• Intentionality Matters: Fathers shape sons through presence
• Rites of Passage: Celebrate growth with meaningful milestones
• Mentorship Counts: Guided wisdom builds strong character
• Cultural Resistance: Equip sons to challenge conformity
• Emotional Engagement: Vulnerability deepens father-son connection

“The Intentional Father: A Practical Guide to Raise Sons of Courage and Character” by Jon Tyson offers a purposeful roadmap that empowers fathers to guide their sons toward integrity, faith, and resilience. Tyson clearly identifies the cultural crisis where young men often “self‑initiate” their own passage into manhood, leaving them vulnerable to fragmented values and confusing societal messages. He presents a concise, action‑oriented framework designed to help fathers nurture sons who are confident in what they believe, grounded in their identity, and equipped to counter today’s negative cultural currents.

The book unfolds through foundational guiding principles and intentional steps—such as mentor‑son activities, family rites of passage, and “marking moments” that commemorate significant growth stages. Tyson intersperses data, charts, and reflective questions to support his insights, making the material engaging and evidence‑based. He challenges fathers to move beyond passive caregiving and instead become deliberate architects of their sons’ character and spiritual formation.

Jon Tyson brings substantial authority to this subject. As a pastor in New York City for over sixteen years, he speaks internationally at events like Q Conference and Catalyst, and authors books like Beautiful Resistance. Born in Adelaide, Australia, Tyson brings a rich cross‑cultural perspective and deep theological grounding. His foreword by Barna Group’s David Kinnaman reinforces the book’s alignment with contemporary research on family.

Written for fathers, grandfathers, and male mentors, The Intentional Father is a present‑tense call to action. It shows how a dad’s purposeful involvement—through everyday practices and planned milestones—shapes young men into courageous, character‑filled men who are ready for life’s challenges.