Month: August 2017

Because of the GLS | Professor is Not Holding Back the Message of the Gospel

Posted on August 23, 2017 by - Africa, Church & Faith-Based, Stories

int-1209Meet Abraham. A professor. A change agent. And man after God’s own heart who desires to see his countbiry of Nigeria transformed by the Gospel.

Because he knows that change can only happen when someone accepts the challenge to step up and take the lead, he has volunteered his time over the last six years to call out, raise up and empower leaders.

In Northern Nigeria, this work takes a certain kind of bravery.

Being a Christian in Northern Nigeria is very challenging.

For the past three years, Christians have been persecuted in his region; shootings, bombings and kidnappings ravage the land, producing fear among the people.

But Abraham is not holding back the message of the Gospel.

“If you hold yourself high and proclaim the Gospel, people know what you stand for.”

He knows that now more than ever, Nigeria needs the Gospel and the healing that it brings.

Abraham is stepping up.

“Leadership is not about being the boss,” Abraham says. “It is to inspire people and create a catalyst for change. We need to lead people the way Christ has been leading us. God has been very faithful in defending us, protecting us and helping us in very trying times. We must continue to be the light and the salt.

“So what of the falling bullets and the bombs of the insurgency? God is going to see us through.”

In Nigeria, one of the largest countries in the world, the population is around 75 million people. But as you might already realize, it is also one of the most corrupt countries in the world today.

However, with the GLS making inroads into public sectors of society, including the government, change agents like Abraham see a hope for the future. “Corruption has been so high,” Abraham explains. “But we believe the GLS would be able to penetrate and diffuse the level of corruption.”

This year, the GLS will take place at more than 70 sites across Nigeria. But this is not just an event anymore – leaders like Abraham are being encouraged to continue to be the salt and light of the earth.

Growth continues, and change IS happening!

“If I could change one thing in the world, it is to change leaders because leaders set the pace,” Abraham shares. “If we have leaders of integrity, men and women of honor, the followers will also be men and women of integrity and honor.

“God’s agenda is also with leaders. That is why He raised Moses. He raised Joseph. Leaders must get things done. They must make things happen. They must take us to the next level.

“I ask God to give us leaders who are inspiring. Leaders who are godly. Leaders who are God fearing. Leaders who will do the will of God. They are not selfish, but sacrificial leaders. Leaders who will give of themselves and say we just need to do the will of God.

“Great things will happen in our generation.”

The first time Abraham heard the church was the hope of the world, he was blown away. He realized that the church could bring healing and change to Nigeria.

“Indeed we are the hope of the world,” Abraham said. “The church is the hope of the world. We have the Gospel. Despite the change in times, the Gospel remains the same. Despite all that is happening around the world, it is still good. The church is the hope of the world!

“We [as Christians] are the ones who can go to any lengths to make sacrifices and love people even when they hate us. We are the hope of the world. We are the ones going to a very critical, terrible areas. We venture into areas we might be slaughtered or we might be killed. But we are the hope of the world.

“We HAVE to bring light into dark places.

“We have to bring hope to the hopeless. We want to feed the poor and visit the prisoners. The world is crying from hunger. There is war all over the place, but we are to bring peace.

“The message ‘the church is the hope of the world’ has changed my focus. It has changed my orientation. It has helped me look more globally. We brighten the little corner where we are, but beyond that we need to look globally and be global Christians.

“You need to go beyond praying for your immediate environment. We are the hope of the world, and with passion I am taking that seriously. I don’t see myself as just one corner of the world. The world is waiting for us as we build up upcoming generations. The world is waiting for the message of reconciliation.”

Leaders embrace God’s call on their lives and allow the promises of the Gospel to be accomplished through them.

Abraham serves through the GLS with full vigor, not because the event in and of itself brings change, but because when ears are opened to what God challenges leaders to do through the GLS, change happens.

“I’ve never seen promises in any other religion like in Christianity,” Abraham explains. “The church is to take these promises to the world. His promise is alive. His promise is abundance. His promise is to be with us always even to the end of the ages. All we need to do is present the promise.”

To support and encourage more leaders like Abraham, consider  giving to The Global Leadership Development Fund.
Go to www.willowcreek.com/give to learn more. 

Have You Heard the Whisper of a Grander Vision? Start Small

Posted on August 23, 2017 by - Articles, Calling, Church & Faith-Based, Leading Organizations

The boldest ventures often start modestly.

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, Bethany Community Church Pastor Phil McCutchen placed a tractor trailer in his Mendon, Massachusetts church parking lot with the sign “Katrina Relief.”

“I knew if we could fill it in a week, I had church members who would get it to New Orleans,” said Pastor Phil.  But instead of one trailer, they filled six with donations from the community. 

That experience gave birth to Compassion New England (CNE).

Leaders from Bethany, a church of 400 members, had a new inspiration and vision. The Blessing Barn, a traditional thrift store that started in the church years before, began to grow.

In 2008, the church rented 5,000 square feet of retail space and began to envision a more dignified thrift store experience where people in need would not have to sort through donated “vintage” goods as if it were junk. Donated goods were displayed attractively and professionally for a unique shopping experience. Every customer and donor received a summary of needs met in the community and a report of the ministry services CNE offered.

Today, three moves later, the Blessing Barn has two locations with 65,000 square feet of retail space. Blessing Barn is well known in the community for freely giving clothes, furniture and goods to those in need. However, it is equally well-known as a fine vintage store that attracts sophisticated shoppers from throughout the region.

Last year, CNE invested $243,811 into its community. This impact is impressive, but there is more!

  • Located within each store is a large ministry area where qualifying community groups are invited to meet free of charge. In addition, this space has been utilized for GED classes and a Celebrate Recovery program.
  • Three years ago, CNE created “The Happy Place” to offer free, short-period care for stay-at-home caregivers of handicapped children and adults. “These are people who never get a day off,” said Cheri McCutchen. The Happy Place is now offering overnight respite care in the form of nine sleep-away camps.
  • CNE also operates an internship program to provide opportunities for women who have been previously incarcerated and need job training as well as life skills.

If you have felt the whisper of a Grander Vision, there are three insights to take away from the CNE story.

  1. A Grander Vision is born when leaders take the risk to step out in faith and meet a real need–whether in business or ministry.
  2. A Grander Vision adds value to all stakeholders.
  3. A Grander Vision often starts with a simple step of faith. And if faithfully and patiently served, it will expand and have an exponential impact.

Jesus said to the faithful servant, Because you were faithful with small things, I will let you care for much greater things.

Grander Vision: Dick & Terri Greenly

Posted on August 23, 2017 by - Calling, Leading Yourself, Videos

Dick and Terri Greenly, Owners of Pumps of Oklahoma, share the Grander Vision that inspired them to utilize the expertise gained in their well drilling business in Oklahoma to bring clean water to communities around the world. God has a Grander Vision for each of our lives – a unique opportunity to fully live out our faith in the sphere of influence in which we have been placed.

4 Steps to Defining Your Grander Vision

Posted on August 21, 2017 by - Articles, Calling, Leading Yourself

If you’re involved in a business, organization or a church, it’s likely there is a vision defining where it wants to go. Vision unifies, creates direction and distinguishes one organization from the next. We are quick to be organizationally minded. We set goals, dream big and work hard for our businesses, as we should.

But, what about us?

There is something powerful about creating personal direction for ourselves, setting goals and knowing where we want to go.

I know from experience that most personal visions can have the shelf-life of a New Year’s resolution. It won’t be long until the pace of life picks back up again and personal visions can quickly be forgotten. Similar to the organizational setting, flashy “opportunities” and the daily grind will threaten to pull your focus away from your vision. As you prioritize other responsibilities, you forget what it takes to get you where you want to go.

If you truly want to set and accomplish your personal vision this year, it’s going to take more than a dream and a few good ideas.

You need a disciplined process to guide your efforts in a consistent direction. It’s not too late to put one in place.

Utilize the following four steps to establish an operating rhythm that can turn your personal vision into action.

1) Define Your Priorities.

Do you clearly understand what it is you’re reaching for? Take some time to consider the most important areas of your life to develop this year. I recommend having no more than 3-5 overarching priorities for the year. This allows you to more clearly outline your vision, helping it become more tangible to accomplish.

2) Establish a Plan.

Once you’ve set your priorities, spend some time thinking about, “What major steps must I take to develop these areas?” These should be broad-sweeping checkpoints rather than small tasks. Think, “Develop as a Leader” over “Invest in Younger Generations.” After you’ve mapped out your plan, determine in what month each step should be taken.

3) Make It Personal.

Progress only happens when individuals make consistent and intentional investments of time. Craft a set of quarterly goals that answer the question, “How will I move this plan forward?” Focusing on these just three months at a time will break a large project down into more manageable next steps. Once you have drafted your quarterly goals, find a close friend or mentor to keep you accountable.

4) Make Disciplined Progress.

As time goes on, it is easy to shift priorities and overlook progress. Look for opportunities to celebrate wins (big and small) that move you further ahead. Undoubtedly, you’ll run into problems along the way. If they are major issues, adjust your plans mid-quarter. If they are non-pressing, address them when setting your next quarter’s goals. Don’t let small fires throw you completely off course.

I’m confident that God wants to do something significant in you. I’m also sure that you will have plenty of reasons to become distracted. Before that happens, establish a disciplined process to ensure you truly accomplish what you’ve been called to do this year.