Another Lesson for Leaders

One of the challenges for a leader is NOT to spend the majority of time solving problems, but rather modeling LIFE as Christ intended it and to cast the vision for where we need to be going together.

Too many of us are lost in the size of our task, or the lack of resources and insufficient wisdom to accomplish the assigned work. We must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus if we are to maintain our own balance and joy…and to encourage our people to do the same.

Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life.”

Eugene Peterson’s comments on John 14:6: “Most Christians are experts on THE TRUTH; most are dropouts in THE WAY and so most miss out on THE LIFE.”

Sharpen the Ax

Stephen R. Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, contains the story of two woodsmen.

One woodsman was a long, strong, strapping youth with big biceps and huge confidence.

The other was a weathered, wisened old man worn down by years of hard labor.

The young woodsman chopped aggressively all day long, hardly stopping to rest or eat.

The older man worked at a slower pace taking frequent rest breaks between trees.

At the end of the work day, the older man had cut twice as many trees as the younger.

Amazed and puzzled, the younger man asked how he could work so hard while the older man took frequent rests … and yet cut twice the number of trees.

The older man replied, “While I rested under the shade, I sharpened my ax.”

Are you furiously working away wearing yourself out, but using a dull ax? Maybe you need to take a break and sharpen the ax.

~Wayne

Less Driven

I think I’m becoming less driven. After a lifetime of people-pleasing driven-ness, I’m learning the important of balance, pacing and priorities.

It’s impossible to return every telephone call, read every magazine, respond to every e-mail, do Twitter, Facebook and Blogger.

You can’t serve on every board and attend every event you’re invited to.

I had a friend who went on an eight-week short-term mission trip. For two months she was out of range of cell phone and e-mail. She came back home to 3,000 e-mails. She did a “select all,” then hit “delete.”

In the weeks ahead, she didn’t hear from one singer person who complained she had not read or replied to their e-mails.

Be realistic is planning your schedule. Breathe between appointments. Not everything has to be done—at least not everything has to be done today.

Build a margin between appointments. Double the anticipated time for a project. It reduces your stress and allows you to make good on your commitments.

And, as Jesus said, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. All these other things will be added as well.”

Life with Wayne and Jesus

I was raised in a really good Christian home on our family farm. We went to a great country church where the gospel was preached and we were given frequent invitations to accept God’s gift of salvation. Really, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know God loved me and Jesus died for my sins so I could live with Him in heaven forever.

I’ve always loved radio. Radio was a big part of our life on the farm—in the house, in the barn. We didn’t have radios on the tractor, but I produced hundreds of radio shows on the seat of the tractor while I mowed or plowed.

As long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be on the radio. I set up a little “radio operation” in my room and made my friends play radio.

I was a good little church boy. People would pat me on the head and say I should be a preacher. But I didn’t want to be a preacher. I wanted to be a disc jockey. In fact, I think my desire to be a radio announcer was what kept me from really getting serious about giving my life completely to God. I thought if you were completely dedicated to God, you’d have to be a pastor or a missionary.

So I held back. I was one kind of boy at home and at church. I was a different kind of guy at school. If my parents knew the language I was using and the jokes I was telling, they would have been seriously disappointed. But I wanted to be popular, and I wanted to run with the gang, so I lived a double life. Not that I got into smoking, drinking and sex. Not at all. But my life was a contradiction of church and school.

That all changed the summer before my junior year in high school. Several kids from our church youth group were coming back on a bus from Bible camp. We were yucking it up along the way until my cousin Bev started to cry. Now Bev was also a good church kid. Everybody thought Bev was OK. But through her tears, Bev confessed that she didn’t know if her sins were forgiven, and she didn’t know if she would go to heaven.

Well, once Bev prayed and received Jesus, God spoke to me. It wasn’t an audible voice, but God’s Spirit was saying something deep inside me. The deep impression from God on my heart was that there were thousands of good church kids like Bev who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. And God placed a call on my life to make the good news plain to good church people who needed Jesus.

Remember, I thought if you were really dedicated to follow the Lord, you’d have to become a pastor or missionary. So, here I go! I instantly changed my priorities and declared my intention to be a pastor. That following year we had a huge revival among the youth in our community. Our entire youth group was energized to share the gospel. We had special youth meetings. We organized prayer groups in our high school. Many of my friends came to Jesus as Savior, and several went into professional ministry as a result of that year.

So after graduation from high school, I went to a Christian university in South Carolina to study to be a pastor. It was 1,400 miles from our farm to South Carolina. My dad later said he thought he’d never get over my going so far away from home to attend school. But I was determined to get the best possible ministry training I could get.

When I came home for summer vacation after that first year in college, I discovered my mom had terminal cancer. She was 44 years old with five kids, including my 4-year-old sister. I immediately transferred to the University of Minnesota so I could be closer to home. In May of my sophomore year my mom died. It was a terribly difficult time for all the family. I’m still numb even now as I try to remember.

When I resumed my studies the next fall, I took an elective class in radio-television production. It was a lifelong fascination for me, and the class got me hooked. There was one guy in the class who had spent the summer working for a radio station in Montana. I asked him, “How do you get a job in radio?” He said, “You just go in and apply.”

That afternoon I drove to KTIS AM-FM in downtown Minneapolis. I asked to see the manager. The manager came out—Paul Ramseyer. He looked at me, a kid fresh off the farm with no radio experience. I’m sure he wondered what I was doing there. But they must have been desperate. A couple days later Paul called and offered me a job. They needed some poor guy to work from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays—plus Wednesday nights.

I took the job—for a whopping $1.50 an hour! They trained me “on the job,” and in two weeks I was running the station alone on weekends—reading news, playing records, monitoring the transmitter, recording programs. I was having a blast. I quickly warmed to the job and must have shown an aptitude because soon I was producing programs and filling in on the morning drive. Let me say, one could never step into a job like that today. Standards are much higher!

The following year I married Norma. She worked full time as a nurse while I worked 30 hours a week while finishing my bachelor’s degree at the University of Minnesota. The following fall I enrolled in seminary. The radio job was a great way to work my way through school—seminary classes in the morning, then off to the radio station to do the afternoon shift until 6 p.m.

Our seminary required students to spend their summers doing internships in area churches. Norma and I were assigned to a small church plant in North Dakota. Reluctantly, I took a summer leave of my radio job to serve as interim pastor of three country churches.

The summer flew by. I did visitation, youth ministry, preaching and Bible camps. We were always busy, but the job was never done. As I returned from the plains of North Dakota to the metropolitan Twin Cities, I went back to the radio station. I turned on the control board, opened the microphone and spun the music.

But Norma saw the lights in my eyes and the beginning of a problem. She wanted to be married to a preacher. I had just concluded a lackluster summer as a country pastor. It was the appeal of a major radio station that brought back my passion for ministry.

There was strong pressure at seminary to be a pastor. The denomination needed pastors. Why would you go to seminary if you weren’t going to be a pastor? Being a pastor is the best way to serve God. Anything less is inferior service. Besides, I had made a promise to God—that I would invest my life making the gospel plain to good church people who needed Jesus.

I was having this inner battle between what I wanted to do and what I thought God was requiring of me. So one night in our apartment, I had this “face-in-the-carpet experience.” On my knees, literally on my face before God, I said, “Lord, I’m tired of this conflict. I am willing to do whatever it is you want me to do, even to be a pastor in Wheatfield, S.D. I just want to be in your will and experience your peace about it.”

It seems now almost instantaneous, but I don’t recall the timing of it. But after that moment of total surrender of my life to the Lord, I experienced a sense of peace about serving God in Christian media. It was as if God had been waiting for me to declare my willingness to do anything and go anywhere to serve Him before He would release me to do what I was passionate about.

With total confidence of God’s will and God’s blessing, I told my seminary colleagues that after graduation I wasn’t going to be a pastor. Instead, I was going to stay full time in Christian radio. That was 40 years ago. God has given me this marvelous career doing what I was dreaming of doing as an 8-year-old boy. The hundreds of hours of radio I did on the tractor were now converted into production ministry, reaching hundreds of thousands of people with the good news.

Shortly after this transition from seminary to radio, I was discussing the two options with a friend. “You reach more people in one day on the radio than most pastors reach in their lifetime,” she said. It was later that I realized God was true to His calling to me on that church bus when I was 16 years old. Most people who listen to Christian radio are good church people. But statistics show that one out of three who listen have not made a conscious decision to follow Jesus. So God called me and placed me in Christian communication to make the gospel plain to good church people who need Jesus.

And now, after more than 30 years of radio work in Minneapolis followed by five years in Chicago, God has opened this opportunity to not only reach lost people in the U.S., but to reach unreached people in the farthest, most unreachable parts of the globe through radio. I never could have imagined where that still voice that spoke a life goal to me as a 16-year-old farm kid would all eventually lead.

Here’s what I tell young people whenever I have a chance.

Don’t hold back on committing your life totally to God for fear of what He might ask you to do. God is not just waiting for you to surrender to Him so He can put you in some miserable, unbearable place. He is waiting for you to place your life in His hands so you can be the person He created you to be.

He’s not interested in putting square pegs in round holes. He has created you with certain interests, passions, gifts and abilities so you can serve Him with effectiveness and enjoyment. He’s created you with a certain DNA and will allow that DNA of passions, interests and talents to be used for your fulfillment and His glory.

The psalmist said, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

So for starters:

· Receive God’s gift of forgiveness and eternal life which He bought for you on the cross and the empty tomb.

· Then follow Jesus with all you’ve got. Love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

· Then watch God work in you and through you as you love Him and follow Him. I can say from experience—it works!

Eur-Asia Conferene

HCJB GLOBAL EUROPEAN CONFERENCE

One of the privileges of serving with HCJB Global is the opportunity to see and hear first hand what God is doing in extraordinary ways in strategic circumstances. My recent time at the European Conference brought together dedicated servants from 13 countries who are using media, health care and leadership development to advance the cause of Jesus and His Kingdom.

I can't possibly remember or relate all that was presented. However, for your encouragement and perspective, I wanted to share some of the highlights which I noted in my journal.

North Africa
We are installing portable studios and training local believers to develop their own radio projects in areas that are less than 1% Evangelical. A young man is producing programs on his computer. His brother finds Christian ites on his brother's computer and reports it to the father who works for the government. The young Christian man is kicked out of his family. He is no longer the son. He says that if he had been the daughter, he would not be alive. He was asked if we should scramble his voice on the radio programs. "No, you don't have to scramble my voice. I've been there."

Who of you willing to follow Christ for the sake of family, land, home?

Our shortwave and direct satellite are providing access to the Gospel where there are big barriers to proclamation of the Gospel. In the Gulf region, amidst a population of 30 Million, there are 300-1000 believers. Yet our media ministries are reaching 45,000 households.

Central Asia
In Slovoka there are 5 Million people. In Czech Republic, 10 Million. These countries are some of the most atheistic countries in Eur-Asia. Only 1 out of 500 are Evangelical. Yet, today there is a brand new Christian FM station broadcasting the Good News. And the founders have a vision to add one station per year in that region.

A new Mission Center operating out of a church in Central Asia is producing radio programs on a community FM station and using the Center to reach disenchanted youth in the city on the verge of dysfunction.

Even in the parts of Europe that were formerly major sending countries, providing ministry and missions to the farthest reaches of the world, are now some of the largest mission fields. Places like Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, England, France, most with less than 2% evangelical now could be considered "unreached". Yet creative strategists are using Internet, podcasts, and short edgy spots on commercial radio stations to speak to their post-Christian culture.

In Sweden, a creative, youthful think tank is producing a virtual "Second Life" environment where Millenials from aroud the world can gather in this virtual community to connect with HCJB Global. We're looking at the future here.

The Asia-Paific region has 3.5 Billion people--60% of the world population. 80% of the unreached people of the world live in the Asia-Pacific. Shortwave continues to be an effective means of reaching the vast expanses of China, India, Bangladesh. Culturally relevant programs addressing social issues and current events prepared in those countries in 20 languages are helping people through the challenges of day-to-day living. The mobile phone industry is focused on developing these highly populated global regions with mobile devices that will in the future enable our media to reach some of the most unreached regions of the world with the Message.

There are great and unexpected opportunities in parts of the world with little access and big obstacles. Opportunities can't be planned and we must be strategic and flexible as God opens the doors. In the words of Henry Blackaby "God wants us to invest right where He sends us. Wherever God sends you, find what God wants you to do in that place."

Make New Friends--Keep the Old

I've observed two key mistakes when organizations are in transition. On one hand, the organization is so deeply ingrained in past history, it is ineffective in speaking to the current generation. On the other, new leadership is so neglectful or even disresepectfull of tradition, they miss the opportunity to build on the benefits of what's gone before.

A successful corporate leader, who's business gives millions of dollars in community charity said this to a small group of us recently: "We drink water from wells that we dug by others." More frequently we hear about the benefits of standing on the shoulders of those who preceeded us. (Very hard to get any work done in that position, however.)

Seriously, we need to have balance in looking back and looking forward. We need to build on the past but not live in the past. I like the old motto from Youth For Christ years ago: "Anchored to the Rock; Geared to the times."

In the weeks since I last wrote to you, I've been involved in 2 very different but very important group meetings. The first was the week-long "Forever Family". This event gathered almost 200 retired staff and missionaries with long, faithful service to HCJB Global. I was thrilled and impressed with their energy, passion and openness to continue to serve. We heard stories, some brought laughter, others brought tears, of how God has used our team in effectively serving Jesus over these 78 years.

A week later, I heard the report from our Emerging Media Task Force. This group of forward thinking men and women have been meeting and exploring opportunities to share the Good News on the new technologies God is bringing into view. It's the same Message, but distributed in new ways using Internet, Podcasting, SMS, blogging, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and smart phone mobile technology. The amazing thing is that the regions experiencing the fastest development of technology are the very unreached parts of the world that HCJB Global is called to reach!

So while we honor the past, and we "seize the day", we also need to focus forward, using the tools and creativity God has provided. Now that the techs have done their work in exploring and recommending the techno-tools available, we now need to engage our best creative minds to explore and recommend the compelling content we need to place on those new delivery systems. Stay tuned for that!

Hockey great Wayne Gretsky was asked what made him a great hockey player. His response: "I don't skate to where the puck is. I skate to where the puck is going to be." May God enable us with the foresight to move to where the new media and the new consumer is going to be.

By the way, as a demonstration of connecting old with new, photos and MP3 files of the "Forever Family" event have been uploaded on the HCJB Global hub. You can access them for your own enjoyment. And I even used my little "flip" camera and placed a very amatuerish video montage on YouTube. You can do a searh on YouTube using my name in the search. (Even this old radio guy is trying to learn new media.)

Smile

Joy is one of the most powerful means of reflecting God’s love. So if your soul is happy, let your face show it. A smile is a great way to show love and acceptance. Businesses that serve the public should require employees to smile. According to the Monday Morning Memo from Wizard of Ads:

“Smiling even makes tasks look easy and enjoyable. Smiling counters feelings of anxiety and intimidation in others and instills a sense of calm. A genuine smile is detectible and instills trust. Smiling also makes you look more attractive.”

Joy is one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit—the 2nd one listed right after love. Joy must be pretty important.

Paul said: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again: Rejoice.” Joy must be pretty important.”

The Psalmist said: Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.

Proverbs teaches that “A cheerful heart is good medicine.”

Even sad, plagued Job said: “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”

Christians should be characterized by joy. We have every reason to be joyful. The eternal issues are settled. Our sins are forgiven. And Christ-followers are even encouraged to rejoice in the midst of trials.

A smile translates in any language. A smile is the ultimate cross-cultural communication tool.

So as you serve the Lord this week, SMILE.

The Resurrection Power in You

Jesus lived a great life. So did a lot of other great religious leaders.

Jesus died a martyr’s death. So did many others who laid down their lives.

Jesus rose boldly and bodily from the grave. No one has ever done that!

And that’s the great message we have to proclaim. In the 1st Century, the distinctive message of the early church was the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. That was the message that got people’s attention. And interesting that no one disputed the fact. His resurrection was an undisputed fact proven by repeated appearances to His contemporaries. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is one of the best documented facts in history.

In the 21st Century, the resurrection is still our distinctive message. You can point to the tombs of most every religious leader in history. But Jesus tomb is empty. No bones about it!

What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to you today? Romans 8:11 teaches that “The Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you.” Can you believe it? While we marvel at God’s power in raising His Son from the dead, you need to know that same power lives in you. So if you think discouragement, defeat, fear, weakness, you need to realize that the same power that raised Jesus now resided in you to empower you to live the Jesus life.

The resurrection is more than a well-documented historical fact. The resurrection power resides inside you today! So let the power of the resurrection empower your message. Let it strengthen your ministry. Let it impassion your person.

The Lord is risen indeed! The power of the risen Lord lives in you indeed!

Evangelism or Discipleship

I’ve often been asked about my ministry career: Are we called to evangelism or discipleship? My somewhat glib answer is usually, “Yes.”

I understand the difference between evangelism and discipleship. Evangelism is the proclamation of the good news to those who have never heard. Discipleship is taking believers to a higher level of instruction and growth under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

But back to my “yes” answer. I’m not trying to be a wise guy. How can you really separate evangelism and discipleship?

Jesus’ most frequent call was, “Follow me.” To me that involves the conscious decision to follow Jesus in all respects, including repenting of sin, receiving God’s forgiveness through Christ Jesus, forsaking sin and pursuing righteousness, and coming under the total management of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Someone said to me recently, “Before you came to HCJB Global, we kept hearing about discipleship. When you came, we keep hearing about evangelism.”

My personal passion is for evangelism. Nothing could be more important than introducing people to the Son of God and Savior of the world. Nothing is more critical than changing people’s eternal destiny from hell to heaven. If we properly introduce people to Jesus, they will love Him with all their heart, mind, soul and strength. And subsequently they will begin to follow Him as disciples (literally “learners”).

I applaud the focus on discipleship that former HCJB Global President David Johnson brought to our mission. We needed that vision cast, and our various ministries have responded by making the “passionate discipleship” core value a strategic part of what we do.

As I pray and plan, my heart is to take the legacy of evangelism and discipleship that has been given to us and look at them together—as part of a larger process.

Evangelism isn’t just about getting converts. It’s announcing God’s wonderful good news of salvation by grace through faith. And it’s winsomely appealing to our friends to begin a personal journey following Jesus as Savior and Lord. I believe that this broader picture must be our priority.

Jesus commanded us to “make disciples of all ethnic groups.” That means bringing people to Jesus to become His followers and “students.” After the life-and-death importance of conversion, the intentional decision to follow Jesus in full surrender is life-changing. The learning and growth process is vital to spiritual health and productivity.

As I reach out to those around me, I try not to refer to myself as a Christian. That word is so marginalized in many of our cultures. It’s lost meaning in our “Christian” culture and is an offense in many cultures. I also avoid labels like “evangelical” or “born again.” They’re good words, but they typecast us to the world.

I refer to myself as a “follower of Jesus.” Jesus’ command is to follow Him. That means a humble confession of sin and trust in His atonement. That means loving God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. That includes loving my neighbor as myself. It means loving the poor, children, the widow—even enemies. It means denying myself and following Him. It means persecution, submission, humility, disgrace—even martyrdom!

So in its most simple … and most extraordinary form, I’m a follower of Jesus … wherever. By introducing people to Jesus and inviting them to follow Him, we evangelize and disciple a growing number of Christ-followers.

As part of that, I proclaim the good news whenever possible, however possible. Nothing is more important than introducing people to Jesus. We are compelled to this effort because of our legacy in the past and our “global ends” that help define our future:

· To reach those people groups who have never heard.

· To reach people groups with restricted access to the gospel.

· Then, to mobilize believers to demonstrate and proclaim Christ.

Yes, that’s evangelism. That’s discipleship. That’s our calling.

When Your Back's to the Wall

Isn’t it interesting that as people, we really pray and put our dependence on God when our backs are against the wall. With the current global economy, this is one of those times. I believe the Lord is teaching our world, our nations, our organizations and our churches that success is not about how smart we are in making budgets and raising funds. In fact, it’s not about money after all. God is humbling us to realize it’s not about us … it’s about Him and His kingdom.

I’d rather write happy, optimistic messages of victory and blessing. However, just as we celebrate victories we must also acknowledge hardships. We’re seeing an accelerated drop in donations as of the first five months of our fiscal year. We do have other sources of income. However, donor income is at the center of our funding model and provides us with the cash flow we need to fund operations and projects around the globe.

When Moses was literally “between the devil and the deep blue sea,” he prayed. And then gave this word of encouragement to his people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today” (Exodus 14:13, NIV).

Wednesday, March 4, is our Global Day of Prayer. Once again, I call on our people to spend significant time on prayer, declaring our dependence on the Lord, not the economy. I would even encourage our people to fast and pray. You may decide to fast from solid food, from meat or from desserts. Or you may choose to fast from television, Facebook or e-mail (I like that last one!).

In addition to trusting God, we must take preemptive action. After His prayer, God told Moses basically to stop praying and get moving. So I’m calling our HCJB Global leadership to continue to travel light. We’re looking at every expense, every line item, every purchase, every trip and every project to determine whether this expense is core to our ministry and strategic for our future. We’re going to continue to be responsible stewards of the resources God has given us in the way we spend our finances.

Meanwhile, your Mobilization Team is working hard to connect with our partners, our donors and foundations to keep the vision and mission of HCJB Global at the forefront of their thinking, praying and giving.

I received this note from Mark Kerk, who works in the HCJB Global Technology Center in Elkhart:

“In Elkhart county today more than 15 percent are out of work. Of the 85 percent that are working, it is said that less than 10 percent are challenged and fulfilled by their job. We must understand that God provides the challenge and fulfillment, and then the blessing with our obedience.”

We need to put our faith and our trust in God alone. He alone is worthy of our trust and our hope. We must understand that our friends and co-workers will disappoint us. Technology will fail us. Computers and computer programs are destined to fail, and we cannot put our hope in them.

I have been guilty of putting my trust in others things. Today I choose to move it back to where it must be—my everlasting God. I pray that our organization will continue to place its trust in God alone.

Curt Cole sent me this proverb from the Dagbani tribe in Ghana, “If God breaks your leg, He will teach you how to limp.”

The apostle Paul said it this way:

“… for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13, NIV).

As we pray for God to open the gates of heaven for our financial situation, may we also ask Him to show us how to live in need, of being content in any situation—whether in plenty or in want.

Wayne Pederson

HCJB Global

Me and My Household

Me and My Household

In reading through the Book of Acts, I noted that the famous conversion of the Philippian jailer included his entire household. Paul told the jailer: “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your entire household.” They shared the word of the Lord with him and all who lived in his household. He and his household were immediately baptized. He and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God. Acts 16:31

Many years before that time, Israel’s new leader, Joshua, declared: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”

In cultures around the world, households are embracing Christianity as a group. We see entire households coming to our health clinics. We hear stories of entire households becoming followers of Jesus. In the Arab world, entire families listen to the Message through Internet, satellite, and podcasts.

So HCJB Global is launching the Me and My Household initiative. We want to share the Message of Jesus to households everywhere! So we’re challenging households of America to pray for their households, to reach out to their communities and to join us in reaching out to the world. Here’s how it works:

1. We have to be praying for our own households if we’re to reach others. So we’re offering a free prayer E-card Christians can use to send a prayer to their immediate and extended families. And we’ve created a website (Hcjbglobal.org/myprayer) where anyone can send a prayer card to their household telling them they’re praying for their extended and immediate family.

2. The next step is to reach out and impact our communities. We want to mobilize U.S. households to reach households in their community. We’re sponsoring a nation-wide contest that allows Christians to submit outreach projects to households in their community based on HCJB Global’s commitment to declare and demonstrate Jesus to others. Contest winners will receive cash prizes towards the local project they submitted.

3. As we pray for our own households, we’ll be ready to pray for households around the world. HCJB Global is inviting U.S. households to stand with us and impact the households of the world through the voice and hands of Jesus. We especially want to challenge households of America to pray for unreached households and to give 1 dollar to reach 1 household in Arab world for 1 year.

We’re already hearing from radio stations in the U.S. who are excited about helping listeners pray for their families, pray and reach out to households in their communities, and reach households of the world. Millions of households can be reached in next 5 years through HCJB Global outreach as we encourage U.S. families to give to reach the households of the world.

Traveling Light

Norma and I are leaving Tuesday for a two week trip. We fly to Spain for 3 days of meetings at Gibralter with our regional directors from Europe, Middle East and Africa. Then we fly from Spain across Asia to Singapore for 3 days of meetings with our Asia-Pacific team.

I have a deep moral conviction against checking luggage. But traveling internationally for 2 weeks with one suitcase and one bag can be challenging. You have to plan carefully for all possible situations and climates. The advantages are no lost luggage, no waiting in long lines, and ease in getting in and out of ground transportation.

Our close friends, Leith and Charlene Anderson, do extensive international travel. No matter how far they travel or how long they're away, they carry one suitcase and one briefcase each. They know the importance of being nimble and light. And now that airlines charge for checking baggage, the case for one-bag is even more compelling

Skye Jethani wrote an article in Leadership magazine entitled “Nothing to Declare (but the Gospel)” He talks about shuffling with his parents through the long immigration lines at Heathrow Airport gazing enviously at the travelers breezing through the “Nothing to Declare” lines.

As we face a challenging year 2009, we may need to learn to travel light. Perhaps we don’t need the baggage we’ve accumulated in ministry business. Effective ministry in 2009 requires us to be lean and agile, without the burden of large facilities, large budgets, or large staff.

This means analyzing everything we do: every association membership, discretionary travel, unnecessary toys, furnishings, equipment. This means focusing on what it vital to the core of our ministry that contributes to the mission and vision of our ministry.

Having all the accoutrements also requires us to manage those resources. And we become so entangled with managing things, we neglect the core of our ministry. We become so pre-occupied with the business of ministry, we forget the God of the ministry.

The writer of Hebrews exhorts us to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles so we can run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Maybe God is calling us to travel light, less baggage, no long lines, having “nothing to declare but the Gospel.”

R&R Goals for 2009

My friend, Kevin Peterson at R&R magazine asked for my goals for 2009. Here's what I sent him.

1. Vision Casting: It's absolutely imperative to be clear in our mission, vision, goals and strategies.
2. Communication: I believe it's almost impossible to over-communicate. We must be connecting regularly with out stakeholders and our team.
3. Revenue: Whether for-profit or not-for-profit, we need to be intentional and innovative in seeking to strengthen our core financial strategies.
4. Image: We need to be creative and clear in presenting our image to the general public and our stakeholders and branding ourselves consistently.
5. New technology: We must go after emerging technologies that enable us to connect with the next generation of media consumers. That includes streaming, podcasting, social networking such as FaceBook and YouTube, blogging and texting.
6. New Talent: To use new technology, we need to recruit new talent--20-something talent that can intuitively use new technology to reach the new audience.
7. Collaboration: We can't do it alone. We must connect and partner with other entities that can complement our resources in reaching our goal.
8. Team Building: We must focus on our team. What are we without our talented people. Encourage them. Communicate with them. Develop their leadership skills for the future.

A More Austere Christmas

Jesus, God’s Son, came to a world of poverty, born to a poor, humble girl living in an insignificant village. He was born to poor, peasant parents. His birthplace was a barn. How different from the glitzy, materialistic, hedonistic holiday celebration of today!

This is going to be a very interesting Christmas. We’re not hearing as much about the frenzy of shoppers seeking the latest and greatest gifts for their loved ones. In fact, we hear that stores won’t be selling as much. People are cutting back on presents and giving to charity. Our daughter suggested instead of buying presents, each of us in the family look for things we no longer use—but someone else in the family would enjoy—and give that personal gift to that specially chosen person. What a great idea! And that’s what we’re going to do.

The incarnation has a lot more to do with poverty than extravagance. The Bible says Jesus did not consider His position with God a thing to be grasped, “but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant” (Philippians 2:7, NKJV). Jesus later taught there’s a blessing on the “poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).

During this time of economic uncertainty and tightened budgets my prayer is that we might move a step closer to the truth of the incarnation—”He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9, NKJV). Let’s pray that as we reduce our trust in money and seek to become more like our Savior that we might experience the kingdom of God.

May you experience a true and joyful celebration of the Savior’s birth and sharing the good news which will be for all people who live in a world of spiritual poverty.

Prayer: Who's Listening?

One of the things I value among our HCJB Global team is our monthly Day of Prayer. A regular time focused on prayer is an effective way of demonstrating our total dependence on our heavenly Father.

For a long time, I considered prayer as a way to ask God for things I wanted or needed. Certainly God invites us to bring our needs to Him in prayer. There are wonderful examples of miraculous answers to prayer in HCJB Global’s 77 years of ministry.

Recently God has been teaching me that prayer is much more than talking to Him. A greater benefit of prayer is listening to God. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of coming to our heavenly Father with an open Bible and open heart, ready to hear what God wants to say to us.

Jesus taught us to pray: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” At HCJB Global we do pray His kingdom will come on earth. We also pray His will be done. But as we pray those things, we’re really asking that His kingdom and His will would be accomplished in our lives.

At Moody Radio we started a weekly “Stand Up Prayer.” We would come together as a team—not to pray for our own health and welfare—but to
specifically seek God’s direction and wisdom in our service to Him. Yes, we’d make requests, but primarily we sought to hear God’s voice and sense His direction for our lives.

Could I ask that this month, as we pray around the globe, we intentionally set aside our own needs and focus on the giver of every good and perfect gift? Let’s quiet our hearts and minds so we can hear God’s voice speaking to us about what He wants to do in us and through us in the year ahead.

Acts 4:31 states, “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly” (NIV).

Prayer

Word from Wayne
Dec. 2, 2008

One of the things I value among our HCJB Global team is our monthly Day of Prayer to say to us.

Jesus taught us to pray: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” At HCJB Global we do pray His kingdom will come on earth. We also pray His will be done. But as we pray those things, we’re really asking that His kingdom and His will would be accomplished in our lives.

At Moody Radio we started a weekly “Stand Up Prayer.” We would come together as a team—not to pray for our own health and welfare—but to
specifically seek God’s direction and wisdom in our service to Him. Yes, we’d make requests, but primarily we sought to hear God’s voice and sense His direction for our lives.

Could I ask that this month, as we pray around the globe, we intentionally set aside our own needs and focus on the giver of every good and perfect gift? Let’s quiet our hearts and minds so we can hear God’s voice speaking to us about what He wants to do in us and through us in the year ahead.

Acts 4:31 states, “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly” (NIV). . A regular time focused on prayer is an effective way of demonstrating our total dependence on our heavenly Father.

For a long time, I considered prayer as a way to ask God for things I wanted or needed. Certainly God invites us to bring our needs to Him in prayer. There are wonderful examples of miraculous answers to prayer in HCJB Global’s 77 years of ministry.

Recently God has been teaching me that prayer is much more than talking to Him. A greater benefit of prayer is listening to God. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of coming to our heavenly Father with an open Bible and open heart, ready to hear what God wants

My Utmost

In my devotional reading this morning:

"God works all things for good to those who live Him and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

"The circumstances of a saint's life are ordained of God. In the life of a saint there is no such thing as chance. God by His providence brings you into circumstances that you cannot understand at all,but the Spirit of God understands. God is bringing you into places and among people and into conditions in order that the Spirit in you may take a particular line. Never put your hand in front of circumstances. All your circumstances are in the hand of God. Therefore never think it strange concerning the circumstances you are in."

Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest"

My Utmost

In my devotional reading this morning:

"God works all things for good to those who live Him and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

"The circumstances of a saint's life are ordained of God. In the life of a saint there is no such thing as chance. God by His providence brings you into circumstances that you cannot understand at all,but the Spirit of God understands. God is bringing you into places and among people and into conditions in order that the Spirit in you may take a particular line. Never put your hand in front of circumstances. All your circumstances are in the hand of God. Therefore never think it strange concerning the circumstances you are in."

Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest"

Ecuador

We've just returned from Ecuador after a whirlwind week of meetings, lunches, dinners, receptions and travel.

We visited Shell to see our hospital, our school and our missionaries who faithfully serve in the jungle. A highlight was standing in the radio room of Nate Saint's house and reliving the events surrounding the death of the 5 missionaries in 1955. That event triggered tens of thousands to commit their lives to cross-cultural ministry. It’s just like God to turn a terrible tragedy into a great expansion of His Kingdom

We visited the hydro-plants in Papallacta and Lorreto which furnish electrical power for the HCJB radio transmitters saving HCJB $500,000 a year in utility costs plus supplying power to the country of Ecuador which provides another $500,000 in annual revenue to the mission. Those facilities are a great tribute to the vision, ingenuity and perseverance of the HCJB Global team

We had meetings with Hospital Vozandes staff which is 90% Ecuadorian nationals. The hospitals in Quito and Shell provide valuable health care to thousands of Ecuadorians who would not have access to medical attention. They demonstrate the caring love of Jesus to many needy people who don’t know Christ.

We met with the water projects leadership and staff. These teams go into a needy community, provide clean, safe water to the people. Working with a local church, they point the community to the Living Water.

Our Corrientes project is working to train and mobilize believers in Ecuador to reach out to Ecuadorians in the proclamation of the Gospel and eventual cross-cultural ministry. The goal is to hire an Ecuadorian director of Corrientes and to work hand-in-hand with a coalition of other like-minded Ecuadorian ministries.

We spent a day with HCJB Radio personnel, viewing studios and strategizing on the most effective use of media in the midst of continual changes in the media world. It’s sad to see the antennas and transmitters on Pifo being dismantled. The new Quito airport is adjacent to our antenna farm. Plus the audience for short-wave is diminishing. One option we’re exploring is to repurpose the transmitters and antennas for a shortwave ministry to India and China, which represents 2/3's of the world population.

The CCC (Christian Communications Center) trains young Latin American students to use media to share the Gospel via radio, video and modern digital technology. One of the strategic goals of HCJB Global is to train the next generation of communicators to use the next generation of technology to reach the next generation of media users. Half the world’s population is under age 25, which may be the largest unreached people groups in the world.

We were joined Saturday night by a group of U.S. Christian broadcasters who are spending the week touring HCJB Global ministries in Ecuador. These stations represent potential ministry partners for some of our global media projects.

With the U.S. broadcasters, we attended a Spanish Church in Quito. The service was entirely in Spanish, music and sermon. But we were able to catch the drift of the content...and certainly caught up in the energy and spirit of the believers. God is alive in Latin America!

A highlight of our Sunday was to serve 280 adults and children at Pan de Vida, an outreach started by HCJB, which provides a teaching and worship experience for adults and children followed by a nice meal in the courtyard. We all dug in, cutting vegetables, serving the food, and intereacting with the poor, but beautiful people of Quito. We really felt it a privilege to be the "voice and hands" of Jesus.

Sunday night, our coordinator of International Health Care gave an inspiring report of how God is using our medical teams with our disaster response teams to show the love of Jesus in times of crisis. She described the powerful impact of working with our radio partners to provide basic health and hygiene information on radio, plus providing basic clinical and educational service in our radio areas.

God is expanding our vision as we see God working throughout Latin America and in the 5 global regions to provide media ministry, health care and leadership development. Though Latin America is a "reached" continent, there are still many who do not know the Lord. And there are many believers who can be motivated and trained to serve.

HCJB Global is using media, human care and leadership development to reach people who have never heard, to reach people groups with limited access to the Gospel and to mobilize those who can serve. But global evangelism is the "point of the arrow" for HCJB Global. When we provide emergency response, the goal is to introduce people to Jesus. When we provide clean water, it's to point to Jesus, the Living Water. When we provide healing help through our hospitals and clinics, it's to introduce people to the "Great Physician". In our broadcasting operations, we seek to communicate about the One who came to demonstrate the love of God and the gift of eternal life to our needy world.

I'm privileged we've been called to this unique and powerful ministry. We really appreciate your prayers as we take on this powerful challenge.

Thank God! Call out His Name!
Tell the whole world who he is and what he's done!
Sing to him! Play songs for him!
BROADCAST all His wonders!

I Chronicles 16:9 (The Message)

Word from Wayne on Leaving Moody Radio

I don’t want this to be about me. Because it’s NOT all about me. I’ve loved what I do at Moody Radio. I love my friends at Moody Radio. I love their commitment to Jesus Christ, to proclaiming the Word of God and helping listeners grow in the way they follow Him.

I love the magic of radio. This week we did the live show with Michael W. Smith in front of a live audience. The countdown concluded. Chris pointed to Mark. It was a magic moment. The microphone opened and tens of thousands of people were instantly connected. I’ve done this for 40 years and have never lost the magic of radio.

This isn’t an easy job. Media is changing. The way people use radio is changing. There’s the challenge of raising funds for a $20 Million ministry. I know through years of listener response, you can’t please everyone. Someone’s not going to like the music. You have too much talk. You’re too liberal. You’re too conservative. You’re too serious. You joke too much. So I’ve graduated from Toughskin University, knowing Christians care so much about life, their faith, their radio station, they express strong feelings about how we do things.

The toughest thing is leaving the people. The people who make up the Moody Radio team are the best--the most talented, most dedicated team I’ve ever worked with. And, with a few exceptions, they're nice. After all, out of a staff of 200, you’d expect a few grouches, right? (You know who you are.)

But really, I’m glad I’m sad. Frankly, I’m honored they're sad. I’d hate after all these years they'd be having parties in their offices knowing I was leaving. It’s interesting even people I didn’t think liked me have expressed appreciation. So I think, Man, if I had known I was so well liked, I would have stayed. It’s a reminder that we should all be more encouraging to our colleagues.

And though it’s with deep sadness we move on, intellectually, spiritually, we know it’s God’s direction. Henry Blackaby once told me: “Don’t tell God you’ll do anything for Him if you really won’t do it.” That’s the problem. I have a note in my journal that I’d “do whatever; go wherever” God would so lead. Through His Word, the Holy Spirit’s quiet voice, the counsel of godly, respected friends, and through God’s hand in life circumstances, we got the call. One of the verses I discovered in the process of seeking His direction was Romans 9:12 in The Message: “His purpose is not hit-or-miss, dependent on what we do or don’t do. But a sure thing determined by His decision flowing steadily from His initiative.”

So God directed us to HCJB Global, whose declared end is to use media and human care to reach those people groups who have never heard, those with limited access to the Gospel. And my deep passion is to reach the lost with the Message of Jesus of Nazareth. I don’t have the gift of evangelism. I have a passion for evangelism--and the spiritual gift of leadership that will facilitate the passion.

And the strong work at Moody Radio will go forward: Proclaiming God’s Word, helping listeners take the next step in their walk with Christ, being a trusted voice and friend, unpacking issues from a Biblical world-view.

I pray my investment in articulating those ends, placing great people where they can shine for Jesus, and establishing a positive environment for ministry will produce decades of effective radio ministry.

And you’ve not heard the last of me. HCJB Global will be partnering with Moody. You’ll hear reports of what God is doing around the Globe. Which fulfills another verse God showed me: Those who were never told of Him will see. Those who’ve never heard of Him will get the Message.” How’s that for confirmation?

From the depths of our hearts, Norma and I thank you.

Let Your Heart Be Broken

Though leaving Moody is difficult, God keeps re-affirming our call to this global outreach. This morning at Moody Church, Norma and I stood with tears in our eyes as we sang this hymn:

Let your heart be broken for a world in need.
Feed the mouths that hunger, soothe the wounds that bleed.
Give the cup of water, and the loaf of bread;
Be the hands of Jesus, serving in His stead.

Here on earth applying principles of love
Visible expression, God still rules above.
Living illustration of the Living Word;
To the minds of all who’ve never seen or heard.

Blessed to be a blessing, privileged to care;
Challenged by the need apparent everywhere.
Where mankind is wanting, fill the vacant place.
Be the means through which the Lord reveals His grace.

Add to your believing deeds that prove it true;
Knowing Christ as Savior, make Him Master too.
Follow in His footsteps, go where He has trod.
In the world’s great trouble risk yourself from God.

Let your heart be tender and your vision clear,
See mankind as God sees—serve Him far and near.
Let your heart be broken by a brother’s pain;
Share your rich resources, give and give again.
(Text by Brian Jeffrey Leach)

This was another confirmation of God's direction. And this hymn could really be a theme for HCJB Global Hands and Voice. I'm making this my prayer focus for the next few weeks. May we as God's servants make this our heart's prayer.

The Call

A lotof soul-searching, rather God-searching went into the decision to go with HCJB Global. God directs us primarily through:

His Word
His Spirit
His direction of circumstances
Counsel of wise, trusted friends

When the search process got serious, I took a day to get with God. Norma was out of town on a Saturday. Ispent the entire day reading God's word, on my knees in prayer, on my face seeking His direction.

In my regular personal study, I was in the last part of Romans. And these are the verses that popped out that day and provided God's direction:

Those who were never told of Him will see. Those who've never heard will get the message. Romans 15.21

All the nations of the world can know the truth. Romans 16.25

How can they believe in Him if they've never heard of Him?
And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them about Him?
And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?
Romans 10.14-15

We asked God to write it on the mirror. Well, this was pretty close. When you tell God you'll do anything He asks, then you ask with sincere and open heart, then He gets your attention with these obvious statements, how can you say "no"?

I heard long time ago, you can't say "No, Lord." The two words don't go together. If he's Lord, you don't say no. The only correct answer is "Yes, Lord" "Yes, Sir!"

HCJB Global

I wanted to let a few of my close friends know I’ve accepted the position of President/CEO of HCJB Global, starting November 1, 2008. Leaving our work and friends at Moody will be difficult. I’m grateful to the Lord for our years at Moody. I treasure the experience and the friendships. My hope is that I've help make Moody Radio an effective ministry, a healthy place to work and a strong team to carry forward.

Clarence Jones took his experience at Moody leaving Chicago for South America to start radio station HCJB in Quito in 1931. Today HCJB Global Voice and Global Hands is an international ministry with 800 staff and 230 missionaries and annual budget of $39M. The corporate headquarters is in Colorado Springs. The Global Technology Center is in Elkhart. Regional centers focus on Asia Pacific, Sub-Sahara Africa, Euro-Asia, North Africa-Middle East, Latin America and North America. Currently HCJB Global Voice has outlets in 100 countries broadcasting in 120 languages and is using podcast, video production and mobile devices to present the Gospel.

The mission of HCJB Global is to reach those who have never heard and to equip those who can be mobilized. Media, healthcare and leadership training are the strategies used to come alongside indigenous ministries to plant, train, equip.

God has clearly directed us as we’ve sought His will in this opportunity. The verse that sealed it was Romans 15.21: “Those who were never told of Him will see. Those who’ve never heard of Him will get the Message.”

Speaking Truth in Love

Every advance in technology designed to improve our lives seems to create new problems and challenges. The cell phone, which allows us to be constantly accessible, also interrupts meals, concerts, meetings, sermons and even prayer.

The television with its marvelous ability to transmit news with pictures around the world also is responsible for lowering moral standards, creating obsession with celebrities, fostering materialism, even prohibiting physical fitness and encouraging obesity.

The Internet is a marvelous invention. It allows us instant access to information. It enables us to instantly and inexpensively communicate to friends and family across the country or around the world. We can access news, sermons, music, and devotionals of every sort.

On the Internet, we can build social networks and connect with the daily lives of our friends and family. We can access blogging sites and gain information from and endless list of sources.

But we've learned we can't always trust the Internet. We know that we can’t with confidence say “It must be true because I saw it on the Internet.” The Internet is a constant source of mis-information. Emails forwarded to multiple addresses multiple times perpetuate urban legends and fabrication. Wikipedia is no longer considered a reliable research source because anyone can insert information on Wikipedia.

And we’re all familiar with the very serious and increasingly pervasive problem of internet pornography which is destroying careers, marriages, and personal lives of both men and women.

But here’s another issue. Rudeness and lack of civility. I follow several periodicals that make their content available on email. Some of these content distributors also allow readers to blog, or add their own comments or reaction to those articles.

Internet anonymity removes inhibitions. And what appalls me is the how the anonymity provided by the Web gives people the boldness to be totally rude, un-civil, unkind, and un-Christian. It’s great we’re giving people a voice. But what that amounts to is that it’s attracting hateful people who use the web blog in a way that is angry, crude and hurtful.

Recently a widely read Christian magazine featured an article on a well-known ministry who with wisdom and courage conducted a thorough survey on their own effectiveness in achieving their goal of spiritual growth in their members. What they found revealed they were missing the mark and their people were not maturing into Christ-centered believers.

This ministry had to courage and humility to reveal the results and announce their commitment to make adjustments in their approach to ministry. Some readers responded on the magazine’s blog with accusations, finger-pointing, strongly-worded, judgmental criticism. Rather than commend this ministry for their humility and courage, they piled on the unkind, destructive and hurtful diatribe.

The popularity of the web and the anonymity it provides may all contribute to this unhealthy environment. I see it in some of the email that comes to my in-box as well.

Well, whether we’re speaking one-on-one, face to face; or whether we’re making anonymous comments on a blog, we need to remember the Biblical exhortation to kindness, gentleness and self-control. Speaking the truth. Absolutely. But always speaking truth…with love.

Influence Culture

Over the centuries, the church has been taken mixed postures in how we relate to our culture. Jesus taught we are of necessity “in the world” but not of necessity “of the world.” As J.B. Philips effectively translates Romans 12:2, we’re not to “let the world squeeze you into its mold.”

On my commentary this week, I quoted Andy Crouch from his book Culture Making: Recovering our Creative Calling. Crouch points out various postures Christians have taken regarding our culture: condemnation, critique, consumerism, and copying. We can’t just stand back in a condemnatory posture. By doing so, we alienate those we are trying to reach. But if we only consume or copy culture, we lose our calling to be salt and light.

Crouch recommends a posture of cultivation and creation: nourishing the best in our culture and creating things that have never been done before. We at Moody Radio can do that. We’ve called ourselves to help listeners unpack today’s issues from the Biblical world-view. We can affirm the good things in our world. And we can create positive, innovative content that can help people connect with our Message.

I don’t want us to become so taken with the evils of the world that we neglect the great positive, life-changing truth of God’s word. As we move to more talk about issues, it cannot be at the expense of our main calling to point people to Christ, the living Word, and the Bible, God’s written word.

Paul, the Apostle, said it perfectly. “Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Christmas on the Farm

We’re celebrating Christmas on the farm this year. It’s the farm where I grew up. We lived for many years in the suburbs. Now we’ve lived the last 4 years right in the bigger city. We love the buzz of urban life: the busy downtown, the great shops and restaurants, the constant people-watching.

But being here on the farm at Christmas brings me back. The pace is slower. The people are friendly. Neighbors plow snow for neighbors. You see the stars at night in all their brilliance. You see the glow of the moon on the snow covered fields.

The men gather in town for coffee in the morning. The weekly newspaper contains stories like Mrs. Gustafson had coffee with Mrs. Johnson last Wednesday.

Christians gather on Sunday in the small country church to sing hymns, listen to a simple message from the preacher and make small talk in the church entry before getting into their cars and pickups to go home.

Sure, the culture has come to the country. They have satellite TV. They use cell phones. Some have bought Harleys.

But life is good. Relationships are important. Values are strong.

Jesus was born in a small town. Bethlehem was a distant afterthought a few miles outside Jerusalem. At Christmas we sing about this little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie. Jesus was raised in a small town. Though Nazareth was on a trade route, not much happened there. Even one of Jesus potential disciples questioned whether anything good could come out of there.

Jesus did the customary pilgrimages to the big city: Jerusalem. But normally he kept to the out of the way places around the Galilee region. He often went out of his way off the beaten path into Transjordan, into the barren wilderness.

Yet even in the dark streets of Bethlehem God shined His everlasting light. In my small rural community, I found Christ. Our little country church made sure young people had opportunity to know Christ personally and grow into a deeper relationship with Him.

In this small rural community, there was a revival. I received my call to ministry at that time. Others of my friends were awakened to give their lives to Christ. In that quiet farmscape, God’s love and grace were very real. We didn’t have Christian TV, a Christian bookstore or maga-churches. Just godly pastors, loving and nurturing parents, great Christian kids to strengthen our faith.

So with all the rush of living in the city, I’m unusually content this Christmas to be in a quiet, slow, simple place, population 833, much like where Jesus grew up.

As the writer of Proverbs noted that we’re not to despise small beginnings, we too need to realize that greatness comes out of the most unexpected places. God has not chosen the rich or the wise or the important. “God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus.” 1 Corinthians 1.

A New Kind of Leader

Our country is desperately looking for a leader. A recent TIME survey revealed Americans’ expectations of their presidential candidates.

For example: 25% of voters rate “Strong leader” as the most important quality in their candidate.

Interesting 39% of Republicans and 12% of Democrats view “strong moral character” as most important.

42% of Republicans and 22% of Democrats say they must be comfortable with a candidate’s character. That’s compared with 52% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats that feel sharing views on the issues is most important.

Hilary Clinton rates high as a strong leader, but short on sincerity.

Barack Obama is rated lower as a strong leader, but high on moral character.

On the Republican side, Rudy Giuliani rates high as a strong leader, but suffers a low evaluation of character.

Not surprisingly, Governor Mike Huckabee does best on the moral character issue with 95% of voters giving him high marks, though he comes in lower on strong leadership.

800 years before Christ was born, Israel was looking for a strong leader to take them out of their political oppression. The prophet Isaiah delivered a prophesy to his generation. But that prophesy had a much longer view and more eternal significance.

“Unto us a child is born. Unto us a Son is given. And His name shall be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government there shall be no end.”

Though their pagan neighbors were quick to ascribe divinity to their kings, the Jews were very careful to reserve such godly language only for Yahweh. Isaiah was clearly talking about a very different kind of leader than the oppressed Israelites were crying for.

800 years later, Israel was again under the political and military oppression, this time under Rome. The Jews were praying, expecting, crying for a messiah that would throw off the Roman rule and restore freedom and sovereignty to the nation of Israel once again.

Their Messiah came. It was the Messiah prophesied by Isaiah 800 years earlier. And just as the ancient Israelites missed the double meaning of the prophesy, the people at Jesus time were expecting a much different Messiah than Jesus represented.

Though He repeatedly said His mission was to seek and to save the lost. Though he repeatedly said His kingdom was not of this world, most would-be followers couldn’t let go of the expectation that their messiah was a strong political leader.

His spiritual mission to give spiritual life and freedom was rejected by the worldly expectation of Israel’s citizens. So “He came to His own, but His own did not recognize Him.”

American is looking for a strong leader with solid moral character who will fix the political mess we’re in.

Well, we need a strong leader with moral character. But the solution is not in what Old Israel expected and American political pundits expect today. They answer for America this Christmas is to recognize the true mission of our Leader, Jesus Christ. He came to reconcile God and man. He came that man with man might be reconciled as well.

So this Christmas, though He’s not running for office, I cast my vote for Jesus.

Chicago Marathon

The Marathon
I ran the Chicago Marathon Sunday. I’ve always said I’d like to run a marathon someday, but never thought I’d want to invest the effort the time and the pain.

I actually started running while growing up on the farm. I’d occasionally run to the highway and back—about a mile. After Norma and I got married, I’d run the length of the park close to our apartment—about 2 miles. That was in ‘68, long before running was popular. People who saw you running would stop and offer you a ride.

I began running seriously in 1974. I’ve normally run 4 miles every other day. Dr. Ken Cooper and Mayo Clinic both say optimal lifetime running is about 15 miles per week. At that point, you reach a level of conditioning. More than that, injuries begin to kick in. I’ve been blessed that in those 30+ years and miles of running, I’ve had very little knee or hip problems. Let’s hear it for moderation!

Some of my favorite memories are running in Minneapolis with my daughters riding their bikes along side. I remember my daughter struggling uphill, complaining, “Daddy, I wish there were no such things as uphill.” I responded saying the joy of coasting downhill meant hard peddling up hill. I added: “Life is like that.”

This year, a group from WMBI decided to run the Chicago Marathon in behalf of World Vision. So about 10 staff and 80 listeners joined the WMBI/World Vision Marathon team. This was my chance for a marathon. I joined too. Norma asked what on earth caused me to sign up. “Peer pressure,” I said.

My running program was from an article I cut out of Runners Magazine years ago. It recommends two 4 mile runs each week and a long run on the weekend. Then, over the 3 month training, gradually increasing the length of the weekend runs. So my weekly routine was: 4 miles, 4 miles, 8 miles. Then, 4 miles, 4 miles, 10 miles. Then 4, 4, and 8. Next 4, 4, 12. And so on until two weeks before the race, you run the longest weekend run of 22 miles. In the final two weeks you taper off to let your body recover for the big event.

My worst run (if you call it running) was the 18 miler. It was 86 degrees and humid. I ran/walked the last 5 miles. My legs burned. I felt like throwing up. My muscles had expended every ounce of strength. Every fiber of my body screamed “Stop this!” When I got home, my legs burned for a couple hours. At that point I was thinking I’m not gonna be able to do this. But by now I’d invested so much time and effort in this, and I didn’t want to be a quitter. Besides, my friends and family knew I was doing this. Surprisingly, by the next day, I was fine!

Two weeks later, the 20 miler was tough. At the 9 mile mark I was spent. I just knew I couldn’t do 20. I had visions of explaining to everyone why I dropped out. But at about mile 12, I broke through. Maybe it was the electrolytes I was ingesting. Something clicked in and I finished the 20.

The final 23 miler was uneventful. Basically just gutting it out. But I did it!

Fortunately, living in Chicago provides one of the most beautiful training routes possible. All my runs are along Lakeshore Drive. Hundreds of runners use the path, which makes great people watching. Plus there are tennis courts, volleyball games, golf courses, boat harbors, sandy beaches and of course, beautiful Lake Michigan.

The last week before the Marathon, I was traveling all week. Plus, on the trip, I got a horrible cold and felt miserable. Zero running that week!

Well, it’s Sunday night. The race is over. Today was the hottest October 7 in Chicago history—88 degrees and very humid. Of 45,000 registered runners, 10,000 didn’t show up because of the heat. 1 person died. 312 taken to the hospital. I was at mile 22 when Chicago Police began announcing the Marathon was officially closed. We were told to stop running and walk to the finish line. Runners further back in the race were forbidden to continue. My friend tried to continue past mile 16, but was told to get off the street or be arrested.

At mile 22, with 4 miles remaining, I was determined to finish. So a bunch of us at that point in the race ran/walked to the finish line. I finished at 4:49. My goal was to finish in 4 ½ hours. I didn’t win. But I finished! It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t glamorous. Just keep running the next mile.

I have a poster at home picturing a runner going down a long straight road downhill with the road continuing straight ahead going uphill far in the distance. The caption on the poster reads: “The race is not to the swift, but to those who keep on running.” Just run the next mile. And the next.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This week, October 11, I complete 40 years in Christian radio. As I reflect on this, my ministry career parallels my lifetime of running.

Growing up on the farm, I always wanted to be in radio. I played radio in my room as a kid. I produced hundreds of hours of radio on the seat of a tractor. I loved visiting our hometown radio station.

While at the University, I began taking broadcasting courses, just for fun. About the same time, I started working at KTIS AM/FM in Minneapolis. That childhood dream, that part-time college job became a life work. Like my running became more intentional, I became more passionate about radio.

Occasionally, in long runs, I’ve been bored. But the sights and experience along the way made this road incredibly interesting. The sometimes long hours of hard work in 24/7 radio are sustained by a passion for what God calls you to do.

And there have been times of pain. Disagreements over music. Scolding from angry listeners. The threat of being fired. Actually being fired in a public and painful way. And the inherent temptations of media: notoriety, pride, ambition, and pleasure.

There’ve been many times I’ve been tempted to quit—to do something else. But the conviction that God called me to this ministry has kept me on track.

And there are even times when the heat is on and the atmosphere is oppressive. Many don’t even show up for those difficult days. And circumstances cause many to drop out. But with God’s strength, we’re able to keep moving forward and finishing the job.

Far more prominent are the joys: Building a music format that connects with listeners. Creating a phone center where thousands call to receive Christ. Working with a network of gifted and dedicated professionals who make serving Christ a real joy. Interviewing great men and women of God. Providing content the draws people to Jesus and changes lives.

Yes, I wish there were no such thing as uphill. Life has a lot of uphills. But there’s strength for the journey, there’s thrill at the momentum and a great view at the top of the hill!

I haven’t set any speed records. There are people in Christian broadcasting faster, smarter, more gifted than I. But, I did it! With God’s leading, strength, direction, and protection, I did it. This was my calling. And until He makes it plain otherwise, this is what I do. Just do the next thing.

Life is not to the fastest, the smartest, the most talented. Life is to those who are faithful to God’s calling, consistently, intently serving God through the level places, the uphills and the mountain peaks. And it’s helpful to remember that life is a marathon, not a sprint.

Will I do another marathon? I hope not. But I will keep running: 4, 4, and long.

“But those who serve the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.” Galatians 6:9

Imperfections

A Damaged Instrument

While on vacation in late August, Norma’s cell phone died. We went to the Sprint store to replace her old phone with a beautiful, shiny new flip phone. While we were there, Norma suggested I look at the new Treo.

I’d had my current model of Treo for 3 years. I know that’s a millennium in the world of technology, but it was working just fine. But there were things this new phone could do that my old one couldn’t. So I made the plunge, pulled out my American Express card and bought the new phone.

I really like it. It’s cool looking and I can do all kinds of neat things with it, including listen to all the Moody stations. I play with it every odd moment I can and really enjoy the look and feel of this cool new phone.

Yesterday, I went running. (Yes, I carry my phone on my long runs!) Unexplainably, my brand new phone jumped out of my belt pack and bounced on the sidewalk. I was horrified. I walked cautiously to the phone, picked it up and hesitantly examined the damage. My brand new phone had a little nick in the corner.

I called Norma and told her the news: my beloved new phone was no longer perfect. Her response was philosophical. “Well, then it’s just like life. Not perfect.”

Her casual response really struck home with me. In my perfectionist expectations, I want everything to be perfect. But life just isn’t like that.

It’s like the first dent in your new car. You might as well get past that first ding, because it’s not going to remain showroom forever—especially driving in Chicago.

Or it’s like the first time you realize the person you’ve chosen as your life mate has issues. And you have to decide to live with your choice and learn the unconditional love that she learned for you a long time ago.

Remember when you learned that your pastor, or the hero you looked up to or your spiritual mentor was less than perfect. You had to do a reality check and realize that people are human. Only God is perfect.

Childhood Flashback

When I was a young teen, our Sunday School did a program in our little country church one Sunday. I was in the little group of Sunday School kids up front singing the Gospel hymn, “I Love to Tell the Story”. When we got to the words, “I love to tell the story for some have never heard the message of salvation”, I unexplainably broke into tears. I don’t know why I was particularly touched by the song at that moment, but there in front of the church, in front of my friends, that song got to me in ways I still don’t understand.

That experience came back to me Saturday night as I listened to the 130 voices of the National Christian Choir sing “I Love to Tell the Story”. There sitting in the front row of Moody Church, I once again felt the tears come as I realized the words of that song sung many years earlier were strangely prophetic of my life work.

I DO love using radio to tell the story of Jesus and His love. It’s not about dogma or being perfect. I love to tell the story because I know it’s a TRUE story about what Jesus did for us and for what He does for us when we follow Him.

And I love to tell the story because it satisfies my longings like nothing else can. My life verse which I selected in my late teen years is Psalm 16:11. “In your presence there is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

The saddest portion of the song that gets me every time is: “For some have never heard the message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.” That’s the part that’s the driving force for me in ministry. Sure there are people living in parts of the world that have never heard the name of Jesus. And my passion is to help reach people everywhere with that message. That’s why I support partnerships with world-wide radio evangelism.

However, there are religious people in this country who have never REALLY heard. I run into people all the time who say, “I went to church all my life, but the message never really clicked with me until…” A few years after tearfully singing that song in my country church, God called me to ministry, specifically to help good religious people find a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

There’s one other part of that song that connects with me. The part that says, “I love to tell the story for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.” Christian radio helps those who desire a relationship with Christ to grow in their walk with God. Wherever we are in our walk with God, we can develop and grow and experience more of Christ in our daily lives. A part of our ministry is to help Christ-followers have a greater hunger and thirst for the things of God.

One of the joys of getting older is seeing the beginning from the end. By that I mean, things that happened years ago connect with where we are now. We begin to see the patterns. We see God’s leading from beginning to end. We see how God uses little things in our lives to generate life-long results to help us better tell the story of Jesus and His love.

Wayne Pederson

Lessons for Leaders

It’s easy to become so work focused, so fixed on accomplishing our agenda, that we forget about others, or even forget about God.

DeitrickBonhoeffer wrote:
“We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. We must not assume that our schedule is our own to manage, but allow it to be arranged by God.”

Think about that a minute. Are you so busy, you don’t even allow God to interrupt you? What a mistake it is to become so engrossed in tasks, or strategies, or time efficiency that we miss the opportunities God brings before us.

I’ve adopted this philosophy that in management our job IS interruptions. As leaders, we need to be available for people who need direction, encouragement or friendship. And we can learn a lot from our team members who come up with great ideas.

And let’s not put God out of the picture. A friend in ministry talked about one of the great events in his ministry leadership when God interrupted their agenda and revolutionized their direction.

There are times, as the Psalmist says, that we’re to stop striving and know the HE is God.

iPhone

I have a friend who just bought a cell phone. Now there’s nothing headline making about buying a cell phone. Oh, but this was no ordinary cell phone. It was a “smart phone”. This phone can do a lot more than let you talk to friends while you’re on the go. It can play music, surf the web, receive and send email, store contact information, keep your calendar, take pictures, make coffee.

Well, no. It can’t make coffee, but it’s a wonder of modern technology. But not quite wonderful enough. There’s a new phone: the iPhone, which allows you to watch movies, watch TV, has a huge touch screen, and make coffee. Well, no. It still can’t make coffee.

My friend has agonized over his cell phone decision about as much as we used to ponder and debate the purchase of a house or a car. There are so many options. The technology of the latest device is obsolete as soon as you’re driving home from the store…AND your stuck with this lemon of a device for the two years of the contract. Two years is an eternity in the technology business!

I’ve long been a fan of gadgets. But it’s just not fun anymore. It’s agonizing to try to decide between the plethora of device options and vendors. It’s heart-breaking to show off your new Blackberry, only to be upstaged by the cool factor of an iPhone.

Then there’s the cost of these hi-tech devices. A cell phone can easily cost more than I paid for my first car. And the monthly service plans more than my mortgage payment on my first house!

Then, the thrill of anticipation, the ecstasy of purchase is followed by the stark letdown of the reality of owning, learning and serving the new gadget. The downloading of necessary software. The memorization of the owners manual, now the thickness of a Dicken’s novel is enough to overwhelm the meek and challenge the strong. Plan to take a week off of work to learn the new technology.

Then comes the change in lifestyle which the new device demands of us. In the midst of a meeting, come a creative ringtone causing the person to leave the room. Or in the middle of a nice conversation over coffee comes a vibration signaling a text message requiring instant response. Or the constant access to the web draws individuals away from “being with the one you’re with” to a fascinating voyage into the rhelms of the Internet. Another friend just subscribed (for an extra $40 a month) to a service that notifies you through the device on your belt whenever you get a new email. Unfortunately, I get 180 emails a day. So in 18 waking hours, that’s an email jolt every 6 minutes. (Unless I keep my device on next to my bed all night.)

The device that guarantees constant access and communication with the world pulls us away from spouse, colleagues, grandkids, and…well, human beings.

So the very technology that’s designed to make our lives more fulfilling, more connected, more organized is just one more step into technological claustrophobia. Emails started out being a great time saver and a great way to keep in touch. Now almost everything is spam, forwarded, CC’d, reply all cyber-clutter.

Some companies have declared one day a week, no email days, encouraging staff to actually get up and talk to the person.

I’m striving to keep email turned off from Friday night to Monday morning. I have a personal email account for connecting with friends and family on weekends. I creatively use the “ignore” button on my cell phone when I don’t care to be interrupted. And I’ve stubbornly refused to upgrade my ancient, 3 year old cell phone for the coolest and smartest thing on the market.

And I’m desparatelly trying in this technology interrupted world to learn as God says: “Be still…and know that I am God.”