Join a Meeting
Joining a meeting can be intimidating for the first time. I can assure you that is the hardest part. You'll quickly realize it’s a group of guys just like you going through and dealing with the same life stressors. The one thing that sets us apart from others is our work. It’s a lifestyle and a demand that not many outside this trade can understand. At Brothers Keeper we listen and share in an open group setting. And in doing so we realize several things. One, that we're not alone and we have people who care about us. Two, that there might be a better way to deal with what life throws at us. Brothers Keeper believes the Holy Bible holds all the solutions and Jesus Christ not only died for our sins, but He is the truth, the life and the way. But because we believe that, that doesn't mean we're here to preach and judge. We are here to listen and share and to learn and support. In the process you might find a new path forward. You don't need to be a Christian to join. Our meetings are open to all. You don't need to bring anything--just show up. You aren't required to share but we hope that over time and when you are ready, you will want to. What is shared stays in the meeting. Be your Brothers Keeper.
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About Us
Brothers Keeper was founded by Jeff Slusher and John Hogue in 2024. It had been a long time coming and something both felt called to do. There are many more people who helped bring this vision to reality and who are involved behind the scenes that keep it going. But it’s because of those that show up, that we have Brothers Keeper
Sharing your testimony or even opening-up about the things going on in your life can be difficult. We'll go first and you can hear ours even before you step through any doors.
Our Testimonies
JEFF SLUSHER
I grew up in a Southern Baptist home with my uncle serving as the preacher at our home church. I learned about Jesus at an early age and was a believer, but I wasn't a committed follower of Christ until years later in life.
Growing up, I struggled with anger, depression, guilt, and shame, which led me down multiple dark paths. I started using drugs and alcohol at the age of fourteen, and it quickly grew into a full addiction by the time I was in my early twenties. My drug and alcohol addiction became so bad that I tried to take my own life.
I went to many drug and alcohol treatment centers and attended meetings, but nothing worked to change my ways. At the age of 40, I finally had enough of how messed up my life had become. I prayed to Jesus like I had never prayed before. I felt a presence of peace, love, hope, and happiness that I had never experienced before. I asked Jesus to come into my life and forgive me for my sins.
God has been able to use me to help people in my life who are struggling with addictions and living without God. I now spend my time helping others see the value of letting God be in control of our lives.
Not only am I grateful for the changes in my life, but I also now get to see God working in other people's lives. Every day is still a test and a struggle, but with Christ, all things are possible.
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JOHN HOGUE
The powerline industry has been a huge blessing in my life. It has given me opportunities that never would have existed had I not joined the industry. Becoming a lineman helped mold who I am as a man that would have not developed without the trade. With all this being said, life of a lineman/apprentice, is not an easy path.
I started my career in 2009 as an Apprentice Lineman. After a three-year program, life began as a Journeyman Lineman. I chased money from big job to big job to financially support my family as well as seek out knowledge that I needed to become a well-rounded Journeyman. I rarely worked under 6 days a week, working from sun up to sun down. I was making money and fine tuning my craft. Life was good. What I didn’t realize is, as time passed by, my soul was slowly decaying as well. I was numbing the loneliness and frustrations of a traveling trade with alcohol. I buried all my pain with whiskey and vodka, numbing it until the next day where it patiently waited until I could drown it out again. This went on day after day, night after night. The next thing I knew, 10 years of my life flew by. I wasn’t present with my family or life in general. I had gotten to the point where not only did I live a life on the road, I preferred it. It was easier that way. My only responsibility was to show up and work every day. I wasn’t happy--I was miserable. I was left an empty shell of a man. I needed a significant change in my life--it was time to come home.
I have been home ever since and now wanted to pour back into our industry. The whole idea of Brothers Keeper is to learn from each other’s experiences in the industry to better support those around us. Hopefully learn from each other’s hardships so other members do not have to go through the same struggles. We discuss drugs, alcohol, the challenges of marriages and being a father, the pressure of being of provider, anything that will mentally tear us down. The reality is that life as a lineman is hard and if we are not identifying and navigating through these emotions, they will come out. They will come out sideways in a negative way that is affecting not only you but also those around you.
What can I do?
So that’s what Brothers Keeper is; a support group for our members. We are actively looking for other Locals within the IBEW that would be interested in organizing these meetings. The idea of hats, stickers, and swag is to plant seeds of better conversation and support throughout the Right of Way. How many times is your bucket buddy going through hard times but you have no idea? We do not have to bury and shoulder it all, discussing life does not make us weak, it makes us human. We can be reached using the contact info provided or in person at a meeting--date, time and location can all be found in the Calendar.
