Someone once told me that ministry was building bridges to help people get from where they are to where God wants them to be.   Being a hack carpenter- building decks for my house that may not be the most sturdy or level, I know how inadequate I would be at building a bridge of any scope.  Bridges come in all shapes and sizes and accomplish things as simple as providing a way for a person to walk over a shallow creek (like the cool little suspension bridge on the back side of the island at New Life Ranch).  They can also be massive in scope and require unbelievable vision, resources, and energy to produce.

The other thing that is interesting about bridges is that in order for them to fulfill their purpose, people need to take responsibility to move across them.  The bridge doesn’t take people, or cars, or whatever, and move them from one side to the other.  It provides a way for the person to engage, to move forward under their own power, to get to the other side.  The bridge makes it possible- and yet the “bridge crosser” is responsible.  This is a beautiful thing in that a given in this equation is the ability and strength of the bridge crosser to make it over.  It’s the bridge builder’s responsibility to create a way across.

Bridges require people to give input at various levels in order to be constructed, right?  I can be the project manager, builder, purchaser, quality control officer, and HR dude when I make a bridge across a ditch in my back yard.  And a fine bridge it will be!

However- the bigger the bridge that I am involved in building- the less I am involved in the entire operation.  I am best operating in a specific role and trusting others to fulfill their own specific role.  Some valleys, or rivers, or spans require big time vision- and big time operation.  Might this be your bridge?

Or maybe this is the one that looks more like you:

What I know now is this:  getting in on doing ministry is a beautiful thing.  It is worth being thankful for.  And, there can come times where your purpose is  to build new bridges.

CQ Missional, and our educational projects the CML and GPS Tulsa are bridges.  They are designed to help people who are in a specific stage of life, with specific needs- move from where they are, to where God wants them to be.  Students in Tulsa looking for life direction, for a vocation, for some purpose, for some people to share this search with- get the opportunity to walk across the bridge of GPS Tulsa together.  We get the privilege of creating the context for this discovery.  By the way- this will be a blast to get going!  People who are young adults but a little farther along, perhaps they have graduated college, or have been working a job for a few years, get the opportunity to walk across the bridge of the CML together- serving a community, creating new life in neighborhoods, and taking a chance on their own vocation shift.

Right now we are putting together what looks like a foot bridge, the kind you can wear sandals while walking across, or even go barefoot in the process!  However- the span between where 1000s of 20 somethings are, and where they could be is huge.  I pray for wisdom and community to join in building the right bridge to help you adults figure out their purpose in life.  This is a Golden Gate type of need.

Whats next in the bridge?  Raise more scholarship money, raise awareness of how we can serve young adults, make more friends and offer real support to help our clients make courageous decisions.  In other words, keep moving forward.

I am thankful today to be a bridge builder.  What does your bridge look like today?  Are you walking across one?  Are you in the middle of building one?  What does Ministry look like to you?

ck

There are two voices I hear in my head.  They are similar to the ones described by Henri Nouwen in his book Spiritual Direction (and others.)

One voice says, “Make sure people are ok with you.  Be pleasing, impressive, and set yourself up to be loved and respected.”  Listening to this voice can set a person up to be a “hyphenated” person.  I’m a teacher-counselor.  I am a pastor-outdoor leader. I’m a worship leader musician- leader of a non profit. I’m a Christian-person of the world.  I am not of this world- very much a part of this world.

If you don’t like a part of me that is a big part of me, I usually have another part of me that should be ok with you.  This position in life can curtail the deepest fears that I may not be acceptable, lovable, worthy of relationship.

There is another voice I hear, and I hear it at times when I know it will be loud and clear.  These times include times where I listen, times where I engage the Bible, times in the wilderness, times when I observe the beauty of those I love, times when prayer isn’t asking for things- but is more about listening and loving.  Here’s what the voice says- “Whatever you do, stay close to the heart of God.”  This voice that calls me the son of God, the child of the loving Christ, the target of the Spirit’s support…. it resonates and informs the things I do, whether “hyphenated” or not.

I can work at our new canopy tour in the Buffalo River Valley in the context of staying close.  I can listen and counsel all the while I am staying close.  I am a father, a husband, a musician- who makes his choices staying close to the heart of God.

Friends- as we work together in exciting new projects like GPS Tulsa, ask me what voice I am listening to.  What about you?  Is there a voice that resonates with you as an image bearer of God?  Does this voice affirm your ability to create, to contribute? Or, is there a voice that keeps you on edge to “conform to the pattern of this world” by goading you to continually please, impress, or position yourself for success.  What do you do about that?

The late artist Rich Mullins brought me back to my original inspiration for a life based on being an image bearer of God as I browsed his biography last week.  He said- “We were created to create.”  I remembered seeing him play his music, with his friends who called themselves “The Ragimuffin Band”.  Their music was folksy, loud, emotive, and more meaningful than much of anything I had experienced in my life at age 24.  He sang of communion in a literal and figurative sense, he expressed to God that he was “shaking like a leaf” and never really had it together, and he thanked God for the color Green.

He sings: “And the wrens have returned and they’re nesting
In the hollow of that oak where his heart once had been
And he lifts up his arms in a blessing for being born again
And the streams are all swollen with winter
Winter unfrozen and free to run away now
And I’m amazed when I remember
Who it was that built this house
And with the rocks I cry out

Be praised for all Your tenderness by these works of Your hands
Suns that rise and rains that fall to bless and bring to life Your land
Look down upon this winter wheat and be glad that You have made
Blue for the sky and the color green, the fills these fields with praise.”

Rich was created to create, and God’s creation always reflects its creator.

What were you created to create today- or maybe, this year?  May we help each other live in this knowledge and encourage the courage required to be a creator, and not just a consumer.

ck

We just had some of the CQ Missional Team over for some good eating and home made ice cream and we were talking about what it is we do.  We say we help people discover their unique role in making the world a better place.  I believe we do that in several ways, and thats good.  We believe that everyone has, as a created child of God, something unique and valuable to offer.  We believe in the people we serve- and we help them believe that they play a role unlike anyone else in history- and that is a beautiful thing.

The question that comes up, though, is huge.  Can people in their searching to discover “their thing” forget about what we would call in church “God’s general will” for people?  Is it possible that people miss the boat in their search and “journey” and forget that there is a way of living out of gratitude for what God has done- that is characterized by a life of thankfulness, taking responsibility, and integrity?

Tony Campolo was speaking to students and faculty at John Brown University when I was doing some adjunct work there and he asked students to fill in the sentence they would hear from time to time from mom or dad.  It went like this:  ”I care more about you than about what you do for a a living.  I just want you to be ______________.”

Whats the answer?  The crowd in unison shouted back:  ”HAPPY!”

True.  This is what we tell our kids, and what many of us have been hearing from those who love us most.

Tony, on the other hand, heard a different word from his mother, and in fact many of his classmates heard the same word.  It went like this:  ”I just want you to be __________.”

Whats the answer?  Students didn’t know.  His answer was:  ”GOOD.”

“I just want you to be good.”

Good people are humble, they know there is a God (and they aren’t Him), they look out for others, they stay married, they stay engaged in their faith community, they are nice, and they make a habit of telling the truth- even when its hard.  Not that they don’t mess up, or even do bad things… because good people are just, well, people.  But for them, goodness is a little more important than happiness, and contentment and joy flow from pursuing what is good.

Terry Ewing told me (among others) that people who seek after their own happiness first and foremost are the most miserable people he has met.  He knows- his counseling practice has been full of people who are hurting, and have sought happiness above all else.

So my question is, since we are in the business of helping people find “their thing”; Can people find their thing, their unique role and ignore general ways to live that have been prescribed for all men?  Can people really find their true identity, and not be true to an identity made for humanity,  first?

I have some ideas- but I’m curious what yours are…

ck

As we prepare to meet new students signing up for GPS Tulsa, and as this journey is taking me into conversations with new people and new friendships.  I am reminded of how much I enjoy getting to know people.  Each person (including you, Mr/Miss Blog Reader!) has such value and every story is interesting.  You are the only one of you, ever.  On a deeper level, as relational beings- we each long to be known.  So while I love enjoying new relationships, there are a few that have deepened over time in which I where I know my friend, and they know me.  I hear a song during the day, and I can text the title of the song to my friend.  My friend knows what I’m thinking and shoots back.  They get my jokes, and know my failures.  They accept me and enjoy me.    There are a few friends like this in my life who remind me through their love that I am known and that I am loved.  With their help, they have helped move me to a deeper truth where (in the words of Brennan Manning) I have accepted the fact that I am accepted.  As image bearers, we long to be known and when we’re not sure this is true, we live lost.

I want to remind you today that you are known, and you are not alone.  You are, in fact, completely known and people can give us a “dim reflection” of this beautiful truth that is much bigger than you or I.  Don Chaffer writes some straight forward words about his experience in the ground breaking solo work “You were at the time for love.”

And I used to bathe in tears at night

Cause I felt like I was on my own

I used to think I would never be

Completely known

I used to hold on tightly

To the sorrows that I owned

But they were all I knew

They had run me through

And they had left me

All alone

I used to pray every day

That God would mend what’s torn

Now I see the only way is to die…

To die…

And be reborn

I have finally found a way to live

In the presence of the Lord

- Don Chaffer “Completely Known”

Being known by another human being is a gift, its rare these days, more rare in our culture, and it resonates with our deepest image bearing self.

What do you think?

We have 2 unique opportunities that will help people and help CQM move forward.  We looking for:

A tenant to share small office space at the Quaker 4 plex where our Certificate students are living.  It is zoned for dual use, and one unit in particular will work well for small business space for someone who needs a quiet space in a very cool location.

Also- we have a space for new residents in a unit that can help offset the cost of officing there for CQM.  Its a chance for folks in their 20s who want to live in community, not expensive, and have access to great places to serve.

Folks in the Quaker House don’t have to be in our program- they just live as renters in this very cool place. This will allow us to house students, and access some good meeting space for 20s to gather, hang out, talk life direction.

No strings- just wanting good folks to be renters.

Its in an awesome spot- about 200 yards from Jason’s Deli right by 15th and Peoria (Cherry St). The owners want to support CQ Missional by being generous in offering their place up to us to fill it up with young people who love God, love people, and want to make the world a better place.   Its got a little pool and great deck in the back, close to Cherry St, Downtown, and River Activities- as well as beautiful opportunities to serve (the church 2 doors down serves free meals to the tulsa urban population every Friday).
Units are 2 bedroom (small) and there are washer/dryer hookups.

CQM people there as well as the owner of the property have a hospitable heart and will welcome new renters or residents.   This should be a great place to be this year. the address is 1430 S Quaker, Tulsa.

If you’re needing office space- it will be a good quite space to share with our leaders, making phone calls, working online, and having the occasional meeting.  If you need living space, this is a place where CQ Missional will gather in their 20s, and it will be a safe and warm place to live.

Let me know if you’re interested, and please shoot this to any friends who may benefit.   We hope to rent (and help the owners) space as soon as possible, and start basing operations here.

Questions?  Call Chris at 918-557-6128.

Dear Jesus, as I call on you today I realise that I often come asking for favours.
Today I’d like just to be in your presence.
Let my heart respond to Your Love.

This was part of my morning devo from Sacred Space today.  It informed my morning of finishing up a new double zipline for Camp Luther in Northern Wisconsin, and in my afternoon buying of souvenirs for the fam  in nearby Eagle River.

What did it mean to “be in your presence” today?  Well for me, it had to do with understanding my context regardless of my location.  A discussion we’re having about Honeyrock, a camp where CQ is doing training next week, is the idea of Honeyrock being a place, or an experience that can happen in many places.  Well, the answer not withstanding, to be in God’s presence is an experience that happens” all the time, everywhere.” (from Most Amazing Grace in the World, off the Whitebread Album)

This morning, in a beautiful northwoods pine forest on a sunny 60 degree day, I knew I was not alone.  I am never alone.  In fact, I am always a part of a conversation going on between myself and my creator.  Sometimes I listen, sometimes I speak, sometimes (usually) I am unaware of what is actually going on and I ignore the voice of the one who loves me most.

Since I’ve been traveling lately, my conversations with home have been interesting, and sometimes mundane- but last night Kristin and I hit on an idea that has big implications for me and for you, and if we don’t tend to it- we’ll miss it.

I said- “I just miss being around for the normal stuff.”  We agreed that its the everyday with the people who mean most to you that defines our relationships.  Just going to ballgames, and watching band concerts and the Biggest Loser together.  Eating food we made a home, and tending to the new (somewhat) garden, and shooting hoops in the driveway- this is what I miss when I’m gone.  And…this is what I forget about when I’m home.

May we remember what it means to live in one’s presence, and to connect that idea on a supernatural level to understanding our place in the context of God’s presence.

Lord, let me live in your presence today.  Friends, let me be present when I am with you- may I be a listener- and be thankful for the existence of the best relationships.  God, may we see you and hear you today- in the northwoods, in Broken Arrow, at New Life Ranch, and in East Tulsa or in Uganda.

We are in His presence- do you listen to His words?  What does He say?  Is it in the Bible, the creation around you that you hear Him best?  Is it through People,  or a challenging circumstance?  What is the conversation like when you choose to be “in the house?”  What do you imagine it is when you are “out of it”?

Feedback!!!??  Cmon friends- shoot me some thoughts!!

Keep reading and look for our new certificate programs coming this next fall…

ck

A thunderous night...

Yesterday we took the trip down the turnpike to Oklahoma City, to get a hotel and get checked in for Kristin’s OKC half marathon.  She had been training hard, and I hadn’t- so I hung with the boys (Maggie went to a work retreat at Camp Barnabas- check them out here)  and supported her run.  As we got into town there was crazy traffic and I knew why- it was game 4 of the OKC Thunder/ LA Lakers playoff series.  The Thunder had won their first home playoff game in franchise history, and there was a serious buzz in town about the team.  ”Fever pitch” may be a more accurate description.  We knew it could be historic, in sporting terms, and the chance to watch Kobe Bryant and team play our energetic upstarts the night before K’s run was a pretty cool opportunity.

While waiting for Kristin to check in and get her race packet, I checked craigslist for tickets and found some sweet deals.  There were several blocks of 4 tickets available for the very real deal of $300-$650 per ticket.  After Kristin got back the car I showed her the results of my search.  We could go for only $1200!  She looked at me sheepishly and said- “well, it would be a once in a lifetime experience.”  I nodded, and thought how cool it would be to take the boys and her to see what could be “historic”  and would indeed be a great memory for our family.

It was awesome.

The experience was awesome.

The Thunder won in a way no one could have imagined- the crowd was crazed, the young Thunder ran all over the aging Lakers.  It looked like a changing of the guard could be happening in a way that is usually talked about for years to come in sports circles.  It reminded me of when the Bulls swept the Lakers in 1991 for Michael Jordan’s first championship.  No one expected it.

The game was awesome.  My experience, however,  transcended the game. (note to readers- we didn’t go.) We ended up eating some great Italian food, I spoke words of life to my beautiful wife, and enjoyed some great time at the hotel pool with the boys playing like boys play. I caught the 2nd half of the game on TV in our room and was amazed with the play of the Thunder.   We woke up way early, and saw Kristin off for her half marathon run.  It was the 10th OKC Memorial run- and we remembered those who lost their lives in the bombing there 15 years ago.  Her performance was her best ever- and we cheered.  Upon visiting the Memorial, I saw a Marathon medal hanging on a chair with the name of a child who lost their life in the bombing.  I cried.  The sky was blue, and life moved on, and there was beauty in the midst of this painful place.

And while I missed Maggie- she was with beautiful people from Liberty Church at a beautiful place helping people.  This weekend was indeed a once in a lifetime experience.  For all of us. Everyday should be like that- even when they’re not that spectacular, even if they’re mundane.  Even if they don’t cost $1200 or are “historic.”  I wonder if with all of our talk about changing the world, that we might be missing it- looking for something “big” and not being aware of God present- here, today.  Can we be thankful today- and engage life, because it is a one time deal?

God bless and make today a once in a lifetime experience.

ck

I’ve been talking for about a year about the contrast between people who understand they are “image bearers” and those who don’t acknowledge this. The vision is important because if we are made in the image of God, then we were made to create and contribute. We have what it takes to create life around us and great things are possible when we believe that. What happens when you believe you already have enough? Enough stuff, enough relationships, enough experience, enough support, enough strength- to be the best you that you can be right here and right now. Adam and Eve walked in the garden with God, and enjoyed it. They were people, His creation, and He was God- and He was big enough to take care of them.  This changed when they believed they didn’t have enough.

We, as image bearers, have the DNA to listen and trust when that “still small voice” speaks to us saying “you have what it takes to make a difference…”  This trust characterizes people today who regardless of their income, social status or situation- believe they were made to make a contribution to this world- and they have been given enough to do so- today. These folks are attractive to say the least. We follow people like this because they give us courage to believe and hope in the fact that we have big time value, and we can make significant contributions to a greater good. They provide leadership just because they have a “sound estimation” of who they are- and they act with confidence with this knowledge. Their anxiety is limited, and their hospitality big, no matter what measure of “stuff” they have on a scale determined by the world.

On the other side of the coin are most of us- who believe we don’t have enough. We (I say “we” because I spend more time in this camp) are Consumers. We believe we need more. We may not acknowledge it, or show awarness of how our behavior reflects this, but most of us live life as if being a consumer is not just something we do, but someone we are. This isn’t just about material possessions, or the entertainment that most of us believe is paramount to a full life. Its about relationships, skills, belief, ability, gifts, context. Most of us believe that we need “more.” This is reflected in behavior that shows an expectation of the consumer to spectate and not participate. We evaluate and engage in constant transaction….its commerce at all levels- economic, social, spiritual, physical. In church- many people go, and evaluate it, and ask each other- did you like it? Was the singing good? Much of the questions center around the quality of whats presented, and how we would “rate” the experience. These are similar to questions we would ask about a new Mexican restaurant, or a movie we saw last night.

The contributor, however,  expects a life of collaboration.  They plug in.  They accept responsibility for their part, and trust the responsibility of others to live into their part.  They see life as participatory, and listen for cues from the Master Story Teller.  They trust that they have a specific role to play, and when they choose not to act- it is a choice based on trust, not an ambivalent lack of engagement.  I am developing these ideas weekly, and diving into this “consumer vs contributor” conversation more and more. I would appreciate your questions and comments.

I want, lastly, to comment on an experience I had last week that brings home this question of how we see ourselves. I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker for the annual vision dinner to raise funds for Camp David of the Ozarks in Rolla, Missouri.  This post is already a little long, but I have so much I would like to say about that experience.  The directors of this camp, who serve the children of incarcerated adults, are Ben and Grace Smith.  They are young, and not trained as social workers or counselors or coming off seminary degrees.  They just simply acted on a calling to help these children believe they are loved through a camp experience.  They are making a generational difference, and they started this big time work just 5 years ago.  When I got to tour the camp- I saw a beautiful piece of land, with a multi purpose building, a ball field, and a few small “covered wagon” tent cabins surrounding a fire ring in the woods.  This was camp!  No lake, no blob, no zip lines, just campers together with staff who love them and stay with them even when they’re difficult and resisting the very love they desire so much.  And, pretty much all of the urban children whose parents are in prison had never been out of the city or into the woods before their week at Camp David.  Oh yeah, and they all get to come to camp for free.  The Smiths just believed that people would come through and finance this great idea…. I mean, this calling.

Ben says that when the kids fight- he doesn’t like it, but it is a great opportunity for everyone to learn because they’re being honest at this time.  Ben gets it, and is “engaging adventure” by entering into their fights, making peace, and listening.  Behavior management is important in this camp community of “at risk” kids- but its not the ultimate goal.  Changed lives of kids who know they’re loved …. that’s the goal.  Its happening, too.

So, I show up to this fund raiser- and there’s almost 400 people there.  Everyone is local, from or around Rolla, population 16000.  There are people from the local college, groups representing Catholic ministries, homeschoolers too.  I met a guy who works for the Southern Baptist Convention as well as the Pastor of the local Assembly of God Church.  College students and local business folks were also in attendance.  The guy who was running the fund raising portion of the dinner said “This is our camp, this is Rolla’s camp.  What a difference we could make tonight if all of us who believe we are truly blessed, gave like we are blessed.”  Ben and Grace never once described their camp is “little.”  They spoke of needs, but spoke mostly about the kids, and how God is changing their lives.   It was also obvious that people who were coming around this fantastic work, were inspired to do so by this young couple who just said yes.  The Smiths didn’t bring a big endowment, or advanced degrees, or a persuasive multi level marketing plan.  They just changed their lives to love kids who are hurting- and they believe that they’ve got enough.  The dinner just was a method to share the joy everyone had who was already involved, with those who could claim their identity as contributers- and collaborate in this work of God.

The evening came to a close.  Everyone there seemed genuinely glad to be a part of the Camp David family when it was over.  I was inspired.  This “little” camp with its upstart leaders helped redefine what “big” can be.  They provided hope that we all can be true contributors.

They also raised over $33,000 that night.

What have you been made to contribute to?  What have you been made to create?

ck

I get a one line email last night.  It asks me:  “What do you mean by “two years of not being challenged?”  I have not met the author (to my knowledge.)

Oh boy.  You know when someone asks you a simple question,  and you automatically realize that you may have messed up something up?  Is it just me?  I figured as much…

I go to re-read my email sent out a couple of days ago for contributors, partners, friends, which is aimed to thank folks and inform them about the new stuff going on at CQ Missional.  I’m getting the feeling that something I wrote could be taken the wrong way, and I’m thinking, “man, when you write up something quickly and shoot it out there- people who don’t know you read it, and you’ve got to do a better job of communicating your heart.”  I’m also reminded that when you shoot from the hip- you usually hit your foot first.  In the email,  I started some communication about a new “gap year” program we’re starting next year for community college students, and other high school grads.

Here’s what I read that I had written just one day before:  “Students are not usually thrilled about it, parents however, like the great value of it. “It” is going to Tulsa Community College for your entry into college life. The Tulsa Achieves program is free for qualifying students and a great choice financially. However, many students who stay in Tulsa for community college have 2 years of not being challenged, wishing they were somewhere else, and playing it safe and not engaging the promise of this time of life. Instead of really exploring a life calling and preparing to enter vocational training with confidence, they do a lot of hanging out.”

Hum…  Its that true?  Well, I am sure it is for some people.  In fact,  I know it is for some people.  However, my statement can be read as a judgment on the quality of what TCC offers.  That was not what I was after, especially because the Achieves program is exactly the kind of thing that excites us about living in Tulsa.  Its great.  It provides choice for those who haven’t had it before.  It gives opportunity.  Its city wide.

The notion that students don’t grow or develop during community college really says more about the student than about the college.  Our growth is always our own responsibility.  You know, like we were taught in grad school, that our outcomes are always a marriage of an experience plus our belief about the experience.  Attitude is everything, and people mine beauty from any place every day, and folks also blow it and fail to capitalize on something beautiful right in front of them, every day.

TCC has done a beautiful thing in the Achieves program and as I have commented on numerous occasions, what is a good thing will just keep getting better and better because of this injection of life into the community.  Here is the “to the point” explanation and purpose for the TCC Achieves program from their website:

What Is Tulsa Achieves?
TCC helps eliminate the financial burden of attending college by providing additional funding to fill the “gap” between financial aid and the cost of attending college.

For eligible students, Tulsa Achieves pays up to 100% of tuition and fees for a maximum of 63 college credit hours. As a gap-funding program, Tulsa Achieves pays any remaining balance after all state, federal and private aid and grant funding have been applied. There is no cost to the student!

Why did TCC start the Tulsa Achieves Program?
The answer is simple – Students in Tulsa County should have the opportunity to attend college based on an ability to achieve, not an ability to pay.

It’s all about giving back to, and improving, our community. By increasing the number of Tulsa County residents with higher education degrees, we can increase the number of skilled professionals available in the Tulsa job market. We hope to encourage students to graduate high school and engage their community through service learning/volunteer service. With Tulsa Achieves, TCC is helping to ensure that Tulsa continues to grow, just as Tulsa has ensured the growth of TCC.

This deal is SO what we want to promote in Tulsa, and any words that imply that they aren’t doing a great thing here- are just misplaced, and not what we want to communicate.

Can community college be the best possible choice for people trying to move towards their life calling?  Absolutely.  Even without “us?”  Um….yep.

Is it possible that students who stay in Tulsa to engage an education at a place like TCC might need what we offer to help them move forward in life, to pursue their unique role in making the world a better place?  I am convinced the answer to that one is yes also. We help people take responsibility for their potential on a personal level, and engage the adventure of what is right in front of their face- such as their potential contribution to this community.  Many people just need a personal challenge and relationship that helps them go to this place.

So, maybe a better way to have written that paragraph would have been:

“Some students may not be thrilled about it, parents however, like the great value of it. “It” is going to Tulsa Community College for your entry into college life. The Tulsa Achieves program is free for qualifying students and a great choice, giving tons of students the opportunity for free tuition to TCC’s growing academic  programs. The TCC experience also can offer a seamless academic transition to 4 year state Universities.  While having TCC and the Achieves program here is such a great resource to our city, many students who stay in Tulsa do not use their time to develop their unique role in the world.  Many don’t seek out the challenge that leads to growth during these years and play it safe instead- living in a holding pattern until they go on to a 4 year university, choose a major, and live on “their own.”   Instead of really exploring a life calling and preparing to enter vocational training with confidence, many students hang out, do their work, and wait.  We believe we can come along side of  students during this time, and help them engage the foundational questions of who they will be.  The result will be a student ready to engage more specific vocational and life training with courage and confidence- knowing who they are, and ready to dive into that adventure.”

The lesson for me?  James tells us: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…”  I’m reminded that my perspective is limited, and I quickly forget that others have the ability to broaden my little window.   My quick words don’t give the whole story, and as I have experienced more times than I would like to admit, the crow doesn’t taste like chicken. I’ll eat it though (salsa  might help).

We look forward to serving people as they discover their unique role in making the world a better place.  Thanks to folks like TCC and the Achieves program who are doing that same work.  Our program to help students with their unique role in this world, called “GPS” will take off this August.

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