The Family Ministry team had a small goal for this year:

Raise $60,000 in Camp Scholarships.

A small goal . . .but essential.  Well, I am happy to say that we hit the goal today!  What an exciting faith journey we – as a team – have been on. I wanted to quickly share several lessons we learned along the way and how we reached our goal.

1. Team Effort: Yeah, sounds like one of those "contrite" sayings. BUT IT IS TRUE. Every person on the team pulled on the same rope.  Jud Wilhite (Sr. Pastor) and Mike Bodine (Sr. Leader) were essential in casting vision.
2. Vision: It’s all about vision. (O.K. . . another simple saying.) Seriously . . .the vision of camp is simple. It’s about the life impact of a child/student.  There is nothing more impacting in the life of a child/student than a week of camp.  People get that and want to be a part of it!
3. The Plan: We came up with a killer plan . . . simple, yet strategic. We had staff writing "support letters" . . .like a missions trip.  We had leaders owning the need with us.  Students . . .gave scholarships because they caught the vision.
4. Follow Through: Everyone stepped up to the plate to accomplish it. Accountability was high.

I could get in the weeds . . .maybe I will later.  What I know . . . is God moved in the hearts of so many to impact the lives of kids/students.

I had the opportunity to connect with Cindy Fiala who is the Children’s pastor at SageBrush Community Church. Two hours seemed like a few minutes.  She is a sharp thinker, passionate, and obviously . . .a leader.

She had a list of questions that we plowed through. Last night when I was reflecting on our time, several thoughts came to my head.

1. The power of a Great Question:  How many times have you met with someone and you thought to yourself: "Really?! That is all. Nothing deeper. Nothing more substantial. Ask me anything . . .you sought me out." Cindy, she came with great questions . . .great insight . . . which lead to 2 hours feeling like minutes.
2. You never arrive:  I left feeling (not because of anything Cindy said) like, "Wow . . .we have a lot to still do."   Great questions . . . lead to self (personal – leadership – ministry) reflection.  Many of Cindy’s questions forced me to slow down and reflect.
3. Passion is Contagious: There are people that leave you feeling like you can conquer the world and others that suck the life out of you.  Cindy was one of those people that caused me to leave my office . . .in a very stressful ministry season . .. and I felt rejuvenated.  Those people . . .leaders need to have in their relational sphere.

If you are ever in Albuquerque New Mexico . . .make sure you drop by SageBrush.  It is a church that is impacting their community for Christ in a major way.

Oh . . .if you ever have an opportunity to "pick someone’s brain" . . .come prepared with great questions. The conversation . . .for all involved . . .will be life giving.)

It doesn’t matter the size of your church – 100 -1000 – 10,000 . .. this principle is the same.  The formula for church is growth is the same.  You build/grow a church . . .1 life at a time.  If people feel personally connected, they will stay and be a part.  If people feel like they are just a part of the "masses" . . .then they won’t stay.

I received this email this week and i wanted to share it with you . . . the power of impacting "1".