I’m excited to get back on track with a Selebrity Sunday post! Even more excited to put the spotlight on my friend Cynthia Ware of The Digital Sanctuary! TDS is one of few blogs I give people who want to best use technology for kingdom purposes. What I’ve appreciated most about Cynthia is that she is not just extremely connected and knowledgeable, but that she is as approachable as you’ll find. As you follow her blog, tweets, and other social streams, you will start to see that yourself. I’ve had the privilege of talking to Cynthia and she’s even collaborating on an insanely exciting book project with me and a few others (releasing details soon, I promise)!
Cynthia is doing something really exciting for 2010. You might be familiar with SXSW (music and media conference)? She’s working on gathering a panel of Christian technology leaders to facilitate in a session there! I’m really looking forward to meeting her at both Cultivate and Story Chicago this October in Chicago, IL. It’s awesome to see women stepping up to lead at the intersection of technology and faith. Hopefully Cynthia doesn’t mind the spotlight, she deserves it! If you have comments for Cynthia, feel free to post them here. I’ll let her know they might be coming!
PRAYING for Cynthia as she shares the message God has given her this year at conferences. PRAISING God for guiding Cynthia and her ministry.
I’m glad to put this week’s spotlight on Christopher and the apparel products he is offering through his Designs By Faith store / ministry. To get to know him beyond this blog entry and his store, be sure to follow him on Twitter, friend him on Facebook or visit his blog. I’d love to hear from a reader this week that decided to buy a shirt from his store! He’s got some nice designs for men, women and youth! He also happens to be a supporter of this blog!
One thing you’ll notice right away is that he is all about the Lord. He has a heart to work with your church or ministry, with the option of working together on a fundraiser with you. Sometimes people get the chance to use their talent for the Lord and they lose focus. Not the case with Chris. He’s not here to make a quick dollar or have his name in lights. His clothing and his efforts are about others and most importantly, all about Christ. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to give him a little recognition for sure. Keep up the great work Chris!
PRAYING for more people to use their talents for the Lord. PRAISING God for guiding Chris and the designs he chooses.
Back with another Selebrity Sunday post, finally! My attempt to shine the spotlight on individuals or organizations that are doing great things for the Lord. So many things go on behind the scenes with many projects or efforts, and you and I might not understand who God is using to accomplish His will. Today I’d like to shine that light on Bob Hutchins, CEO of Buzzplant and co-author of the new book Faith Based Marketing. For all of you tweeps out there, be sure to follow @BobHutchins and @Buzzplant to connect with him!
I had the privilege in the past to work with Bob and the Buzzplant organization. They are responsible for e-cards, websites, and email campaigns that you might have received for many great music artists (way too many to list), book authors or blockbuster films (Narnia, Rocky Balboa, Passion of the Christ). When record labels, book publishers or film companies want to connect with you, they go to Bob and his group. It really is amazing how effective email campaigns can be, and God’s given Bob a passion to get His message out through many forms of new media.
The Faith Based Marketing book he co-authored has just released as well. You can instantly tell that Bob knows what it takes to get a message to the audience that needs to get it, but what is more important is that he realizes that and wants to share it with everyone else. It’s great to see so many great reviews coming out for the new book. Thanks to Bob for taking the time to share his thoughts, definitely not an easy task!
PRAYING that each of us will sharpen our skills in how well we deliver the message of Christ. PRAISING God for guiding Bob as he leads his organization, and is an example for others to learn from.
This past weekend our family headed to Dayton, OH and Marla had the privilege of being one of the presenters during the Fireproof Your Marriage weekend. We’ve seen the Fireproof movie twice now, and I wanted to just give thanks this week to those who have put in the effort to make the movie and ministry that goes with it possible. They are also responsible for the films Facing the Giants and Flywheel.
Sherwood Pictures is a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. It was founded in 2002 by Alex Kendrick, the associate pastor of media for Sherwood Baptist Church with $20,000 in donations. There is a great, and real, story to the Fireproof movie. As always, there are those (Christ-followers and not) that poke at the quality of acting or quality of production in Christian films. I’ve watched many movies, and I don’t think that holds water here. Sure, it might not be the best movie on the planet, but it’s leaps and bounds ahead of where Christian films were even five years ago.
As a designer that works with many ministries, I am very thankful for the individuals that are a part of Sherwood Pictures. The message in the movie is life-changing for many, and even marriage-saving for those that might need help as they are pondering divorce or just dealing with marital problems in general. If you’ve seen the movie, maybe post a comment with your thoughts? If you haven’t yet, run out and rent or buy the DVD and come back soon.
PRAYING for the Christian media industry, as it focuses on providing Christ-centered material and doesn’t worry first about competing with what the world has to offer. PRAISING God for guiding those that are partnering with the ministry, who are offering local help to those that might need help. Was great to see that this weekend with Patterson Park Church in Dayton, OH.
I’m sure a few of you have either heard of or visited this week’s selebrity, Pete Wilson – pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN and blogger at WithoutWax.tv. I’ve never met Pete before, but enjoy reading his blog. My wife‘s probably corresponded with his wife more than the two of us have. Now to the point of why I am considering him a selebrity (for new visitors, yes I know how to spell celebrity).
I’ve been extremely busy lately, just like I’m sure Pete has. I’ve contacted our local ministry and have been “in the works” of trying to get out and serve the homeless / needy in our area myself. Pete’s recent blog entry reminded me of this, and was a shining example for sure. I’ve met many pastors and leaders (at least 30-40) in my life, and looking back, I can only remember a handful of them who personally took the calling of serving those people in their community through to action. He shares many neat things on his blog, including how he interact with the boys and wife God has blessed him with. It’s powerful to hear how God led Him to take one of his boys with him and see the love God has for EVERY individual firsthand.
Sometimes I think we (including myself) pass the bucket onto the next person or ministry, and don’t realize that God has handed us the power to be that example for other people. Thanks Pete, for not being selfish, being proud of the community of selfless hearts God has given you to lead, and for reminding us how we can be an example to others and our families in this type of service! Glad to see you’re new blog is running smoothly, and I recommend that my readers and visitors hop over!
PRAYING that God continues to guide each of us to move into the uncomfortable areas of service we’ve neglected in the past. PRAISING God for speaking powerfully through such a simple thing as Pete’s blog.
