Month: December 2017

3 Reasons the Christian Minority in Nazareth Hosts the Summit

Posted on December 20, 2017 by - Because of the GLS, Calling, Church & Faith-Based, Education, Middle East, Relationship with God, Stories

Managing the daily work of running the only evangelical school in Israel, as well leading your life as a minority Christian in a land of conflict, comes with its fair share of challenges and discouragements. But for leaders like Botrus Mansour, Christian school director, The Global Leadership Summit (GLS) is the most encouraging and life giving event he’s ever attended.

Botrus leaves the GLS encouraged not to give up. He takes on the responsibility as a witness for the Gospel, continuing the work God started in the very city of Nazareth, where the message of the Gospel began.

These are the three reasons the Christian minority in Nazareth hosts the Summit:

  1. Inspired with a Grander Vision for Nazareth

After attending the GLS three years ago when it was brought to Nazareth for the first time, Botrus was inspired with a grander vision for his city. “Nazareth is a special place—the hometown of Jesus, of course,” says Botrus. “And that holds with it a great responsibility. It’s a privilege on the one hand, but also a great responsibility to be witnesses for Jesus the Nazarene in Nazareth itself!”

“The grander vision for us as a group is to keep on going with the mission that God started here 2000 years ago through Jesus. It’s very easy to drift away because of the difficulties and tension here; many Christians are actually leaving the country because of it. But we want Christians to know their calling as ambassadors for Jesus, as witnesses for Jesus, in his own hometown.”

To understand the difficulty and tension, and why encouragement is so vital, Botrus explains what it’s like to be an evangelical Christian in Nazareth. “As a small community of Palestinian Christians, we are a small minority in Israel, where most people are Jewish or Muslim. We are entrusted with an extraordinary school that gives us the opportunity to reach the community, but we feel isolated, which is difficult.”

  1. Encouraged in our calling

“The GLS encourages us to hold to that mission; to hold to that calling as believers who have a role to do as ambassadors for Jesus,” says Botrus. “We can even promote the work of the Kingdom in the marketplace.

“We are encouraged to continue the work God started through Jesus, and this work continues today through the work of the GLS.

“The GLS has given me strength, and filled my passion bucket. With all the difficulties and challenges we face, my passion tends to be low. But God has given me encouragement through the GLS talks to keep me going and doing things in a better way – a value-centered way — in my work as I lead the school for 1,000 kids, and in my country as an ambassador for Jesus.”

  1. Connected with the community outside the church

“The GLS is different from the regular ministries we have; it is something special. For example, through the work of the GLS, we are able to reach into different sectors, people who wouldn’t normally attend church,” says Botrus. “The GLS connects key people in our community, impacting them through the GLS in a way that no other ministry can do. It’s commendable. And we are very grateful for all the help and resources that help us continue the journey with the GLS. These resources are very important.”

Thank you for supporting the GLS in Nazareth

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“I’m very thankful to the donors who’ve contributed to help us continue our journey with the GLS in Nazareth. Their contributions have helped us and enabled us to reach and impact more and more people that churches are generally not able to reach—key people in the community in Nazareth, the home town of Jesus. Thank you for believing in us and believing in the vision. With God’s grace and favor, we are trying to accomplish that mission and vision for his glory.”—Botrus Mansour, GLS leader, Nazareth

8 Helpful Ways to Support Grieving Loved Ones

Posted on December 18, 2017 by - Articles, Emotional Intelligence, Influence, Leading Others, Relational Intelligence, Resilience, Servant Leadership, Team Building, Wellness

Resilience is our ability to overcome hardship. It is a muscle and we build it. Don’t ask me how much you have; ask me how you can build it.

—Sheryl Sandberg

Just in time for the holidays, Sheryl Sandberg (GLS2017) launched #OptionBThere, a new initiative aimed at giving influencers practical tools to support grieving loved-ones during this season.

On Instagram, Sheryl Sandberg shared her vision for this campaign.

When my husband Dave died, friends and colleagues graciously asked, “Is there anything I can do?” One answer that came to mind felt like way too much of an imposition: “Can you make sure my children and I are never left alone on the holidays?” 

This is our family’s third holiday season without Dave. It still hurts—Dave loved this time of year, and after growing up in Minnesota, he especially loved the no-snow California winter. But it’s gotten better, and that’s thanks in large part to our amazing family and friends. They’ve done everything they can to support us through each and every holiday. And when we feel sad, even years later, nobody says, “Cheer up! It’s a celebration!” Instead, they say, “We get it. We love you. We’re here for you.” Everyone deserves that kind of support, especially at the holidays. That’s the idea behind a program that @optionb is launching today: #OptionBThere.

OptionBThere is about helping all of us be there for each other—acknowledging the elephant that remains in the room for so many people this time of year. [The website] has expert advice for what you can do to help your friends and loved ones find moments of joy during the holidays. And if you’re having a hard time right now, [the site] has #OptionBThere resources for you, too.

When people face major challenges like grief, we don’t always know what to say or do, so we end up not doing or saying anything. OptionBThere is all about doing something. Whatever you do, it’ll be a gesture of support at a moment when your friend really needs it. And your kindness may mean more than you ever know.

Here are eight of Sheryl’s most helpful ideas:

1. Say Something

Send an #OptionBThere card. Quirky cards from well-known illustrator Emily McDowell acknowledge how your loved ones may be feeling this season.

2. Lend A Hand

Give meaningful gifts. Find gift ideas, like a homemade photo album, which let a friend know how much you care—all sourced from the OptionB Community.

3. Celebrate The Good

Play a feel-good game. A custom #OptionBThere card game could be just what you need to help your loved ones focus on moments of joy, celebrate small victories and practice gratitude.

4. Just Be There

Host an “all- feelings welcome” dinner. The website provides a thoughtful guide from the experts at The Dinner Party that share how to host an event for friends who are struggling at this time of year.

5. Connect with Your Faith

Find inspiration in religious traditions. The website offers non-sectarian thoughts from Stanford University’s former dean of religious life about connecting with a faith tradition. At WCA, we encourage you to attend Christmas services at your church. If you don’t have a church home, find a WCA church in your area.

6. Cherish Memories Old and New

Support kids whose families have changed. Psychologists share research-based ways to help kids during this season.

7. Lend a Hand

Find a way to help. Find ideas for several practical ways to assist your struggling loved one this season.

8. Connect with People Who Understand

Join an Option B Facebook group to connect with people who’ve had similar experiences and are ready to offer support.

As influencers, it is our responsibility to love the individuals we are called to lead.  Take the time to do something—and offer a gesture of support that means so much.

Hope of the World: #1 Download on iTunes in Russia

Posted on December 18, 2017 by - Because of the GLS, Calling, Church & Faith-Based, Eastern Europe, Europe, Stories

Karagyan Karen, worship leader at Word of Life Church in Moscow, has a vision for the church in Russia. “Every Christian leader is in need of a revelation about the importance of a church community in their lives,” says Karagyan. “I believe Christians can become closer to one another and could understand the importance of not only the local church, but the global network of churches in the Kingdom as well.”

Inspiring a church leader in Russia through the GLS

Karagyan first discovered the GLS four years ago when his youth pastor suggested he listen to one of the speakers online. Immediately, he was hooked. “When I started looking through the messages from the GLS, I realized that this was exactly what I needed to equip me with much needed understanding and information as a leader,” says Karagyan. “I watched some of the messages at least five times, and shared them with my team at many of our retreats. Many of the visions and plans we have as a team were formed thanks to the messages we heard at the Summit!

“At the beginning of each new year, I’m inspired by the vision of our senior pastor, and look through the messages from the Summit and plan my year based on this view of leadership. For me, this is important because I know I need help becoming a better leader from day to day. I’m endlessly thankful that, after the Summit, there’s an opportunity to buy a DVD and receive wisdom from amazing leaders in an intimate setting with the Holy Spirit.”

A vision inspires music of revival

“I envision large amounts of lives that could be changed through a healthy local church,” says Karagyan. “I realized the church isn’t just a place where you can sign up for ‘clubs’ based on your interests, but a place where both Christians and non-Christians can find comfort and peace.

“I realized, the local Church is the hope of the world.”

In 2015, Karagyan was so inspired by these words that he wrote an album, Hope of the World.  To to his surprise, the album became the number one download on iTunes in Russia!

Listen to the song Hope of the World here:

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“This message about the Church being the hope of the world has been heard by the Russian-speaking world, and as a result, has inspired a lot of young leaders to build their churches. We are witnessing a revival, which we are a part of, and we can hear the soundtrack to this revival. We dream of opening up a school of worship and sending out missionaries to strengthen the local church.

“I hope we will have more great Summit events in Russia!”

Lives changed through the Church in Russia

“One of the most inspiring things for me is to see people’s lives changed,” says Karagyan. “There’s no picture more beautiful than people giving their lives to God. I believe that it’s not only non-Christians who are in need of salvation, but also Christians who are battling with their call and are almost ready to walk away from God. That’s why I know that every Sunday during worship, God is changing the lives of Christians and non-Christians in our church.”

Here are the lyrics to Hope of the World, translated into English:

Verse 1:

Today is a new day, and again

I dedicate myself, God, to you!

This role now I decided to take –

I will be part of the hope of the world!

Verse  2:

I’m delighted that You give me a chance.

To be a living vessel in your hands

And every day to create more and more

Your Church is the hope of the world!

I give my love to You,

My talents and heart, God!

I’m faithful to Your Word

And before You I sing:

CHORUS:

You are the hope of world, God!

Your church is here,

We are together again

We are gathered in your name!

We will together shine,

Sing to You, proclaim

Your kingdom on earth!

Verse 3:

I dedicate, God, all myself

To the role that you gave me!

I believe the Church will prosper,

Your church is the hope of the world!

BRIDGE:

Shall we shine together!

Shall we shine together!

Let us together shine for You!