Global Leadership Network
GLN Staff Writer | globalleadership.orgWhat Happens When You Sacrifice Comfort for A Grander Vision
When Phyllis and her husband Anthony, first started attending the Summit, they were content with their independent business and financial success. Why wouldn’t they be? Things were going well, and it seemed they had charted out a life on a comfortable road.
But God began to stir up something bigger. It required them to make a decision about sacrificing their comfort for the grander vision God was placing in front of them. Through a series of God-ordained events, including their attendance together at the Global Leadership Summit in 2015, they began to pursue a grander vision.
Their idea was inspired by Anthony’s 92-year old mother, Frances. When she retired at 90, the family worried whenever she didn’t answer her phone, and not knowing whether or not she was okay became an increasing source of distress for them. The Rufos realized there had to be a simpler solution to caring for his mother from a distance.
The Rufos began to imagine a possible solution that would serve millions of people requiring care, as well as those who provide care for others. An idea was sparked, and HAPPIE was born.
There are five major seasons the Rufos experienced on their journey toward their grander vision:
- Hearing God’s Voice
After reading the book Half Time by Bob Buford, they began to hear God’s voice tell them He had a bigger plan for their lives, and it would require a sacrifice. Not long after reading the book, they attended a church service where their pastor challenged the congregation to “put their ‘yes’ on the table.”“We were confident it was time to put our ‘yes’ on the table, trust in the Lord completely and go where He directed us,” said Phyllis. “This journey has taken us through some unexpected life changes and challenges that forced us to hold tighter to our Lord, our faith, and trust that He would see us through.”
- Putting Yes on the table, and making a sacrifice
Phyllis left her career in mortgage banking, and God opened a door at Hope Church in Las Vegas, where she took a position as the director of assimilation. Her husband began working in sales and marketing for start-up software companies (one of them being their own). “The church offered him desk space, and we got the chance to continue to work side-by-side,” Phyllis shared. “It has been a journey punctuated with challenges, disappointments and frustrations. However, we are more confident than ever in God’s protection and provision.”
- Building solutions within the context of the Church
After a lot of market research, they discovered there was a way to provide a technological solution to home care and they founded HAPPIE. “HAPPIE” is an acronym that stands for Helping All Patients Promote Independence Every day. Our goal is to be a blessing both to caregivers and those in need by bringing technology to the challenges of being a caregiver, especially when there are geographical distances are involved,” said Phyllis. “At HAPPIE, the caregiver enjoys peace-of-mind in knowing their loved one is well. And the loved one enjoys independent living longer, and experiences improved quality-of-life. HAPPIE is also a blessing to our church because we provide care, share video sermons and as well as encouraging messages.”From the beginning, HAPPIE’s roots have been in the church. “Working here at the church has deepened our faith and increased our dependence on the Lord,” said Phyllis. “After the 2015 GLS, my husband became more deliberate about the time he spent in prayer while increasing his quiet time with the Lord. Here at Hope, our pastor always states that ‘Prayer is the work, then God goes to work’.”
- Inviting God into the tough decisions
“Our challenges are very similar to most small technology start-ups,” Phyllis shares. “But being a Jesus follower gives us a bit of an edge. HAPPIE is all about Him, with focus directly on the church. It has been our quiet time with the Lord, coupled with the extraordinary leadership skills of Hope Church’s senior pastoral team that makes all tough decisions tolerable.” In every decision, they ask two big questions before making a decision:
- By taking this proposed step will we be a blessing to others?
- Will it bring Glory to the Lord?If so, they proceed.
- Being affirmed at the Global Leadership Summit
Attending the Summit was reaffirming and encouraging as the Rufos continue to launch HAPPIE to serve their church community, and beyond. “We were both in tears of joy throughout the event about how to help mankind,” Phyllis said. “Hearing the stories at the Summit opened our eyes to how we can impact the world for good, both with our product and with giving back from the revenue earned to further the kingdom of God! We are so encouraged in the perfect timing of God. There were a great many ‘a ha’ moments at the 2015 GLS. We are confident we will never go wrong when we focus on doing good, helping others and giving the glory to the Lord. With Him all things are possible. HAPPIE is proof of that.“Without the GLS, we run the risk of getting caught up in the ‘natural’ where we do not see a way to achieve all we wish to. The GLS is 48 hours packed with positivity and praise. The GLS is just what you may need to realize the supernatural blessings the Lord has planned just for you, your family and your career. All you need to do it place your ‘Yes’ on the table and attend!”
Is God calling you to a Grander Vision?
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