May 2007

Status: In Training

Now that I have had one year to make some mistakes and find out how little I know about leading these campuses, I now get a chance to receive training for my new role as campus director. In a few weeks our whole family will head to Fort Collins, Colorado for four weeks of New Local Leaders Training.

During this training we will talk through all the aspects of leading a campus movement. This will including things like leading staff meetings, developing strategic plans, fund raising for the campus, developing staff, and overall shepherding of the movement. It is actually helpful that I have had a year already to be a director because now my need to learn is much more apparent to me.

This will be my first summer on staff where I get to receive teaching instead of teaching others. Because of my seminary education I have not had to take classes like most other staff do at some point in their staff career. Other summers I have either been helping to lead a summer project or teaching Bible study methods to new staff. I am looking forward to being a student again! I’m even far enough away from seminary now that I don’t mind having a few books of required reading.

Shelly will also have an opportunity to be a part of this training and the kids will get to take part in an excellent childcare program. I am glad to have Shelly go through this with me, because she is 0ften my sounding board and advice-giver in many aspects of my job.

After the four weeks of training we will stay in Fort Collins for the semi-annual staff conference for all Campus Crusade staff in the United States (over 5000 will attend this conference). This is a great time to be reminded of what it is that God has called us to as a ministry, draw closer to Christ who is the Lord of our work, and become better prepared for a lifetime of ministry.

Please pray that we will have a safe trip, that the training will prepare me to lead my staff team and these movements, and that Shelly and the kids will enjoy their summer.

Personal Notes

Running a Marathon

I have always been told that living the Christian life is less like a sprint and more like a marathon. Well now I get to see first-hand whether this is true or not, when I run my first marathon on May 26 in Traverse City, Michigan. I have been training seriously for this race since January and am ready to finally run the race. I will let you know how I do in our next newsletter. You can also find the results after the race at: www.bayshoremarathon.org/race_results.asp. 

Selling a House

We are still trying to sell our house. We have been encouraged by having 11 showings in six weeks. The pace of the market has picked up in the past couple weeks with houses now beginning to sell. The busiest time of the year is over the next month and we are hopeful that our house will sell before we leave for Colorado. Please pray that our house will sell in God’s timing and that He would give us strength and peace as we move all our stuff across town. Also pray that God would lead us to just the right house for our family and ministry.

Kids' Column

I like pushing the jogging stroller around. And Lindsey likes riding in it. Caleb helps me. I pushed it all the way down to the school playground the other night.

I like playing basketball. Andrew and some kids were playing at the carpet store and I decided I want to learn how to play. So we got out our hoop and I am working hard making lots of baskets.

I like to push the jogging stroller, too. Only I can only push it when it’s empty. Restrictions, restrictions. I am trying to test and see just how many restrictions I must really obey.

I can walk! I can climb! It is so much more fun to be outside when you’re not just sitting in a stroller. Mommy got the jogging stroller down and dusted it off. Lindsey and I get to sit in it to ride down to the school. Rumors of riding in it behind a bike have been heard, too. We’ll see if that really happens.

 Caleb 

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