The Last 10 Years of Catalyst: What a Ride!

I just finished my 10th Catalyst! I have gotten to create and give away Catalytic Converters. I've ridden motorcycles through churches, brought Truett Cathy a cow with a sign on it that said “buy my books" by John C. Maxwell.  I presented John a camel, cuz Andy gave him a cheap little trophy.

I brought Jim Collins a bus loaded down with mariachi singers, dodgeball players, and a hedge hog ... at least I thought it was. We invited Guinness Book of World Records to record us setting the record for the most people to sit on whoopee cushions. We broke the world record in pillow fights, throwing Frisbees, blowing bubbles, and in breaking records. This year we broke the world record with Professor Splash jumping 35' 9" into 12” of water in a kiddy pool.

Jeff Foxworthy and I changed just two letters on the church marquis and totally changed the theology of that church. Ya have to see that one. It’s coming up on lannydonoho.com soon.

I TP’d Andy Stanley’s yard.  Made fun of books written by Maxwell, Godin, Buckingham, Gladwell, and a few more NY Times Best-selling authors.  I’ve ridden a Segway, a donkey, an elephant, a mail truck, a Brinks truck, a sports car, and a crotch rocket. I’ve been beaten up by 8,000 dodgeballs and 12,000 footballs.  I broke my foot trying to dunk a basketball off a spring board.

I got kicked out of a zoo, kicked out of Arby’s, kicked out of a restaurant where I was cooking for Catalyst; I got kicked out of Starbucks and arrested twice, once with Foxworthy for doing something stupid ... I helped the cops at one point stop Andy Stanley for speeding. And I insulted the whole state of Iowa.

We have shared the stage with the best Christian musicians, authors and speakers in the world. We’ve challenged thousands of leaders to give money to help people in Rwanda get water. We’ve challenged thousands to think about adopting to end this ridiculous 143million number.

We have built homes for the homeless and sent relief to the needy. And ...

I have watched the creator of the universe use His awesome gift of wonder and creativity to instill into the hearts of over 100,000 people the gift of laughter and awe while all those things were going on. My greatest moment was standing on the stage with Jeff while we watched 23 little kids from Kenya lead 10,000 leaders from all over the world in a time of worship that was beyond what my emotions were able to comprehend. If I get to share ten more years with you that are even close to the last ten, I will have lived a life like no one can imagine.

Thanks for letting me into your lives. Thanks for laughing and understanding, even when some of you did not understand. Thanks for twittering and for trying to get me on Leno. Thanks for sponsoring children and adopting and giving for water and to Daraja Children’s Choir.  Thanks for letting our team and Catalyst make a difference in your lives.

One quick favor.  Leaders, this summer in Daytona Beach, I am producing the BigStuf Student Conference. I will be there with Reggie Joiner, Andy Stanley, Francis Chan, and Steve Fee.  We have asked a few more people you absolutely love to be with us ... so ... hey ... get your youth group to sign up too. Help us make this the catalyst your kids will talk about forever.

(if you can’t make it to Daytona, join us in Panama City, we will be there all summer doing the same thing. Check us out - visit www.bigstuf.com and register soon!

2 Comments »

1. Lanny, thanks for pouring into us as leaders! Thanks for the laughs, and the sincere emotions. We appreciate you!

   -Fitz

   Comment by Mike Fitzpatrick - Oct 26, 2009 @ 10:20 AM

2. Lanny,

   Thank you for your hard work and dedication.  It is so fun to watch you guys give all you got to help us connect with leaders and with God.  I am blessed because somehow, someway God wanted me to encounter Lanny Donoho!

   In Christ,

   RevRunyon

   Comment by Quinton Runyon - Oct 26, 2009 @ 05:12 PM

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