Mentors and Heroes (all) Who Have Changed My Life
My Dad —My Dad was married to my mom for 50 years before lukemia took him to Jesus. I think of him every time I tell my kids that “the best thing I am ever going to do for them is never stop loving their mother.”
Fr. Vincent deCrits —Life is about living not just making a living.
Mrs. Sullivan —In the summer between 4th and 5th grade, she taught me to read when my penchant for jokes, procrastination and baseball threatened to undo my life before it really got started.
My Mom —Taught me that a life of service to others can be deeply fulfilling and productive.
Mr. Zych —taught me German, Religion and integrity, a passionate man with a big temper but a man who began my probe of justice with his own personal integrity.
Coach Tom Donnely —life is filled with tough choices and sometimes they hurt because you love people.
Coach Cimo’ —Couldn’t possibly spell his name after 37 years, but Coach taught me that hard work, real hard work, could overcome almost any deficeincy, including lack of size.
Dr. Michael Green —God is faithful, powerful, and holy. Faithfulness to Him is always the right thing to do.
Milly Soto —A friend who believes in you can help you endure anything.
Dr. Gary Stanley —Creativity in the service of the king is a great thing.
Dr. Gordon Klenck —Guilelessness is a beautiful thing. Dr. Klenck is the longest living staff member with Campus Crusade for Christ, not named Vonnette Bright.
Dr. Bill Iverson —the 5-5-5 plan of Bible study, a can do Spirit, the shear joy of living for Jesus, the story behind the Spirit of the Living God chorus, an intoxication with church planting and so much more, the power of humility. The man is a spiritual giant.
Bill Bauer—Leadership can be quiet. Power can be calm. Disagreement can be filled with grace.
Dr. Synesio Lyra —Diplomacy and graciousness are beautiful things.
Dr. J.P. Moreland —Intellectual hard work in the service of the king is a worthy investment of my time.
Dr. Roland Allen —The Holy Spirit is the guiding force for the advance of the gospel. Trust him not systems.
Rich Mullins—Nothing is worth not living for God and his glory. Oh how how I miss this servant of God. One of the first people I want to meet in heaven after my mom and dad.
Dr. Francis Schaeffer —Truth is like a lion. Christianity is robust. A Christian worldview makes the most sense out of all the data of life.
C.S. Lewis —Imagination and Christ are both glorious. Christ is worth holding on too not because he is pleasant but because he is Truth.
Chuck Swindoll —belly laughter and imagination can go together with clarity and sensitivity in the pulpit.
Dr. John Piper —God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him. (and too many other debts to even count. I praise God every day for this godly servant of Christ.)
My Four Brothers and Two Sisters —kind, generous, committed, hard-working, loyal, and fun. They honor their father and mother in ways that make all who know them rejoice. They should all be famous. The world is a better place because of each. They inspire me to be better than I am.
Jim Elliot, missionary and martyr to Ecuador—”He is no fool who give up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Enough said.
Dr. David Nicholas—clarity and logic in your gospel presentation makes all the difference in this world for the next world.
Paul Becker founder of Dynamic Church Planting International— Church planting and training church planters is a worthy way to spend a life.
Dr. Ron Jenson, First President of the International School of Theology—It is an odd and sad thing when our passion for the work of God is greater than our passion for God himself.
Mark Zouk –missionary to Papua New Guinea. I have been telling his story for a dozen years, ever since I saw the EE-Taow video of the conversion of the Mouk tribe. The gospel story is powerful. Learn to tell it well.
David Watson–a new hero. Living intentionally to reproduce disciples is the only way to live. (David is a missionary/trainer with City Team Ministries)
More to come.
