October, 2020 Update
What A Year We’ve Had!
At the beginning of the year, I joked that 2020 was going to be the year of Clear Vision…20/20 Vision…and look at all the things we saw this year – the COVID-19 pandemic, toilet paper hoarding, mask debates, Black Lives Matter, deaths, rioting, Zoom meetings galore, and CRAZY divisive politics! I’m hopeful that as important issues are coming to the surface, we, as a nation, are beginning to see some things more clearly and lovingly.
The upside of all this, the time of COVID-19 has provided endless new opportunities for growth and redemption!
Here are some things Legacy Shepherding Ministries saw this year…
Technology ZOOMed To The Rescue and Opened Up New Opportunities:
With the COVID-19 Shelter In Place/Social Distancing orders, my one-on-one Legacy Shepherding meetings shifted from in person to meeting on-line. Between Zoom and FaceTime, I was able to continue to meet with everyone being spiritually mentored. I am very grateful for technology. Nothing beats being in person, but this was a definite second best option. I even added five new people during this time of COVID-19. Two live out of state, one in TX and one in NC. Technology is opening up opportunities that weren’t possible in the past. Now I just need to figure out how to adapt some of the spiritual exercises I guide people through into experiences that work on-line.
This year we invested in 24 influential young leaders who will impact hundreds, maybe even thousands, of lives!
Mentor Training – Brad & Alex Immediately Start Using Their New Skills:
Each year, I usually take a group of people I meet with through a Mentor Training class I developed, sharing with them some of the powerful tools I’ve learned over the years. I really enjoy watching participants have Aha moments that I know will impact how they do ministry and relationships going forward. This year, I did my very first ever mentor training via the internet! I did it initially with two guys as a test run.
Brad & Alex, the two guys I took through the training, each began meeting with a guy around the time we began the training. As we were doing the training, they were able to put the information into practice immediately in their next mentoring meetings. It was exciting to witness them experiencing the power of one-on-one intentional shepherding from the mentoring side, and to see them passing on what they’ve been given. Passing it on is the hope of this ministry.
ZOOM Training With International Break-Dancers:
This month, I’m scheduled to do mentor training sessions with the staff of BreakFree Ministries – a breakdance ministry engaging the hip-hop community, led by a Legacy Shepherding alum. I can’t wait to meet these guys! They are located in Colorado Springs, Nairobi, Chicago, Kiev, Madrid, Minneapolis, and Yaounde (Cameroon)! How cool is that? I love diversity!
Jordan Preached His First Sermon:
Jordan, a 25 year old youth pastor in Elgin, preached his first sermon during the pandemic, broadcasted via YouTube. It went so well, they invited him to preach a second time a few weeks later. They are considering him for a regular role on the teaching team. You can view his sermon on YouTube – West Ridge Community Church, 7-5-20 Tell Me A Story: The Good Samaritan.
What’s a Watch Party? – The Church Prevails During COVID-19:
Many of the people I’ve mentored are part of church plants. One of their hopes has been for people to catch the vision of being the Church in their neighborhoods and spheres of influence, not just at a building on Sunday mornings. During the shut-down, these churches had to go on-line. Maximizing the moment, Legacy Shepherding alums and current Legacy Shepherding mentees started Sunday morning “watch parties” in their driveways, where people could safely watch the on-line services together. These smaller settings allowed neighbors and others to check out church in a much less intimidating way, as well as develop community right from the start. I’ve heard stories that through the on-line presence, numerous people who hadn’t ever attend church began tuning in on Facebook Live or going to watch parties.
Josh Moves Back to Kansas City to Start A Discipleship Ministry:
Josh has been a middle-school and high-school youth pastor in recent years. Josh has really caught the vision of Jesus’ model of multiplication – intentionally investing in the few (who can then do the same with others) to reach the masses and make an impact for the Kingdom. Here is Josh’s description of what he is doing now…
“In September, I moved and stepped into a new ministry role as the Pastor of Discipleship at a church in Kansas City. The focus of this role is pioneering and leading a path of intentional disciple-making – to develop and equip students and adults to own their faith, grow beyond being dependent upon a church, and help others around them find and follow Jesus, from their schools to their neighborhoods to their workplaces and beyond. Our desire is to see 500 commissioned disciple-makers sent to help others find and follow Jesus by the year 2030.”
I’m continuing to spiritually mentor Josh long-distance as he pioneers this new ministry. I can’t wait to see what God does!
Please Join Me:
The world changes one person at a time. This ministry focuses on influential difference-makers who have the potential to lovingly impact many people around them, and then equip those people to do the same with others. As you can tell, the Lord is actively doing powerful work through these young leaders.
Will you please partner with me financially and prayerfully to continue to invest in influential young leaders? Information is enclosed to help you do that. Every penny will help!
Contributions are tax-deductible.
In His Love,
Randy
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