Thanksgiving…Times Ten
Thanksgiving … Times Ten!
“I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands…” Psalm 31:14-15 NIV
It’s been ten years since my retirement as lead pastor, and what a difference a decade makes! Ten years ago it was my intention to bless the socks off of my successor! I’ve always tried to do that for Shan Moyers, and he has definitely more than returned the favor for me! His whole hearted partnership in soul care nationally has been a source of deep joy for me and great blessing to others. I only wish that our determination to honor the other was the standard for all transitions and not the rare exception!
“Those who are wise will take all this to heart. They will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord.” Psalm 107:43
Review
I’ve enjoyed leading several soul enriching men’s groups at RMCC.
I have been privileged to serve on The Generosity Council for the National Christian Foundation, and Linda and I have hosted six inspiring JOG Retreats (Journeys of Generosity) with friends from RMCC.
I’ve was privileged to return twice more to teach doctoral classes with Emmanuel Christian Seminary.
I partnered with both Blessing Ranch Ministries and The Center for Church Leadership, leading soul care groups.
In 2020 I launched Covenant Connections for Pastors, connecting 100 leaders in soul care groups nationally.
I’ve led 40 pastors in different Covenant Groups in 52 retreats.
We now have dozens more leaders in groups facilitated by others, and the number is multiplying rapidly!
In 2022, Soul Strength - Rhythms for Thriving was published. Five thousand are now in circulation, and another one thousand have been purchased on-line.
2,500 copies of The Discovery Journal are also in circulation.
In 2023 I recorded the audio version of Soul Strength, which has just now been launched on Audible.
Our grandboys arrived - Awesome Ethan and Super Silas have brought us immense joy!
We’ve hiked and camped in Colorado multiple times and also traveled the world!
2013 - Journeys of Paul with Educational Opportunities Cruise
2014 - Indonesia with Christian Missionary Fellowship Board
2014 - Disney Caribbean Cruise with Joel’s family
2015 - Maui at the blessing of dear friends
2016 - Holy Land with Mark & Carla Scott
2017 - Alaska Cruise
2018 - Kenya, Africa - Missions of Hope
2019 - Okinawa to visit our son Joel and his family
2019 - Grand New England Cruise
2021 - Lewis & Clark Expedition cruise -Snake and Columbia Rivers
2022 - Revolutionary War history cruise - Chesapeake Bay
2023 - Civil War History cruise -Mississippi River from New Orleans to Memphis
Analysis
I’ve traded unrelenting responsibility for soul enriching opportunity as I now strengthen leaders… because so much that matters happens through them.
God has rewired me from an addiction to performance and production to a celebration of acceptance and unexpected influence.
I was told that the launching of the new entity of Covenant Connections (a “Charitable C Corporation”) would be similar to birthing a baby. I’ve discovered that my “geriatric pregnancy” did indeed take a considerable amount of energy. While I wondered at times if the efforts would be worth the result, I am now deeply encouraged by the fruit that is coming as groups are now multiplying.
Plan
Our application has been completed for Covenant Connections to become an official 501c3 tax exempt organization in 2024!
As the core of soul strength facilitators continues to grow, I look forward to blessing the next generation of leadership who will expand the soul enriching ministry of Covenant Connections, helping hundreds of other leaders thrive to the finish!
My focus now is on mentoring multipliers in soul care…those facilitators who assist me in spreading the word about Covenant Connections.
Soul Strength - Rhythms for Thriving will soon be available in Spanish. In addition, a special African edit is now being completed, and another version is being customized for women.
By God’s grace I’ll complete another shorter book for a more general audience this spring, Soul Strength for Life!
This I know, I don’t deserve my life, I am disproportionately blessed! Be assured that I am immensely and intensely grateful and that it is well with my soul!
Grace and Peace,
Alan
“I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands…” Psalm 31:14-15 NIV.
“Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.” Psalm 119:175
