I was recently told that my position at Crown Financial Ministries was going to be eliminated and I would have the option of staying with the ministry and taking on the Caribbean. While this was an incredibly attractive offer (especially during this unusually long and cold winter), it would also require taking my fund-raising efforts from $35,000/year to $120,000/year.

With much prayer and consideration for our new marriage, Rocio (my fiancee) and I both felt it was time to part ways with Crown. We don’t know what God has next for us, but your prayers for this transition are coveted.

I will miss my time with this great organization. Since college, it’s been all I’ve known. I leave behind a joint effort with hundreds of personal prayer and financial supporters. Together God has used us to do great things. Here’s a quick recap of some of my favorite memories during my time at Crown:

Interning with Dave Rae – The former President of Apple Canada housed me and poured his life into mine for a couple years, and I …

[caption id="attachment_1161" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="----Bart, Kim (far right) and three of the KC pastors (Chris, Golden and Eric) they are serving----"][/caption]

I met a tribe leader. Seth Godin would define a tribe leader as someone who is leading a group of people by serving their needs. In and around the geography of Kansas City, Bart Nill, and his assitant Kim, are tribe leaders for pastors in the area of stewardship.

How has Bart won over their trust? He genuinely cares about them, and tries his best to help them achieve the goals and vision God has given them for their local congregations. Bart regularly meets with pastors in groups of 4 and pours his life out for theirs.

And they love him for it.

It’s really incredible to watch. Bart invited me to an event the night before Crown ignite! was held in KC. He was presenting the case for the ministry to several friends and supporters. Several of his pastor friends were there.

More than anything else I was struck by how much they loved this guy. I mean, I really believe that they would take a bullet for him. And when …

I like to jump back into a rhythym when I get back into the country from a trip. It helps me cope with jet lag better.

The return from Europe proved to be no exception.

Friday and Saturday we launched into our 14th Crown ignite! It’s truly hard to believe we’ve already held 14 of these events, equipping hundreds to take Crown’s foundational materials to those they are working with around the world. It is our hope and prayer that the work of Christ would move from being dependant on funding from the West, towards being sustained through local ownership.

The 19 leaders we were able to serve were incredibly excited about what this training would mean for the work they are involved in through partnerships in other nations. Join me in praying for these servants to the world.

I would be remiss to mention Crown ignite! and not give a shout out to Anna Rosado, Crown’s Leadership Development Coordinator. She has done a masterful job making this training a world class event. Well done, Anna.

[caption id="attachment_57" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Crown Ignite! Training - April 2009"][/caption]