On the Journey

Take time this weekend to read this article. 

A great story regarding Courtney Hawkins- a story of hope and leadership regarding a struggling high school football team, a poverty stricken community in Michigan, and a former ex NFL player looking to re-establish pride, a program, and winners in his hometown. 

Thanks to Joshua for turning me on to this great story.

Check out the latest Catalyst podcast that features an interview with Matt Chandler, the lead pastor of The Village Church in metro Dallas. You can grab it at itunes or stream it live here.

If you work in a not-for-profit environment and/or are assigned in any way to raising money, then you need to read this. Thanks Seth for the heads up on this. And thanks Sasha for writing it. 

This is inspiring!

Here it is, the October edition of the Young Influencers List. You can see the archives here.

In no particular order:

1. Daley Hake- talented musician and photographer from CA. Check out his work and some recent shots he took at Catalyst. He makes Carlos Whittaker look like a runway model! Daley- help me!

2. Steven Furtick- you’ve probably already heard about Steven and the incredible work happening at Elevation Church in Charlotte. Make sure to subscribe to his Sermon podcast. Prepare to be challenged. 

3. Justin Dillon- visionary and Director of the recent rockumentary Call and Response. Also a musician and former member of the band Dime Store Prophets. His work in fighting sex trafficking and slavery is inspiring.

4. Danielle Bennett- Virginia native, a Junior at USC (that’s Southern Cal), and the most recent addition to the Catalyst team- our West Coast Catalyst intern. Danielle is gonna be president of something substantial someday. 

5. Aaron Keyes- gifted worship leader, and a fresh voice to worship leaders all over the world. Aaron has forgotten more scripture than I can remember. His approach to leading worship is fresh and extremely Biblical. 

6. Jonathan Bostic- if you need motion graphics, amazing videos, or just basic branding/graphics, Bostic is your man. Jonathan did the recent opening video and motion graphics display on the screens at Catalyst. He also helps out with Orange Conference, Passion Conferences, and does work with several bands and musicians.

Yeah, I’ve already decided who I am voting for in this upcoming election. However, I don’t think it is my responsibility to tell everyone via blog, email, facebook, podcast or any other medium whom YOU should vote for. 

This was the context of Kevin Myers teaching this morning at 12 Stone. In 20 years of the existence of 12 Stone Church, he has never even preached on politics. And he wasn’t about to tell anyone who to vote for, or which party to line up with today. But, he did lay the wood down in regards to how we as Believers should view this election, and our involvement in politics in general. His main points:

- Jesus is bigger and greater and much more highly ranked in the “Kingdom” than the President of the US. 

- The Church is bigger and greater and much more highly ranked in the “Kingdom” than America. 

- Our primary (1st) citizenship as a follower of Christ is the Kingdom of God. With this citizenship comes platform. 

- Our secondary (2nd) citizenship as humans is to our country- in my case the United States of America. With this citizenship comes “pallet,” meaning that it is important and provides influence, but when you put a wooden pallet on a platform, it doesn’t compare. 

- We have to be aware of the difference between rights and responsibilities in both the Kingdom of God and here in our country. Focusing on RESPONSIBILITIES is more important. We have lost that in our country. We tend to focus today much more on “what is my right?”. 

- Daniel is a great example of how to be properly involved in both the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of man. 

- God doesn’t need our country. God has worked, and the Kingdom of God has continued to prevail, whether in dictatorships, democracies, communist regimes, or whatever political system. 

- Ultimately, he challenged everyone to do their homework, vote based on God’s values, and pray. Three good steps.

- Oklahoma can score at will, but can’t stop anyone on defense. 

- Oklahoma State might be the best team in the state of Oklahoma this year. It pains me to admit that.

- Flying to the west coast and back in a matter of 48 hours is tough on the old body.

- Fall has officially arrived in Georgia this week, with temperatures down in the low 40’s. 

- You can find some great interviews, articles, and videos on the American Express Open Forum site. Several featuring Seth Godin and Tom Peters. 

- I am joining the ranks of phone hipsters today by purchasing the 3G iphone. Yessir!

- Chad Johnson from the Catalyst team officially got engaged to Kim Williams on Wednesday night at Pebble Beach. Way to go Mr. Johnson!

- Hulu now has most major tv shows on their site that you can watch on demand.

Got to hang with some friends from the West Coast earlier this week. Mike Foster, Jud Wilhite, Eric Bryant, Charles Lee, Mike Erre, David Chrzan, Kyle Zimmerman, Kym Andrews and many others. Also got to see a great ministry up close. Attended Generate on Wednesday night, a high school and college ministry in southern California at Crossroads Church in Corona, CA. Tony Wood, who leads this ministry, has captured the attention of students in this area. Over 1,500 were in attendance on Wednesday night, with great worship, challenging teaching from Tony, and connection with each other. It reminded me of 7:22 here in Atlanta during its early years. Tony is doing an incredible job. Stay tuned to this influential ministry.

Had to add another round to the Airplane series, since yesterday I experienced what is these days a common occurrence. A plane packed liked sardines, with no focus on customer service. Basically get em on the plane, avoid them, and get them off. 

Flew from Atlanta to LA on Delta, and the plane was a 757 (one aisle in the middle, three seats on each side) and the plane was completely full. EVERY seat was taken. It was quite overwhelming. Like when you are standing on an elevator and it is completely full and you are afraid it is going to get stuck and you can’t breathe well. Yikes. 

So I was thinking how could Delta have made this dismal experience a little better? When a flight is over three hours, no matter where the destination, there should be CERTAIN RULES that apply. Here are a few thoughts:

1. On any flights over 3 hours, airlines must use a plane with two aisles. This should be implemented by the FAA, FCC, CNN, ABC, and all major airlines and organizations. Seriously.

2. Has to be tv screens for every person on the flight in the back of the seat in front of you. Please. No more of the middle screen that only shows one thing that everybody has to watch. 

3. On on that note, No LAME movies. Give us something that is worth at least watching if there is absolutely nothing else to do. 

4. On a flight over 3 hrs, don’t make me pay $2 for a freakin set of cheap headphones. Come on.

5. On a flight over 3 hrs, don’t make my pay $8 for a freakin bag of sunchips. That is ridiculous. And at least give me something to snack on besides customized biscoff Delta cookies. 

6. Every hour, there must be mandatory stretching for certain sections of the plane. This should be coordinated by the flight attendants. With exercises that are easily implemented – such as toe curling, neck rubs and firm handshakes.

7. There HAS to be a game coordinated by the pilot that incorporates everyone on the plane, provides entertainment, and takes up at least 30 minutes of time. Could be a mystery game, trivia, or if you are single, a dating game. 

8. Random prizes must be given away every 30 minutes. You might call it door prizes or raffles or whatever, but this would really make the experience better.

9. Mandatory baby sections on flights over three hours. All in the same segment of seats, in the back of the plane, where they can scream together. Maybe white noise through the air filtration system to drown out the screaming if possible. Or a noise canceling wall of some sort. 

10. No flight attendants over 250 lbs. If you are wider than the aisle at your widest point, then you cannot work a flight of more than 3 hrs. I have bruises on my right shoulder from being run into by the flight attendant at least 10 times. 

11. How about a snack/beverage cart that doesn’t have steel reinforcement on the sides that breaks bones and cuts like a butcher knife? Is that a possibility? 

So just a few thoughts to make the experience of a three hour flight or more just a bit more satisfying to the customer. The person who I believe still has a right to ask for a few things. 

I am guessing you’ve had an experience like this recently……

T-Mobile has made the idea of “your fave five” famous lately with their catchy marketing campaign denoting your five favorite people who are in your phone that you talk to on a consistent basis (and for free with their favorite five plan). 

On a related and more important note, however, who are your three? The three folks (besides you) who are working together to CREATE and CULTIVATE culture? Andy Crouch spoke about this at Catalyst, and I want to reiterate his point. A key element in culture creation is the idea of 3/12/120. And the first part of this equation is the THREE. This is the small group of people that you are truly creating with- an idea, a project, an initiative, a new bold concept that is going to revolutionize your industry, or even better, is going to help shape the thoughts and philosophies of your neighborhood, your community, your city, and/or your area of influence. Andy’s point is that when you look at the culture shaping initiatives around us, the core group that came up with these ideas or concepts usually is a group of three-five people. Which makes the idea really practical for all of us. Find your three (you probably know who they are) and start doing something. Together.

at least in Georgia that is. From 4,700 feet- the highest point in the state of Georgia at Brasstown Bald State Park. You have to park and then hike up to the top… about 1/2 mile on a pretty steep grade, but the view is worth it. 

One of the great parts of Catalyst is getting to work with great people. And also meeting great people who are doing great things all over the world, and then being able to share their story with the Catalyst community. One of those great stories from this year is Austin Gutwein, a 14 year old from Phoenix, Arizona. Five years ago, as a 9 year old, Austin was confronted with the reality of orphaned kids in Africa, and decided to do something about it. He launched Hoops of Hope, a non profit that raises awareness and funds by challenging kids all over the world to shoot free throws and raise money for kids in Africa, specifically in Zambia. 

Austin is an incredible kid. He and his dad Dan were here with us for three days for Catalyst, and it was an absolute pleasure to be around them and hear more of their story. I am glad to count them as friends and look forward to helping grow the impact of Hoops of Hope. When I was 14, and I think I speak for all of us, I was not even remotely concerned with things going on outside of my own little world, much less anything happening globally. Austin has a desire and a passion for impacting people. He impacted each of us at Catalyst. Moreover, he wants to impact the entire country of Zambia and the entire continent of Africa. Thanks Austin, for being willing to step out and make a difference! Glad to count you as a friend!

Check out this video documentary of Austin and Hoops of Hope that showed just prior to the Final Four this past spring. Ashley Judd is narrating the story:

Your Favorite Hobby? 

Mine: Golf and Duck Hunting. Equally important. And complimentary seasons ……. 

How about you?

So we have been celebrating all day today. It started with an 8:30 am breakfast for the entire team made all from scratch here at the office, and then included an hour of just laughing at funny stuff that happened last week at Catalyst. Next, we spent two hours celebrating each other- literally, we all thanked each other for great work. Everyone just randomly talked about the great job by other people in the room and on the team. Then we went to the local bowling alley and celebrated with some great competition on the hardwood with the pins and then spent some time in the game room hitting up the basketball hoop shoot. It was such a fun day and a much needed day to relax, enjoy each other, and celebrate.

So often we forget to celebrate. It’s on to the next event, or project, or initiative, or work assignment. No time to stop and smell the roses, but gotta go, go, go…. Yeah, in the short term there may be a desire to move on, but in the long run, if you don’t stop and celebrate, ultimately that’s the best way to demotivate everyone on the team. And it is imperative that we stop and be THANKFUL. For us here at Catalyst, Thankful for what God did in the hearts of thousands of leaders, the incredible things that will come out of last week, and the projects that are already in motion based on 12,000 leaders getting together and the incredible things that happen from that kind of momentum, energy and impact.

So take time to stop. Celebrate. Be Thankful. Be Grateful. It’s good for you. It’s good for everyone on the team. And it’s up to you to set the tone on this as the leader. If you don’t celebrate, no one else will.

Round Two of thoughts from Catalyst, now 4 days removed from the event: 

- I really love hanging with the band guys in the green room. These guys and girls are the real deal. They love Jesus, and are amazingly gifted at leading people in worship. Plus, I consider folks like Steve Fee, Kristian Stanfill, Aaron Keyes, Eddie Kirkland, Chrystina Fincher, Reid Greven and Matt Adkins good friends. 

- Brad Scholle from Rethink and Gwen Blythe from Big Stuf were absolutely ESSENTIAL to our team. They kept Reggie and Lanny in line and made sure they were prepped on transitions and scripting. Thanks to Brad and Gwen for your contribution this year.

- Melissa Kruse did a great job in project managing all the details of Catalyst. She is the quarterback, and performed great. 

- It was great to be able to profile some amazing projects and amazing people from the main stage on Thursday and Friday- Austin Gutwein of Hoops of Hope, Chris Seay from Ecclesia Church in Houston and Dino Rizzo from Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, Safehouse Outreach from downtown Atlanta, Justin Dillon with the Call + Response Rockumentary, Lejla Allison from Samaritans Purse, Michelle Toletino from Compassion, Jeff Foxworthy and the 410 Bridge, and Nathan George who founded Trade as One. 

- We’ve created a unique post event “serve together” project plan in conjunction with ROOV. You can get involved here. 

- Catalyst LABS were packed. Each room was filled to the brim with attendees. Over 2100 leaders showed up for the Wednesday sessions. LABS are quickly becoming one of the most popular parts of the Catalyst experience. 

- Really proud of the videos that were shown at Catalyst this year. From the opening video (thanks Jonathan Bostic) to the funny sketch videos from Lanny (thanks Tripp Crosby), the entire scope of videos was better than ever.

Random thoughts from Catalyst, Part One:

- I think I slept a total of around 18 hours over 5 days. Not a good ratio. However, on Saturday, I think I slept 18 hours in one day…. so quickly made up for it. 

- Lanny Donoho was perhaps funnier this year than any other year in recent Catalyst history. 

- Speakers/content were the best ever. Hands down. 

- There was not an empty seat in the arena. 12,415 leaders (give or take a few) in attendance. 

- The only session I was able to listen in on was Craig Groeschel’s on the idea of “God ruin me.” It did. In a good way. 

- Eddie Kirkland leading worship at the end of Day One was an incredible moment. Nobody wanted to leave. Literally. People stayed until 7:15 pm, and the day ended officially right at 6:20 pm. 

- We had a camera crew catching ALOT of the backstage conversations, moments, decisions and happenings. Most of these were involving me. Not sure it will be interesting to anyone else, but our team will get a laugh or two out of it. Supposedly this footage will be on the behind the scenes DVD included with the DVD’s of the speaker sessions. Wow…. what a bonus!!!!

- Jesse Phillips worked his guts out over the 5 days of Catalyst. Thanks Jesse- you are a Rockstar!

- The Daraja Children’s Choir from Nairobi, Kenya left me speechless and weeping. Seeing them lead “Mighty to Save” with Kristian Stanfill on guitar was a moment I won’t soon forget. There weren’t many dry eyes among the audience. 

- The entire morning session on Friday that was geared towards the “Gospel in Action” hit me like a brick. I knew what was in store, but God used it in ways we never imagined. 

- The “Serve Together” tent outside in front of the arena was really cool, and featured 12 organizations that we wanted to highlight in regards to the work they are doing, along with a couple of organizations in the lobby as well. Here are the organizations in no particular order: Hoops of Hope, Samaritans Purse, To Write Love on Her Arms, International Justice Mission, Call + Response, Compassion International, Convoy of Hope, TOM’s Shoes, Gift Card Giver.com, Rwanda Clean Water, 410 Bridge, Word Made Flesh, HOPE International, Prison Entrepreneurship Program, Land of a Thousand Hills, 

- I missed out on most (really all) of the great conversations happening backstage, in the green room, and among many of my friends who were here because I was running around constantly. I love seeing so many conversations happening, which turn into great projects and initiatives. It really is amazing how many great things occur because of conversations happening among all the attendees at Catalyst.

- Jon Foreman from Switchfoot was amazing. He and Keith (Keith Tutt who plays the cello) were extremely gracious in making a stop on their way to Minneapolis for a concert to play several songs during the afternoon on Thursday. Thanks Jon!!

- It was great to finally meet Dino Rizzo in person. We are planning a duck hunt in Louisiana for sometime soon. 

Catalyst Thoughts Part Two coming soon.

Featuring the uber talented Dustin Ahkoui (on the Catalyst team by the way!) singing the parody to One Republic’s “It’s too Late to Apologize.” This song was done for a sermon series at 12 Stone Church. Hilarious. 

As mentioned yesterday, I am pretty disappointed with the outcome of the OU-TEXAS game. OU I believe is the better team, but in rivalry games, you can pretty much throw out the records, and many times the best team doesn’t win. In fact, in the last 5 or 6 OU-TEXAS games, the lower ranked team has won. 

Regardless, rivalry games are always fun to watch. When it comes to great rivalries, I would put the OU-TEXAS game at the top of the list. 

What other rivalries stand out to you as some of the best?

An incredible week. Tomorrow will have a complete recap of Catalyst, but for today, it is lots of rest and trying my best to recover. After 6 straight days of very little rest and running mainly on adrenaline and caffeine, had to have a day to relax. Plus, dealing with what seems like a slight case of a stomach virus and fever. 

Pretty disappointed with the play of Oklahoma against Texas today. Oklahoma is a better team, but when you have 2 turnovers and a fake punt that didn’t work out, you are probably going to lose. And I don’t think Texas could play any better than they did. I am sure I will be hearing about it from all of my Texas friends….. 

If you weren’t at Catalyst, you should check out the brand new Catalyst West Coast website and video. West Coast is going to be pretty incredible. And of course already working on East Coast Catalyst for next October 7-9, 2009 at Gwinnett Arena once again.

It’s been a pretty crazy week so far, and the posts are not happening on a regular basis. Consider this a blogging hiatus of sorts. Will be back at it in a couple of days. Please jump over to the Catalyst Backstage site for great updates and fun items from Anne Jackson.