Six Reasons To Join My Support Team:
Jake – Jake is a church worship leader with a heart for discipleship within community. Years ago, Jake and his wife purposefully moved into an apartment complex that was classified as a red zone (dangerous by police standards) with the hope of helping bring about positive transformation within the community. They built relationships within the complex and did life with the people who lived there. Jake played soccer and volunteered with a soccer ministry (Missionary Athletes International) to help keep the kids off the streets and show them the love of the Lord. Through their investment (along with others), today the complex is classified by police as a green zone (safe).
Jake is passionate about developing and mentoring groups of people who have a heart for living out the redemptive work of Christ in tangible ways. I’m personally challenged and inspired by his willingness to live on the front lines. To be honest, I’m not sure I’d be willing to move into a rough neighborhood with the hope and belief that God would reduce the crime rate and bring spiritual renewal to the neighborhood through my involvement. Thankfully, God has inspired and equipped people like Jake for such life-changing work. May we all become such willing, surrendered hands and feet of Jesus in this world, willing to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others.
Brad – Brad is a character-building head football coach, English teacher, and part-time administrator at a Christian high-school. The school has been moving him more from teaching into administration over the years. His role in administration requires the ability to deal with conflict and maneuver delicate situations with parents, students, staff, and faculty. We’ve been on a journey together of allowing God to increase Brad’s skills, awareness, and motivation to lean into conflict; seeing conflict as an opportunity for redemption and growth as our and other people’s issues come to the surface. Brad is a super impressive guy and seems perfect for this role.
I remember hearing a radio program years ago where a dad was talking about his son doing something bad at school. People were telling the dad to just ignore it. He said, if my son came home with a broken leg, I would do everything in my power to get him the medical help he needed to get his leg fixed. Well, my son just had a break in his character and I want to make sure we deal with it appropriately so everything gets set back in place properly. Brad helps young people (and their parents) when they have a break in their character…to help make sure their character gets the proper healing and strengthening it needs. He’s learning how, in increasingly effective ways. I think he’s going to be brilliant at it. I think he already is. Brad is truly becoming a Peacemaker, rather than a conflict avoider.
Matt – Matt and his wife have enormous hearts for adoption. Over the years, they have adopted three boys, two of whom are Haitian. Jesus told us to take care of the orphans and those who are marginalized in society. Matt and his wife are living that out tangibly. I love seeing their example of love and compassion for the least of these, especially in light of our country’s treatment of children at the border. Matt is a financial advisor with a heart for sharing Jesus with his co-workers and clients. God has shown favor on him with people who don’t yet know and love Jesus.
Reid – A few years ago, Reid attempted a 56 mile ultra-marathon in South Africa for Team World Vision! His efforts helped raise money for clean water projects and he personally got 56 children living in Uganda life-changing sponsors! Reid and his wife live in an apartment complex where they get free rent in exchange for helping build community within the complex of over 1,000 residents. They mainly help build community through personal welcome visits and weekly social events. Landlords find having people like them on site can increase retention of good tenants who hopefully feel a sense of community and belonging where they live. It’s a great way to love their neighbors through the simple practice of being present, listening well, and lending a hand when invited into people’s lives. It’s a ministry right where they live. During the course of our meeting, Reid took over the role of Chief Operating Officer in a water treatment supplier his father started over 50 years ago. The company has around 100 employees. Reid not only sees it as a place of work, but also a place of ministry. Reid says, “This experience has pushed me to seek God in new ways, often from a place of desperation, and as I’ve begun to see and hear Him move, I have come to understand my leadership in this business to be a spiritual endeavor where God is attempting to reach me and every person connected to our organization with his transforming grace.”
Ben and Connor – 2 College Students! In the past, I’ve usually waited to meet with people until they were a year or so out of college and the reality of life has hit. This year, I felt led to experiment with a couple college students. Ben (left) is a 20 year old college student (19 when we started), who is on his college soccer team. He is very responsible, conscientious, insightful, and wise. He serves at church in the middle school student’s ministry. Connor (right) is 21 years old. He serves in the high school ministry. This past summer, Connor did an unpaid internship at his church. He did an amazing job and worked very hard to make summer camp a huge success.
When I was in college, serving at church wasn’t even on my radar. When I heard about these young guys serving while in college, I sensed they might be worthwhile investments for Legacy Shepherding Ministries. We’re currently in the short-term commitment stage – a test phase before we commit to on-going mentoring. Whether we continue or not, I believe God can and will do a lot in and through these two young men. I’m excited for their futures. We’ll see how this goes and see if the Lord makes it clear if He wants me to meet with more college students in the future. Please keep us in your prayers.
These are the types of influential leaders you are supporting when you support Legacy Shepherding Ministries, Inc. I’m very impressed with the caliber of people God has allowed us to invest in. It makes the future look bright. This year we’ve invested in 30 young leaders, who are doing amazing things through your generosity.
Support Time:
It’s the end of the year support raising time. I’d love to have you join me in this ministry through your prayers and financial support. Without you, none of this is possible.
Will you please partner with me financially and prayerfully to help bring life-change to influential young leaders and to those they impact? You may contact me via the contact page email. (If you don’t hear back from me, please resend the email. The email system through this blog is not always totally reliable). Thanks so much!
Contributions are tax deductible.
In His Love,
Randy
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