Important Voices
Surrounding myself with the right people has always been key. I’ve discovered as the church grows and I receive more opportunities it becomes even more crucial that I surround myself with individuals who keep me grounded and focused.
Let me introduce you to two of those people today.
The first is Dino Rizzo the pastor at Healing Place Church. I want to spend more and more time around this guy for one reason. He reminds me life and ministry are not about ME. As part of Dinno’s Servolution Tour I recently asked him, “How has the serving aspect of your vision always been a part of your DNA or was there a defining moment in your life and the church’s life where you said we’ve got to make this thing about serving others?
Pete – thanks for being a part of the tour. You’re such a blessing to me – the way you jumped in to the 7 Days of Servolution was incredible.
To answer your question, I don’t think for me that it has been so much of an instantaneous u-turn moment, but a series of lessons God is teaching me. I had a pastor early on who taught me that ministry isn’t about getting a title, but rather it is about picking up a towel. It’s about stooping down and washing others’ feet – doing the job that is undesirable but necessary. And God has continued to reinforce to me that Jesus cares about the poor and the hurting – He loves to hang out where they are. Sometimes God gives me gentle reminders, and other times He has to use more of a smack-upside-the-head approach with me – telling me that this isn’t about me, it isn’t about what I want, or my plans or dreams. But the message is always the same: This is all about Him and what He’s interested in is helping those who are hurting find hope in Him.
See what I mean. Every pastor needs a voice like this in their life. If you haven’t already you should purchase his new book Servolution today! It will impact the way you do life and ministry.
The second person is my friend and colleague Moise. He’s the pastor of the church we sponsor in the Dominican Republic. Moise started the Christian Church in San Fransisco De Rosario Sanchez, Dominican Republic, (try to fit that on a business card) almost 9 years ago. I met him 6 years ago and shortly after that, Cross Point began to sponsor both Moise and the church.
Moise has a rich story about what God has done in his life. His grandfather was a voodoo priest who accepted Christ shortly before he died. Moise has worked very hard in his life to get where he is. He speaks five languages fluently (Spanish, English, French, Creole, Papiamento) and is a real student of the New Testament.
We’ll get to spend a lot of time together the next few days and I’ll be blessed for it. My conversations with him are like a breath of fresh air. We won’t talk about parking problems, staff issues, budgets, projections, the last conference, the next series, high-maintenance people, or multi-campus strategy.
We’ll talk about Christ. We’ll talk about transformation. We’ll talk about finding ways to feed kids and spread the love of Jesus in hopeless parts of the world.
Somehow, God always uses Moise to remind me what ministry is REALLY all about.
So, what voices do you have in your life reminding you what life and the Gospel are all about?
The first voice is always the cancer patients I work with everyday who show me what is important in life. They are some of the most giving people I know. The second is being reminded of the first line in the book Purpose Driven Life ” It’s not about you”
When I was a toddler teacher (& preschool teacher) I was reminded of the Gospel every minute of every day.
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Not being in ministry makes it hard to hear “audible” voices on a daily basis reminding me what its all about. Mainly, I get that from reading your blog and attending Cross Point, and I also get it from Way-FM. I try not to listen to any other radio stations bc I need a constant reminder through my busy day of what my focus should be and what the Gospel tells me. My boyfriend and I also send encouraging emails and prayers to one another each day to ensure we are keeping our focus on Him. So, Pete, Way-FM and Ed. I’m so thankful for you all!!!
Megan’s last blog post..The Dissapointment
As a stay at home wife, mom, and grandma, it is hard to see myself in “ministry” but I am. I have a 21 year old daughter with two small daughters & and a 12 year old daughter who live under my roof. So, I am in ministry constantly.
Hmmm..what voices in my life keep me grounded? I belong to an email support group for Fibromyalgia that is made up of Christian ladies. There are some power houses for Jesus on there. Then I have others that I have known for years that are always just a phone call away. These are people who will tell me when I am in a pity party but will always do it in a spirit of love. That is so essential to my spiritual well being.
I have saved the best for last-my wonderful husband. My ears perk up when he feels that something is not wise. He doesn’t say much about the things I do, so when he does, I know to listen to him. I am truly blessed and most certainly not alone! Praise God!
Ok.. I gotta start with the ‘squirrel’ answer {if you are not familiar with that response – google it.}
The Word and the Holy Spirit. There, got that outta the way. Sometimes I am reminded that I spend too much time in ‘other’ books and not enough time in the real source. Sometimes I mistake my emotions, intellect, and traditions for the Holy Spirit’s leading. Man that sucks.
OK.. so now on to the people.
1. Is my wife. She is a young Christian but she asks me the hard questions and because she knows my warts better than anyone else, she knows how to poke at them. While this could be done in a destructive manner, it can also be done in a constructive one as well. She is learning that balance and I am learning to listen to her.
2. My accountability partner. Once a week, I get to look across the table and talk about what God is doing in each of our lives and where we are struggling and all the other ‘fun’ stuff us guys get to talk about.
3. My children… they aren’t theologians by any stretch of the imagination but my youngest knows how to ask a penetrating question. I am reminded that I need to more grounded for her.
I will admit Pete, there are a lot of times that I look around and recognize that I don’t have that one guy that I can just talk it out with. Who will look at me and say – “Man, that is really stupid” or “Yeah, I can see where you are coming from.”
Everybody is too busy to invest that kind of time into anybody else. That includes me.
Tony York’s last blog post..The Plural of You is Y’all
When I first came to faith in Christ years ago, I was in a situation where going to church was not possible. I was starving for a mentor to help me grow in Christ. Thanks be to God for leading me to Elisabeth Eliott, the wife of martyr Jim Eliott. I don’t know her face-to-face but through her radio shows and writings I thrived. I absolutely consider her my spiritual mom and not a day goes by without realizing the great blessing I received through her as she pointed me to Jesus Christ and taught me to walk in His ways.
Very cool! I love the John Piper quote. Moise sounds awesome and of course I love Dino, he’s my pastor and we have been friends for over 20 years. He’s the real deal.
If you ever come down to visit us at HPC, I hope I get to meet you. God bless.
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As a young busy stay at home wife and mommy, it is clear that if you are of HIM, HE will reveal HIMSELF to you. I admit I’m like the last guy (Tony York) when he said “Sometimes I am reminded that I spend too much time in ‘other’ books and not enough time in the real source” I am guilty of that as well. I will say that learning to hide God’s word in your heart and by doing what Ephesians 6:11 of putting on the full armor of God on EVERYDAY is the best advice. If you were to come to my home you will see index cards everywhere taped to the bathroom mirror, to the cabinets in the kitchen, and also to the door as you leave my house…all to which are scriptures that I will see day in and day out to remind me that I too am in the mission field everyday. I have two of God’s children that HE has called me to be their mommy and to me THAT IS THE BIGGEST JOB I HAVE EVER HAD. One that I don’t want to mess up. So as we go we are to be salt of the earth the light in this dark, fallen world. I believe IT MUST START AT HOME, With our FAMILIES FIRST. Then we go out and be the vessel and humbly pray that they “the world” will see HIM shining in all we do so that HE will be Glorified.
April’s last blog post..Surprise for my husband
@Carole Turner, you can count on it!!!
I won’t pull out the Rich Mullins quote again, but as a visual learner, seeing people live out their faith with their lives and how they simply love without strings attached has the biggest impact on me. Words are powerful, but at the same time cheap? Does that even make sense? Oh, well..it’s me talking here. Do I really need to make sense?
katdish’s last blog post..My heart goes out
Love your heart Pete. I just got Servolution in the mail and cna’t wait to read it.
It seems like it is always something or someone different doing the reminding. The Spirit hits me from all different angles. I’m inspired by what I see God doing in the lives of those around me. I’m inspired by your blog and many others. I’m inspired by the wonder of his creation and the random but unquestionably God ways he constantly reveals himself to me.
Chris Sullivan’s last blog post..Walking Away $$$
3 voices for me: a 77 year old former colleague named Harry Hassall, a 76 year old missionary/pastor/geography prof named Reuben Brooks and a young pastor named Wilson. Oh, and a savvy wife named Betty.
@Tom, you would certainly be one of those voices for me as well.
Really don’t have much to say about this post other than it reminds me of the song “Voice of Truth”.
Of course our pastor is a strong voice of truth for me. But all too often, I feel the Lord’s prompting through songs. Thus – the song that came to mind!
Thanks again for the sacrifices you are making in the name of the Lord in your time away from family and out of the states.
~Kate
Katy’s last blog post..Sleeping Beauty
My atheist son (who certainly has no intention to point me or anyone toward the gospel) reminds me on a daily basis that the gospel of Christ involves suffering, cross-bearing, and some d#&@ hard work. For me, this gospel now demands that I leave the wide and easy way of judgment and hack a new trail through a thick jungle with nothing but a double-sided machete of love/prayer and the strength only God can give. Ironic as it sounds, the passionate “anti-God” voice of my son is fueling my own desire for more of God.
Great post Pete. A great reminder to anyone in ministry/life. You are right…DINO IS THE MAN. I first met him while I was serving at a church in the Baton Rouge area. He is one of the few people I’ve been around where I actually feel closer to Jesus after being around him…or hearing him speak (I’m sure that sounds weird). Anyway, I’m glad his voice is loud in your life. God has great things ahead for you and Crosspoint, I’m just glad you’ll have guidance like his to lean in to. Be blessed.
I would have to say my non-Christian loved ones. I don’t want them to fix themselves, I just want them to know Jesus.
Then I would have to say the people God has brought into my life through connecting with Michael Warden (www.michaelwarden.com) via the Dangerous Radical Free site he founded.
Finally, but most importantly, my wonderful Abba who is so kind to shine His light on my own stuff so that I remember what brokenness is.
Michelle Brown’s last blog post..The Stench of Authority
My Christian friends. I would introduce them all to you, but I’m not sure the comment box would let my comment be that long.
Seriously though, many people impact me and ground me on a daily basis.
susan’s last blog post..
PS–unrelated to this post, but you need to update your sidebar info about your kids’ ages now that they’ve had birthdays
susan’s last blog post..
@Susan, you are So right. I’ll get on that.
Hey Pete –
First, I just wanted to humbly thank Megan (commenter #3) for her kind words regarding 88.7 WAY-FM. We really appreciate it.
For me, one of the first people that come to mind is my best friend Doug. He’s been sort of my accountability partner now for about eight years. We’ve met once a week for nearly that entire time. He’s always gonna shoot straight with me whether I want to hear it or not.
The other would probably be my dad. He’s never too busy to offer great advice.
Finally, I’d like to apologize for the blog post title you’re about to read below this comment. I’ll just say it isn’t typical of my blog.
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I meet with a small group of women every Monday morning…we’ve been together for 5 years.
My mother…she knows the Word and is a true prayer warrior.
Oh, and having teenagers/young adult children who can most definitely ask the tough questions.
joyce’s last blog post..Brilliant! Remember you heard it here first…British Words from A to Zed (Week 6)
The most amazing thing is that you ran yesterday!!
Pete, I have this voice inside my head, even after the medication is regulated,
that pushes me to do things and see ministry as more simple than we tend to make it.
I love the Crosstravoganza worship at CP. I have been touched by God there many times but never so much as when I have held a little boy I love named Joel Louis in “The Hole” in Santiago. He literally seems to look for me from year to year and always sneaks up behind me and hugs me from behind before I see him. I think he will be four or five this year when I pray I get to see him again. There is a voice in that hug that is strong enough to be heard for the entire next 12 months. I think we are each Christ to the other. His perfect unconditional smile is amazing and for some weird reason he seems to like me too. I worry about him from year to year. I actually check the weather down there at times just to see if he is seeing sun or rain on any given day.
That is the voice that keeps reminding me. The voice and hug of Joel Louise. I love you buddy, and miss you.
Please tell all my Dominican family “hello” for me and that I love them…and can’t wait to see them in July~
Proud you are my pastor!
Lisa’s last blog post..“Going Green” with art!