Moving Forward

When it comes to ministry and leading I love moving forward, making decisions and trying new things. Change and starting up new things is just in my blood. Recently a friend of mine, Jeff Johnson, told me about a book Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. Jeff is a business architect for Sun and his primary job is to help restructure the company and help them be more effective in structure, leadership and systems. He's a pretty gifted guy. The thing he was sharing with me from the book was that the founding fathers made an agreement not even to deal with the issue of slavery for about 40-50 years because they knew that issue was so hot and heavy, disagreeable and tense that if they did try to work on that before the country got founded the country would have never gotten off the ground. So what they did was move forward, make decisions, knowing full well that they would have to deal with slavery in the future. But the important issue was the United States of America become a country.

Then today I read from Steve Addison's blog Anne Says: Just Do It! Steve shares: "The best church planters. The best movement founders are action oriented leaders. They act first. Think later. They are instinctive beasts. They drive institutional leaders crazy. They change the world."

Now I know this feeds my bent on moving fast and forward but it also inspires me to lead more out of my giftedness. Often times we as organizations or individuals stop moving forward out of fear or a concern that some serious issues might come up that we can't deal with now. So we stop. We lean towards the known and comfortable. We do what is tried and true without ever finding out if the new may be better. My take is move forward, reach new people, create new systems and let the new leaders you have reached and trained take care of those issues when they do come up. Don't be afraid and trust.
Categories: Leadership, Movements, Coaching

Brief Break in Moab

In the midst of getting ready to move Christine gave me the green light to head off to Moab, Utah for my annual Rock Climbing and Mountain Biking trip with about 50 guys from our church in Boulder. Wed morning I headed out of Boulder around 5 am for the 6 hour drive. I went with 3 staff guys from CU Boulder, Trent, Franklin and Curtis. Yesterday Curtis and Franklin (pictured right) took us to school and taught us how to "crack climb" two routes on an area called Wall Street. It was a ton of fun and super challenging.

This morning I took them into my world for the past couple of years. Traditionally on Friday mornings we ride the famous Slickrock trail. It is an amazing trail where if you can move your legs and keep your tires on the rock your bike will stick and climb it. It is one of my favorite things to do. Not only is it physically exhilarating the views, mountains and variety of landscape is a gift from God.

The guys did a great job and muscled it out for most of the day. It was years since Franklin, Trent and Curtis had been on bikes yet alone mountain biking Slickrock. About 7 miles into the 11 mile ride Franklin's legs were shutting down. He couldn't walk, ride or even stand. Then out of no where two jeeps came crawling over the rock and Curtis waived them down to see if they could take the wounded out. Franklin ended his day with about a 5 mile 4 wheeling adventure that was much more enjoyable than his first 7. Finished off with some napping, dinner and then some Texas Hold Em Poker. The reason I'm writing this is because I didn't do so well. Now off to bed and for maybe two rides tomorrow, Amasa and Porcupine Rim.
We're 5 days away from having the moving company pack up our house. Wow!


Categories: Family

Does God still answer prayers?

"Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work with in us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory...." Ephesians 3:20,21. Many times we live in fear as we look at circumstances and we’re anxious for the things we need to do. Sometimes we dare not ask God or we just simply don’t. We are humbled at what prayers God has answered lately and we want to share with you with thanksgiving and praise what God has done.

• God found us a family to rent our house for 3 years.
• God sold our 1st car today!
• God found a wonderful family to adopt Aspen, our dog.
• God provided the perfect moving company to pick up our possessions, store them for free this summer and ship them to Mexico.
• God cleared the skies this recent Saturday and we had an extremely awesome garage sale.
• God has cleared all our paper work for our visa on the U.S. side with 8 agencies.
• God provided 33 students and 9 staff to join us for our Long Beach Project.
• God has secured amazing housing for the LB Summer Project in a safe area.
• God has cared for us, calmed us and reminded us that He is in control.

Thank you for doing some of the hardest work in the world; praying for us and the kingdom work of God. Your encouragement, prayers and financial gifts make this all possible. Thank you for partnering with us.

Categories: Family, Prayer, God, Newsletters

God still moving at CU

It has been over 2 months since we stepped down as directors at CU and passed the leadership to Kevin Dennis. God continues to move in the hearts and souls of students. This past Wednesday night we said good-bye to the student leaders and they encouraged us tremendously. We look back on these past 11 years at CU and are so grateful to God for growing us and showing us that He is all powerful, loving and desires to reach each and every student.

Just last week Katie, a Kappa Alpha Theta sorority gal, shared about another gal, Kate, who had been asking questions about Jesus and God. Christine has been having a ministry there for 11 years and is constantly praying that God will move through students to reach other students. Over the years many girls have come to Christ and awesome Biblical communities have been developed. With all our packing, moving and preparing Christine has had less time to spend there so she prays even more. God answers those prayers.

This past week Katie decided to share boldly with Kate about God’s love, forgiveness and how Kate could know God personally. Last Wednesday night Kate came to know Jesus.
We praise God that even in our last days in Boulder we have been blessed to see more fruit. With grateful hearts we THANK YOU!
Categories: Evangelism, God, Movements, Newsletters

Please Pray for Us

Please Pray:

• That we will listen to God and be obedient to Him.
• That our possessions arrive safely in Mexico City.
• That God will give us safe travel, rest and good family connections in the weeks to come.
• That God will show us where He is already moving in Long Beach and that we will join Him.
• That the final stages of our visa application is approved.
• That God will provide us the perfect house and car in Mexico City.
• That God will guide and give us wisdom as we lead the summer project in Long Beach.
• That God will deepen our prayer life and dependence on Him.
• That God will help us in the time of saying good-byes.

Categories: God, Newsletter, Prayer