Chris found Jesus here in Cincinnati. (He learned later that a couple in our church, who lived on his street, had been praying for him and his brothers for 20 years!) He met and married his wife, Lindsay, started serving at our church, got an M.Div., and became one of our congregation's favorite speakers.
Then Chris and Lindsay moved to New York City to plant a church. But first Chris took two years to teach math at a middle school in Harlem, the most dangerous school in the city.
Chris blogged about his experiences (check the archives), which eventually led to this book. I could tell you something about what he learned, but Chris will say it far better than me, I promise.
In the video interview, Chris shares how he began to grasp the deeper truths of the Bible's teaching about the significance of every person.
It took me back to an afternoon at Panera five or six years ago. Chris and I talked about how he could turn some of his sermons into articles, and I gave him some ideas and showed him a few possible edits. That was all he needed to kick start his dream of pursuing not just speaking but writing too.
It's so easy to get caught up in big ideas about success. Chris will experience big success in his life, I'm pretty sure. But his message is about showing others that they matter ... and finding out along the way that what we do matters too ... even the small things.
And I'm thinking right now about a hospital visit after a friend's surgery, taking a relative in a nursing home outside on a lovely day ... praying faithfully for believers in trouble and family members who don't know Jesus. Fixing dinner yet again. Revising a proposal for a book I believe in. Writing a letter to the kids our family sponsors.
Small things? Yes.
But significant.
Do you view yourself as significant? Why or why not?
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