Into the Crucible - 2 Paths Out

Have you had any crucible experiences as a leader? You know, those experiences when the challenges are so great, the fire is so hot, that your impurities are exposed as they bubble to the surface. It’s those times that can make or break us as leaders. Do we meet the challenge, adapt, problem solve, and lead through it? Do we allow the fire to expose impurities, weaknesses, and incompetencies so we can be refined as leaders? Leadership is a journey, and our crucible experiences – whether many or few – are the defining moments along the way.

I read a book called “Becoming Nehemiah – Leading with Significance” by David L. McKenna. And I’ve been reading and re-reading the book of Nehemiah as well. We can learn a lot from Nehemiah, and I’ve felt particularly drawn to his story given the challenges that we’ve faced this year ministering in South Africa.

Nehemiah was a great leader of his time. He’s been studied and recognized for his character, competence, and for accomplishing the mighty task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He was also an ordinary leader, almost handicapped in his qualifications being an exile Jew living in a pagan land without the title, cultural upbringing, or inherent authority of other typical leaders.

Nehemiah grew through his crucible experiences, and rose to each leadership challenge he faced. He also descended with each one as well. What I mean is that when we enter into the crucible there are actually 2 paths for us as Christian leaders. The first path is the leadership path of “upward mobility” where we rise in responsibility, visibility, and risk. The second path is the spiritual path of “downward mobility” where we press into God, empty ourselves, lean on Him, and allow Him to supply all our needs.

The 2 paths cannot be separated. If they are leadership leads to corruption, or spirituality leads to ineffectiveness. Taken together, they develop into the paradox of Christian leadership – a combined force of character and competence, of doing the right things and doing them well.

So the questions I’ve asked myself, (and invite you to reflect on for yourself) … How have my crucible experiences affected my leadership today? How has my character been tested? What competencies have been honed? And how does the Lord want to refine me and use me in the crucible once again?

Hmmm.

Green Grass

When we learned of Thrive Africa’s closure there was so much to do including finding a new place to live. As I've mentioned previously, June and I felt called to stay in South Africa and continue the work that the Lord had begun through Thrive Africa. So we began looking for a new place in the nearby town of Harrismith.

We saw one home available to rent - the only one it seemed – but it wasn’t quite right for our needs. According to the realtor, there are very few rentals right now due to some large-scale development projects bringing in temporary workers. Good for Harrismith, bad for us.

June and I continued praying for a place, not only because we needed one quickly, but also because we felt it would be confirmation that the Lord was calling us to stay. The Lord knows and cares about our needs.

Then I saw an advertisement at the local grocery store. It’s a total God-thing that I a) even looked at the bulletin board and b) could tell it was for a rental because it was in Afrikaans. I called from the parking lot and was able to see the home immediately. It was perfect for us! And when June walked through she thought the same thing!

We have bedrooms for June, myself and Amanda plus an extra for guests and storage. We have a large family room, dining room and kitchen that allows us to use the smaller living room as our office. It’s a great layout in a beautiful location with friendly neighbors. And although it’s extra work, I’m somewhat enjoying caring for a yard that actually has green grass. Boy, did I miss green grass! We’ve even planted a pretty big vegetable garden.

So please pray for us during this huge transition. Moving homes and offices is just part of it. We have a lot of work yet to do, but we know the Lord is with us every step of the way. And I'm grateful that you are as well.

New Beginnings Ignited

So what does this all mean for me?

The Lord’s vision and heart for South Africa hasn’t changed. He still wants to raise up Godly leaders who will turn the tides of poverty, crime, HIV AIDS and hopelessness washing over this nation. So as the Lord is calling some of us to leave South Africa, He’s also calling me and my roommate June to stay and launch a new ministry to continue the work that He started.

Ignite South Africa will carry on large aspects of Thrive's programming including youth AIDS prevention and leadership development, discipleship classes, and pastoral development.

Our vision is to model, equip, and multiply Godly leaders in South Africa.

We have just relocated into Harrismith (the nearby town) and were so blessed to find the perfect home for us to live and work in. We are currently establishing a non-profit organization, and were blessed to receive administrative support from June’s church in Michigan. We will also be joined by Pastor Abram Moloi and Amanda Radebe, 2 long-time staff from Thrive Africa. We’re so blessed to have their vision, passion, and expertise on our leadership team.

So as one chapter comes to a close, a new one begins. I pray that you continue to partner with me financially and in prayer, as it’s your faithful support that makes this all possible.

13 Incredible Years

After 13 incredible years of ministry, Thrive Africa is closing its doors in South Africa. I’ve typed that intro sentence a dozen times only to backspace over it again. Partly due to shock, and partly due to not knowing just what to say. There’s so much…

But in summary, over the past two years, Thrive Africa has encountered significant challenges far greater than anything experienced before. The perfect storm of personal, leadership, PR, and financial crises. So in recent weeks, Thrive's Board of Directors made the difficult decision to close our operations.

Over the past several weeks we’ve been busy finishing the ministry year strong while also mourning our loss and helping fellow missionaries return home. We’re saddened, but also excited to see how the Lord continues to expand His kingdom as He leads us in different directions around the world.

Please pray for our founders as they settle personal and professional matters. Please pray for our leadership team and Board as there is still a lot to do. Please pray for our missionaries as they discern the Lord’s next calling on their lives. And please pray that 13 amazing years of sowing into South Africa continues to produce an eternal harvest.

Celebrating Our Saltiness

On Friday, November 5 we held our final Hand in Hand conference of the year with more than 80 church leaders in attendance. Our theme has been “Being Salt and Light” and we’ve learned so much together!

At this final conference, Pastor Abram taught us how being unified as a church body helps us to be Godly examples and effective witnesses to others. Next we spent time in worship and prayer, and sharing amazing testimonies of how God has worked in and through us this year. The goal was to not only learn from and encourage each other, but also to celebrate!

Amy Riep ended the conference with a powerful teaching from The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. This passage just precedes Christ’s calling to be Salt and Light, and teaches us the attitude we need to carry it out.

Humbleness. Godly sorrow over sin. Repentance. Hunger and thirst for righteousness. Mercy. Peacemaking. Endurance.

She also gave an interesting fact about salt – that the Roman armies would pour salt out on their conquered lands to basically render them unusable and prevent them from being taken back by their enemies. As salt, not only do we season the earth with the hope of Christ, but we also claim territory for His kingdom that Satan cannot take back.

What a great day! I’m so thankful for the opportunity to equip and strengthen local leaders, and to also be strengthened and encouraged myself.