The Vanagon has been outfitted with a new fuel pump, fuel filter, head gasket, and cylinder head...and now she is FINALLY back on the road! Today I stopped in Los Angeles to meet Justin Mayo, founder of Red Eye Inc. and Charles Lee, Lead Pastor at New Hope South Bay.
Justin Mayo
Check out Red Eye Inc. to see what is happening in the heart of LA as a group of young leaders, led by Justin and the Red Eye Team, provide "a common ground for people to develop their talents and help those in need. It's a more private community of young Hollywood peers that have a tireless pursuit to use their talents and spheres of influence in a positive way."
Justin is 28 years old and is seeing his dream of 10 years unfolding in front him; his commitment to people and making a real difference in the lives of the people he meets is undeniable, and his leadership capacity to surround himself with other amazing leaders is even more remarkable. The Lord has give the Red Eye team incredible favor, find out more about Red Eye at http://www.redeyeinc.org/ (from L-R, Justin Mayo, LV, Daley Hake, & Julie Hill)
Charles Lee
Charles is a church planter, pastor, entrepreneur, non-profit pioneer, conference founder, and just recently stepped out of a 9 year position as a college professor. The fact that he took an hour to meet with me means that one of the many other areas of his world were put on hold.
I am working on a video from my conversation with Charles that will highlight his insight on leadership and social justice causes, but something that Charles talked about when asked about his dreams as a young leader in a young church has been lingering in my mind all evening - "leadership and effective ministry strategy are discovered on the streets." Strategy talk around a table pales in comparison to what unolds while being in the community with the people you are hoping to serve.
Charles went on to talk about his ambition as a young leader and offered a very sober glimpse into the future, "in a hundred years nobody is going to remember me anyway." So why try and establish a name and a brand that is not going to last? "Focus your efforts on others without the need for personal credit." Charles' heart is amazing...check out what's happening at their church, New Hope South Bay, and The Idea Camp - a free hybrid conference for idea makers (Feb 27-28, 2009 in Irvine, CA).
Staying in LA tonight and headed for Santa Cruz tomorrow! Please be patient for the videos that have been taken...the footage archives are growing every day and I am the only one on this road trip so it's going to be a while before they will be posted. But the wait is worth it, some fantastic insight and and lessons from amazing leaders!
(more pictures from today)
