Our mission at Those Who Serve is to empower veterans, first responders, and active-duty military personnel by uniting the leadership doctrines from all branches of the U.S. military with biblical examples of leadership. Through this unique approach, we inspire participants to embody Christ-like servant leadership in their professional and personal lives, igniting a revival of Christianity that spreads across communities, states, and countries.
Program Outline:
1 Leadership Foundations:
• Delve into the leadership doctrines from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, highlighting their shared emphasis on influencing people, providing purpose, direction, and motivation
• Explore biblical examples of servant leadership, such as Jesus washing the disciples' feet (John 13:1-17) and the humility of Moses (Numbers 12:3)
2 Purpose and Direction:
• Teach participants to align their personal mission with Christ's teachings, as found in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)
• Equip participants with strategies from the military's leadership doctrines for setting clear goals and providing direction in their personal and professional lives
3 Motivation and Encouragement:
• Examine biblical examples of motivating and encouraging others, such as Barnabas' support of the Apostle Paul (Acts 9:26-27) and David's encouragement to his men (1 Samuel 30:6)
• Share best practices from the military's leadership principles on how to inspire and motivate others to achieve their full potential
4 Servant Leadership in Action:
• Empower participants to serve their communities as Christ-like leaders by engaging in acts of service, volunteering, and demonstrating humility and compassion in their daily lives
• Encourage participants to practice servant leadership by supporting and mentoring fellow veterans, first responders, and active-duty military personnel
5 Spreading the Word:
• Encourage participants to share their experiences, testimonies, and the impact of servant leadership on their lives with others in their circles of influence
• Inspire a spirit of evangelism and discipleship, so that the message of Christ and the principles of servant leadership may spread throughout the city, the county, the state, the country, and the world, igniting a global revival of Christianity
By fostering a community of servant leaders who embody the teachings of Christ and the leadership doctrines of the U.S. military, Those Who Serve Ministry will nurture spiritual growth, personal development, and a profound sense of purpose among those who serve our communities. Through this ministry, we aim to ignite a revival of Christianity that reaches every corner of the world.
Introduction:
• Life's trials and tribulations can often leave us feeling broken, like shattered glass
• We may feel that our lives are in pieces, and it's impossible to become whole again
• However, God is like a skilled blown glass artist, taking our broken pieces and shaping them into a beautiful new creation
• Today, I want to share my personal journey, a story of shattered glass transformed into a beautiful mosaic by God's grace
I. Shattered Glass: The Brokenness of Our Past
• Growing up in a home where my parents were foster parents, I witnessed the suffering of over 60 children who came through our doors
• These experiences exposed me to the harsh realities of life and the brokenness that many endure
• In my youth, I made poor choices and found myself arrested multiple times, partying excessively, and living a life that could have easily led to death or imprisonment
• My past experiences are a testament to the brokenness we can face in life
II. The Blown Glass Artist: Encountering God's Grace
• In the midst of my brokenness, God reached out to me and began to transform my life
• The love, forgiveness, and redemption offered by God allowed me to see that there was hope for healing and restoration
• Just as a blown glass artist takes broken pieces and creates something beautiful, God began to work in my life, using my past experiences to shape me into a new creation
• Scripture: Isaiah 61:3 - "To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory."
III. The Process of Healing: Trusting God and Embracing Change
• As I began to trust God and lean on Him, I experienced healing and transformation
• My past mistakes and experiences became a part of my testimony, demonstrating the power of God's grace and redemption
• Scripture: Philippians 1:6 - "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."
• Embracing change and allowing God to work in our lives is essential for our growth and transformation
IV. A Beautiful Mosaic: Sharing Our Testimony
• God has taken my shattered past and created a beautiful mosaic, a testimony to His grace and love
• My past experiences, both the trials of witnessing suffering in the foster children and my own personal struggles, are now a part of my unique story
• As a result, I am better equipped to help others who are facing similar challenges, showing them the power of God's healing and redemption
• Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
Conclusion:
• We may feel like shattered glass, but with God's help, we can become a beautiful mosaic
• Our brokenness is not the end of our story; it is an opportunity for God to create something new and beautiful in our lives
• As we trust in God and embrace the changes He brings, we will experience healing and transformation
• Let us share our testimonies with others, showing them the power of God's healing and redemption, and offering hope to those who feel broken
V. A Call to Action: Serving Others Through Our Testimony
• As we experience God's healing and transformation, we are called to serve others, particularly those who are broken and in need
• In my life, this has led me to dedicate myself to serving the community as a municipal judge, elected official, attorney, guardian ad litem, and head counsel for a child sexual trauma center
• As a Christian, I am now striving to start a ministry that focuses on leadership and serving first responders and veterans who have given so much to our communities
• Scripture: Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
• Let us be a beacon of hope and light for those who are struggling, sharing our testimonies and offering the healing and redemption that only God can provide
Closing Prayer:
• Gracious God, we thank you for your love, grace, and mercy that has the power to transform our shattered lives into beautiful works of art
• Help us to trust in your healing and redemption and to embrace the changes you bring into our lives
• Give us the courage to share our testimonies and serve others, shining your light and offering hope to those who are broken
• In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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