Catalyst 2009
I thought I had clicked Publish on this one but here you go, almost a month later…
Kevin and I were privileged to get to go to Catalyst yet again. (We went to this same conference last year and I blogged about it. Look it up.) One thing I learned is that I don’t know what I learned… God hasn’t yet revealed to me what exactly He wants me to do with the information He has given me. I will say I’m afraid to even speak of some things He has put on mine and Kevin’s hearts, for fear that the Enemy will come to steal joy away from me.
This year’s speaker line-up was fantastic -
- Matt Chandler was there (again) and we got to hear him twice (again). Probably my favorite. God has done incredible things through Matt and his testimony shows how close his relationship with God is. If you like fire and brimstone preaching, get it.
- Rob Bell. He is very prominent in the world of Christians, but I didn’t even know his name til Catalyst. His ministry is full of impact and God’s grace.
- “Andy Frickin’ Stanley” (as some guy put it last year) – on the Exec Staff of Catalyst.. has great vision for the leaders of church ministry
- Louie Giglio was the last person we heard, and what a way to go out. I see why he is so great with college students – his examples are familiar and powerful.
Also highlighting the ministries this year:
- Kiva – a lending organization designed to help businessmen and women in third-world countries build businesses in their own country. Most loans are paid off by 6 months’ time; the average loan is $100.
- Toms – great shoes! You buy one pair, and with the same amount of money they give one pair to someone in another country who needs them. I am asking Kevin for a pair for Christmas. (hint, hint.)
- 143million.org – There are 143 million orphans in the world. Don’t just throw money at them, adopt one or all!
The day before Catalyst, we got to experience the Labs. I heard many speakers talk about the injustices of the world and how they were helping to right the wrongs with their different organizations. I bought a book called Evangelical Does Not Equal Republican… or Democrat. It’s written by a lady in New York City who is working very hard with her colleagues to ensure that citizens have just as much access to healthy food stores as the fast food we see everywhere. Can’t wait to read it.
I also heard a group of bloggers who talked about writing as a craft. I picked up a few tips, especially from one, Jon Acuff. He spoke about the need to please everyone who might read his blog. His wise wife told him, “You know, following a bad anonymous comment is like tracking down the guy who flipped you off on the freeway and asking what he meant by it. Don’t go there.” Very true. Jon writes a hilarious blog called http://stuffchristianslike.net. I like his humor and his style and I highly recommend that you subscribe to his blog feed. Plug!
Add comment November 7th, 2009