There was a man who had traveled to a developing country on business matters during a frigid winter storm. But he was well prepared for the cold in his long tailored coat and warm wool gloves. Walking down the dirty streets, he saw a little boy who didn't have any proper winter clothes. The business man looked at him with compassion, simply took off his gloves, and placed them in the hands of this little boy.
The boy took the gloves in wonder and put them over his small, shaking hands. A big smile crept on his tiny face until he was absolutely beaming.
As the little boy went on his way down the cold streets, a friend joined him. The friend looked curiously at the new large gloves from the stranger. The little boy turned to his friend, took off one of the two gloves and gave it to him. The friend smiled. Then the boy smiled. And then the business man smiled.
Giving does that. It bestows great joy on both the giver and the receiver. That's one of the things I love most about the Christmas holidays. And although Christmas is over, we can still look forward to some post-holiday giving and receiving.
For the last four years I have attended the Creative Church Conference as a receiver. Over these years I have received the gifts of encouragement, motivation, inspiration and an abundance of new ideas (not to mention fashion updates like the most current, weird hairstyles and ripped jeans). And while I have been asked to be a giver this year (as a speaker), I expect I will come home once again as a very satisfied receiver.
This year, as you journey to C3, come prepared to both give and receive. I look forward to the great exchange!
The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2 NASB
Ben Young
Associate Pastor, 2nd Baptist Church (Houston)
Author, Why Mike's Not a Christian
I hope you are as excited as I am about this year's C3 Conference! I am really looking forward to this great opportunity to receive from some of the most creative leaders in ministry today.
This year's theme of Beautiful Feet makes me think of the variety of gifts that make up the Church. No one has my feet; they are only mine. I don't have your feet; they are only yours. Your feet serve a specific purpose in God's plan, as do mine.
C3 will help us discover the path that our feet are destined to walk. Along the path, we will discover a change in terrain requiring a different pair of shoes. Perhaps, we will need running shoes when the path is smooth but the calling urgent. At times, climbing boots for when we are faced with mountains of challenge.
How we walk is also important. Jesus taught his disciples about having clean feet (John 13:10) or guarding the steps you take so that you do not veer from the path God has laid out for you.
I am sure that C3 will equip you and cause you to consider where your feet are going and what shoes you will need to get there. I can't wait to see you in February!
Jentezen Franklin
Senior Pastor, Free Chapel
Author, Fasting
Three years ago I attended the Creative Church Conference (C3) for the first time, and it absolutely changed my life! And the thought that I'll be speaking at the very same conference God used to inspire me in such a deep way three years ago is pretty surreal.
There's something about the ministry of Ed Young and Fellowship Church that is uniquely inspirational. It's like when you take your team to the Fellowship campus, God automatically begins to expand the horizons of your mind. Vision is lifted to a place where you honestly believe nothing is impossible with God.
Then comes the fun part of taking your inspiration back home to your specific context and watching God translate that inspiration into kingdom impact.
I feel like God has given me a special message to share with you at this year's C3. It's exciting to think about all the churches in all the cities all over the world that will be different because of your short time in Dallas together.
I can't wait to see you at C3. Get ready for God to blow your mind!
- Steven Furtick, Lead Pastor Elevation Church
Many years ago I read First Lady Serita Jakes' book, Beside Every Great Man. It was a wonderful look inside her life and journey as the wife of Bishop T.D. Jakes. Perhaps it is just semantics, but I love that title because it replaces well the old saying "behind every great man there is a great woman."
I have just wrapped up two days with 12 of the most amazing women you would ever want to know. We have many things in common. But the one that caused us to gather for these two days was the fact that each of us stands beside a lead pastor of a growing church.
It was a wonderful time of sharing and encouragement. We talked about topics like the responsiblity we feel to be all things to all people. We shared the pressures we face like guarding our hearts against hurt, balancing the responsibilities of being a wife and a mother in ministry, dealing with criticism and ministering to the needs of our husbands.
The mantle these girls have taken on is overwhelming to say the least. I can't begin to capture it with words, but many of you know what I'm talking about.
I was so inspired by these women and their strength. I suppose I was the "old lady" of the bunch, but it didn't matter because these girls were so wise beyond their years. And I saw firsthand how deep their love for God and husband runs. It made me proud to sit among them and honored to call them friends.
Since I don't have my own blog (yet), I am piggy-backing on Ed's to give a shout out to these terrific ladies. I want to say a giant "THANK YOU" for sharing some great stories, giving fresh ideas, challenging us to all think deeply about what we do, and for applauding our differences and celebrating those precious things we share.
There is so much more to say, but I think I'll save it for a future gathering ... call it an excuse to reunite. But most of all, I want to say "thank you" to each of you for standing beside God's great man!
