Christian Leadership Award

US Mission Network

Terra Lynn Dearth accepted the FIRST EVER USMN Christian Leadership Award at a conference in Nashville Tennessee recently.

For 40 plus years one of the best opportunities for YMCAs to train staff was funded by the Walker Foundation of Long Beach California. Certainly not the only conferences, but for many years these were probably the only conferences conducted throughout the country at multiple sites for the single purpose of training Y staff in Christian leadership. Staff teams from a region would attend a weekend conference. Sometimes Ys from as many as six or seven states would attend a single conference. The Walker Foundation announced late in 2016 that funding for approximately 13 conferences held around the country would not continue beyond 2016. Here is what was happening around the country beginning in 1973. There have been over 50 different CLC sites, over 50 thousand participants and over 20 million lives impacted through the national effort to facilitate the YMCA CLC’s and Rag/Leather Programs. Remember that during this time period YMCA’s across the country were exploding with afterschool care and summer day camps. In fact, in the 1980’s one of the most popular YMCA programs offered at more Ys than any other program was summer day camp! So, it’s really not so hard to understand how many lives were touched by these conferences. And certainly, it is commendable that Kenneth G. Walker, father of R. Howard Walker supported the Walker Foundation in this movement for 42 years.

One of the reasons the conferences expanded and were held to common standards was Terra Lynn. She served in a full-time capacity for 37 years directing and leading the conferences. She developed standards for the conferences, trained the conference directors and eventually developed a team consisting of Walker Foundation Representatives as well as an advisory team that assisted in all facets of the program. She advanced the Rag and Leather Program, which by the way has been around for over 100 years! 

She traveled across the country to camps to personally see that conferences were meeting the expectations of the Walker Foundation and to continue to mentor and assist the conference planning teams. She put her heart and soul into seeing that the conferences would have a wide impact in the associations each served. Her leadership influenced many conference planning team members throughout the country. As new conference directors emerged, Terra Lynn was there to mentor them and guide them. I know personally that I had opportunities to develop my leadership skills through this program and her leadership.

In December 2016, Dearth also encouraged YMCAs to continue conducting training specifically for the same purpose. She said in a letter to all of the conference directors and key supporters “It is time for the next season to begin and the work of putting the C in the YMCA in our YMCAs to continue. The foundation has been laid and there are many tools available to you.” 

In fact, six of the CLCs developed enough funding to sustain themselves in 2017 and beyond, three other conferences have been developed specifically to train staff in Christian leadership this year and more are in development for next year.

I am reminded of something Pastor Rick Warren said, “When you spend your life pointing people to God, miracles happen.” Ladies and gentlemen, Terra Lynn has done just that, and I know that miracles have happened during her watch. Congratulations Terra Lynn.

"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...

Chaplain Gray

Exceptional Leadership

This is a story of restoration, victory, and tremendous leadership. Camp Hanes Executive Director Val Elliott faced maybe his greatest challenge in May of 2017. He accomplished what some will say was the impossible. However, they don’t know Val. 

Setting the Stage

Here are a few things you should know before we get to the challenge. Val Elliott graduated from The Citadel. This is a significant fact in this story. If you are familiar with this institution, you’ll recognize and understand what I am talking about. According to the Citadel’s website “The Citadel strives to produce graduates who have insight into issues, ideas, and values that are of importance to society. It is equally important that Citadel graduates are capable of both critical and creative thinking, have effective communication skills, can apply abstract concepts to concrete situations, and possess the methodological skills needed to gather and analyze information.”

Val and his team work well together. They lead in a Godly way. They take burdens to the Lord’s altar, they seek His guidance for camp themes, and honor God through the many activities and elements of the camp’s life.

Camp Hanes has a rich history and one that dates back almost 92 years. So opening camp each and every summer is a big deal!! Camp was set to open on June 11.

Devastation in Less than 30 Minutes - May 24

On May 24, an EF-2 Tornado cut a half mile path of devastation and destruction through camp. There were 125mph winds and this lasted about 30 minutes. Every building and structure at camp was damaged. Thousands of trees were downed.

Restoration - Follow the Path

Bruce Boyer, a retired YMCA executive writes about the theme for summer 2017. “YMCA Camp Hanes sets the tone by adopting a theme for each summer. This year’s theme is Follow the Path. This theme was chosen well before the tornado touched down and became prophetic. It is based on a verse from Proverbs that says, ‘In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps’ —Proverbs 16:9.” You can read more about this challenge and the Christian emphasis at this camp in an article by my good friend Bruce Boyer here: 

https://usmissionnetwork.org/god-guides-our-steps-on-the-path/. 

As the storm calmed and eventually stopped, Val and the staff stepped out into a scene they will never forget. Val’s Citadel training kicked in instantly. For two days, beginning immediately, they began to assess the damages. Critical thinking became a key. Special resources were called in to assist while ‘offers’ to assist started pouring in. Val and his team developed an effective communication plan. Everybody wanted to be able to speak to the director, but the team knew that was not going to be possible and was part of the communications plan. They set an overall plan in motion which utilized  Val’s methodological skills. 

I visited camp not too long ago and in several conversations Val explained how the team of contractors and other resources met every morning to review the plan of the day. They met again at lunch to pray and to continue to work as a team. They set a priority to open camp on time. When everyone first heard that priority, heads were shaking. That’s less than three weeks!!! Val’s leadership again kicked in. He reassured everyone that camp would open and Camp Hanes would be EVEN BETTER. They adopted #CampHanesEvenBetter for much of their communications plan. Local news began showing up and throughout multiple interviews, Val’s confidence and exceptional leadership was evident. 

Support Poured In

There was a reason support was so intense. There is no doubt in my mind that God provided special gifts, talents, and resources to honor the good and faithful work of this staff team, and no doubt the prayers of many loyal camp friends and staff. Bruce Boyer wrote “The outpouring of support for this mission oriented camp was off the charts. God has blessed YMCA Camp Hanes bountifully.”

Camp Hanes opened for the summer on June 11, 2017, just less than three weeks after a terrible tornado ripped through camp!

Servant Leadership

Val Elliott was educated at an exceptional educational institution using a military lifestyle. He learned principled leadership from the day he stepped on campus. If you called Val a hero for his exceptional accomplishment, he would deflect that term just like some of his classmates would if they had accomplished a difficult mission serving their country in the military. Val would tell you that he was just ‘serving the Lord and others in the Camp Hanes community’, making it possible for kids lives to be impacted by a resident camp experience. That’s the kind of person he is - a true servant leader. He knows that a successful effort here brings Glory to God! There is no doubt that God guided the steps on this path of restoration for Camp Hanes for the summer of 2017! 

Congratulations to Val and the staff at YMCA Camp Hanes! 

"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...

Chaplain Gray

Envy is an Ugly Emotion

Beat It By Trusting God

Let’s face it - when we are blinded by envy and hatred we find it almost impossible to see our own sin. Envy is quite frankly a very ugly emotion because it harbors such resentment at another’s success, advantages or perceived superiority. There are steps we can take that are underlined by a simple message: Trust in God. This will help you remove this ugly emotion from your life.

Recognize envy exists in your life
So just what is envy? Envy typically appears when we compare ourselves to others. Let the parable of the vineyard workers serve as an example. In Matthew 20:9-11 the workers hired first were not happy at the end of the day. “When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage. When they received their pay, they protested to the owner….” They resented the fact that the workers who worked only a fraction of the time they did, received the same pay. They made that comparison and were filled with envy. Cain was very angry when the Lord did not accept his gift but was pleased with the gift from his brother Abel. He was filled with envy. We need to understand that envy does exist in our life and when we recognize it, we can do something about it.

Admit You are In Battle with God
Why would you doubt God’s goodness in your life? But you need to face it that when you are overcome with envy, you are doing battle with God. Doubt has reared its head. Resentment of God’s decision to bless somebody else is on your mind. You think God is being unfair. The reality though is that God knows what is best for you. Rick Warren said, “God’s extravagant, unconditional, unending love is the same for everyone.” You need to trust that God has a plan for your life. Think of ‘fair’ as just being a trap. Trust God and His love for you. Don’t let envy become a fever and drag you down. If you admit you are in this battle then you can prevent yourself from dismissing these feelings as ‘normal’. Can you demonstrate to God that you trust in Him to have a plan and to provide for your future?

Praise God and Rejoice with those who Rejoice
We are not to compare ourselves with others. Doing so leads to pride or envy. Romans 12:15 says “Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.” The second part probably comes a little easier than the first part. We think that there is this giant pie that’s divided up into slices and when people get a big slice, then that means there is less available for me. Do you think that God runs out of blessings? He’s got as much pie filling as He needs. He doesn’t have a finite amount of grace. This envy that penetrates our thinking keeps us from rejoicing with others. God is working in the other person’s life. Maybe you have just witnessed a mighty work! Have you seen God’s blessings poured upon people in your life recently? What can you do to rejoice with them?

Fellowship with Others - It Binds Us
If envy isolates us then fellowshipping with others binds us which in turn helps us to stop comparing. If we get to know others, we likely will stop comparing ourselves to them. Often we see on the surface other’s strengths and successes. As we get to know others well, we often can see their hurts, habits, even their hidden pain. Small groups are great for getting to know others and having good fellowship. Rick Warren tells about a woman in a small group who said: ”If we put our problems in a big pile at the center of this room and looked at them, at the end of the evening we’d probably take all of our problems back and go home.” This knowledge can also lead to acts of kindness to others. So, not only are we not comparing ourselves to others, we are limiting or eliminating envy, plus we are loving others, as Christ commanded us to do. Can you think of someone you envy or have envied before? How can you get to know them better? Ask the Lord how He views this individual.

Refocus
Okay, said another way “Get over it!” God has a plan for you. You should refocus yourself on discovering that plan and pursue it. Envy will be far from your thoughts because you will be getting more and more involved with His purpose in you. Philippians 2:13 “…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” He planned this purpose before you were even born and it is a good purpose. Get excited for what He wants you to do and live your life for an audience of one. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)


Learn to Be Content 
God looks at your character, not your comfort. Our society places a huge priority on comparing - we even compare our lawns, our cars, the schools we send our children to! We’ve got to stop! Paul said in Philippians 4:12 that “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” If we just understand that we are stewards of everything we have. We don’t own anything. It’s on loan! We didn't bring it into this world and we won’t take it with us! The psalmist said it this way “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires”. Psalm 37:4 (NLT) Dr. Charles Stanley sums it all up “When you truly delight yourself in the Lord and trust Him to bless you according to His plans and purposes, you’ll no longer feel a need for jealousy (envy) in your life. Then deep contentment will replace the old sense of envy and dissatisfaction.”


Everlasting Father, help me to not be envious towards my neighbors and friends. Remove any doubt about Your love for me and give me the words to rejoice when others have been blessed. Enable me to truly trust You and Your plan and purpose for my life. Trample out this ugly emotion called envy and fill me with true contentment in You. In Your Son’s Holy Name I pray, Amen.

"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...

Chaplain Gray

Talk About Grace

Do you remember times when young children would literally fight over candy from a birthday party piñata? Or, when there was a community Easter Egg hunt and the children are grouped by age for this ‘rush’ to get eggs….even fighting over getting the most? Parents even have strategies to place their child where they can get eggs before other children ‘challenge’ them. 

Aren’t you glad that we don’t have to fight over God’s forgiveness? Ephesians 2:8 says “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” 

2 Corinthians 12:9a states “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” (NLT)

Max Lucado recounted a story of a woman seriously injured when a teenager decided to pull a prank. She suffered greatly and was subjected to numerous surgeries. The teenager who instigated the accident finally stood in court with the victim. Many in the crowded courtroom expected the judge to really make an example out of this young man’s deliberate act. However, to everyone’s surprise, the sentence was extremely light. The victim had requested it. She said to the teen “I forgive you. I want your life to be the best it can be.” Wow, talk about grace. This woman surely ‘gave grace’.

Remember how Jesus surprised His disciples by washing their feet on the night before His betrayal? He did something that typically the lowest household servant would do, wash the feet of the guests. He is the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, and He stooped down to this lowly task! Why would He do that? It surely wasn’t just to get the disciples to be nicer to one another. No, His goal was to prepare them for their mission to serve. They are about to embark on a new phase where they will continue to serve God, serve each other and serving people to whom they took the Good News of Salvation.

Paul said it well in his letter to the Ephesians “He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” Ephesians 1:7 (NLT)

We can ‘give grace’ by carefully helping another believer. Paul described it this way,  “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” 

Galatians 6:1-2 (NLT)

Finally, I believe Lucado said something very profound: “To accept grace is to accept the vow to give it.” Let’s go out and fulfill the vow we accepted!

"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...

Chaplain Gray

God's Display

I’m pretty fortunate. I’ve traveled some here in the US. I’ve seen some spectacular places. For example, in Western North Carolina, there is a state forest and just a short hike from the visitor center is what is called High Falls. This water slides down 120 feet of granite in a wonderful cascade. 

West of the Dallas - Fort Worth Texas area is a lake called Possum Kingdom Lake. There is a resident camp there on the shore and directly across the lake is this high granite wall. It’s an amazing view any time of the day! 

In the high country of North Carolina, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, there are pull-offs where you can take in majestic views of the mountains and the valleys below. Each of these is created by our Heavenly Father! This is His work on full display.

So, the big day has arrived. A total eclipse of the sun will race across the US and millions of people will be watching. Many will gather in the path of the total eclipse while others will witness a partial eclipse of the sun. 

The spike in the economy of towns and cities in the path of the total eclipse will be evident. Viewing parties, sales of souvenirs, extended stays in hotels, motels and lodges will all add to the local flavor of the event. This will be talked about for years!

Let’s not forget that this ‘event’ we will witness is the creation of the Heavenly Father. Read Psalm 19:1-6. This event will be a fantastic display of God’s craftsmanship!! On this day, the heavens will once again ‘proclaim the glory of God.” God made a place for the sun in the heavens and we’ll see “it bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.”

This reminds me of another blackout that occurred 2000 years ago. As Jesus suffered on the cross, the skies began to darken. As He took His last breath, it is recorded that total darkness came over the land for nearly three hours. During that significant event, the veil in the temple was torn down the middle, because there was now a way for all the people to approach God directly through Christ. What happened three days later when Christ has risen is the pinnacle of our faith! Are we talking about these events with as much excitement as we should? 

Let us enjoy the wonderful display of the Creator’s craftsmanship. And let us also remember the significant events that are recorded in His Word for us so that we can spread the Good News of Salvation in Christ Jesus.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matt 28:19

"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...

Chaplain Gray

Father, The Hour Has Come

As noted in last week’s post, I was drawn to the Gospel of John Chapter 17. At least one part of the chapter was very familiar to me, but God’s Word is filled with messages, wisdom, and encouragement. At the same time that I felt the significance of Jesus spending so much time in prayer at this particular time, I had several other key insights. I think this prayer of our Lord is very significant and I am so thankful to have really read it more thoroughly and learned more about my Lord.

We know from the first verse that Jesus was aware of what lay ahead. “After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so He can give glory back to you.” V1. Other than the prayer that follows this scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, this seems like the most intimate, passionate prayer from the Son to the Heavenly Father! 

Here are four key insights that I was excited to come away with.

Jesus declared how we are to have eternal life very clearly in verse 3. “And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.” This means we have a relationship with Christ, and Christ’s love will live in us through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus confirmed in verse 5 once again that He and the Father are one, even before the world began! “Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.” (John 17:5) This comes during such a crucial time, it was just very convicting for me. The statement seems to be said with such authority. It should leave no doubt that the Father and the Son are One.

A third message I see in this chapter is that there has now been this tremendous transfer of mission, knowledge, and understanding. In verses 7-8 Jesus gave His disciples the message the Father have Him. “They accepted it and know that I came from you and they believe you sent me.” 

(John 17:8b) And now Jesus has tasked the disciples with taking the message into the world. “Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.” (John 17:18) Not only did Jesus pray for the disciples but He was also praying for all who would believe their message!! To me this is a powerful affirming statement: “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.” 

(John 17:20)  I’m directly connected to my Lord and savior through this prayer! That is remarkable! Then comes the very familiar verse to all my YMCA friends. “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one - as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” (John 17:21) Jesus had a burning desire that His disciples would become one. Unified, they would be a powerful voice telling of God’s love. 

He’s not done yet. Affirming, connecting statements complete His prayer : 

“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.” 

(John 17:22-26)

This is “all in”, “solidarity”, and “unified” all wrapped in one!! If we are following His commands then we will continue to ‘transfer’ the Good News to those around us. His Kingdom will multiply again and again before His return!

Lastly, verse 13 really grabbed my attention as well. “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.” (John 17:13) The idea of being filled with His immeasurable joy is very exciting. If the disciples were filled with that joy, then believers can also be filled with that joy. Isn’t God good? He is a God of such joy!!

Remember, this is no ordinary prayer, even for our Lord. He is about to leave the Upper Room and head to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane where the betrayal takes place. This is Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David, Immanuel, God is with us.

Praise be to God. He has given us a source of immeasurable joy in His Son!

"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...

Chaplain Gray

Leaders Time in Prayer

I recently was brought to the Gospel of John, Chapter 17. While I have read verse 21 many, many times, the Lord was telling me that this chapter was very significant and that I needed to dig in. Wow, did He open my eyes and bless me with multiple messages. One of the most convicting lessons that day was about Jesus’ significant time in prayer. 

Jesus’ example of prayer at this crucial point is huge. Remember, the disciples and Jesus have just finished what we now call “The Last Supper”. John’s gospel contains what is sometimes called the “high priestly prayer.” Jesus knows He has little time remaining before His death. Chapter 17 is a series of prayers that no doubt were very emotional for the disciples. (There will be more about the content of the chapter in an upcoming post.)

I am convinced that our leaders (YMCA and others) need to spend more time in prayer preceding important decisions, critical conversations and time in front of an audience. 

In examining the chapter, Jesus doesn’t start some new initiative at this late hour. He doesn’t address a large crowd one last time. He simply spent a significant amount of His last hours in prayer. 

We know that throughout His ministry He would seek time alone to pray. The disciples had returned from a ministry tour and told Jesus about all that had been going on. He suggested that they retreat to a quiet place to rest awhile. (Mark 6:31, NLT) Jesus knew His team needed rest and renewal in order to be effective in their ministry. Jesus also retreated into the wilderness in Luke 5:16. In Luke 6:12 He prayed all night prior to ‘calling the 12 apostles’. He taught us in Matthew 6:6 “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Prayer before a big decision is important and it is to be done in private. So, there really should be significant leadership that no one sees. Could this be more important than what we do in public? 

The Apostle Paul understood this and speaks frequently about praying for those under his leadership. We can learn a lot from his prayers. Writer Cheryl Fletcher examined all of Paul’s prayers and made these four observations: 1) pray constantly - this is an ongoing conversation with our God, 2) pray with great affection - Paul likes those he leads, he is often speaking of his prayers of thanksgiving for them and he is genuinely grateful for them, 3) pray for an experience of love and greater Christ-likeness - Paul is praying over and over that those he leads will know the deep, wide and limitless love of Christ and that they will grow, becoming more Christ-like and finally 4) don’t be afraid to ask for prayer - Paul asks! 

Legendary YMCA leader John R Mott said in a speech in 1948 that the “discipline of prayer is essential.” He even recommended to the YMCA leaders gathered at that time “I need only to say that we must make prayer one of the primary objectives of this brotherhood.” 

It seems to me that prior to a big decision, a critical conversation or an appearance in front of an audience that today’s leader must find a way to spend more time in prayer. Perhaps it can be done “out of the office” in some sort of retreat, or maybe just uninterrupted time in an office alone, or with a chaplain or their own pastor. We should follow the example of Christ and make this a priority. 


Would you agree that many leaders are “too busy not to pray”? Are you willing to set aside more time in prayer as you lead? 

James 5:16b The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.



"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...


Chaplain Gray