Thanks for sharing your stories about Wendy Kopp’s interview at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit. It was a fantastic conference overall, and we’re glad so many of you found Wendy’s thoughts on the importance of service so valuable. We are so excited about continuing to grow our movement, and want leaders to join us. If you, or someone you know, is interested in learning more or joining our movement, please visit http://www.teachforamerica.org/jointhemovement.

Thanks,
Ellie Campisano
Recruitment Coordinator, Faith Community Relations Team

I have to not be afraid of FAILURE! Sometimes I only take safe risks. The problem is I never give God a chance to show up - I could do it on my own. I have been asking myself, “What do I do that REALLY requires faith?” Then I’ve prayed, “God you know my heart, you’ve given me passions and dream, I want to go for them.” I feel that big changes are coming…

Also, the truth that to get IT, the leader must have IT first. How incredible would it be if thousands of leaders had IT personally - honestly that’s THE missing ingredient! Craig was incredible!

As I mentioned in my blog, when Jesus tells the Ephesian believers that he will remove their lampstand if they don’t recapture their first love, he’s talking about the IT. The lampstand is the IT! Ding!

Thanks, Craig, for the humility of heart and determined delivery of a powerful message at Summit!

It was an awesome experience being back stage with the Willow team and all the speakers.

Bill Hybels is a giant of a leader and a person. His wife, Lynne, is equally amazing. They are both more down to earth and humble than you could imagine.

All of the speakers were very gracious.

It was a very spiritually packed two days.

All four qualities he talked about were great. The biggest take away from his session was that God can guide in what He DOESN’T provide. The other aspect I enjoyed was the follow-up questions he gave for people to wrestle with after sharing each quality aspect of IT.

Craig’s talk is having an immediate impact on how I engage my leadership responsibilities and feel extremely blessed to have been apart of how God spoke through him!

1) am I fully and uncompromisingly getting about God’s purposes in this world? (Hybels first session)

and

2) Craig’s last 3 minutes when he said God broke his heart again. When he said “it makes me miserable…I am never satisfied….and I want more of it”

That nailed me to the floor. I was absolutely called out by God through this confession. It’s almost like I was breathing the same breath as Craig and every other completely surrended follower of Christ throughout history in that one moment. The bridge to “some other path” for my life was burned instantly. I embraced my own misery and resolved to refuse God nothing. (Thank you, Craig!)

2) The “perspective” Wendy had about asking leaders to sacrifice–when she interrupted Bill and said we don’t ask them, we give them the opportunity to sacrifice….that was powerful. If leaders in minstry could develop a passion so gripping for the purposes of God that we energetically “presented the opportunity to sacrifice”as constantly and fervently as Wendy does..what could God not do through us?

I’m with Cody; I think the Summit was the best of the past three or four years.

Thanks for an amazing ministry through this blog, the book and lifechurch.

“Obsession with the mission will produce growth.” ~Wendy Kopp

“Spiritual Leadership is the art of rallying people to stay connected to the Holy Spirit together.” ~John Burke

“Why is the Church the only place where segregation is OK?” ~Efrem Smith

“Your team or organization cannot have IT if you don’t have IT!” ~Craig Groeschel

“I wish we took being Christian as seriously as Marine’s take their job.” ~Chuck Colson

“In today’s society, criminals are never forgiven. Paul, Moses, and David were all murderers and are now considered saints.” ~Catherine Rohr

“True leaders are most fulfilled when they are motivating those they lead rather than by personal acheivement.” ~Brad Anderson

“I will refuse God nothing.” ~Mother Teresa

In a nutshell, God peeled away all the “to dos” and refocused me on the fact that HE is what produces all results. May I never claim the glory that belongs to Him.

I’m facing a decision right now to either stay in a comfortable worship leader role in a large, well-resourced church, or plant a church with no guarantee of a paycheck. Some friends are telling me not to plant the church unless the pastor can offer me a guarantee of a certain level of income. From Craig’s talk, I’ve been inspired to open myself to the Spirit’s prompting, even knowing the Spirit may prompt me into a situation where I lose income, which could put my family in uncomfortable situations.

Thanks, Craig, for helping me see what IT may take and that IT is worth it!

God spoke to me during the conference. Craigs message spoke to me big time. At Catalyst I couldn’t sleep for a week and I resigned 3 weeks later. Craig prayed a similar prayer this time and I’m struggling again. I have to process what God said to me (I’m not Charismatic either) but God spoke big time to me. During Bill Hybels last talk I was overwhelmed by what God was telling me. I bought Craigs book too and look forward to hearing what God will share through “IT.”