Summit 2010 a Success!
The Leader Mundial Global Leadership Summit was held in Quito, Ecuador the 20th - 23rd of April, 2010.
The Leaders and Partners and Coaches that gathered together formed an incredible community of men, committed to growing as leaders and helping our organizations make a greater impact in the world.
The Summit is Coming!
Are you ready! The Summit is coming soon!
April 20th will find 32 Leaders and Partners gathering together in Quito, Ecuador for the 4th Annual Global Leadership Summit.
This year, we'll be hosting the event at Youth World's Retreat and Training Center north of Quito, El Refugio. It's an incredible location to be away from distractions and enjoy the incredible outdoors.
The 4-day Summit will include teaching and training on topics like: The ABC's of Global Leadership, True Partnership, Leading through Change and many other teaching & sharing times.
Leaders and Partners will come from 11 different countries, and they represent a wide number of organizations.
This is one of Leader Mundial's highlights of the year!
It's coming!
Merger News!
News came out today confirming the merger between Leader Mundial and Extreme Response International.
More details will be coming out in the weeks to come, however we see this merger as a strategic opportunity to leverage all that we can do to help our partners continue to grow, develop and increase in effectiveness and vision.
To learn more about Extreme Response, please visit them at: www.extremeresponse.org
This will formally take place on July 1st, 2010.
Run the Race
You might remember this image.... that's actually Russ (me) and Gerhard running across the field out at El Refugio. We were trying to beat each other to the next station, thus securing our team the first opportunity at that given task. The picture makes it look like we're running "neck and neck". Pretty impressive for a 45 year old, racing a 22 year old.
What you can't see is that I took off long before Gerhard did.
You also see the ONLY moment that we were side by side, forever captured by Dan Klassen. Gerhard ran right by me, beating me to the next station, giving their team the victory, and I felt that "moment of stupidity" in my legs and back for days to come. What was I thinking?
We're all running a race. Some of us are moving slower than others. Some of us are flying by, but we're all running.
Don't you get tired of running? Don't you get tired of the pace? Don't you ever want to just quit? Just stop right where you are?
I do. I often wonder where I'm actually headed and what am I actually trying to accomplish.
Our 4th Annual Global Leadership Summit is coming up in April of 2010. 33 Global Leaders and Coaching Partners will gather for 4 days here in Ecuador to encourage each other, to evaluate the race we're in, and to help each other to last longer, to not quit, but to press on.
What's your race like? How are you doing? Are you trying to run it alone?
No one has to run alone. Find some people to run with you. Find some people that will push you, encourage you, help you, support you, and sometimes, even carry you. The race is much more fun that way.
Keep on running!
Haiti Continued
For many of us, the devastation that Haiti experienced last month is a distant memory.
We aren't living this nightmare. We move on with our lives and we focus on all that is right in front of us.
For others, the tragedy in Haiti is a daily situation, and a daily pressure. It can't be forgotten and set aside.
What can you do TODAY to help those that continue to suffer in Haiti?
We asked you to pray and give to Extreme Response to help Jean David, one of our leaders, and his response to the crisis in Haiti. Jean David tried to get into Haiti 2 times, and both times he was turned back. We don't know or understand why. However, doors continue to open for him here in Ecuador:
*He's been asked by a group of churches to be the "point man" for the Ecuadorian Churches response to Haiti. They are looking at collecting aid that the Ecuadorian Government will deliver to Haiti. They are considering providing a home for 200 orphans from Haiti here in Ecuador. They are working with humanitarian groups to serve the church of Haiti. Jean David is in the middle of that.
*He's been working with the military of Ecuador as they mobilize flights of aid and relief workers. Jean David's knowledge of the language, culture and his contacts in Haiti have been invaluable.
*Jean David has been able to serve the Haitian Community of Quito. They have arrived at his church for help, hope and compassion. He's been able to encourage them in their own language and his church has become a haven for Haitians that are looking for someone who understands.
Continue to pray for Jean David.
Continue to respond to the needs of Haiti.
Don't forget.
Haiti Disaster
As we think about the complete disaster and crisis facing Haiti, we stand around wondering what any of us can possibly do!
We can pray. We can give. Some can go.
Jean David is one of our leaders. He's currently serving as a pastor in Quito, and he works with youth leaders throughout South America working with Nazarene Churches. Jean David is from Haiti. He grew up there, speaks the national languages, and has a pastors heart.
We are sending Jean David to Haiti to do what he can do! He'll be assisting a medical team of doctors traveling in from Quito, and his goal is to simply use his language, his knowledge of the country and his pastoral heart to do whatever he can do during these days. Jean David is able to translate any of 5 languages, which will come in handy as the world descends on Haito to offer help and assistance.
We need to raise funds to cover Jean David's expenses, as well as provide support to the medical team and others on the ground.
We are partnering with Extreme Response International to mobilize Jean David. You can go to their website: www.extremeresponse.org to donate to the "Haiti Relief" fund. I also sent out an update to our Community sharing the need. The link to that letter is: CLICK HERE
I ask you to get involved: Pray, Give, Go!
If you can't GO, be a part of helping Jean David and others get there and have the resources to provide!
Thank you! We'll provide updates as we receive them.
Russ in Quito
Leader Mundial, Inc.
Extreme Response International
A New You
It's 2010.
I was recently listening to a sermon from one of my favorite communicators, Andy Stanley. He shares a great message for the beginning of the year talking about our need to first focus on who we want to BE, then focus on what we want to DO. You can listen to this message at the North Point Community Church webpage, and the sermon title is called "A New You Resolution".
It slapped me across the face as I spend so much time looking ahead at all that I need to accomplish, and I forget about some of the core things I have to work on that have to do with my character, my values, my beliefs, my priorities, my faith.
I want to grow. I want to develop into the kind of leader that makes a significant impact into the lives of those I get to journey with, but I can't spend all of my energy working on my list of "to do's". Even at 45 years old, I need to remind myself of who I am becoming and who I really want to be. Maybe a better question is to figure out who God has created me to be and who HE wants me to be.
Listen to the message.
Spend some time thinking and working through that question..."Who do you want to be in 2010?"
Onward!
Latin Leaders
This past month, a couple of our Latin Leaders joined Ellis and I for a day out at El Refugio.
It was a wonderful day to catch up with each other, encourage one another and walk through some issues that each of us are dealing with in our personal leadership ministry.
Ellis challenged us in our calling, and we enjoyed a rich time of fellowship and friendship!
We were thrilled that Jonhattán Constante (Leader Mundial #1 & #2) could be with us and re-engage with the Leader Mundial Community
DETERMINED
We're continuing to go through the ABC's of Leadership. This week, our next Lead On Ezine will be published, and we're talking about the word, DETERMINED.
This word really comes into play as we look at the end of the year approaching us quickly, and as we contemplate all of the things we have yet to finish.
Are you DETERMINED to finish well? Are you DETERMINED to get the things accomplished you really wanted to? Are you DETERMINED to rework your goals and really evaluate where you're at?
DETERMINATION helps us finish well. Philippians 3 calls it "pressing on".
Today, I encourage you to "PRESS ON".
Connecting Again
This next week, our 5 African Leaders will gather together in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth to connect again.
Leader Mundial isn't just about training, resources and our leadership events. Leader Mundial is about relationship! It's about sitting down, face to face, and sharing life.
Ellis Pitman, Phil Payne and I will travel to South Africa and spend 5 days together with our 5 African Leaders. The goal: Connecting Again
Relationships take time, they take effort and they require intentionality.
Connecting again!
Leader Mundial Multiplication
When you put this group of leaders, coaching and partners together, some great things happen at the annual Leadership Summit.
This year, we put a new emphasis on "Multiplication". The thought being that what we learn as a community is important, but if we're not passing it on to others, then what good is it!
I just began receiving stories from some of our leaders of opportunities they've had to "pass it on". We started with a simple study through the ABC's of Leadership, looking at words that start with each letter, and implications for our leadership. Examples would be: A: Aware, B: Bold, C: Character and so on.
Leaders have had the opportunity to train their families, their leadership teams, their accountability groups, pastors in the community, their employees, young people, kids at risk, business associates and friends.
When multiplication happens, that's where we see the results and the impact.
Are you a multiplier? Who are you pouring into?
Why Leader Mundial Works
There's something that happens when you put a leader, a partner and a coach into the room together. They form a community, along with other leaders, partners and coaches. This Community is committed to help each person to become the best they can be, as leaders, as men, as followers of Christ, as husbands and fathers.
Don't you want to be the best you can be?
A leader is someone with vision, passion, and a desire to impact the Kingdom of God through whatever means God has called them to. It may be youth ministry, compassion ministry, church planting, education, radio, medical or leadership development. It doesn't matter. God has already given these leaders a call and a vision.
A partner is someone with life experience, and a desire to come alongside these leaders, sharing both their experience and their resources to help the leaders grow.
The coach is someone with life experience that helps the "Community" grow together. They guide, lead, connect and encourage each of the people in the group.
i can't explain what happens when these people all come together, but it's amazing:
*Leaders are encouraged and supported
*Partners use their experience and life to impact someone that lives in another part of the world
*Organizations are challenged, trained and equipped.
*Coaches connect and help keep the community alive.
It's good! I can't explain it all, but it's good.
A bunch of people, forming a community, trying to become the best we can be, to please our Lord.
That's good!
The Clines in California
This past month, the Cline's all gathered in Southern California to celebrate 50 years of marriage for Ron and Barb.
What a great time to honor them, to celebrate with them, and to hear of some of the many ways they have poured into poeple as a couple over the past 50 years.
Congratulations from the Leader Mundial Community on this milestone!
Russ in Mexico
In early June, I (Russ), had the privilege to travel to a town outside of Guadalajara, Mexico, called Jiquilpan. This a a small town, connected with a number of other towns that make up the "Circle of Silence", a part of Mexico that is highly unchurched.
I went to explore options of developing a youth ministry training program for these churches, and was able to meet with pastors, elders, leaders, missionaries and even some young people.
Leader Mundial wants to put their network of Latin Leaders tow work to impact this region of Mexico and help to support the movement of the church.
It was a great trip, complete with many stops at taco stands, some great time with old and new friends, and even a visit to a Mexican wedding!
Plans are under way now as we develop a funding and an project proposal for this effort. The opportunities are great and we look forward to seeing if these doors open.
Russ in Mexico
Russ is traveling to Mexico this week with Leader Mundial to meet with a group of churches outside of Guadalajara.
Good friends serve as church planters in this area, and Russ will meet with them and leaders in the area to assess the state of youth ministry and to begin the process of a long-term leadership development plan for potential youth workers in the region.
Stay tuned for more information on this opportunity!