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The psalmist hits it on the head, without the providential hand of God, “It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors…” (Ps. 127:2).

The impact of our time together is entirely predicated on the work that God is doing in us as a group and in you particularly.

So, spend some time alone with God asking Him to bless our time together.

And then call your fellow world changer and pray with them. In this day and age, we don’t have to wait until next Thursday before we pray with one another.

We are all very excited to see what God is going to do in you and in the relationships that will be both forged and renewed next weekend.

Specific Prayer Points:

Our Speakers and Coaches
Our speakers have been an amazing blessing to us. Their encouragement and generosity has kept us going every step of the way. Please pray for their families, ministries, their safe travel and their preparation.

The WCS Crew
Rowan and Jocelyn are already in Colorado leading IPS and the rest of our volunteers will begin arriving early next week. Pray for safety as we travel; for health, unity, diligence and smooth sailing as we make the final preparations.

Your Fellow World Changers
In the conversations we’ve had with you all, this is a busy time. You all have so many projects in the works and so many opportunities in front of you. Pray for peace. Pray that, as a community, we would seek God’s kingdom first. Pray that our efforts would be from a passion for God and not a passion for work. And pray for encouragement. That we would work “as to the Lord” and find our joy in His calling.

Also pray for your ministries. The ministries that will be represented at WCS 2012 are listed to the right. Explore what they’re doing and pray for them. We all need it.

If you have a specific prayer requests, please send them to david@wcsummit.com, we’d love to join you in asking God for good things.

We’ll see you in 10 days!

Julie is the Founder and Executive Director of Generations of Virtue, a ministry that equips parents to empower their children for purity in our world today. She is also the wife to Kay Hiramine.

A published author, Julie has written the Beautifully Made! series for girls, the Raising a Pure Generation curriculum, and the forthcoming Guardians of Purity: A parent’s guide to winning the war against media, peer pressure, and eroding sexual values among many others resources.

Julie has generously offered to coach those of you involved with speaking and writing ministries, sharing her wisdom on ministry, authoring, getting published.

If you haven’t signed up for your coaching sessions yet, send an e-mail to david@wcsummit.com and he’ll help you out.

We’ll see you soon!

For the last few years, I’ve found myself growing a bit cynical when it comes to “being a world-changer.” I regularly encounter the young, invincible 18-year-old who heads out into the unknown ready to conquer whatever is before them. Failure isn’t even a thought while the glow of excitement and anticipation oozes from their pores. To this I generally say, “Do it! Change the world!” yet under my breath I add “while you still think you can.” They are on the brink of their God-given journey with full expectation!

But what do you do when you get a few “hard knocks” or when God doesn’t immediately fulfill all of your dreams? What do you do when you wake up and realize that you’re in this journey for the “long haul” and that it’s not going to be an all-nighter blitz to fully live out your purpose? As I’ve trudged along, I’ve often wondered deep down if the “good ol’ days” have come and gone.”

Recently the Lord jolted me back to reality through the movie, RED (Retired, Extremely Dangerous) and a statement from my Dad (Dewey Novotny). My dad mentioned that many individuals don’t view themselves as a world-changer anymore because they are living in their past deeds and accomplishments. In reality, their world has just changed! This has been my case… our little team has moved on, gotten married and live very busy lives. In some cases, it’s been like pushing a dream uphill… and after a while, that just gets discouraging. Then, in the movie RED, I watched retired CIA agents come out of the woodwork to bring justice once again to the world. Something in the movie stirred my heart as I identified with the agent in the nursing home… and another agent arranging a bouquet of roses. The gray hairs on their heads brought a certain “calm” in the midst of a chaotic plot and threat for extinction. With synergistic efforts, these seasoned veterans nonchalantly grabbed the old tools and talents from their past and moved into the future!

I’ve been delaying my attendance to the WC Summit because I never wanted to paint a picture of perfection or squash myself into a stereotypical mold that goes along with being a “world-changer.” However, with a few gray hairs on my 30-year-old head, I’m packing my tools, dreams, plans and can’t wait to rub shoulders those changing the world in a world of change!

With great expectation,
Gina C Robertson

PS. I highly recommend the use of TV Guardian or ClearPlay if you watch RED.

 

Join Gina at WCS 2012! Click Here to Register!

Robert submitted a detailed and articulate explanation of the various ministries and projects that he’s involved with. We’ve asked Robert to share some of his story.

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I was a true born son from Kansas and then got to Texas as fast as I could. Raised in a Christian home, I have 5 brothers and 1 sister. The dynamic integration with my family gives me a unique perspective when I’m working with kids in high school who have never had that connection with a father or a mother.

Right now, my focus is on completing my education as I prepare to pursue a long career teaching. I am also helping with ESL instruction to Chinese students who reside in the city of Houston.

2. What are your plans for ministry?

I really hope to integrate education and media. I like the journalistic style of film and I simply love narrative and how creative you can be with narrative. As far as future plans go, the medium that intrigues me the most, and appears to be the most effective, is film and visual communications. As Christ was our great instructor in righteousness through storytelling, Christians ought to remain among the of best of storytellers as their stories reflect who Christ is and remind us of what He has done.

3. How did you get started?

Through the Boy Scouts, I received my first opportunity to seriously pursue film and filmmaking when they had a film week. Later, as an eagle scout, a friend was doing a film project for a local Pregnancy Help Center and asked me join. But I’ve always been interested in photography and media ever since my father introduced me to Photoshop, graphic design, and print.

4. Who are some of your (non-Biblical) spiritual influences?

My parents, for sure. An amazing Bible teacher, Dr. Louse Marcos (Scholar in Residence at Houston Baptist University) who showed me how much there is to know. I was also privileged to attend Summit Semester where I learned from Dr. Michael Bauman.

5. What are you most looking forward to at WCS?

I am looking forward to meeting with some of the heads of all the ministries there: Summit, CollegePlus, IPS, etc. and just to be able to pick their brain and ask, “How did you guys get started and where do I go from where I am right now.”

We’re looking forward to meeting Robert later this month!

A special thanks to our friends at CollegePlus and Life Purpose Planning. Having spoken with both of the winners, we can say with confidence that your kindness and support is definitely making an impact!

To learn more about Robert, click here.
To meet the other winner, click here.
To learn more about CollegePlus, click here.
To learn more about Life Purpose Planning, click here.

CollegePlus and Life Purpose Planning have teamed up to offer the “Dusting for Fingerprints” Scholarship, a full scholarship to WCS2012 for two CollegePlus students. Their incredible diligence and generosity have paved the way for these up-and-coming leaders –world changers in their own right– to join our gathering this month.

So we are thrilled to announce the first “Dusting for Fingerprints” scholarship winner, Lauralea Harriott!

After submitting a detailed report of her ministry efforts, she was chosen from a pool of applicants exhibiting outstanding service and ministry. We’ve asked her to explain a little bit about herself.

1. What is your ministry?

Ministry is just about living every day knowing that your life isn’t your own. That as a Christian you have the obligation to give out everything God has given to you. Even in small relationships, just saying, “I acknowledge you; you’re a person.”

Everywhere around me, I see young women who are easily described with a sole word: “struggling”. They don’t know what to do, who to trust, who they are as persons or who God is. Even those with a saving knowledge of Christ enter a time of confusion and doubt. They live as if Christ were still on the cross; as if he were dead, powerless, and irrelevant. They lose sight of the amazing plan God has for their lives.

My goal is not a self-supported effort to restore morality or provide all the answers, but a God-given privilege to build hearts and minds. Every person is responsible to God for their lives, but Christians together are responsible for changing the world. I am reaching to individuals who will reach more individuals until we have solidly repaired a wall of truth and purpose.

2. What does that ministry look like?

I’ve been blogging since 2008 [see here] and it now reaches several thousand people a week. It’s become a site devoted to apologetics, devotionals, and worldview study. Actually, last year some top atheist bloggers appeared out of nowhere and started to argue with me. After two days and 139 comments, the furor finally calmed down. That experience taught me a lot about atheists and the way they think.

Near the end of last year, I was invited to speak at the 2013 Midwest Homeschool Convention, one of the largest conventions in the nation.

But mostly, my ministry revolves around my community. Helping out with local pregnancy resource center (where I hope to eventually work). I’ve also taught a lot of classes and led multiple discipleship groups. Right now I’m trying to sort out how to best teach my Sunday school class. But I’ve also worked with friends to reach out to women in our area –especially Muslims.

I’m also working towards getting my book published in the next 12 months.

3. Who are some of your biggest (non-Biblical) spiritual influences

My parents. They were the ones who taught me, “If you know about a need, do something about it.” That’s really begun to take root in me, especially in the past couple a months, as I’ve met people who’ve taught me to see people’s souls, not just their faces or faith. I realized one day, “Wow everyone else around me is a person, they have a soul, too!”

My mom, too, always has the right kind of attitude. She doesn’t go around whacking people on the head with her Bible; she just has the right attitude and constantly prods me in the back, saying, “You know, what you’re saying right now isn’t exactly Christ-like.”

4. How did you hear about WCS?

I actually first heard about it when Rowan was speaking at the Summit Wisconsin student conference. He just mentioned it in passing as something that he was doing. I thought it sounded really cool, but didn’t consider it because I just don’t really think of myself as a world changer.

But then my CollegePlus! coach recommended that I apply for the scholarship. I totally didn’t want apply because I didn’t want to fail. I have this irrational fear of failure that often holds me back. But my Mom insisted I try, saying that even if I didn’t win, she would still think of me as a winner and I thought, “Oh, gee, thanks Mom”. I finally decided to apply.

The week after that, I got an e-mail from Gina Robertson saying I had won the scholarship. Mom said “See? I should make you do things more often.”
I learned that it doesn’t hurt to try, and that God is, indeed working through me and in me!

5. What are you most looking forward to at WCS2012?

I’m really looking forward to getting encouragement from others. People who are older and wiser, who have been there and can give me insight into what’s ahead. I like collaborating and meeting other Christians who are also working in ministry and care about things that really matter.

Plus, being able to talk to people like Jeff Myers. I’ve heard him in many huge groups of 5,000 or 6,000 people. I’m just looking forward to being able to raise my hand and have a better chance of getting called on. :-)

We’re very excited to have Lauralea joining us this year. We’re also very grateful to CollegePlus and Life Purpose Planning for making this possible. You guys are awesome!

To learn more about Lauralea, click here.
To learn more about CollegePlus, click here.
To learn more about Life Purpose Planning, click here.

Yeah, we get that.

And we don’t want that to be the legacy of the World Changers’ Summit. So if somebody hasn’t gotten around to inviting you to WCS2012 yet, we’re here for you.

You are invited.

Seriously, come as our guest. Just send an e-mail to david@wcsummit.com introducing yourself. We’d love to meet you, hear what you’re doing and talk about how we can help support and encourage you.

We hope to see hear from you soon!

Continuing our details parade that started yesterday (click here), we have a schedule adjustment for Saturday (4/28).

We’re going to do coaching in the morning followed by Gen. Vander Hamm and Dr. Myers speaking in the afternoon and evening. This is basically the opposite of what was originally schedule.

Substantively, it doesn’t change anything; it just moves the pieces around.

So the new Saturday schedule looks like this:

Saturday, April 28, 2012

9:00am: Coaching Sessions
12:30pm: Lunch
1:30pm: Doing More than You Ever Thought Possible – Gen. Scott Vander Hamm
3:30pm: Stop, Drop and Roll – Jeff Myers
6:00pm: Dinner
7:30pm: 24/7 Discipleship (Taking Care of People who Take Care of People) – Jeff Myers
9:30pm: Dismissal

You can see the rest of the schedule by clicking here.

As always, if you have any questions, just e-mail david@wcsummit.com

1. Register

If you haven’t registered, now is the time! Click Here!

If you have have questions or need help with a special situation, just talk to David and he’ll help you out. Just send an e-mail to david@wcsummit.com or call him at 503-201-7631.

2. Booking Your Flight

When planning your trip, you’ll want to fly in early Thursday afternoon to the Colorado Springs Airport (COS). Dinner is served at 5pm and the first session begins promptly at 6:30pm. (See the entire schedule here)

For your return flight, you’ll want to plan for after 12pm on Sunday. Our final session should wrap up at 11:30am (keep in mind, it’s a 30 minute drive to the Colorado Springs airport).

3. Shuttle Service

We are providing shuttle service to and from the airport. If you’d like a ride, just e-mail your itinerary to david@wcsummit.com.

Unfortunately, we can’t offer a shuttle service to the Denver airport (DEN), so make sure to book your flight to Colorado Springs (COS).

We’re also offering shuttle service to and from the hotel.

4. Booking Your Hotel Room

If you’re planning on staying at the hotel, you need to contact them directly. Contact information is available here: Conference Details. Be sure to ask for the World Changers rate.

Several of you have expressed an interest in sharing a room with a fellow world changer. That’s so great! We can’t make the arrangements for you, but if you e-mail your contact information to david@wcsummit.com he can forward it to others who might be interested.

5. Meals

Both lunch and dinner will be provided on-site. Breakfast will not be provided.And yes, there will be plenty of coffee.

6. What to Bring

You won’t need anything out of the ordinary, but by way of a reminder, you’ll definitely want to pack something to take notes with and your Bible. You’ll also want to have business cards and/or project literature, if you have them.

There will be free Wi-Fi access, too.

7. What to Pray For

Please be praying for this event –especially for our speakers. Pray for your fellow world changers too. This is an important event and a special opportunity. Pray that God will call us to love Him and the people He is calling us to serve.

8. Bring Your Friends!

It is definitely not too late to bring your friends! Talk to the world changers you know and extend to them your personal invitation to attend the event. WCS2012 is by world changers for world changers and we are eager to meet the gifted and called people in your circle.

9.Talk to Us!

Let us know where you are in your preparations! If there’s anything we can help with, don’t hesitate to ask. Just send your e-mail to david@wcsummit.com or call 503-201-7631. We’d love to connect with you!

Rowan Gillson

Rowan Gillson, founder of World Changers Summit, is the President and CEO of the Institute of Photographic Studies. (ipsphoto.co) He and his wife Jocelyn reside in Portland, OR, but spend much of their time on the road hosting photography workshops rooted in a Christian worldview. Rowan has traveled the world, serving as a team leader for various groups throughout Asia, Europe, and New Zealand/Australia. Rowan has hosted large events for the Institute in Basic Life Principles and served as an Assistant Staff Director at Summit Ministries. In 2010 Rowan was selected as one of 4000 Christian leaders from around the world to participate in the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Cape Town, South Africa. (Learn more here)

Kay Hiramine

Kay is the Catalyst for Humanitarian International Services Group (HISG). Kay was born into a first generation Japanese American home. He received an International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance (IDHA) from the University of Geneva, Fordham University, The Center for International Health and Cooperation and the Royal College of Surgeons at the University of Belfast. He has also been awarded an honorary Doctorate of Philosphy (PH.D) from Kathmandu International University in June, 2010. The doctorate degree is in the field of Philanthropy.

Kay’s distinguished career in the non-profit sector has involved starting multiple non-profits and overseening global initiatives involving millions of people and every country of the world.

Kay is one of the founders of Humanitarian International Services Group (HISG), located in Palmer Lake, CO. He has worked with NGOs, IOs, government officials, business leaders and faith based groups in humanitarian activities around the world. Kay resides with his wife Julie in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They have five daughters. (Learn more here)

Jeff Myers

Dr. Jeff Myers is president of Summit Ministries. He also serves as Distinquished Service Professor and Senior Fellow for Leadership Studies at Bryan College in Dayton, TN. Dr. Myers speaks to more than 50,000 people each year in corporations, schools, homeschool conferences, parent groups, and youth-serving organizations. Over the last decade, Dr. Myers has worked with Summit Ministries to develop cutting-edge leadership experiences in Colorado, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alberta, Canada. Dr. Myers’ many books and video courses include Of Knights and Fair Maidens, Playpen to Podium, Secrets of Great Communicators, Secrets of the World-Changers, Secrets of Everyday Leaders, For Such a Time as This, Handoff, and Cultivate. Dr. Myers earned a Ph.D. in Communications from the University of Denver. He and his wife Danielle have four children—Graham, Emma, Cate, and Stuart—and live in Manitou Springs, CO. (Learn more here)

Randall Niles

Randall Niles is an attorney and educator who spends most of his time pursuing his passion — developing cutting-edge media to spark critical thinking and truth-seeking in a new generation. For the last seven years, Randall has served as co-founder and director of operations at www.AllAboutGOD.com, where he’s written and published hundreds of articles on comparative worldviews and Christian apologetics. When he’s not writing or speaking, Randall teaches courses at Colorado Christian University in the areas of business, law, ethics, and philosophy. Randall’s books include The Great Pursuit and What Happened to Me, which travel the virtual world via blogs and social networks such as www.AllAboutTheJourney.org. Randall’s education includes Georgetown, Oxford, and Berkeley. He lives in Colorado with his wife and three kids. (Learn more here)

Dewey Novotny

Dewey Novotny’s involvement in student ministry and leadership development spans three decades with pioneering the Hugh O’Brian Arizona Youth Leadership Seminars and launching a grassroots ministry for College and Career aged world changers. More recently he directed a Student Resource department for the Advanced Training Institute, a large home school organization, and has since founded and developed Life Purpose Planning.

Whether vocationally flying “aluminum tubes” across the Atlantic, fly-fishing in Alaska, or inspiring others to seek God’s best, he spreads contagious enthusiasm across the country. He uses his experiences as an F-16 military and commercial airline pilot to motivate young people to wholeheartedly “discover, define, develop, and deploy” into their individual, God-ordained, world-changing life purpose. (Learn more here)

John Stonestreet

John Stonestreet’s passion is to illuminate a biblical worldview for today’s culture. He’s a speaker, writer, cultural commentator, and collaborator of worldview initiatives. In his shared role with the Colson Center and Summit Ministries, John directs conferences and curriculum projects, speaks to groups nationally and internationally, consults on worldview education for schools and churches, and appears frequently on web and radio broadcasts. As the host of The Point, a daily national radio program, John provides thought-provoking commentaries on current events and life issues from a biblical worldview. John holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (IL) and Bryan College (TN), and is the co-author of Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview. He and his wife Sarah have three daughters and a dog, and live in Colorado Springs, CO. (Learn more here)

Scott Vander Hamm

Brig. Gen. Scott A. Vander Hamm is the Commander, 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. He is responsible for the combat readiness of the Air Force’s only B-2 wing. His responsibilities include development and employment of the B-2′s combat capability as part of the Air Force’s Global Strike Task Force. His command provides logistics support for the Air Force Reserve 442nd Fighter Wing; Missouri Air National Guard 131st Bomb Wing; Missouri Army National Guard 1st Battalion, 135th Aviation Unit; and the Navy Reserve Maritime Expeditionary Security Division 13. He manages flying assets in excess of $46 billion and an annual operations and maintenance budget of $147 million. (Learn more here)