Quality Leaders Modeling the Way

I met and talked with several quality leaders in their late 60’s and 70’s this week at the CLA national conference.

One of them was Jerry White, former president of The Navigators and still serving as chairman of their board of directors.

As well, he served a distinguished military career in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as general.

He gave a brief but powerful devotional message on “unfinished things”.

What things in your life need to be finished and what things need to remain unfinished.  David had to leave the desire to build the temple to the Lord as unfinished business.  Jesus had to finish his work of going to the cross.

Hopefully this will be another of his upcoming books.

Thank You SIM USA Staff

Today is Staff Appreciation Day.  So some of your leaders didn’t want to miss this opportunity to say “We appreciate you.”

Here is a short video message and announcement from Bruce, George, Bernie, Mike and Lydia – from San Diego, California.

Appreciating SIM USA Staff from San Diego from Bruce Johnson on Vimeo.

San Diego at CLA National Conference

I am in San Diego for the three day Christian Leadership Alliance (CLA) conference.  It is a great place to reconnect with friends and meet some new ones.

Asian Access colleagues Elliott, Joe, Ned, Ron, Phil, Jane and myself after an enjoyable dinner at Harry’s

I enjoyed dinner with my former colleagues from Asian Access.  Also joining us was Phil Hodges and his wife Jane.  Phil is co-author of Leading Like Jesus with Ken Blanchard.  Phil and Joe serve together on their church’s elder board.  Great night of fellowship and conversation.

Jay Barnes, Paul Anderson and myself shared a table at today’s CEO workshop

I enjoyed sharing a table today with Dr. Jay Barnes, President of Bethel University, where I attended for two years in St. Paul, MN.  Also joining us was Paul Anderson of the Evangelical Free Church Foundation. 

Michael Hyatt, David Kinnaman and myself

The CEO for Thomas Nelson Publishers spoke at the CEO workshop today on impact of social media in ministry today.  He was followed by David Kinnaman, president of The Barna Group research firm on the nex-gen trends compared to other generations.  Both were compelling.

Back in the Saddle

Well, I am back in the office after returning Saturday evening from three weeks in Africa.

Mary and I enjoyed Easter Sunday in worship and then had friends over for dinner after church.  By 7 p.m. I was struggling to stay awake, so gave in and headed to bed for a good nights rest.

While mostly I have been catching up the last few days in the office, today I enjoyed talking about ministry partnership over lunch today on our campus.

l to r:  Jimmy Cox, SIM missionary and former director for SIM Sudan;  Brad Reed, president of Water Missions Intl; me

Jimmy, Brad and I had a very productive conversation over lunch about how SIM and Water Mission might collaborate in ministering to human need by providing clean drinking water and sharing the living water.   www.watermissions.org

We have agreed to loan Jimmy to Water Missions to help them with the ministry side of their global work.  We are looking forward to see how God will use our desire to extend His Kingdom and willingness to work together.

Kenyan Safari on Good Friday

This is the most unusual Good Friday of my life.  I went on an African safari, driving through Nairobi Game Reserve for seven hours.  Fences are only on the Nairobi city side of the reserve.  The other side allows the migration of the game.  Here is some of what we saw.  The SIM Kenya director, Dwight Hazard, set this up and drove.   Scott Carter, one of our missionaries came along as well.

Here are some of the photos I took of game that we saw.

  

We stopped on top of a ridge and had a Good Friday prayer service. 

Looking out on the vast Kenyan savanna we praised and thanked God for sending his son to die for our sins.   We lifted up the name of Jesus in prayer and song for his incredible act of love for us.

What a special Good Friday.