People who have shaped me (part 1)

That’s a pretty tall title but I’ve been thinking a lot about it recently and realized there are some incredible people who have shaped who I am and how I lead – and not always who you think. I’ve had the incredible privilege of meeting quite a few Christian leaders/pastors – everyone from Craig Groeschel, Ed Young, Bill Hybels, Brian Houston, Louie Giglio (still hoping to meet Andy Stanley, Steve Furtick & Erwin McManus some time, but enough about that). Some of these people are on this list, some are regular people, some are business people but they’ve all had an incredible shaping influence.

First up my mom & dad… yeah I know that might sound expected but they’ve taught me some incredible lessons in life. They’re not necessarily leaders in any official capacity, they’ve not perhaps accomplished some heroic world changing feat (though battling and beating cancer is a pretty big deal). My mom and dad have remained faithful, kept plodding and never given up – even in the toughest of times. It’s the quality that Paul told Timothy to look for in committing the future of the gospel to people – look for faithful men and women. My mom & dad have taught me how to be faithful, keep pushing, never give up and work hard! It’s like Vince Lombardi once said, “the harder you work, the harder it is to give up.” It might not be sexy, but faithfulness and try your very best are two qualities that have become a part of who I am and how I lead because of two incredible people that I get to call mom and dad. My parents shaped who I am.