I have been following Shaun King on twitter for a good while now and I’m very impressed with how God is using him. Shaun is the Pastor of The Courageous Church in Atlanta and the founder of www.aHomeInHaiti.com. I have placed an ad on my blog to help support Pastor Shaun’s effort to provide tents to those in Haiti. Shelter is a resource that we take for granted, and it is also the primary need to maintain health in a time of need and rebuilding.

I’ve been to the outskirts of Haiti where children are left at doorsteps in shoeboxes and men are murdered for less than $50. I’ve seen the need for Christ and the resourcefulness of the Haitians. Providing tents is an easy way for you to drastically change lives and begin the healing of Haiti.

Video of The Courageous Church in Atlanta

Have you ever seen that guy before a basketball game do the quick stretches? You know, the ones that make him “look cool” but really doesn’t help. I use to think, “I’m here to play not stretch! Let’s go!” I quickly learned that if I don’t stretch today, then I can’t move tomorrow.

We stretch to improve our flexibility. Increasing our flexibility allows us to increase the range of motion without causing damage.

As a leader in any organization you must consistently stretch yourself. Stretching yourself creates flexibility and demonstrates to God, and those around you, of your willingness to change for His greater vision. Being flexible says that you’re a team player and willing to get uncomfortable for the team to win. No organization can survive if its leaders, and those it hires, are not flexible to the vision God has placed in the heart of its primary leader. God’s plans are always challenging, scary, exciting, full of risks, and require you to be flexible. Inflexibility assumes your plans, vision, model, leadership style, and personal perception of ministry is 100% accurate, which is dangerous! It also produces a self-absorbed individual that is irrelevant to his/her culture, its needs, and the moving of the Holy Spirit. However, continually stretching yourself and being flexible increases your sensitivity toward the Holy Spirit, creates more ministry opportunities, and produces authentic followers of Christ that live to glorify God.

There are 3 major characteristics that every leader must have to influence others and gain trust.

1) You must engage…

People need to know that you’re “with” them. Your speech and actions must be an investment into the lives of those you lead. No one will follow a leader that is not sharing life (the good, bad, and ugly) alongside them. All people want to identify with a leader, therefore you must give them the opportunities to share in your life as well.

2) You must equip…

Are you the person others lean toward for the primary vision, resources, challenges, and questions that produce positive change? If not, then you’re probably not the leader.  When people are sinking they need a leader to throw them a life saver not a cement block. If you are going to equip others you must know where the gaps are and how to fill them in the organization and the person. You must be visible, knowledgeable, accessible, and in rhythm within your organization and its people.

3) You must encourage…

You really never know what someone is personally going through. A true leader has invested personal time into those he/she leads and can read there emotions. Great leaders can see the best in people and bring it to the surface even when a person is at there worst. They can inspire people with words, attitudes, and actions. When all hope is lost people turn to those who can find and create it. Be the person who provides hope in a crisis and when all the odds are against your people!

Extra: As governor, Nehemiah says that he didn’t take advantage of food and land allotments that were allowed him due to his office, because there was already such a great burden on the people of his province. (Nehemiah 5:14–19) In the face of Jerusalem’s destruction Nehemiah (one of the shortest men recorded in the bible) brought hope to his people by leading them to rebuild the walls in just 52 days. Each family repaired/guarded the wall that was in front of their home. Nehemiah, on the other hand, rolled up his sleeves and repaired some of the nastiest areas of the walls himself. The unclean areas others would not have ever touched.  May we all strive to learn from great sacrificial leaders like Nehemiah.

Just wanted to take a minute and share some reasons why I haven’t written much lately. Life has been a little crazy around here due to the following:

1. Allison is pregnant with number #3! Yes, we know what causes that! The Martin’s are extremely excited that God has trusted us to raise another child. Allison and I are also a little scared since this one was not “planned”! We are enjoying God’s blessings and trusting His plan for our life.
2. In September my role at Greer First Baptist changed from Adult Minister to Student Minister. This was a God led decision that Allison and I had been discussing and praying about since early summer. The students at Greer First are some of the best students I have ever seen. Having experience in Student Ministry we both knew that it was not only the right transition for us, but for the church as well. You can check out the Student Ministry site at www.THRIVEasOne.com.
3. I was building a new student ministry from the ground up. www.THRIVEasOne.com
   
4. I was redesigning my blog site as well. I hope you like it!
5. Lack of inspiration.
6. I’ve been lazy!

I’m sure there are other reasons for the lack of posts, but #6 pretty much says it all!

Dad Talks About International Adoption from Jason Young on Vimeo.

Jason Young sat down and shared his thoughts about adoption before picking their son Jake up at the airport. Jake is 9 months old and from South Korea.

Follow their adoption story at www.jasonyounglive.com

My next posts: Jake’s Arrival Video

Stacy Young sat down and shared her thoughts about adoption before picking their son Jake up at the airport. Jake is 9 months old and from South Korea.

Follow their adoption story at www.jasonyounglive.com

My next posts: Couch Interview With Dad and Jake’s Arrival Video

Jason and Stacy Young sat down and shared their thoughts about adoption before picking their son Jake up at the airport. Jake is 9 months old and from South Korea.

Follow their adoption story at www.jasonyounglive.com

My next posts: Couch Interview With Dad, Couch Interview With Mom, Jake’s Arrival

This is Andrew Austin! Andrew was my intern this past year and is currently serving on the iServe team for the summer. I found out that Andrew had never ridden a roller coaster or been to a theme park. So the iServe team went to Carowinds for Andrew to ride After Burn. WARNING: You will laugh hysterically!