If You Want to Leave a Legacy

“If you want to leave a legacy, attach your wealth and power to a movement” -Bill Hybels

Today Bill Hybels took the stage with other leaders for Movement Day in New York City with 700+ leaders from 40 U.S. cities and 17 countries. Movement Day is facilitated by the New York City Leadership Center in collaboration with Redeemer City to City and Go2 Church Planting Ministries. The objective: education to leaders about new trends related to cities and collaboration on new ways to reach and renew metropolitan communities. Movement Day founder, Dr. Mac Pier, said, "Today is only the beginning...we want to define: (a) where we are in our various efforts to plant churches, mentor youth, reach campuses, unite for prayer, (b) and to ask the question where do we want to be in a year, three years, and five years. Today is inspiring, but will be much more than that--together we will create a Missiological Standard for what we want to see God do in our respective cities."

After hearing from plenary speakers Tim Keller, Ray Bakke, and Brenda Salter McNeil, Bill Hybels’ challenge to the crowd was based on the life and biblical story of the remarkable, God-honoring King Hezekiah. Here are a few sound bites from Bill's message:

"If you want a meaningful and lasting spiritual legacy, attach it to a movement!"

"Any movement must start by a leader with his face pressed to the ground. followers must see it, know it, experience it."

“Young leaders, what will be remembered about your life 25, 50, 75 years after you're gone?”

"Movement leaders need to layout their challenges before the Lord."

Later this afternoon he'll speak again--on the topic of "Creating a Culture of Encouragement for Marketplace Leaders and Pastors."

By: Steve Bell
Executive Vice President, Willow Creek Association

The Darkness Must Be Pushed Back

Darkness doesn’t go away on its own… it has to be pushed back. That’s what equipped, envisioned, Christ-following leaders do. They sense darkness, and they can’t rest until it is eliminated. Their actions reflect the light of Christ to their churches and communities.

The darkness around the world can seem stifling. The injustices are so substantial that it’s hard to believe anyone could make a noticeable difference. But, the good news is that God gifts leaders. Through the Romans 12:8 spiritual gift of leadership, the Holy Spirit enables these people, all over the world, to influence the stories and narratives of others around them.

Because of this gift of influence, when leaders set out to change the balance of light and darkness in the world, the impact of their mission affects not just them but everyone else around them. They rally so many more to join in the struggle to effectively push back the darkness.

That is the reason why The Global Leadership Summit exists… to enable leaders to push back the dankness and bring in the light of Christ. As you saw depicted in the video, the countries where the GLS is being held this year are rife with darkness. Beginning in just two days and continuing throughout the fall, our prayer is that God will use the GLS in these countries to strengthen His leaders to step up and do their part in pushing out the dark, revealing the perfect light of Christ.

Keep checking this blog throughout the fall, especially on Wednesdays, to track its progress. Below is a list of where we’ll be this first weekend, or view the full schedule.

Thank you for taking this journey with us, we can’t wait to see what God will do through the GLS in 2010!

The Global Leadership Summit – October 1-2, 2010

New Zealand - Whangarei
New Zealand - Auckland Central
South Africa - Johannesburg
United Kingdom - Belfast
United Kingdom - Bracknell
United Kingdom - Bristol
United Kingdom - Edinburgh
United Kingdom - London Orpington
United Kingdom - Stafford

by: Jim Mellado (@JimMellado)
President, Willow Creek Association

Soul Care Pillars

Architecturally speaking, pillars are strong and reliable. They stand the test of time. Properly placed, they create space and buttress a structure.

Over time we have recognized the important, space-making role that core spiritual practices play in helping us both live and lead from the strong structure of a healthy soul, with plenty of space for God. These specific practices are foundational to what Soul Care offers.

Experience some right now:

Prayer
Take a minute now to turn your thoughts towards God directly. Is there something you’re grateful for? Take moment to thank the Source of all good things. Something you’re worried about? Specifically name it… and ask for God’s help. Totally confused about something? Go ahead and ask for wisdom! Perhaps you want to simply sit in silence, attentive to God’s presence and love. Just for a minute—or twenty!— breathe deeply, and rest in God’s presence and love. James 1, Philippians 4, James 1, Psalm 131

Spiritual Friendship
What’s the most challenging area in your life these days? Is anyone walking through that with you? Be sure to let your soul-level friends know what’s really going on. Pick up the phone, send the text, write that email, or just stop by… they may pray with you, encourage you, hear your confession, or even just “be with you” in it in a way that helps you stay open to God. Any of your friends going through something significant these days? Take a moment to pray for them, too… and then connect. Ephesians 4:16, Galatians 6

Use of Scripture
Unlike any other book, the Bible is “living and active” and a variety of ways exist to study, read, meditate on, and be shaped by the truths. We do not want merely to know the principles it contains: we want to connect with the Person it proclaims. We can rely on it, take comfort in it, be corrected by it, find hope and direction though it. Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119, John 5:39

Solitude/Silence
The demands of daily life—especially in our 24/7 “wired” world—make it difficult to really hear from God and allow His person to form the basis of our identity. Even Jesus needed time specifically set aside to connect with His Father. Might there be things God’s been trying to convey, but you’re not listening? Not noticing? Take a few minutes to turn off all electronics (yes, even the computer!), and pay attention to God. Better yet, look at your schedule now and set aside a few hours—or days—in the next month to “be alone with God”. At-home parents, executives, pastors, students… we all need solitude. Psalm 46, Mark 1:35-37

Soul Searching
Where has God been at work in your life lately? In the pages of a journal, or in a few minutes of prayer, ask God to help you search through yesterday… where have you sensed His presence, or not? In hindsight, do you notice things you missed in the moment? Are there areas God has shown you where you strayed in an attitude or choice? If you’re human, the answer is likely yes! Confession yields life-giving freedom and soul-level peace. So, out with it. Come clean. Find grace. Psalm 139:23-24, 1 John 1

Simplicity
True simplicity is about developing a singularity of heart, or of purpose. It may impact our “stuff,” but most importantly it describes our focus—everything in life aligns to a central goal: Total surrender and abandonment to God. While many of us long to live into that kind of destiny, we often unknowingly clog and clutter our own path. Do you know who God’s made you to be, and for what purpose? How closely does your current life reflect that goal? Take whatever step you can today to bring alignment between those two things. By doing that, you’re caring for your soul through simplicity. Let God know it’s a journey you are willing to take… maybe write about it in a journal… and then pursue it wholeheartedly. Hebrews 12:1-2, Matthew 6:19-34, Prov. 11:3

By: Mindy Caliguire (@MindyCaliguire)
Transformation Ministry Team, WCA

Used with permission from SoulCare.com

Looking for a next step for your own soul? Join the STIR Webcast Series:

This series is designed for ministry leaders to give you practical next steps for fostering spiritual growth through small groups. Groups leaders see hearts opened, lives transformed and connections to God strengthened. Real growth is possible!

Each week a special guest will join host Mindy Caliguire, Director of Spiritual Transformation Ministry at the WCA, founder of Soul Care Ministries and author of the Soul Care Series and together they will unpack the video teaching of the week, and provide you with next steps on leading your team and volunteers, and respond to your questions and comments online.

Stir Up the Gift of Faith

During the Summit we asked speakers to give us 'a few minutes more' after their message. Christine Caine said that, for a leader, "hope is the oxygen we breathe." Christine reminds us that, with Jesus inside us, we can make a difference. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives on the inside of us.



IDEAS TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP

For You
As leaders, we have a responsibility to lead from a place of hope, because people will follow our cue. How would you assess your current personal level of hope?

• Learn more about Christine's organizations, The A21 Campaign and Equip & Empower Ministries
• Summit Digital Resource Card to keep your leadership development moving after the Summit.
  
• eLearning beta classes will launch - The Leader’s Soul and Leading for Spiritual Transformation. (Sign up by October 1.)

For Your Team

• Summit 2010 Team Edition to help you extend the impact of the Summit further into your team.
  
• Free STIR Webcast Series designed for ministry leaders to give practical next steps for fostering spiritual growth through small groups.
• STIR: Half Day event - God uses relationships in our lives and ministries to open hearts, break sin patterns and transform us. The STIR One Day is design as a tool for Ministry Leaders. Gather all the small group leaders in your ministry for this half day of laser-focused training with immediate ministry application.

By: WCA (@wcagls)

10 Days, 65,000 Leaders

Beginning in 10 days, The Global Leadership Summit will begin serving more than 65,000 of the world’s church leaders from 70 countries. We are convinced that fully sold-out disciples of Christ are the most powerful source of positive influence and change in our broken world. That’s why we long to see all Christ-following leaders pursue spiritual growth and movement in their own lives and to create churches where people are encouraged to do the same- no matter what part of the world they live in.

To give you an idea of all that goes into just one GLS site, picture this: an Organizing Committee convenes months, sometimes a full year before the GLS happens in a country. They carefully guide the direction of the event, recruiting key volunteers, selecting venues and choosing content for that country's event. In the months leading up to the event, there are trips to Chicago to experience the Summit at Willow and vision casting with host churches. Volunteer teams are put in place. Content from the Summit is translated into the native language. Deeply committed volunteers to serve tech, programming, and event management needs are trained. Banners are printed, stage décor is designed, tools to help guests process the content are created, registration confirmations are sent out, bands and vocalists rehearse, caterers are selected, and notebooks are printed. It is hard to overemphasize all that goes into just one GLS location.

Multiply that times the approximately 200 sites this year and you have an idea of all the activity that is happening all over the world.

Would you pray for our teams overseas as they prepare? Each one has a multitude of details to attend to. Their desire is to create a seamless event with high standards of excellence so Christ's leaders (most of whom are serving under very difficult circumstances) can be envisioned, equipped and inspired. Often times, the GLS is the only event in their country that affords them access to quality leadership development.

Knowing this makes all the tasks worth it. We can’t wait to see what God will do.

By: Jim Mellado (@JimMellado)
President, WCA

Growing Up a Leader

“Looking back, I now see that God was abundantly gracious to me during those formative years in my leadership. Even though I felt alone and lacked women leaders as mentors, I was given some instincts by my Creator that enabled me to avoid what could have been highly destructive pitfalls. The most significant of those instincts was an intuitive sense that above all else, what would count most in my efforts to lead and relate effectively is my character” – Nancy Beach, Gifted to Lead (Zondervan)

Last year, the journey of bringing Gifted to Lead to Canada and to sites across the United States has been an exciting one! More than ever, we are aware of God's desire to use and empower women as leaders.

After one of the Gifted to Lead events, the team who attended spent time going over the impact of the teaching by Nancy Beach and Nancy Ortberg.

They asked themselves: What are your personal challenges when it comes to using and growing your gift of leadership?

…And they answered:

• Confidence
• Umbrella of grace in order to be a risk taker
• Input from others who know me well and can speak into my life about my gifts/strengths
• An open mind to learn from my mistakes
• Energy
• Focus
• Knowing my tribe/team and celebrating their gifts and strengths
• Leading myself
• Leading others from overflow, not emptiness
• Take time to care for my soul

Do these answers sound like something you would say?
Leave an anonymous comment and let us know what some of your personal needs and challenges are as a leader. We have more in common than we even realize.

By: Cheryl Molenaar (@CherylMolenaar)
Gifted to Lead Champion, Willow Creek Canada


Interested in learning more about Gifted to Lead? Nancy Beach and Nancy Ortberg will take an engaging and interactive look at specific issues that face women in church leadership today.

A Few Minutes More: Blake Mycoskie

During the Summit we asked speakers to give us 'a few minutes more' after their message. Below is what Blake Mycoskie from TOMS Shoes had to say after his talk, Making Conscious Capitalism Work: The TOMS Shoes Story.

In Ethiopia, approximately one million people are suffering from podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring disease caused by walking barefoot on volcanic soil.

IDEAS TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP

For You

• Blake talked about the culture of TOMS. What the team does at TOMS is serious work but they don't take themselves very serious. As a leader, how can you be intentional about creating a culture that doesn't take itself too seriously? Is there something that you need to do to celebrate your team this week?
• Join the TOMS movement
• Summit Digital Resource Card to keep your leadership development moving after the Summit.
• eLearning beta classes will launch - The Leader’s Soul and Leading for Spiritual Transformation. (Sign up by October 1.)

For Your Team

• Summit 2010 Team Edition to help you extend the impact of the Summit further into your team.
• Free STIR Webcast Series designed for ministry leaders to give practical next steps for fostering spiritual growth through small groups.
• STIR: Half Day event - Real Change, real growth is possible! God uses relationships in our lives and ministries to open hearts, break sin patterns and transform us. The STIR One Day is design as a tool for Ministry Leaders. Gather all the small group leaders in your ministry for this half day of laser-focused training with immediate ministry application.

Finding Jesus in a Banana Plantation

Letter #3 from Joe Horness, Programming Director and Worship Leader at Bay Pointe Community Church.

In preparation for the Global Leadership Summit internationally every year, we host various trainings all over the world to pour into our volunteer teams. Joe is one of the trainers who sacrificially gives of his time to travel to Congo, Uganda, and Nigeria. Here is an excerpt from his travel updates sent during his recent trip through Africa:

Dear GLS friends,

Just thought I'd give you a quick update on the teaching today in Uganda. The session seemed to go really well, with lots of prayer and tears afterwards, and several pastors telling me how desperately they or their teams needed this. I had great conversations with another 4 worship leaders who felt that the time had been life-changing for them.

One was a woman who told me about working in the banana plantations as a girl, singing songs she had heard about Jesus and crying that He would love her so much to give His life for her that way, even though she had never heard of him outside of the songs she was singing. So when someone finally told her the story, 'it was already inside of me,’ she told me. Now she is a worship leader and is leading others to Him. And we got to help her take another step along the way.

Then we went with Joshua (The GLS leader in Uganda) to visit the slums outside his church. Hundreds of families lived in tin shacks, getting buckets of water from the same stream their sewage flows into. Garbage, no plumbing, no electricity. 75% of the people in Kampala live in slums just like these. Then we went to a section of the slums that Joshua's church has recently finished rebuilding. Joshua mortgaged his little church building to raise the money to put up basic housing in the slums for 150 families. 500 people live in this section with basic plumbing, clean water and electricity. The area is relatively clean and the people are so proud to live there. Joshua’s church trains the people who live here to do basic micro-enterprise jobs, and through that they pay a small rent. Joshua said they have never had anyone not pay.

He has already leased land to build more of this housing with the money coming from the rent. Joshua's dream is to replace the slums of Kampala with housing like this over the next 15 years, and he really believes they can do it. It was wonderful to see how this is changing people’s lives. Some of these children and families were so beautiful and innocent and grateful to Joshua and his church. One woman offered me a flour crepe of some sort she was frying on a little griddle outside her hut. It was all they had, but she joyfully offered it to a stranger.

At one point Joshua had started down the road toward trying to raise the money to build this housing for the poorest people right next to his church, but it had gotten too hard and he had basically given up. Then he attended his first Summit, and one of the speakers taught about doing this very kind of thing. Joshua came home re-energized and with a new vision, and now 500 people have real rooms with clean water. That is the impact of the GLS!

Keep following this blog throughout the fall to hear stories from all over the world. You can also follow our EVP Gary Schwammlein, on Twitter to get updates on his activities as he travels to many GLS sites all over the world.

Just Spend a Day Here

Letter #2 from Joe Horness, Programming Director and Worship Leader at Bay Pointe Community Church.

In preparation for the Global Leadership Summit internationally every year, we host various trainings all over the world to pour into our volunteer teams. Joe is one of the trainers who sacrificially gives of his time to travel to Congo, Uganda, and Nigeria. Here is an excerpt from his travel updates sent during his recent trip through Africa:

To my friends and family at home!

First of all, I can finally let you know that I made it to Kinshasa in one piece! Other than standing in the midst of a madhouse of people for an hour as we waited for our luggage, everything really went smoothly. The ride to the hotel, though you’d think I would expect it by now, was overwhelming. In the other countries I’ve been to in Africa, there are shanty towns stuck here and there. Here, the ‘shanty town’ is endless.

That’s all there is. The miles from the airport were filled with thousands of people mindlessly roaming the streets, ancient cars that were 3 and 4 lanes across on decrepit, barely-useable roads, ‘buses’ consisting of run-down blue and yellow vans with no doors and people hanging off of every bumper and out every window, and extreme poverty in every direction as far as you could see. Not surprisingly, for the most part, people here seem very guarded, distant and distrustful. There is no laughter, there are few smiles, and little warmth. Outside of the wonderful people we worked with from the area churches today, there is no joy here.

But then we arrived at the church this morning. It was a refuge! It was a place of hope, filled with wonderful servants. Many of the men and women we met with carried the same sense of caution and reserve, but there was hope. There was a belief that God might use them. There was enthusiasm over the possibility of change. As I taught on God’s dream that we would ‘present everyone complete in Christ’ and how God could use the Global Leadership Summit to impact leaders who could in turn bring about change, the air in the room was infectious.

My heart ached with awe as I listened to the team worship as we began the day. The hair on my arms stood on end as I listened to these people pray as our day came to an end. No one can ever tell me Christ’s Church isn’t real, that He doesn’t bring hope to the hopeless and rest to the restless and life to death. Just spend a day here. You’ll believe it like never before.

Keep following this blog throughout the fall to hear stories from all over the world. You can also follow our EVP, Gary Schwammlein, on Twitter to get updates on his activities as he travels to many GLS sites all over the world.

The Floor Was Spotless

Letter #1 from Joe Horness, Programming Director and Worship Leader at Bay Pointe Community Church.

In preparation for the Global Leadership Summit internationally every year, we host various trainings all over the world to pour into our volunteer teams. Joe Horness, Programming Director and Worship Leader at Bay Pointe Community Church, is one of those trainers who sacrificially gives of their time to travel to Congo, Uganda, and Nigeria. Below is an excerpt from his travel updates sent during his recent trip through Africa:

Dear Friends!

Here is just a snapshot of a wonderful moment I hope I'll never forget. As I was doing the final teaching, two young girls, probably 11 or 12 years of age, came in the door near the back of the church. In their hands they carried buckets of water and 2 rags. They quietly began moving the benches from the back of the room, taking them outside so that they could clean the floor. When they came back in, they quietly dipped their rags into the buckets, bent at the waist and began mopping the floor to clean up the dirt and dust that had been tracked in over the past 2 days. An hour later they were still at it and they had only cleaned a third of the cracked, concrete floor. It was back-breaking work, but the floor was spotless!

When everyone had left I walked back to talk to them. I began by asking them if they had mops they could be using. They didn't understand what I meant. When I described using wooden handles to push the rags around so that they could stand up straight, they told me that they didn't have anything like that, and besides, they could get the floor much cleaner if they did it by hand. "But you're working so hard," I protested. One of the girls immediately lit up with a huge smile, her white teeth bright against her dark hair and skin. With great joy she corrected me; "But we're doing it for Jesus! It is not hard when we are doing it for Him!"

We are always so awe-struck and humbled when we see stories like these begin to flow in during GLS season every year. The Global Leadership has its first week events on October 1 & 2, coming in just about two weeks. Keep following this blog throughout the fall to hear stories from all over the world. You can also follow our EVP, Gary Schwammlein, on twitter to get updates on his activities as he travels to many GLS sites all over the world.

We can’t wait to see what God will do!

#1 Area Where Leaders Are Weak

Human performance expert Jack Groppel says that in his work with church leaders the number one weakness he sees is in the area of self-care. This applies not just to leaders’ physical and emotional well-being, but also to their efforts to build into themselves mentally and spiritually.

For example, consider this scenario: You go to a huge event, get inspired and filled up, then head back home with a lot of new ideas. Almost immediately, the urgent needs of the day-to-day start to set in. Weeks go by and the notebook from the event still sits at your desk (only now it displays a thin layer of dust). Jack Groppel also says that if you don’t act on a decision within three days, it’s unlikely you’ll actually make any changes related to that decision. And soon, that truth becomes a reality.

Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone.

Bill Hybels said, “Leaders not only need to be well led, they need to be well fed.” More than just a one-time meal, leadership requires ongoing investment and “self-care” that leads to growth in all areas of your life. What are the things that you do to make sure all points in your life (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual) are being fed?

Here are a few ideas that we hope will serve you:

eLearning: On October 4th we’re launching 2 beta eLearning courses, The Leader’s Soul and Leading for Spiritual Transformation. (Sign up by October 1.)

STIR (Spiritual Transformation In Relationship) Free Webcast Series: This series is designed for ministry leaders to give you practical next steps for fostering spiritual growth through small groups.

STIR Half Day event: Real Change, real growth is possible! God uses relationships in our lives and ministries to open hearts, break sin patterns and transform us. The STIR One Day is design as a tool for Ministry Leaders. Gather all the small group leaders in your ministry for this half day of laser-focused training with immediate ministry application.

By: Ministry Transformation Team, WCA

If You Change a Leader...

If you can change a leader, you can change a church. When you change a church, you can change a community. And when enough churches are changing, you can affect a region, a country and eventually the world.

In the wake of this mission, The Global Leadership Summit was born. Through the impact of the original Leadership Summit and traveling with the international team of Willow Creek Association; Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, started to notice a trend.

When a church leader leads well, communities are affected, people’s lives are transformed and churches are refreshed. In short, the Gospel in all its fullness is spread when an impassioned, dedicated, inspired leader exercises the Romans 12:8 gift. When leaders lack training and inspiration, churches suffer, and cultures grow more secularized. Bill and others recognized the widespread need for top-tier leadership training to be made available worldwide- regardless of location, language, or cost.

After much strategizing and planning, a new idea was forming. We wanted to be able to take the content from the Summit and apply it to the contexts of the worldwide church - there had to be a way to leverage the Summit internationally.

And so, in the fall 2005, The Global Leadership Summit launched in 22 sites and 9 countries. The logistical challenges were immense. There was venue selection, catering, notebooks to print, and a multitude of other details to attend to. All of those elements and more were obstacles at each of the 22 sites. The leaders of the GLS were determined to deliver a world-class event for each delegate who attended.

Originally, they thought they might reach 3,500 international participants.

There were 14,000 in attendance that first year.

God is up to something. Each year, the GLS has continued to widen its breadth. In 2006, there were 51 sites in 18 countries with 24,219 delegates in attendance. And in 2010, we are projecting 191 sites, 70 countries and roughly 70,000 participants. This has truly morphed into a spirit-inspired leadership movement.

Check back often for updates on the GLS, to hear the stories of the leaders impacted, and to get a front-row seat to the work God is doing around the world (GLS 2010 Dates).

By: WCA (@wcagls)

Download: When Leaders Fail with Adam Hamilton

Adam Hamilton has taken on some of the most difficult and tension filled ideas in his church and ministry. He navigated several rough patches in his church and addressed them square on.

A few weeks ago we had a Beyond the Summit webinar with Adam and it’s available for download (1 hour mp3).

Adam’s message reminds us that a week doesn’t go by in our world where some leader doesn’t fall and experience some kind of moral failure- television hosts, pro golfers, politicians, and yes, even clergy.

It may not be a very inspiring issue but none of us are immune. Adam said, “I don’t care how deeply devoted to Christ you are, if you put yourself in the wrong set of circumstances, at the wrong time, with the wrong person, you’re going to be tempted.”

5 R’s of Resisting Temptation (from Adam’s Summit message):

· Remember Who You Are
· Recognize the Consequences of Your Actions
· Rededicate Yourself to God
· Reveal Your Struggle to a Trusted Friend
· Remove Yourself from the Situation

Download the devotional, Reflections for a Leader’s Soul

by: WCA (@wcagls)

Only God

On this first day of September, we are neck-deep in International Global Leadership Summit preparations. About one month from now, the GLS around the world will begin.

My team is busy translating Summit content into 31 languages, preparing the programs for 191 sites among a multitude of other tasks.

Volunteer teams at these 191 sites are on the ground working hard to ensure that every seat is filled. There are people traveling as I write this to lead training events for these volunteer teams in locations all over the world.

We aren’t wasting a moment.

Let me explain why we do all this. Picture a leader working in an impoverished city, ripe with corrupted government officials, few resources for the ideas he wants to implement, and even fewer tools to help him realize the vision God put in his heart. This leader is without hope.

This same weary leader, if given the opportunity to attend The GLS, leaves with God injecting new energy into his soul. Fresh strategies for his ministry and tools to implement them. New vision to revitalize his congregation. Fresh eyes with which to view his circumstances.

Such life breathed into a leader can change the game.

We hear this same story over and over again. A leader about to give up, tired, war-weary, and without hope, comes to the Summit. And all that changes.

Imagine the potential with the 70,000 such leaders we will reach this year.

Only God can do this. And we are depending on Him for every bit of it.

Join us in the adventure by checking this blog throughout the fall to watch the life transformation happening all over the world. You can follow me on twitter to read of my travels as I have the privilege to witness firsthand the impact that The GLS will have.

I can’t wait to see what God will do.

By: Gary Schwammlein (@GarySchwammlein)
Willow Creek Association
EVP International Ministries

Apart From Me You Can Do Nothing

Over the next several months, we’ll be posting a series of wallpaper downloads with scripture. Our hope is that they will serve as a daily reminder to connect and be in a relationship with our amazing God—a Father who meets us where we are.

September's highlighted verse is John 15:5- I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Download this month's wallpaper.

> July's wallpaper
> August's wallpaper