Leadership Retreat and J-Graves

I will pick back up on blogging about Dangerous Prayers on Sunday.

Last weekend, I went away with 22 of my partners in ministry to retreat for a weekend.
15 shepherds
7 ministers

There is something about retreating that is formative. Packed into a 24-hour period were times of worship, powerful moments in prayer, inspiring sessions, and transparent dialogue.

On Friday night, I facilitated a time of prayer and it was an honor for me to witness the leaders of SVC as they wrestled in prayer for the flock. Heaven and earth kissed!

Over the last couple of years my boy JG has become a great friend and partner in the kingdom. I contacted him last fall about leading our retreat knowing that he would bring a fresh perspective of how the good news of Jesus is breaking into the 21st century. He hit us hard on Friday night with some eye-opening words about a shift that has taken place in the "western world" regarding Christianity. I told him to come out firing on Friday evening. I wanted him to bring the 99 mph heater...high and tight. He delivered.
On Saturday, he led us through 3 sessions stretching us to reimagine how the power of the resurrection is bursting forth in a new world. He used midrash, images, testimony, and an insurmountable amount of passion to inspire us to dream with God.
J-Graves is a great communicator of the Jesus-story. He is one of those crazy guys who actually believes that Jesus is able to bring liberation, freedom, and life to all of humanity.
Josh, God used you to usher our leaders into a deeper realm of resurrection-possibilities.

I am honored to be serving with my fellow shepherds and ministers at SVC. God is unleashing his power and presence upon us.