One of CRISTA's three strategic pillars is: "One Mission". We recently had two outstanding examples of "One Mission" on the Shoreline Campus. Pictures are worth a thousand words and I am glad I can post them on my blog.
The circle picture contains 10 seniors citizens who reside at Cristwood and 10 seniors from Kings High School also on the Shoreline campus of CRISTA. Three different times during the day (each time with a new group of participants) we gathered out in front of our administration build and briefed the group on two or three of our ministries and then they prayed. This brings joy and purpose to everyone sitting around the circle. This brings spiritual vitality to the CRISTA community and encourages us all.
In addition, our camp staff brought over some animals (real live ones) to our senior living facility recently. I love these pictures! Another great example of how we continue to embrace "One Mission" and bask in the light of God's love in grace. It has been a great week so far. I can hardly wait for the next few days to see what God will bring.
Exodus 33:13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.
Deuteronomy 8:6 Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and revering him.
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
It is this last verse that always gets me to stop and think and pray. As the President of CRISTA I am in the midst of leading a strategic planning process. We know that this comes in the middle of a big financial crisis around the world. All you can really do is get the best people you have together to pray and plan for the future, figure in as many different scenarios as you can and commit the plans to the the Lord. There are all kinds of templates to do this and many different experts offer their insights on how to do strategic plans. I think these are all important. But then you throw in IS 55:8... Help me with that one will you?
It has been a busy few weeks. Sometime it feels like my life is flying by in front of my eyes. Here is a rambling look at what I have been experiencing.
I talked to my good friend Gary Haugen on the phone. Gary is the President of IJM. We talk regularly about how we can serve our missions and do a better job of leading. It is always a real encouragement to me.
We had a ministry council meeting; 17 leaders of all the different ministries meet once a month. We meet to make sure communication around the mission is clear and open.
We had a ministry leaders meeting which also happens once a month. These are the seven executives who head each ministry at CRISTA. We talk about how to be more effective in leadership and how to become more "one mission".
We had a corporate team meeting. People who lead each corporate service area meet in order to learn how we can serve the ministries and the mission more effectively.
I met with a King's Schools parent for lunch. Good food and great hearing their view point on our school. I have lots of lunch meetings that help me hear from different people from all our various constituencies.
I participated in the new King's Schools-Woolsey stadium dedication. We have a very impressive football stadium and we are off to a 3 - 0 start. GO KINGHTS.
I took a day retreat with Rick Carter, our Senior Vice President to step back and get refreshed together. I focused on a big picture view of the whole landscape of CRISTA.
Kathleen and I went to a Mariner's game with a CRISTA board member and spouse. This kind of time is important to me as it builds personal relationships with the great board members we have.
I had lunch with Curtis Martin, the oldest son of CRISTA's founder. This is always encouraging to me.
I led part of a CRISTA new staff orientation. So important to meet our new hires and share with them the CRISTA vision from my perspective.
Fred Stabbert, CRISTA's Board Chair and I attended the Christian Vet Mission advisory board meeting and shared important discussions with this talented and committed group.
Kathleen and I attended the first Seattle CVM (Christian Veterinary Mission) fund raising dinner.
I met with a former Astronaut (John Creighton) while he was on campus speaking at King's Schools.
I hosted the September CRISTA Board dinner and the following day participated in all day meetings with our Board at CRISTA Shores in Silverdale.
This is not so much an atypical month for me. I have been asked by friends who see all this activity on my calendar: "don't you get tired?" Actually, I am inspired and energized by my busy schedule! I hope this gives you a little glimpse into my world and the dynamic environment that is CRISTA.
Yesterday Rick Carter our Senior Vice President and I had a great opportunity to visit Island Lake (one of CRISTA's two camps) and observe Operation Purple. It is run by the National Military Family Association (NMFA) who recognized the need for more resources to support military children. In 2004, the Operation Purple® Summer Camp Program was created as a way to help military children struggling with having a parent deployed. This week, 106 kids ages 11 through 18 enjoyed the food, games and outdoor facilities of Island Lake. On the wall in the dining room each camper had a poster with a picture of their deployed parent and some memo like "my dad is great and is a Ranger in IRAQ. I miss him so much" I stood in front of the collage and read every one. CRISTA provided the camp and some staff, the Sierra Club provided the money so that each of these kids came free, and the Military and NMFA ran the program. What a picture of community team work, ministering to these great young people. They skated in the skate park, road the motor bikes, rafted down a river and experienced life and loving staff.
The week before we hosted a YoungLives week long camp. 75 teenage moms, 75 babies or infants, and 75 caregivers. Young Life sponsors this program that treats each mom and her child or children with unconditional love and respect, YoungLives offers teen moms relief from the isolation and struggle of their daily lives and hope for the future. YoungLives mentors provide friendship, parenting advice and help meeting the practical demands of raising a child. At YoungLives club and camp, moms get to socialize and have fun while their babies get the best possible care. And CRISTA proved the camp and program to share the unconditional love of Jesus Christ with these dear and needy young moms.
So there is another example of the great work that is part of the family of ministries that is CRISTA. I keep saying I have the best job in the world. I get to work with the greatest people; part of a spiritually vital community that demonstrates the love God by serving people and drawing them into a transforming relationship with Christ.
 
Young Lives Camp Operation Purple Camp with Senator Murray |
We just held the annual "Old Timers Picnic" at CRISTA. This is an annual event which started way before I came to CRISTA. These are all people who came at the call of Mike Martin to help start Kings Garden beginning in 1949. The name was changed to CRISTA later. They did every job imaginable; mowed lawns, painted, taught school, build the radio stations. They were nurses, engineers, carpenters, missionaries. The oldest person was 98 years old. They drove from Longview, Tacoma and Spokane. I took the opportunity to go around and thank them for all they did to lay the groundwork for what CRISTA is today.
They were given a place to stay on the grounds or (as one person described) a "dusty old motel" that we rented rooms in. They also ate together three meals a day. They were paid $40 per month "when Kings had the money". "Often we were asked to donate the money back, which we did willingly". So here is what it looked like... live in a place that had been abandoned for three years often sharing toilets, eat three square meals, get paid sometimes way below minimum wage and then donate that back. To the person they would then say "And those were the best years of my life." My natural follow up was...WHY?
The answer was the same for every person. One, "we were called by God". Two, "we did it in community" (my staff put on a program for them but it was obvious most of them just wanted to talk to each other). And three, "we were following a great big vision and a visionary leader". What a lesson!
I wonder what we all will say were the best years of our life when we get toward the end of the journey?
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