Leadership Summit

Our staff team attended the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit this past weekend. It was a showing of the actual event which occurred in early August in Chicago. There were eight speakers, including Bill Hybels, a couple of pastors, a professor, and some missional entrepreneurs. I was most impressed and affected by Gary Haugen (who founded the International Justice Mission), Catharine Rohr (Prison Entrepreneurship Program) and Bill Hybels. The challenge to surrender everything to Jesus was pervasive. My life seems so small compared to what these people were presenting.

Gary Haugen skillfully illustrated how he didn't want Christians to be content in the visitor center of following Jesus. That getting out and doing is so important. He made the funny connection between body-builders and many Christians who have all this rippling strength but are content to use it to pop open a jar lid once in a while. What's it all for?

Mrs. Rohr was an investment banker who used all her life savings to start a program which teaches prisoners nearing parole how to run a business and write a business plan. That oversimplifies it, but they've had great success, with only 2% of the graduates returning to prison. I was in awe of her obedience to God, and her energy and enthusiasm. I want that. I want to invest in something big and lasting.

Bill Hybels' last talk was a profile of Mother Theresa. To hear how she so completely gave her life over to Jesus was incredible. Again, I want my life to matter. I want to be involved in the big things God is doing. The concept of making myself available to God before asking for a plan or opportunity was stressed. So powerful.