Success Serves a Higher Purpose

Over the last several years in my role as President of the board of Citywide Prayer Movement we’ve hosted multiple prayer retreats with pastors and ministry leaders. Our desire is not only to drive these leaders into deeper prayer, but also to encourage the body of Christ to model John 17 unity. The Church is often so fractured that a lot of work is needed to convince them to work across denominational and racial lines.

Out of these prayer retreats birthed the idea of a need for a more coordinated effort on citywide needs. It felt that we needed to have some “city fathers” at the “city gate” to help steer how the church can work together to best impact our community. As a result we launched Elevate KC.

As one of the only representatives of the business community, I was asked to be a part of the original steering committee that was charged with determining a strategy and pathway for creating a roundtable of leaders who could serve in that desired role. Within the last year this new roundtable was assembled through much prayer and research. There are approximately 30 community-wide organizations that represent hundreds of local churches and other organizations, including Integrity Resource Center.

This group has determined that Education is the biggest challenge in the Kansas City area that the Church could help resolve. We have appointed a team to lead the day to day activities with the roundtable group scheduled to meet 3-4 times a year to provide oversight. A plan is being formulated to help overcome the urban education issues in Kansas City. The group wisely concluded that the church has a tendency to move so slowly that it frustrates business leaders, so we desire to see these pastors build very solid relationships and some momentum before we invite key business leaders to the table.

This journey of working with pastors over the last several years has been the best connection for IRC to introduce our faith at work message into the church. Due to these deep relationships we have had several major churches now engage with seeking our help and teaching for their business leaders.

Once again I am honored to see God position me and IRC for greater influence and impact in our community. To me this is the highest purpose–and the greatest reward–for our success.