Monthly Archives: January 2015

3 Key Things to Remember in 2015

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Christmas is such a great time to refresh ourselves in the story of Jesus’ birth in the gospels. The miracle of a virgin birth, a star and a stable, kings with gifts and dreams with
angels, shepherds in awe… You can’t stop reading but abruptly we’re thrust into Jesus adult life and His ministry here on earth. In the Matthew account, we end Chapter 2 with Jesus’ parents bringing him back to Nazareth after the death of Herod, and begin Chapter 3 with John the Baptist coming onto the scene and the baptism of Jesus, along with the most profound leadership lesson in the gospels. After Jesus is baptized by John, Matthew 3:17 says, “And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.’” Well pleased? Well pleased with what? Last we knew Jesus was a baby, and now He just comes out of nowhere and gets baptized – He hasn’t even done anything yet for His Father to be pleased with. But this one sentence is the foundation for all of Jesus’ ministry, and should be the foundation for our leadership journey. God the Father affirms Jesus in 3 ways:

1) You are mine

2) I love you

3) You don’t have to prove a thing, I already delight in you

Matthew Chapter 4 then leaves us with no fairy tale illusions about how ministry and leadership is going to be – no time for a honeymoon period here – the Spirit immediately leads Jesus into the wilderness for the famous 40 days of testing. Jesus was able to pass the test, and navigate through every earthly challenge, because He was assured in what His Father had told him – He knew who He belonged to, He didn’t doubt His Father’s love, and there was no pressure to get His Father’s approval because He already had it.

In your leadership journey you will encounter tests and challenges that seemingly so blindside you that you can’t imagine a loving Father would ever have allowed it. You will have times where you feel like an outsider, questioning if you really belong. Other people’s approval will be fickle – one day you’re a rockstar, and the next you’re just not ‘all that’. When we come to Christ, we have the same assurance:

1) We belong

2) We’re loved

3) God is pleased with us, there’s nothing to earn or prove

But, you say, of course Jesus was confident in what His Father had told Him, how could He possibly forget? Heaven flippin’ opened up and the Spirit descended like a dove and a voice came out of heaven! So that wasn’t your experience after you got baptized? Trust me, that still, small voice from heaven will say it again to you – and say it as many times as you need to hear it. Take heed to the voice of God, He will always prepare you for the journey by speaking these truths to you.

As you reflect on another Christmas gone by, it’s a perfect time of year to remember that freedom-in-christGod loved us so much, was so intent to redeem us to Himself, that He sent His only Son, our Savior. Just the fact that we accepted Christ’s sacrifice and asked Him to be Lord of our life pleases God’s heart to no end. Before you start sprinting into this new year, take time to recall when a voice from heaven has spoken these truths to you. If you can’t remember specific instances, if there’s any doubt, ask God to encounter you with these truths this year the same way He spoke them over His Son – that you are His, you are loved, and He is so pleased with you! Being rooted in our identify in Christ is the foundation for leadership that will finish the race!

Article Submitted by: Karissa Corpeny, Director of Corporate Training, TC Southeast

From the Rep’s Corner

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Joy In Enduring

As ministers we can get so caught up in serving others and trying hard to please God in ministry that we lose our joy. The author of Hebrews describes how Jesus ran His race with endurance “for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:2 NASB). “For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (NASB). The Greek word ‘endure’ is translated “under-remain.” It gives the picture of being under severe pressure but holding steadfast, standing firm, not wavering , being tenacious – hardworking and optimistic in the face of setbacks.

James, another leader in the church says “consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance and let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:3-4). Sometimes when we are in these hard-pressed places we want to get out quickly, we want the pain and discomfort to go away and we step out before giving the process time to work in us. The way to endure these tough places is to find JOY in the pain. Is it possible?BillyMills_Crossing_Finish_Line_1964Olympics Sure! But we have to cry out to Holy Spirit and ask Him to help us find joy in the process. The joy is in knowing that Jesus won and we can win too! The joy is in knowing the end result – the eternal impact; the many students whom you have poured into and who have found hope in Jesus Christ.

Ask the Lord “what is it you are showing me in this season of my life?” “How can I find joy in the process?”

But you will be called the priests of the Lord; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God…instead of your shame you will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, everlasting joy will be theirs. Is 61

 

Article Submitted by: Andree Aiken – ELP Leader/Coach, TC Southeast

ELP Highlight

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My name is Monica Brown. I am an intern at The Bridge Teen Challenge and have been in ELP for several months. Since being in ELP, I have learned many things. It has helped meMonica Brown see where I am spiritually and how to grow in my relationship with God. I have learned many tools and ways to be a good leader and server of God. ELP has shown me the kind of person I want to be in my ministry and what areas I would best be able to serve as well. It has also given me motivation in my walk to know who I am as a leader in Christ and in Teen Challenge. I have learned how to have compassion and love for others in need and women who come into Teen Challenge. My love relationship I have been able to build with God has helped me love others. I have learned that God is number one no matter what. Being a leader in Teen Challenge you can’t be selfish, prideful, or have no fear. You must be willing to work together with others at being a team and having a vision to accomplish anything. ELP has helped me grow so much as a student, an intern, a woman of God, a mother, and in my life. My life now will be to lead like Jesus.

ELP Rep’s Link

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Farewell 

It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Brittany Hughes, ELP Rep at Ft. Myers Women’s Center who served for 4 years. Brittany has served the students and staff well both at her local campus and at our ELP Summits. Brittany will be missed.

Welcome

This month we welcome 4 new ELP Rep’s; Rod Hughes (Tallahassee), Dan Williams (Middle GA), Nicole Petty (Southwest FL W) and Jenny Northern (Columbus W). Welcome leaders! Thank you for answering the call to raise up sons and daughters on your campuses and to seed to the nations. Huge responsibility, but with the Holy Spirit’s guidance we can do it!

Level I Adult

This month our core course is Team Building and our text is The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player by John Maxwell. In this book Maxwell outlines the successes of team players who have been:

  • Intentional – making every action count toward a long-term goal
  • Relational – focused on others
  • Selfless – willing to take a subordinate role for the sake of the team
  • Tenacious – hardworking and optimistic in the face of setbacks

Maxwell shows how these qualities, and many others, impact the team and its success. The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player is not feel-good platitudes and abstract thinking but concrete actions designed to improve the value of every team player.

Level I Adolescent

Our course for the Adolescent track is Leading Others and our text: Habitudes 3 – The Art of Leading Others by Tim Elmore. This book is the final in a series of 3 books. The leadership journey begins with self-leadership. We must lead ourselves before we lead anyone else. Next we learn to lead up – in relationships with those over us. Then, we learn to lead and influence those around us. Finally, we lead those under our care.

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 Kerry Pevey (ELP Admin Asst) an email at kerry.pevey@teenchallenge.cc. Blessings!

Level II – Jan 2015

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Happy New Year

Happy New Year Leaders! I hope you got some rest and relaxation over the holidays and are ready to jump back into your studies. We are continuing with our course Values in Leadership and our text: People First by Jack Lannom. We are just a little over half way in this course so continue to press in. Remember your Personal Action Plans will be graded as your final assessment so if you are not caught up, now is a good time to do so. We are at post VI – Education. Be sure to check out the video linked to the post.