Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG): 횂징횂짱08 Easter Getaway (Ben Toh, Caleb Cook)
BHAG was coined by Jim Collins in his bestseller, Built To Last, about successful habits of visionary companies. Surely, Jesus had the biggest BHAG ever—conquer the whole world through his weak and audacious disciples (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15; Lk 24:47; Ac 1:8).
At West Loop (WL) our BHAG, based on the Word of God, is 2 fold: 1) focus on Jesus횂징횂짱 attractional ministry of drawing crowds of 5,000 (Mt 14:13); and 2) create a leadership culture (2 Ti 2:2), where Jesus횂징횂짱 handful of young disciples were entrusted and empowered with great responsibility. With this in mind, God blessed our combined 2008 Easter getaway (3/15-16/08) with UIUC at the UIC Bible house.
1. Ruben and Tiffany from WL, and Caleb Cook and Paul Toh from UIUC organized and oversaw the entire weekend program. Though they are among our younger coworkers, they took full stewardship and ironed out various differences with all our older coworkers from both chapters. They came up to bat and hit a home run!
2. Meaningful messages, special presentations:
1. Tim Fitch횂징횂짱s pointed opening message declared that Jesus횂징횂짱 death and resurrection is the most important truth we need to know (1 Cor 15:3,4).
2. Alex Foster횂징횂짱s passionate and intense message on Jesus횂징횂짱 crucifixion was 2 hours long (Luke 23). He gave a detailed and graphic verbal account of Jesus횂징횂짱 flogging, crucifixion and death, and confessed his sexual sin. A student said of his message, 횂징횂째We need to hear this.횂징횂짹
3. Tiffany횂징횂짱s message on Jesus횂징횂짱 resurrection was eloquent (Luke 24). She explained that only faith in the resurrection through examining the Scriptures can help man overcome sorrow, despair and fear.
4. Dr. Sam횂징횂짱s presentation on the book of Jonah encouraged us to repent and follow God횂징횂짱s direction for our lives and not be swallowed by a whale.
5. Paul Toh emphasized preaching the gospel in cultural context by posing the question: "Does our church exist to please ourselves, or to reach out to lost people and bring them the gospel?" Deborah Lim횂징횂짱s presentation on Exit, a relational outreach program developed by the North American Mission Board, was concise and well explained. Len횂징횂짱s activities helped us break the ice, got our blood flowing, and got everyone introduced to each other.
3. Our WL praise band made tremendous strides in just 2 months. Under Rhoel and Arthur횂징횂짱s leadership and music skills, Ruben discovered his latent talent of being a gifted singspiration leader. Their BHAG is to be the best Christian praise band. Not to be outdone, the U of I band led by David Kim, sang from their hearts to Jesus and performed beautiful special music.
4. Tina Kim, Martina Tseng and Grace Male shared sincere life testimonies. They are growing in confidence in the love of God. Lilia, Christine횂징횂짱s friend, was so moved by our praise band that she wants to restore her friendship and join our praise band by contributing her skills as a female vocalist.
5. Our WL women횂징횂짱s stewardship and hard work was incognito, yet it was invaluable. Without them, there would be no Easter getaway. They thoroughly prepared the spiritual environment and enabled us to save $70 a person. Our conference registration fee was only $30 a person which primarily went to feeding us 4 delicious meals, while we housed our women guests in our homes, while the UIUC men roughed it out by sleeping at the UIC Bible house.
Thank God who sent Jesus to die and rise again, so that we can we can live and die with faith in Jesus' death and resurrection and fulfill our BHAG!
