{"id":1879,"date":"2011-10-17T01:00:47","date_gmt":"2011-10-17T05:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/simplelife\/?p=1879"},"modified":"2011-10-16T22:31:43","modified_gmt":"2011-10-17T02:31:43","slug":"gleaning-from-leaders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2011\/10\/gleaning-from-leaders.html","title":{"rendered":"Gleaning from leaders"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Friday, about 15 ministry leaders from around the US and Canada took the time to meet with each other for a few hours. \u00a0It is jokingly called the Chicago Fly-In because we fly into the Chicago airport. \u00a0We then share for five, eight or ten hours with people who are also involved in ministry to people who are intellectually disabled.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>It is an intense time with little expense other than the cost of an airline ticket. \u00a0Because we fly into a busy hub airport, the cost is cut significantly. \u00a0There is no conference expense. \u00a0No hotel expense. \u00a0Each leader brings to the table their unique perspective and their experiences. \u00a0While our small group of leaders deal with people with special needs, there are practical pointers to learn that applies to every person. \u00a0Here are some things I learn that will help me in ministry and in my daily life.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Don Boden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Don Boden\u00a0\u00a0started as a Sunday school teacher now heads one of the largest ministries in the US for people with disabilities. \u00a0 He stirred in me a renewed energy for developing leadership in our youth. \u00a0Too often we have been content to let the world wrap them with ungodly influences that warp rather than shape their lives. \u00a0Boden’s vision is to shape the youth by example and training into men and women who are able and willing to serve the Lord.<\/strong> \u00a0I was impressed to seek out new avenues in example and teaching to shape the youth of our nation for Christ. \u00a0We cannot leave these young women and men to struggle alone against the enemy of their souls. \u00a0We must introduce them to the Savior who will love and challenge them to obtain great things for God’s kingdom.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Tony Piantine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tony Piantine, of Camp Daniel in Wisconsin, is a wonderful friend but I saw a new side of him this visit. \u00a0As the youngest people there, he quietly moved from place to place gleaning from the men and women who are all older than he. \u00a0While he started his successful ministry without much support, his heart is to listen and learn.<\/strong> \u00a0That is the sign of a great leader.<\/p>\n

Beth Kraiss from Denver, Colorado, started a small ministry 25 years ago that has grown to an outreach to 175 people with disabilities attending each Sunday. \u00a0Recent circumstances have reshaped her ministry. \u00a0She came with a broken heart. \u00a0However, during this hard time, God has moved in miraculous ways to sustain and even cause growth for the people who come each week to hear about the Jesus who has saved them from despair and grief. \u00a0 I was impressed that in God’s economy there are no losses only gains.<\/strong> \u00a0Mrs. Kraiss had turned to the Lord in her trauma and He had upheld her and given her a new vision for people with disabilities.<\/p>\n

Another ministry leader had gone through a severe fire this past year. \u00a0He, too, has seen God’s hand move on his ministry in miraculous ways. \u00a0Yet, this has caused him to reassess what God wants to teach him through times of sorrow and grief. \u00a0I saw a new openness to God’s leading in his life. \u00a0I was impressed to continue to seek God even when difficult circumstances are closing in on you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
David Hayward<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

David Hayward, from Joy Fellowship in Vancouver BC, was the convener for the year. \u00a0He had planned the event and sent out all the invitation, coordinating \u00a0times and flights. \u00a0Though we were gathered around nine tables, in a barren bus station in the O’Hare Airport, he moved to insure that everyone was welcomed and comfortable. \u00a0I watched as he made sure that he spent time with each leader. \u00a0It was apparent that he was able to make everyone feel comfortable. \u00a0The gift of hospitality was at work through him. \u00a0I came away wanting to be able to show that type of welcoming love to the people I encounter.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What are some of the things you have gleaned from people in leadership that you have encountered? \u00a0What good example did they display for you?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On Friday, about 15 ministry leaders from around the US and Canada took the time to meet with each other for a few hours. \u00a0It is jokingly called the Chicago Fly-In because we fly into the Chicago airport. \u00a0We then share for five, eight or ten hours with people who are also involved in ministry…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":387,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[303,5,20,287,186,49,16,147,8],"tags":[690,731,21,688,699,726,715,701,13,6],"class_list":["post-1879","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chicago-fly-in","category-christianity","category-church","category-faiths","category-hope","category-inspiration","category-intellectual-disability","category-leadership","category-mentally-challenged-community","tag-autism-spectrum","tag-chicago-fly-in","tag-christian","tag-christianity","tag-faith","tag-faiths","tag-hope","tag-inspiration","tag-intellectual-disabilities","tag-simple-scriptural-truths"],"yoast_head":"\nGleaning from leaders - A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2011\/10\/gleaning-from-leaders.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Gleaning from leaders - A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"On Friday, about 15 ministry leaders from around the US and Canada took the time to meet with each other for a few hours. \u00a0It is jokingly called the Chicago Fly-In because we fly into the Chicago airport. \u00a0We then share for five, eight or ten hours with people who are also involved in ministry…\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2011\/10\/gleaning-from-leaders.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2011-10-17T05:00:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2011-10-17T02:31:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/simplelife\/files\/2011\/10\/airline-tickets-150x150.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Linda G. 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