMF "Couple's Advances" have periodically been  organized in some geographic areas.  

 Increasingly in recent years, some FGBMF Chapter members' wives and other ladies who support  the FGBMF mission have graciously volunteered their time to  actively assist , on-site, during NE Advances in important  administrative or other roles .

Lastly, some wives have  asked to be present to provide necessary support to their husband with mobility or other  limitations and needs.  In those  cases,   we make  every reasonable effort that we can to  enable  lodging, if needed, and  required accommodations.     

Answer:

The NE Advance has an "all-volunteer" team comprised of many experienced leaders behind the scenes who freely give of their time to  help plan, organize and execute this great  gathering that annually draws men from across New England and beyond.  This Advance - that now goes back 45+ years - would definitely not be possible without willing and very committed volunteers. 

The following men comprise the "top-level" leadership of the 2026 NE FGBMF Men's Spiritual Advance Leadership Team :

EVENT CO-CHAIRS: 

    John Fay -   newenglandmensadvance@gmail.com   or 781-475-4215

    Larry DeNofio -  larryd1226@verizon.net  

    Bob Zider -   vtzider@gmail.com

MUSIC  &  A/V  COORDINATOR:

   Matteo Filippi    matteomusicservice@gmail.com