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.

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.

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.

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’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.

J.R. is one of a kind. You won’t find another pastor like him. Definitely check out his new blog at HollywoodPastor.com! I had the privilege of interviewing J.R. a few years ago on the fourth episode of our podcast on GodsMac.com. You might be familiar with XXXChurch, which was a ministry that he had great impact with. He wrote the Porn Manual and got out of the pew and realized that those in the adult film industry need Jesus just as much as you and I do. He and the ministry, while accountable to others and being sent by God, have taken that need seriously. And they’ve actually done something about it (with the help of the Lord).

He is also the co-author of the book Starving Jesus. The book was part of a nation-wide tour that he was a part of. The message was focused on challenging churches to get out of the pews and take the command God has given us seriously. Too often we sit back, watch others serve us, and starve Jesus as a result. I’m very thankful for individuals like J.R., who hold their faith as priority number one and don’t just “do ministry”. Have fun getting to know him a bit, and pray for him as he and his family will soon move from here in Ohio to the west coast!

PRAYING for the Lord’s guidance and provision as J.R. and his family go through this transition. PRAISING God for using XXXChurch to reach the adult film industry through Craig, J.R. and others.

DJ Wade-O (and wife) live in Newark, NJ…although it’s good to see him wearing the OH gear! God is using this man in a mighty way. There are only a few podcasters that I would recommend other people following, and that’s why he’s the first I’m pointing the spotlight to. This man of God recognizes that he has the opportunity to reach the world. Not because he is someone special on his own, but by connecting with hip hop, R&B and rap artists as they are also glorifying God through their talents. He connects with these people and they share life together, hearing how God is doing mighty things through each of them.

Podcasting is not an easy thing to do (as I’ve found out over three years), but DJ puts lots of time and effort into producing a product that does nothing short of glorifying God. I’m so thankful to see other men realizing that they can take a stand for God like this, and even more excited to see his wife (like mine) stand so close to him and be supportive of what he is doing. DJ is the inside scoop in this niche of the music industry, and I am sure he has a bright future as he continues to get better at what he does. Be sure to check his site / podcast out online through www.wadeoradio.com, on Twitter and on Facebook!

PRAYING for my friend Brian as he joins our church’s staff officially tomorrow! PRAISING God for working through individuals like DJ Wade-O, who are out there putting time and effort into glorifying God.

My selebrity for this Sunday is Brian Peat. Brian is actually one of the eight guys who attended our first Digital Disciples gathering last Thursday. He is also a talented individual when it comes to technology. He’s partnered with my new blog and owns one of the four ad spots here for his KeynoteUser.com site. If you’re not familiar with Keynote, it is Apple’s alternative to Microsoft’s PowerPoint. If you’re looking for great presentations and own a Mac, there is no better way to go. And there’s no better site to go to for nice themes and info for your Keynote presentations than his. Brian’s done a very nice job with the new website, and I’m looking forward to watching him succeed as a result of his efforts. Follow @brianpeat on Twitter as well!