by Gary Reinecke | Dec 31, 2024 | Focused Ministry, Leader Development, Personal Development, Uncategorized |
As we approach the new year, it’s a wonderful opportunity to share our aspirations, dreams, and hopes for the future. This week, let’s take a moment to reflect on the incredible ways God has worked in and through us over the past year. What a privilege it is to be His children and to serve as instruments of His love to those around us!
Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21:5 NKJV)
As we step into 2025, we hope you carry with you the memories of all that God has accomplished in the past year and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. Let’s embrace the new year by placing Christ at the heart of our celebrations.
From our family at InFocus, we want to wish each of you and yours a very Happy New Year! Looking forward to continuing on this journey together in 2025!
Finally!
We’re so excited to share that we’ve reached a fantastic milestone: 90% of our $45,000 goal for Project Congo has been met!
We truly appreciate the time you’ve taken to consider and pray about how God might be inviting you to steward your resources this year. Your thoughtful discernment means the world to us.
There’s still time to join us in making a year-end gift. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a significant difference in the lives of those we serve.
Click here to learn more and give.
Thank you for your generous heart and continued support!
Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash
by Gary Reinecke | Dec 24, 2024 | Focused Ministry, Leader Development, Personal Development, Uncategorized |
As December began, I found myself thinking, “I have plenty of time before Christmas arrives. I’m well-prepared and in control. It is NOT going to catch me by surprise this year!” Yet, here we are just a day away, and I feel like I’m barely keeping my head above water. Unexpected events have pushed my plans aside, and life has become a whirlwind. While stuck in traffic recently, a thought crossed my mind: “If I don’t take a moment to breathe, I might just miss it,” and it struck me—how many generations have passed, and we’re still missing the reason for the season?
The innkeepers in Bethlehem were so busy with the census that they failed to recognize the miraculous event happening right before them. Let’s not allow ourselves to get so caught up in the chaos of this time of year that we overlook the wonders right in front of us. “To them, God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27 NKJV)
From the InFocus family to yours, we wish you a joyful and Merry Christmas. We are grateful for your unwavering support and prayers throughout the past year, and we eagerly anticipate what 2025 will bring. As you take this upcoming week to reflect, recharge, and reset, we kindly ask you to keep InFocus in your thoughts, especially with the upcoming launch of Project Congo in mid-2025. Please share any prayer requests you may have, as we would love to support you in that way.
Finally!
We’re so excited to share that we’ve reached a fantastic milestone: 89% of our $45,000 goal for Project Congo has been met!
We truly appreciate the time you’ve taken to consider and pray about how God might be inviting you to steward your resources this year. Your thoughtful discernment means the world to us.
There’s still time to join us in making a year-end gift. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a significant difference in the lives of those we serve.
Click here to learn more and give.
Thank you for your generous heart and continued support!
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash
by Gary Reinecke | Dec 18, 2024 | Focused Ministry, Leader Development, Personal Development, Uncategorized |
Take a look at the top 10 InFocus blogs of 2024. Why do you think these were the most viewed? Do you find a general theme that runs throughout them? Did any of them resonate with you personally?
10) Practices for Building Spiritual Resilience This Lent
Leaders should view Lent as a time for self-examination and spiritual health. Connecting with past messages can help sustain engagement. Jesus’s experience of falling and rising illustrates that vulnerability is a shared human experience, supported by scripture like Psalm 73:2.
9) Thanksgiving Blessings
We encourage everyone to seek moments of gratitude, as it’s easy to overlook everyday joys amid larger goals. Simple pleasures, like nature’s beauty and good news, can uplift our spirits.
8) Three Highlights from Lausanne 2024
The Fourth Lausanne Congress in South Korea brought together over 5,000 believers from 200 nations, showcasing the Lausanne Movement’s influence on global evangelical mission strategies over the past 50 years.
7) Unleash Your Coaching Potential: The Abiding in Christ Advantage
Despite a successful career, the coach faced challenges that led to three years of self-reflection and a deeper spiritual connection, aiming for a richer relationship with Christ rather than perfection. This inspired the coach to assist others in their spiritual growth.
6) Ignite the Flames of Faith: Coaching Your Congregation to a Transformative Lent
Lent is a season for reflection, spiritual renewal, and personal growth, emphasizing faith over strict rituals. While rooted in Catholic traditions, its principles resonate across denominations.
5) Planning for 2024? We Are Too.
As you prepare for 2024, remember that effective leadership impacts both your role and those you lead, fostering future leaders and thriving ministries that advance the Kingdom. Consider ways to expand your ministry’s influence and deepen its impact to foster meaningful life changes and grow God’s Kingdom.
4) Lead Like Jesus
Lent is presented as a time for contemplation, encouraging leaders to reflect on their roles and community dynamics. The duality of “Hosanna” in Luke 19:28-44 highlights the complexity of human emotions—celebration intertwined with a longing for salvation—inviting leaders and congregants to examine their responses to Jesus.
3) Finishing Strong
InFocus’s mission is to empower leaders to transform lives, encouraging contributions through financial support, prayer, and service. The End-of-Year Campaign, including a Giving Tuesday Matching Gift Campaign, seeks to double donations up to $30,000 towards a $90,000 goal.
2) 5 Questions to Empower Your Leaders on Work-Life Balance
It is crucial to engage leaders in reflective conversations about their overall well-being—spiritual, emotional, physical, social, financial, and recreational. These discussions should prioritize listening and questioning to understand their challenges and promote accountability.
And finally, #1, THE most-read blog post of 2024…
1) Project Congo
InFocus is launching a new board led by Chairman Wilita Sanguma of Lobiko. Through Project Congo, InFocus aims to combat extreme poverty in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support this year. We look forward to seeing you very shortly in the new year! Blessings!
Photo by Avi Richards on Unsplash
by Gary Reinecke | Dec 12, 2024 | Focused Ministry, Leader Development, Personal Development, Uncategorized |
The Democratic Republic of Congo, a nation rich in resources, yet plagued by poverty, inequality, and instability, desperately needs transformative change. Project CONGO is a bold initiative designed to empower local leaders and equip them with the tools needed to address these pressing challenges. On Monday, December 9th, we held an informational meeting to discuss some of the big ideas surrounding Project CONGO, highlighted below!
Why Project CONGO Matters
By investing in the leadership potential of Congolese leaders, we can unlock a wave of positive impact. Our focus on coaching will enable these leaders to:
- Inspire change: Catalyze positive transformation within their communities.
- Empower others: Develop future generations of leaders.
- Build sustainable solutions: Make more and better disciples that make more and better disciples.
Our Vision
To achieve this ambitious goal, we have outlined a comprehensive two-year plan:
- Launch a 2-year coach training program in January 2025.
- Conduct an in-person workshop in the Democratic Republic of Congo in July 2025.
- Complete Stage 1 of the training program by the end of 2025.
- Begin Stage 2, the train-the-trainer cycle, in January 2026.
Generosity Update:
We have already raised $25,000, which is 55% of our goal of $45,000. I am encouraged that we will reach our year-end goal so that we can deliver the full package of what we have prepared. My hope is that we can include a Health & Wellness workshop that Gina would lead to enriching local community leaders to establish important habits for physical, mental, and spiritual health.
How You Can Help
Your support is vital to the success of Project CONGO. Here’s how you can contribute:
- Provide: Donate to support the training programs, curriculum development, and logistical costs – CLICK HERE.
- Pray: Lift up Project CONGO in prayer, asking for God’s blessing on the leaders, trainees, and the communities they serve – to receive my weekly update, write “Weekly Prayer Update” in the Subject Line and e-mail to admin@infocusnet.org.
- Partner: Share this message with your network and encourage others to join this important cause – reach out to Samantha at admin@infocusnet.org to schedule a time to meet.
Together, we can empower a generation of Congolese leaders to build a brighter future for their nation.
Feeling led to donate? Please click the button below.
Image courtesy of https://bloomerang.co/template/fundraising-thermometer-generator/
by Gary Reinecke | Dec 5, 2024 | Focused Ministry, Leader Development, Personal Development, Uncategorized |
I’m excited to share Project CONGO, a program focused on coach training in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We’re nearing launch, and this is a powerful opportunity to empower capable leaders who are already transforming teams and communities on the other side of the world.
I know many of you share a passion for advancing God’s work in underserved regions, so I immediately thought of you. Project CONGO aligns perfectly with this mission by equipping local leaders with the skills and resources they need to become effective coaches. By building capacity at the local level, we can create a ripple effect of positive change that reaches individuals, families, and entire communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Project CONGO: Building a Brighter Future
Project CONGO is more than just a coach training program; it’s an investment in the future of the Democratic Republic of Congo. By equipping local leaders with coaching skills, we empower them to unlock the potential of the people around them. These leaders are already making a difference, and Project CONGO will give them the tools needed to take their impact to the next level.
Join Us for an Informational Meeting
We’re hosting a quick informational meeting on Monday, December 9th at 5 pm PST / 8 pm EST to share more about the project’s vision and goals. It would be fantastic to have you join us! Feel free to invite anyone else who might be interested in learning more about Project CONGO and how they can be involved.
Here’s what you can expect at the meeting:
- Inspiring overview of the coach training program in the DRC
- Meet Wilita Sanguma, a key player behind the project
- Q&A session – bring your questions!
Meeting Details:
Let’s Connect!
Let me know if you can make it by replying with a “YES” and I’ll send you a calendar invite. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions before the meeting.
Looking forward to connecting!
How You Can Help
Giving Tuesday Matching Gift Campaign (November 5-December 10): Double your impact with our matching gift opportunity. Every dollar donated during this time will be matched up to $30,000, speeding up our journey towards the $90,000 goal.
By supporting InFocus this giving season, you’ll empower leaders through coaching to create lasting change in the lives of children and communities in the Congo. Together, we can restore well-being and build a future filled with resilience and hope!
Feeling led to donate? Please click the button below.
Image courtesy of https://www.ctvnews.ca/ctv-national-news/2.1993/infographic-congo-maps-and-facts
