Leadership Blog & College updates

A New Beginning - Pastor Nichole Moore

One of my favorite moments in our church service is at its closing when people in the congregation are asked if they would like a new beginning.  In that moment I often think “Who doesn’t want a new beginning?”  A fresh start is exciting.  It empowers us to charter our life in a new direction.  It offers hope, anticipation, and the opportunity to leave the old behind.

The apostle Peter is one of my favorite Bible characters.  He was an act first—think second kind of guy.  In fact, when the soldiers arrested Jesus in the garden, he got so angry that he pulled out a sword and cut off a soldier’s ear.  Can you imagine having that guy on the church security team? 

Whatever Peter did he did it without reservation and with all the passion he could muster.   In the sixteenth chapter of Matthew we learn that Peter, in response to Jesus’ questioning about who he is, boldly declares Jesus is the Son of the living God.  Just a few verses later, Peter’s boldness to protect Jesus from death earns him a verbal tongue lashing as Jesus responded by referring to him as Satan.  Probably not one of Peter’s finest moments. 

Knowing it was Peter’s demeanor to be bold and audacious, I can imagine how small he felt when he fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy that he would deny him three times.  Yet, Jesus wasn’t finished with Peter.  While Peter had betrayed his faith, his friends, and Jesus, he was offered a new beginning.  It was shortly after His resurrection that Jesus engaged in a dialogue with Peter about his future.  He bluntly asked Peter three times if he loved him and then directed him to feed his sheep.  In that moment he began to cast vision for Peter’s purpose on the planet.  Jesus began to sow the seed of hope and provide him with the opportunity to leave the old behind. 

As believers we, like Peter, will make mistakes along the journey of life.  While our mistakes can derail us for a season, they are forgivable from God’s perspective.  He is the author of new beginnings.  While we continue to “press on toward the goal to win the prize,” we can be confident He will never stop offering a fresh start!

Its Not by Might - Pastor Samuel Deuth

I want to encourage and challenge you with a with a word that I feel God has been working in me and through me for pretty much my whole life, but specifically in big way over the last 2 years. Lets start by reading Zechariah 4:6, 8-9, 6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.

I grew up in a good old Midwest American family that taught me to work hard. And as a matter of fact me and my other brothers were know for that among our family and friends. They’d say, “those Deuth boys sure do work hard and get things done”.

That training and discipline has served me well in most ways but it also caused me to become more self-reliant rather than God-reliant. I’ve always thought, If I can just work harder or longer hours or with more passion that I can make it happen.

What I’ve found is that even though we should be working hard, the answer isn’t always to just push a bit harder or work a little harder. When we look at 2 Chronicles 20:17 we see God reminding us of His role in our success. “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.”

God is wanting us to look to Him and trust in Him. As I was reading this verse out I felt this statement come.

“God has strength available to you that you’re not using!”

You see God is wanting to work in and through us like Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”. God has called us to do incredible and amazing things beyond our imagination but the dreams God put in your heart were never meant to be accomplished all in your strength. This is why many people experience frustration and burnout because we’re not designed to do it on our own.

One day as God was teaching me this truth about trusting in God’s strength and not striving I came across this verse that almost messed with me. It was Colossians 1:28-29  and I read verse 28 “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” Then I began to read verse 29 “To this end I strenuously contend” and then I started to get worried because I thought “Wait!, Im not supposed to content or strain, but then I read on… “with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” God is calling us to draw on all of His power as we walk out our mission and calling.

Now with that in mind we see that the word of God says that Zerubbabel started to build the temple and it says that he will complete it. Read Zechariah 4:8-9 “8 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.”

So is accomplishing our purpose by our hand or by the Spirit? Great question! And here is the phrase that I believe the holy spirit would have us take from these verses. “Its not by might or by power, but its by His Spirit! – your hands started it, and by His Spirit your hands will complete it!”

Two keys to walking in His Strength

1. Do the Natural

As God was speaking this to me, I asked ok then, is there any part that we play in this mix? & I felt him bring this verse to mind. 1 Corinthians 3:6 “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”

God is calling us to use what’s in our hands. When Moses cried out to God for help when he was trapped against the Red Sea, God looked at him and instructed him to use what was in His hand. He wasn’t responsible to part the Red Sea, he was responsible to DO THE NATURAL! And when he did God stepped in! Zerubbabel, was simply doing the Natural…simply taking the next brick, and putting it on the last until the last bring was set on the top.

Think of it like this. Your building a deck and you’ve just laid down the next board, and now your grabbing the Power-Drill and a couple screws to secure the board in place. Ask yourself, what is the role of the screw and what is the role of the Power-drill? You see the screws job is not to screw itself into the board, but simply to stay in position so that that the power-drill can do its thing. The power is not in the screw, its in the Drill. As the screw, we stay sharp and stay clean of anything that would hinder us from connecting to the power source. Do the Natural.

2. Trust God for the Supernatural

Zechariah’s prophetic word and declaration is a call to Complete trust in God. When we say its not by “my might” we instantly put ourselves into a position or a posture of TRUST in God.

In reality this is where it all starts with our salvation. We know that salvation is not in our “might” but all by his grace for us. We simply do the natural of confessing and beliving and He does the supernatural of saving and restoring.

No verse better encapsulates this than Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him,  and he will make your paths straight.”

We don’t have the power, but we trust the one who does. We are not the power, we are the vessel through witch the power flows.

“Its not the vessels job to determine where the power comes from only to be open to its flow”

All throughout the word of God you see men and women doing the Natural and Trusting God for the Supernatural! David had the sling in his hand, Joseph used his business savvy and hard work, Moses used the staff he’d been given, Esther used her platform and her beauty and the disciples simply started handing out the pieces of bread to the crowd… and as they did the natural all the time praying and trusting God to do what only He can do. Its as though you could feel them saying, ok God, Im doing what I can but I need you to show up or we’re in trouble here!

As I wrap up this thought I’ll bring it back to beginning as we see Zerubbabel doing the natural, Simply taking the next brick, and putting it on the last… laying down a brick, praying and putting down another, brick-by-brick, all the while the Spirit of God working and empowering him, and while everyone around him said it was impossible, God got all the glory when that last brick was laid!

Im calling you to a new level this season… You do the Natural, and I guarantee that God will do the Supernatural!

“Its not by might or by power, but its by His Spirit! – your hands started it, and by His Spirit your hands will complete it!”

Alumni Spotlight - Madeline Alexander

Madeline Alexander, a powerful woman of God, and alumni of Champions Centre College, is doing big things throughout the world, in churches, and in the marketplace.

Madeline was living in the Seattle area for approximately ten years (working for large corporations such as Boeing, and then Microsoft) before coming to Champions Centre. Once she began attending, she also got extremely involved. Champions Centre College (formerly known as Wisdom For Life) was just in its beginning stages, but intrigued Madeline from the start, as Madeline knew that she wanted to pursue ministry beyond her corporate career. A few years later, in 2003, Madeline finally started night classes at Champions Centre College (WFL), whilst working 70+ hour work weeks at Microsoft. She graduated in 2005.

In 2007, Madeline was relocated to Texas, through Microsoft, where she has since become a part of Lakewood Church (Pastor Joel Osteen). In 2008, Madeline left her job at Microsoft, and began her own business, “Madeline Alexander International”, which is an advanced form of executive coaching.  Madeline has since become known to many as “The Power Coach”. She is travelling and speaking in a variety of arenas, including (but not limited to) schools, major corporations, small businesses, and churches. She has a wholistic approach, helping people achieve and maintain lasting breakthrough in every area of life. 2010 brought in more ministry opportunities within churches. Madeline puts it this way: “I’m an ambassador between two worlds. I stand in the gap. Most people are in full time ministry, or full time in the marketplace. I’m in both. I’m bringing relevance and business success into the Church, and I’m bringing biblical principles, new perspective, and an encounter with the true, living God to people in the marketplace.”

In addition, Madeline is an author. Her first book, “How to Break Through Barriers and Achieve Power Results; Create Your Power Mindset for Success in 30 Days or Less” is penetrating various secular and Christian audiences. Her second book, “How to Break Through Barriers and Achieve Power Results: Power Mindset II - Choose To Be a Champion” will be releasing in October of 2011. She has more exciting books to be released in 2012, based more on (biblical) entrepreneurship. Madeline also has many other resources available, including a national initiative: “Fast Track to Freedom Financial Empowerment Initiative”, which is focused on recovering and rebuilding financially after a recession.

There is a lot going on in Madeline’s world, and we asked how Champions Centre College gave her the tools to succeed in life and in ministry both inside the walls, and outside the walls of the church. This is what she had to say: “Champions Centre College is innovative. The school gave me such a balance of theological studies and practical leadership. That (plus my business background) gave me the credibility and ability to meet people’s needs. The education and curriculum was strong, and applicable to every area of life. Our professors were involved and engaged; they cared about our lives beyond just the classrooms. We were allowed to think critically and have open conversations. The vision papers we wrote in class were the core for the beginning of my business. Everything we learned there, I’ve been able to carry with me. I walked in thinking that I had a sharp, clear focus of what I wanted to do with my life; after working, preparing, refining, and praying for two years, I came out ten times more clear. I was fully equipped. I was ready to go.”

This is why Madeline would recommend Champions Centre College to others: “People have a perception that it (CC College) is only for those pursuing a full time traditional ministry role; that’s not true. Anyone and everyone can benefit. You will gain a biblical foundation that will help you, no matter what. It is relevant, and you are able to apply it, regardless of what you choose to do: business, teaching, ministry, taking care of your kids, and so on. It will help you in your own personal walk with God. It will help you to develop and strengthen as a Christian. If you don’t know what you want to do in life, this is a great idea for you; CC College will help you seek God, put you on a path of self-discovery, and make your mission clear. If you do know what you want to do, it will bring even more clarity to who you are, and what you’re meant to do. It is so worthwhile. Also, people tend to think that they’re too busy. If I could make it work while working 70+ hours a week for Microsoft, anyone can do it. Make the decision. Make the commitment. Get determined to never quit.”

For access to Madeline’s available resources, or for more information on what she does, please check out http://www.madelinealexander.com/           

If You Can’t Communicate, You Can’t Lead

I have a personal conviction that communication and leadership are intricately connected.  If you desire to lead people on any level, you must be able to communicate well.  I’m not talking about the ability to get up on a large platform and preach to thousands of people.  That role is only one side of communication.  What I’m talking about here is the ability to communicate vision and direction in a way that is compelling to people. 

If you think about it, every leadership role is enhanced by better communication.  Parents are better parents when they can communicate effectively.  Employees add more value to their company.  Students excel in school, managers build teams, and coaches win championships when they can communicate.

People follow good communicators:

Good communicators are excited about their topics.

Good communicators are limited in their focus.

Good communicators have earned the right to talk about their topics, through experience and time.

Good communicators make profound subjects simple for people to understand (rather than making the simple profound).

Good communicators talk in terms of their listeners’ interests.

Good communicators aren’t afraid to get personal.

Most leaders will not speak in front of large crowds, but will more likely lead meetings, give presentations, talk spontaneously to eager listeners, and most importantly communicate one on one.  This is where the rubber hits the road of communication.  If you can’t communicate, you can’t lead.  

One of my favorite resources on communication is Dale Carnegie’s book “The Quick & Easy Way to Effective Speaking.” 

Dale Carnegie is probably best known today for his book “How to Win Friends & Influence People” (another great read, on communication).  However, in his day, he was known for his public speaking courses.  If you are an aspiring leader or communicator, devouring his material is a non-negotiable in your journey.  

At the end of the day, intentional focus on your ability to communicate will increase your ability to lead, in all spheres of life.  Since Jesus called us to lead, let’s do it well!

To see more of Pastor Brandon Stewart’s blogs, please visit http://brandonmstewart.tumblr.com/

Alumni Interview - Pastor Todd Griggs

Todd had spent some time in church as a young person, but as he headed into his teenage years, he got involved in relationships and activities that left him empty and only caused his life to head quickly on a downward spiral. At the age of 19, Todd found himself living in California, and his life was in serious trouble. It was in those deepest, darkest times that God spoke to him, and gave him the very wake up call that he needed. He immediately got in his car and headed back home to Washington. Todd recommitted his life to God, made some hard choices, and God began to radically change him. Within three months, Todd was signed up for Champions Centre College (then known as Wisdom For Life Leadership School). He began at 20 years old; after two years of school, and a third year of internship, Todd graduated at 24.

The same year of his graduation, Todd found himself irrevocably offended, and found himself at a quitting point. Years of struggles with offenses had finally taken its toll, and pushed him over the edge. He was in the middle of a proving ground, and that time he did not pass. Todd made a choice to leave Champions Centre and accept a youth pastor’s position at another church. Within that year, he was married to his incredible wife, Mica. Also in his time spent elsewhere,Todd learned some hard lessons, and realized where it was that God had intended for him to be all along. He was now faced with another pivotal point in his life, which would alter everything. Todd made the choice that was undeniably hard and courageous, yet what was ultimately best.

A year after leaving Champions Centre, Todd swallowed his pride, and asked to come back on the team as a volunteer. He and his family were welcomed back, and he once again became extremely involved in Champions Centre’s youth ministry, in which he even began running our jhigh ministry as a volunteer. Pastor Todd said that he would rather spend the rest of his life volunteering at Champions Centre, rather than work for any other church.

Shortly after, his very words were tested. He was faced with another opportunity to become offended. He had one of two ways to go. This time, wisdom won. Pastor Todd chose to stay no matter what. This time he passed his pivotal proving ground. And at 27 years old, Pastor Todd was offered a full time position here at Champions Centre. Not long after, he was asked to fully take on all of TwoFiveTwo (Champions Centre’s Student Ministries) – jhigh, high school, and college. This month marks four years that Pastor Todd has been on Champions Centre staff.

As we said, Pastor Todd has grown into an incredible man and leader, and we believe his best is yet to come. His family and all of TwoFiveTwo are thriving like never before. His beautiful wife Mica, and their two wonderful kids, Chloe (5) and Jaden (3), are an intricate piece of everything he does.

As he continues to follow God, and serve and build Champions Centre in every way possible, he is also calling our youth to raise the bar in every area of their lives. Under Pastor Todd’s leadership and example, TwoFiveTwo is going places it’s never gone, and there’s no limit to where it can go.

When asked how Champions Centre College (WFL) has helped him on his journey thus far, and in what ways it’s set him up for even more future success, he said “It (Champions Centre College) helped me deal with so many of my issues; it helped define who I was; it built my relationship with Christ; and it brought out my calling and my purpose. The entire process really equipped me as a leader; enabled me to deal with people, to live a godly life, and got me locked into leadership principles.”

Pastor Todd absolutely recommends others attend Champions Centre College because he believes that “It will help you understand the calling on your life; it will direct you to where God wants you to go. This is two years of focusing on God, the Word, and serving. When you focus on Him, He focuses in on you too, and you make yourself more ready to hear from Him. (At Champions Centre College) You will get a biblical and leadership foundation. You will find out your purpose and who you are in Christ.”

Congratulations to Pastor Todd being the 2011 recipient of the Kingdom Builders Award

The Proving Ground preview - The Wilderness Test

For this issue of Champions Centre College E-Newsletter, we are featuring The Proving Ground, by Pastor Kevin Gerald. The Proving Ground is based off of 10 tests that each person goes through throughout their life, some many times. In chapter 4, The Wilderness Test, it speaks on what it looks like to be in a dry season of your life and how to make the necessary changes in order to move past that season and into the next level of your life. Here are some highlights of the chapter…

“Your response to the wilderness will determine how long you stay in the wilderness.” – pg 60

If we are to have the right response to the wilderness, Pastor Kevin points out three things we need to do. 1) Keep an attitude of gratitude, 2) Don’t fix the blame, fix the problem, and 3) Don’t look back.  

“If you dream of improving your lifestyle or improving the world, you’ve entered a battle against containment.” – pg 61

During this containment time, we must remember a couple of things. First, delayed is not denied. Just because your dream hasn’t happened yet, don’t give up. Secondly, man cannot stop God’s blessing. When we honor God and do what He requires, nothing can get in the way of our eventual blessing.

“The problem with tolerating, is that it leads to acceptance. Once we have tolerated wilderness ways long enough, it gets easier to accept them as a permanent way of life.” – pg 62

Pastor Kevin lists Seven Symptoms of Routine Christianity

R = Rut of repeated, boring, and unrewarding activity

O = Obstinate state of mind which causes a person to resist change by being

       stubborn and inflexible.

U = Unbelief that hinders a person from entering into greater things in their

       life.

T = Traditions involving methodology, that no longer best serve their original

       purpose, but continue to our own allegiance.

I = Ignorance resulting from failure to gain knowledge and understanding

N = The nature of the flesh being allowed to fulfill its desires that are contrary

       to God’s word.

E = An empty spirit that is desertlike and lacks the resources to provide life

       and vitality.

“Change is the constant companion of progress.” - pg 68  

This is such an important thing to grasp. If we are to reach our full, God-given potential in life, we have to adapt to change. Pastor Kevin brings it all home when he states, “When God gets ready to take you to a new level in life, you have to accept change. Along with your promotion, there will come some changes. Reject the changes and you will lose the promotion.”

These are just a few of the points Pastor Kevin touches on in the first part of the chapter. He goes on to write about The Rut, Obstinate State of Mind, Unbelief, Tradition, Ignorance, The Nature of the Flesh, and Faith for the Future. He states, “The key to proper change begins with us. This kind of change brings progress along with it.” (pg 70). If we are to get passed and gain victory over the wilderness test in our life, this chapter is a must read and serves as a road map when you are lost in the desert of life.

To purchase Pastor Kevin’s The Proving Ground, please visit http://kevingerald.com/productview.php?productid=52

Are You a David? - Profile of a CCC Student

With the recent launch of our college identity I felt it was important to take some time to clarify what kind of student we are looking for here at Champions Centre College. Id like to start with the quote below:

“Not everyone is a fit for Champions Centre College.” 

I know its not the most “enrollment boosting” quote, but the reality is that this college isn’t for everyone. Everyone could benefit from its training, but not everyone can handle it.

At this college our goal isn’t just to educate people its to prepare people. Champions Centre College isn’t designed for comfort but to make you uncomfortable where you are, and equip you with the tools to go to the next level.

I recently wrote a blog titled “In Search of David”. Where I shared a passionate narrative of the legendary Bible Prophet Samuel and his search and release of David into his calling.

This is about the best way for me to illustrate who we as a college are looking for in our students and interns. We’re looking for David. But we don’t just believe that there is one David, but hundreds of thousands. At CCC we don’t see ourselves as “Giving” greatness to our students but rather partnering with God to help them uncover and be who they already are. 

If David is the Student we’re looking for, then what does a David look like?
NOTE: You may not feel like you match this list. But if you have a desire to be this then you’re the kind of student we’re looking for as well. 

Here are a few of the qualities we look for in a potential student at Champions Centre College.

• Passionate
  - All true success comes from overflow of a passionate pursuit of His presence.
• Servant Heart
  - You can only climb as high as your willing to serve
• Learner
  - Never settle for where we are. “The best we have done is not the best we can do”
• Confident
  - True humility comes from a God-confidence
• Honors Authority
  - Favor flows through honor. There is strength in submission.
• Courageous
  - Leaders have to make the tough calls that advance the cause even when its not easy.
• Teachable
  - If you cant take correction, you limit God’s purpose in your life.
• Kingdom Focused
  - A heart to invest your life into build the kingdom of God (The Church). 

So that’s why we say its not for everyone, its just for those who are serous about making history and having influence on the world around them. Its for people who want to sharpen their skills to be the most useful for the kingdom.

If that’s not you, then no need to apply.

If that’s you (or someone you know), then don’t delay the process of God’s purpose in your life, step up and do what David did when the giant was staring him in the face. He responded to the moment, he stepped up, he answered the call!

I look forward to meeting you soon!

Samuel Deuth
2003 Alumni
Director, Champions Centre College

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