My missional leap was to move away from corporate/government career paths to full time ministry. I started an organization called Healing Streams to provide support for Christian leaders (seminars, counselling, spiritual direction). I saw how brokenness, burnout and misunderstanding was propelling ministers out of ministry and felt called to help restore them to once again be who they were called to be (whether in official ministry or not), to return to their “first love” (Jesus Christ), and to move with lightness and joy (dance with Jesus). I was very quickly refocused to delivery our services internationally – to the war-zone in DR Congo to be exact. I found the culmination of my counselling psychology training, doctoral work in education, and seminary studies in Old Testament theology along with a very long and painful personal healing journey had uniquely prepared me to bring hope and healing to Church and Community leaders in Eastern Congo. What a joy its been to be able to see some of the fruit that Jesus promises us if we abide in him! But if you feel despair in reading that, let me add that there were many years of just plain hard work, obedient trudging in the same direction, and times of sheer darkness. I didn’t know if I would ever get to see how my obedience would impact more than one person at a time, never mind impact a nation. Its rather humbling and awe-inspiring of the one who selects the most unlikely candidates and says, “You…yes you…go”. Along the way we’ve found joy in selling our family home and buying a townhouse condo – very freeing. Its shocking who God will use if we let go of our preconceptions (and stuff) long enough to let him lead in the dance!
p.s. I’d love to see those dance moves of yours Len, maybe you could capture some on You Tube.
