Monthly Archives: July 2014

ELP Testimonies

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My name is Lauren Eisenberger, I’m 17 years old and I grew up in Rahway New Jersey. I Laurengraduated the Teen Challenge Yuchi girls program on July 19th, 2013. Growing up without a mother was hard for me and even though I had a good family, I eventually became rebellious and started to make wrong choices. Friends and partying became the highlight of my life. As my drug problem increased I was sent to two rehabs but both did not work. When I came to Teen Challenge, I was faced with a new type of love, Christ’s love. I was completely changed from the inside out by this love.

My purpose and calling now is serving in ministry as a missionary to Asia and Africa. Going through the ELP program is preparing me for this future in ministry. It has helped developed in me a joy to serve and has helped me understand what a true leader looks like.

 

Enrich Culture – More than a Mission

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We continue in our “E5” season of “Enriching Culture”. It might not seem very strategic to you, I mean there are places to go and drug addicts to save. We’re on a mission here. Is all this “culture stuff” really necessary? I’d like to propose that after cultivating a life of prayer, the most important thing a leader can do is build a healthy, flourishing culture for the teams they lead. Sure, ultimately leadership and team is about results – accomplishing tasks, goals and the mission.In Teen Challenge, we’re all sold out to the mission of offering life-transformation through Christ, so what difference does culture make?

Imagine two row boats in a race: boat #1 has 10 rowers vigorously rowing in sync, in the TC Crew Logo - Trimmed -TBsame direction, cheering each other on. Boat #2 has 5 rowers rowing in the same direction (but not quite in sync and not quite all out), 2 rowers who are arguing about which direction to row, 1 rower who is asleep, 1 rower who is rowing in the opposite direction, and 1 rower who is trying to sink the boat. Which boat wins? Culture is the single factor that will determine what is happening in your boat. A healthy culture is like the fertile soil that yields a hundred-fold at harvest time, like the firm foundation a lasting structure is built upon, or like the careful planning that makes a long journey more productive. Culture is the sole responsibility of the leader – you will either build a healthy culture by intention, or allow a dysfunctional culture by default. People will get in the boat because of the mission, but they’ll get out (or get tossed overboard) if the culture is not healthy. People don’t leave organizations or missions, they leave leaders. Bill Hybels, senior leader of Willowcreek Church, says, “staff cultures will only be as healthy as the senior leader wants it to be.” A healthy culture ensures that the right people are on the boat, that they find the best seat for their gifts and strengths, that all the rowers are synced up and rowing in the same direction, that every rower is fully engaged because they show up every day exclaiming, “I was born for this! I can’t imagine doing anything else! This is what makes me feel alive!” And a healthy culture gets results.

Like the example of the two row boats above, it’s astonishing how much more productive a flourishing culture is from a dysfunctional or toxic culture. Has God called you to lead? Then He’s called you to be a culture-bearer, to build and enrich a strong and healthy team culture. There’s no short cut in cultivating culture, it takes time and effort and skill. But it will lay the foundation and create the momentum that will save much time and effort in the long run. In the upcoming series of articles, we’ll see that enriching culture is actually pretty practical, and we’ll look at how leaders enrich culture as well as reasons why leaders don’t place an importance on culture. In the meantime, how are things in your boat?

Written by: Karissa Corpeny (Director of Corporate Training, TC Southeast)

 

Level II – Aug 2014

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Congratulations

Congratulations Mitch Clevenger (Vero Beach) on moving to your electives!

Reminder

Remember to return the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership DVD’s. The cost to purchase a new DVD set is $299.99 (plus tax and shipping) and will be charged to your center if these are not returned.

Core Courses

Our core course this month is Practical Christianity and our text: Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald. The values of our Western culture incline us to believe that the busy, publicly-active person in ministry is also the most spiritual. Tempted to give imbalanced attention to the public world at the expense of the private, we become involved in more programs, more meetings. Our massive responsibilities at home, work, and church have resulted in a lot of good people on the verge of collapse. Gordon MacDonald equips a new generation of emerging leaders to live life from the inside out, cultivating the inner victory necessary for public effectiveness.  Your first post will be up on the forum on Monday, August 18th.

 

Rep’s Link – Aug 2014

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Put it on your calendar to watch the next Revolutionized Leadership Webinar on Friday, Aug 15th at 10:30 am (EDT) via Google Hangouts on Air. You don’t need a Google account to tune in. I’ll send you an invite closer to the date.

Level I Adult 

This month we are continuing with the course Boundaries by Dr. Henry boundariesCloud. By now your emerging leaders are learning some vital lessons about boundaries. What is one way you can help your emerging leaders set proper boundaries this week?

Level I Adolescent

Our course for the Adolescent track is Servant Leadership and our text: Help, I’m a Student Leader by Doug Fields. Although this book is set in the context of a church youth group, the leadership principles can be applied anywhere. In this book your emerging leaders will learn:

  1. How Jesus led others
  2. Figure out how to be more helpful to others
  3. Discover the secrets of getting others involved
  4. How to listen better
  5. And, Deepen their faith by helping others

Monthly Book Orders and Grades

Southeast region Rep’s can go to Google Drive and search for ELP Monthly Order Form and Grade Sheet Edited. Look for your center’s name in the tabs at the bottom and fill in your center’s information. No need to save or email the spreadsheet (Google Drive saves it and I can access the info from my Drive). If you place an initial order on the form and update the order later (i.e. add 2 more books) after we have ordered your books, please send me an email andree.aiken@teenchallenge.cc. Thank you.

WHAT COACHING HAS DONE FOR ME

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Angela Hastings

“Nothing is more appropriate than getting excited when God does something in our lives.” ~ Beth Moore

I find it interesting that the last time I posted on my blog was in August. But I don’t find it coincidental. I won’t even blame it on the busyness. It has to do with the fact that God has been doing a major revamping in my life and in my heart. Most of you know that in August, I started life coach training. Part of that training was meeting with one of our instructors for personal coaching. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept of Christian life coaching, it’s helping someone discover what God is doing in their lives and helping them to cooperate with Him. What I realized personally, was coaching provided the optimal environment for change. I don’t think we ever really even talked about the big thing that I wanted/needed to change in my life more than once. But over the course of six sessions in 4 months, God changed my heart and my attitude about the thing that was giving me the most trouble. Having an open door to deep, meaningful, intentional conversation and relationship, without the fear of being judged, with the freedom to make mistakes, and with the accountability to take action on what God is telling me to do made a HUGE impact on my life.

You know how scientists tell us that the earth is exactly the right distance from the Sun, and it’s at the exact right tilt so that there can be be life on earth? The conditions are perfect, even though right now some of you would beg to differ because your weather is a little inclement. But ultimately we thrive because of our environment. Coaching is like that perfect environment for thriving. Even now God is giving me a reminder of the sweet babies in Romania that were left all alone in their cribs and failed to thrive. It’s because they lacked relationships. It’s because they didn’t have the love and support they needed to grow. Now, I know that meaningful relationships are not limited to the field of coaching, but I also know that in our chaotic, busy lives, we rarely take the time, energy, and effort to get real and to let others get real.

People, God is at work; He is speaking to us. But if we don’t wake up and do something about it, we are going to miss out. We are not intended to walk through this life alone. And we definitely do not grow best on our own. We are meant to share life together. We are meant to challenge one another. We are meant to confess our faults to one another and to say “This is where I’m really struggling. Please pray for me; I want to change.” We are meant to take what God is saying to us and do something about it. There’s nothing magical about coaching. But it forced me to ask the questions:

What is God doing in my life?
What is God saying to me?
And what am I going to do about it?

And then,  I did it! No, God did it! God did something in my life. And He wants to do something in yours also.

Written by Angela Hastings (ELP REP Hosanna House TC, Jacksonville, FL) 

 lovingjesusmore.blogspot.com

Freedom Costs a Price

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Richard Henry Lee oilA Leader who sets a Nation Free

Great Leaders set others free. On June 7th 1775, Richard Henry Lee of Virgina presented a resolution for the united colonies to be free from British rule. “Let it be resolved that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved “http://www.military.com/independence-day/history-of-independence-day.html. Lee’s words set the flywheels turning for a series of events that led to the drafting of a formal Declaration of Independence and on July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England – an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. Each year on July 4th, also known as Independence Day, Americans celebrate this historic event.  These few words and a series of action, set in motion that which would change the history of this great nation and its people forever. Last week we celebrating over 200 years of independence, but it took one leader who considered the welfare of the people above his; one leader who sought the good of the people and acted to bring about change. Freedom cost a price, oftentimes not to the one who enjoys its, but to the one who gave his life for it. Thank you to our forefathers who paved the way for our independence.

A Leader who sets Addicts Free

Another great leader got his call in 1958 to go and help those boys in New York City. Davida_David_Wilkerson Wilkerson was a 26 year-old Pentecostal preacher from Pennsylvania who answered the call to go to New York. After a series of encounters with God first, and then with addicts and gang members, the Teen Challenge ministry was started.  David had a clear vision for the addict “they could begin life all over again, with the fresh and innocent personalities of newborn children.” This time they would grow up in an environment surrounded by love. “A house where these new kids could come – a really nice house where they are welcomed and loved, the door would always be open; there would always be lots and lots of beds, clothes to wear and a great big kitchen for meals.” Today, there are over 1200 Teen Challenge homes like this in 102 countries of the world. It all started with one leader leaving his family in Pennsylvania to go and help those boys. In Teen Challenge, being set free is no small task. Our students walk in with years and years of lies, generational curses, hurts and other issues embedded deep into their hearts and minds. They enter as slaves – trapped in a dead-end life of sin. A slave is a transient, who can’t come and go at will. They enter Teen Challenge where Jesus steps in and break their chains of sin and shame and cover them with grace; He reaches out a hand to save and set them free. He transforms slaves into sons, who have an established position in the house (the Kingdom) and who can run around it with glee. Teen Challenge is where life-transformation happens – people encounter God and are born again into a new life. We are establishing sons and daughters to enjoy their freedom in Christ – serving the Lord with gladness. No more legalism and religion, they have experienced Love which motivates them to freely give to the One who paid the price for them.

A Greater Leader who sets the World Free

Over 2000 years ago another great leader, in an expression of love for people, gave a Jesus 10155746_678591885530960_857185614685534700_nmost precious gift – His Son who stood in our place to set us free. “This is how much God loved the world; He gave His Son, His one and only Son.” Why? “So that no one need be destroyed; by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life; those who trust in Him is acquitted.” (John 3:16-18, TM).  He gives us new desires and a new heart altogether that would want to follow Him. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.(John 8:34-38, TM). Jesus says “if you stick with this, living out what I tell you, then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you” (John 8:31-32, TM). This truth is the Word of God which expels darkness and help us to walk in the Light.  To walk in the Light means to be free from darkness. The ultimate sacrifice for your life was paid by one man who gave His life – Jesus Christ.

As a leader, what are you willing to sacrifice so that others are set free and experience New Beginnings?

“Hope lives here. Freedom is found here. Changed lives leave here.”

– Don Wilkerson (Teen Challenge)

 

 

ELP Testimonies

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Name:  Laurie Lusink   laurie

Age:   56

Hometown: Orlando, FL

Teen Challenge Center: Davie, FL

Which Center/What Year did you Graduate: Davie Women’s Home 2013

My Testimony in Brief:  After 25 years of marriage, my husband was killed in an automobile accident and I turned to alcohol to cope. Eventually the drinking took over my life and even eating wasn’t important to me. Gradually my health became so poor, that my children feared for my life and reached out to Teen Challenge, where I was accepted into the program.  A miracle was prayed for me, God heard, and restored my soul, health and family.   

The Purpose and Calling God has Given Me:  The calling God has given me is to stay at Teen Challenge, of South Florida as an ELP Vocational Intern in the role of Cook for this amazing ministry.

The ELP’s Impact on My Leadership: I have learned to lead like Jesus, be a successful team player, use the motivational gift God gave me to be a servant leader, and many, many other facets that have inspired me.   

 

Level II – July 2014

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Congratulations

Congratulations Rob Helfer (Vero Beach) and Nick and Rachel Aylor (Southwest Florida)  for moving on to your electives!

Reminder

Remember to return the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership DVD’s by July 31st. The cost to purchase a new DVD set is $299.99 (plus tax and shipping) and will be charged to your center if these are not returned.

Core Courses

Our core course this month is Conflict Management and our text: The Peacemaker by The Peacemaker PICKen Sande. Peacemakers are people who breathe grace. They draw continually on the goodness and power of Jesus Christ, and then they bring His love, mercy, forgiveness, strength, and wisdom to the conflicts of daily life. The emerging leader staff will learn to bring grace to conflict through Glorifying God, Getting the Log Out of Your Eye, Gently Restore and Go and Be Reconciled. The workbook for this course will be sent to you via email – look out for it. Your first post will be up on the forum on Monday, July 21st.

Rep’s Link – July

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Level I Adult 

This month’s course is Boundaries and our text: Boundaries by Dr. Henry boundariesCloud. Christians often focus so much on being loving and giving that they forget their own limits and limitations. Are you in control of your life? Do people take advantage of you? Do you have trouble saying no? Boundaries are personal property lines that define who you are and who you are not, and influence all areas of your life. No need to purchase the workbook, there is a study guide at elp.tc under Rep’s Resources.

Level I Adolescent

Our course for the Adolescent track is Leading Others and our text: Habitudes III – The Habitudes 3-FBArt of Leading Others by Tim Elmore. In this book the emerging leaders will learn to lead those under their care. Images of The Mirror Effect, Rivers and Flood, the Choir Director and other exciting images will help emerging leaders see the value of servant leadership and how we lead others.

Monthly Book Orders and Grades

Southeast region Rep’s can go to Google Drive and search for ELP Monthly Order Form and Grade Sheet Edited. Look for your center’s name in the tabs at the bottom and fill in your center’s information. No need to save or email the spreadsheet (Google Drive saves it and I can access the info from my Drive). If you place an initial order on the form and update the order later (i.e. add 2 more books) after we have ordered your books, please send me an email andree.aiken@teenchallenge.cc. Thank you.

Insights from the Reps

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There is no orientation course for servant leadership. John 10:7 says, “Truly. Truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” The only true way to lead our students is through good-shepherd-jesus-christ-the-i-43875Jesus in our personal lives. We must have our own salvation worked out daily if we ever will learn how to lead others. This is the only model of leadership that brings about true
discipleship. This is what truly separates the hired hand from the shepherd.

John 10:12-13 says, “He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep, and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep,”

Many who are called into this ministry fall upon fatigue and warfare due to the inconsistency of the first principle mentioned above. If we are not receiving Jesus for ourselves, how do we possibly stand to be surprised by the warfare we entangle ourselves in? I don’t want to be the hired hand that seeks a position or visibility, only to abandon the sheep. I desire more than that. I want to be like the Good Shepherd, going before the sheep and laying down my life like Jesus. We all have to avoid self-preservation, like the hired hand that soon flees when the warfare comes.

If we ever want to truly raise up spiritual sons and daughters in Teen Challenge, we must learn the methods of the Good Shepherd. We must go before our students and exemplify servant leadership. I pray that we will come together with a desire to awaken the sons and daughters of God within this ministry. Through this, will we will form a radical band of disciples, called Gen Next.

Written by Brittany Hughes (ELP REP Southwest FL Women’s)