Kendrick Vinar

I just finished three days of meetings with a group called Interlink. Interlink is six networks of churches that are endeavoring to cooperate in church planting, missions, and reaching the next generation. They are diverse in theology and style, but unified in heart and vision. The theme of the gathering was Courageous Leadership.

The most impressive thing to me was the character of the leaders. It’s amazing to see the humility and grace expressed by these type-A “change the world” leaders. They really prefer and honor one another. I couldn’t imagine a group of more down-to-earth yet passionate visionaries.

My favorite part of the three days was listening to Jeff Toomer, the Director of Operations from Manna Church in Fayetteville, NC, share about courage in leading troops into battle. Jeff served four tours in Iraq – from Dessert Storm to our current occupation. Forget politics for a minute… the honor and integrity of these men risking their lives to serve our country is humbling and very impressive. They train hard and prepare themselves. They put the mission first, then take care of one another and lastly put self.

Whiling serving in Iraq, Jeff listened by phone as his wife gave birth to his daughter half way across the world. I never missed a birth of one of my kids. I wonder what I was doing that evening? Sacrifice of self is needed to accomplish a great goal.

Michael Fletcher ended the session with a compelling challenge to himself (and all of us). He said, “As I lay my head down on the pillow tonight, I will determine that no other organization on the planet will be more prepared, more committed or more passionate to accomplish their mission than the church. We have greatest cause and mission.”