Our daughter starts college this week. This event got me thinking, What has shaped me? What stepping stones have shaped me into who I am? I want to share eight of them with you:
One, Berean Baptist Church in Detroit – It’s where I accepted Christ. We did Bible drills and Vacation Bible Schools and quizzing. It grounded me in the Word.
Two, Redford Golf Course in Detroit – Every Saturday, my father and I would go out after doing our chores and play golf. I learned to have a relationship with my father. We discussed things. It really wasn’t about golf; it was about a relationship.
Three, Westmont College – It was there I met RobAnne. It was there I changed my worldview from domestic to global. It was there I experienced travel for the first time. It was there I experienced a deepening of my faith and the questioning that comes from being a philosophy major, which resulted in a strong, solid faith.
Four, Chuck Wickman and the Evangelical Free Church of Walnut Creek – They took a risk for me. They hired me as their high school pastor right out of seminary. I was green; I made mistakes. But they loved RobAnne and me. We still feel like that is our church home, even though we rarely ever go there.
Five, Asuza Pacific University’s Mexico Outreach – It was there I learned to speak. Caroline Koons and Ron Cline gave me a chance to speak to 2,500 kids. I was there to minister. I was able to speak in chapel. I watched Ron, a polished and gifted speaker. I learned so much.
Six, Chris Lyons, the senior pastor of the Wheaton Bible Church – He also took a risk with me. It was there we developed the heart for missions and management skills that have stayed with me forever.
Seven, The Center for Student Missions – It’s the first thing that I ever started. Over 100,000 students have gone on this program to break down the walls between the urban centers and the suburban kids. When I look back at how that started, I remember it was not a lightning bolt or my great vision. God just seemed to lead me step by step, and I am amazed at how He has used that ministry.
Eight, Forest Home – The board took a chance on me to lead this strong ministry with a huge history. It was there I learned practical ways of leading people and how to vision-cast. It was also there I learned relational skills that will always stay with me.
Sometimes it’s good just to think back on the things God has used to make you who you are. I pray that Westmont, where my daughter Barrett starts next week, will be one of those stepping stones that will shape her into a great woman of God who loves Him with her whole heart.
