People that Have Changed My Life (Part 4)

People That Know Me and Know They've Helped Me

These are people in which I am the most thankful for. These are people who saw potential and gifts in me when nobody else (including myself) did. They've loved me unconditionally, have risked a lot by investing in me, and spent countless hours pouring into my life on purpose. These people have been multipliers in my life:

My Mom - My mom was a huge influence in my life growing up... she taught me to love me for who I am, to be outgoing and have a great time, and to be myself! I love my momma!

Mike Steidel - He took me under his wing and taught me what it was to work hard, to dream as big as I can and go for it, to be sharp, to get a college education (haha Mr. S if you're reading this!), to have the highest standards I could. He's taught me so much more... but those are the big ones!

Judy Steidel - When I lost my mom in 2002, I went to her Bible Study and it got me fired up about God. She took me under her wing like a son, got me going to Victory, and gave me a passion for Christ like I've never had before.

Laura Steidel - She believed in me when nobody else did... encouraged me... and never gave up on me. I am so grateful for her friendship. I would not be who I am today if it had not been for her!!

Zack Blair - Zack and I came to Victory in 2003 and have pursued God and ministry together. I look up to him in so many ways... He is like a big spiritual brother. He constantly challenges me . . . it's a privilege to have him in my life.

Ben Rath - I am pretty sure Ben knows the impact he's had on my life. This guy takes everyone who he comes in contact with and takes them to new levels. He has done that for me and I am so grateful.

Pastor Larry Bettencourt - Perhaps no one has made a greater impact in my life than this man. He believed in me, poured into me, loved me unconditionally, and pulled my gifts and potential out of me. He is an amazing pastor, mentor, and friend. He helped me have my "One Start" on the way to an "Eternal Finish" I love you PL!


There are obviously way more people that have poured into me... those are some of the biggies. This concludes my "series" on people that have changed my life.

Who are some people that have intentionally poured into you? Do they know how big of an impact they've had in your life?

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People that Have Changed My Life (Part 3)

People that know me, but never known they've helped me.

I think out of all the people who've helped me...these people are my favorite. They're my favorite because most of them aren't mentors in my life, these are people that you wouldn't think would have a big influence on you, and it shows how amazing God is because of His willingness to speak through anyone who is willing to be used by Him. Again, this is not an exhaustive list... but these people really have made a huge impact and perhaps will never know (unless they read this!)

Students of Revolution Student Ministries - I absolutely love the students in our youth group. I wake up every day with a passion of connecting, loving on, and equipping them to go out and do crazy things for God! However, it's so funny that they have probably had a bigger impact on me than I could ever have on them. Some students have changed my life through words they've said, their actions, or just simply their friendship. I love you guys!!

David Riley - David is a student I kind of "took under my wing" for a few years. We've built a great friendship. He literally has changed my life when I'll share with him things I am going through. He'll drop one liners that are ridiculous. I often joke with him that he is like the donkey that God spoke through in the Bible... haha... Thanks David.

Dr. Lawrence Butterini - My High School Principle. The cool thing about this is the impact he had on my life didn't take place until after high school. He, along with the assistant principle were the first people to tell me I had leadership qualities. They poured tons of great nuggets into me as well as the rest of the class...though at the time we thought they were lame, looking back they were life changing!!

There are plenty of more... these were the first ones I could think of this morning... more on the way I'm sure. Who are some people who know you and made a big impact, but never known they've helped you?

Come back tomorrow for People who know me, and known they've made a difference in my life!!

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People that Have Changed My Life (Part 2)

People who have never known me have changed my life

This has everything to do with intentional growth. If growth is not intentional... it won't happen. It is a fact that leaders are readers! I heard one of the most influential leaders in my life tell me this story: He sat down with a potential leader and asked him what he was doing to grow. The potential leader responded, "I like to learn by going through things... that is how I grow the most." To which the leader responded, "If that is the mindset you're going to have, you're fired. You'll never be smart enough to survive...that is stupid! You need to learn from others. I can get stupid for free..."

Again... I truly believe that if growth is not intentional... it won't happen! So the people that have never known me and yet changed my life are authors of the books I read and the messages I listen to. Here are a few:

John Maxwell - His leadership lessons and books have literally changed my life!

Keith Moore - This guy has taken my spiritual maturity to a whole new level!

Erwin McManus - He really makes me think about everything! I've never heard anyone who thinks like this guy... genius!

Gerald Brooks - Gerald's monthly leadership lessons for pastors has been great insight into leadership in ministry.

Kenneth Hagin - The man passed away in 2003 and is still making a huge impact all over the world through his material!

Louie Giglio - This man had one lesson (The Little Leader) that I listen to several times a year... it changes my life every time!

I am trying to make a habit to write each of these people letters telling them how their work has impacted my life. I would encourage you to do the same... any time you read a great book, listen to great message, or whatever... write the author a letter. I promise you that letter will help encourage them!

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People that Have Changed My Life (Part 1)

I want to take a few days this week and talk about people that have had a huge impact on my life. Earlier this year I read John Maxwell's newest book: Leadership Gold. It is definitely a must read (aren't all of his book?) Anyway... one of the chapters was titled "Few Leaders are Successful Unless a lot of People Want Them to be." John talks about 3 kinds of people who've helped change his life and that will also change ours:

• People who have never known us

• People who know us, but never known they've helped us

• People who know us and know they've helped us

Over the next few days I will take each type and talk about the people that have helped mold me into the person I am today. I encourage you to sit down and write out a list of the people who've made a big impact in your life. Write them a thank you note or find some way to express how grateful you are that they're in your life.

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People I'd Like to Have Lunch With (Part 3)

So far I've stayed pretty much with Christian leaders that I've wanted to have lunch with. Here is my list of Non-Christian (I just mean that they aren't Pastors or in ministry... not talking about their belief system) that I'd love to sit down with:

#5 Howard Schultz - Ok... I am addicted to this mans work! This guy got people paying $2+ for a cup of coffee (SO WORTH IT!). I'd love to ask him questions, but really I'd just like to thank him for giving the world Starbucks!

#4 Bill Gates - Richest man in the world... has changed the world through his work. Who wouldn't want to sit down and ask this guy questions?

#3 Steve Jobs - What this man has done with Apple Inc. has been unbelievable... Mac's have changed my life! It would be awesome to get into this guys head!

#2 Barack O'Bama or John McCain - One of these two men will be the next leader of this country . . . again, regardless of what you think of them... it'd be great to sit down with these guys.

#1 George Bush or Bill Clinton - Presidents of the United States of America... Regardless of what you think of them... they could teach you a lot!

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People I'd Like to Have Lunch With (Part 2)

In part 3 I'll make a list of non-christian leaders I'd like to have lunch with. Here is the remainder of Christian leaders I'd love to have lunch with (there are more, but going over 10 seems a bit ridiculous right now!):

#10 Doug Jones - This guy is awesome! He comes to our church once a year and his teachings and books have revolutionized the way I think and do things! I'd love to be able to pick his brain for hours!!!

#9 Joyce Meyer - I love Joyce Meyer! I got to see her at a conference in Hershey a few years back and became a partner with her. I think it would be sweet to spend an afternoon with her!

#8 Joel Osteen - Other than his critics (which is ridiculous), I don't think there is a human being on the planet who would not love getting together with Joel. He is the pastor of the largest church in America (Lakewood) and brings the gospel to hundreds of thousands of people on a weekly basis. He is the man!

#7 Rick Warren - The Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church in California. The church has grown to 25,000 people! This man is a remarkable leader and is most well known for his book The Purpose Driven Life. What's really cool is I know that Rick, Bill Hybels, and John Maxwell all started teaching leadership together in the 80's and today they are the best!! To have an inner circle like that... Wow!

#6 Bill Hybels - The Senior Pastor of Willow Creek (one of the largest churches in America). I've seen this guy speak only one time on a DVD of a leadership conference. He spoke on the "Life Cycle of a Leader" which was one of the best leadership lessons I've ever heard. Willow holds an annual conference called The Leadership Summit. I plan on attending this conference sometime!

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People I'd like to Have Lunch With (Part 1)

The older I get the smaller the world seems. When I start to think about people I could have only dreamed of meeting in a lifetime, I now realize that literally meeting them could be a few contacts, phone calls, or conferences away from making that dream a reality. I'll probably make several posts like this over time. If anyone out there could arrange me meeting these great leaders I would be very grateful!


#5 Perry Noble - I've just recently stumbled across this guy through blogging and twitter! He pastors a church in Anderson, SC and is changing the world! He started his church 1999 and now runs thousands on the weekend and has several campuses. Did I mention he gets mentored by John Maxwell?


#4 Craig Groeschel - I saw Craig live a few years ago at a church leadership conference and thought he was awesome. Since then, he has become a pioneer for the way churches do things. From church resources to multi-campus churches, to the online church, he is helping the Body of Christ reach the world!


#3 Erwin McManus - I've only been listening and reading Erwin's stuff for about a year now. He is an incredible thinker and futurist. I would highly recommend his podcast and his books. I am going to get the opportunity to go see him speak at The Soar '08 Conference in November!

#2 Keith Moore - I got the opportunity to meet Keith Moore when he was at our church for a conference, but it was only for a brief moment (but I shook his hand!!! I haven't washed it since!) Only kidding... Spiritually...this man has taken me to new levels! Get his stuff all free online!!

#1 John C. Maxwell - No surprise here if you know me. This man has had a tremendous impact on my life through his books and audio teachings. I've actually made it one of my life goals to see him teach in person and then meet him. I encourage you to become a member of his monthly mentoring program... Check it out here.

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