A Leader Worth Following

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Hebrews 13:7 New International Version (NIV)

I've been in Youth Ministry in our amazing State of Oregon, and incredible Network family, since October 1986. It was Ormel Chapins final year, in the office of DCAP. Then came Stan Russell, which ushered in the era of "Youth Alive" campus Ministry as a focus of Youth Ministry. Then it was Rich Wood, that invited me to do what I am now doing in ministry today. Then Jay Anderson, who gave us 10 strong years of leadership. I want to take a moment and focus on these past 12 years. First let me say it has been an honor to serve next to such an incredible leader. His heart of passion for all of us and for the kids and students of Oregon, has elevated our Oregon Family to a new level of community and focus. He has been a life learner, that knows how to communicate with the brightest of us, and the simplest of us. When he engaged us in conversation, he NEVER looked to see who else was entering the room, nor did he try to wow us with who he was. His heart for our growth, as men and women, as fathers and mothers, and even for some of us as Grandparents, has been the greatest relational leadership I have ever seen exhibited.

Hebrews 13:7, says three things great leaders should be. First...speak the word of God. Our NextGen pastor has never swayed from the WORD, and speaking it boldly in fact, if you missed FUSION this year, young or old, Youth, Children, Lead, or Associate you need to listen to this sermon. Secondly, Hebrews states "consider the outcome of their way of life", please stop for a moment and reflect upon those thoughts and weigh heavily how his influence has affected your way of life. Lastly, it says "imitate their faith", this is not meant to sound like a memorial, because he is just leaving office and moving to a new position, which means we will still have him around to speak to and to imitate His faith. As for me, I strive to be an imitator of Christ, but I have always wanted to serve and imitate Brian's Faith.

Thanks Brian and Barb Eno for giving Oregon exactly what we needed over the past 12 years. May your days ahead be greater than the days behind. Our Prayers are for you. As to our New NextGen leader, whomever it may be, we are already for you. The shoes you fill are huge, for the past decades. Thanks for submitting to the call of God in your life, but I would then say to you, whomever you are.

Please Live Hebrews 13:7 "SPEAK THE WORD OF GOD.....CONSIDER THAT WE ARE WATCHING AND EMULATING THE WAY YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE..... and BE A LEADER THAT WE SHOULD IMITATE YOUR FAITH.