The Global Leadership Summit in Western Kentucky

Posted on by
Reply

This year’s Global Leadership Summit is scheduled for August 14 & 15th and One Life Henderson is one of 300 host sites. We highly encourage you to attend. Register here.

5185982211031040Being able to participate in the Global Leadership Summit every year is one of the highlights of my year. It’s one of the best conferences I’ve ever been able to attend. It more than fills my cup for the next run as a leader. (And I get to sleep in my own bed in the night between day one and day two. That’s an added bonus!)

But, what’s the benefit of you attending? Allow me to share what I think makes being a part of the upcoming Global Leadership Summit a no-brainer.

1.     You will be surrounded by others who desire to grow as a leader.

John Maxwell defines leadership as “influence—nothing more, nothing less.” It’s not often that one has an opportunity to be among a group of individuals that both are influential and desire to grow in their ability to become more influential. This will be my fifth consecutive year of attending the GLS. Each year I’m amazed at the opportunity to be in the same room with high caliber individuals and learn from their successes and failures. Whether they are church leaders, small business owners, CEOs, or leaders of teams, the opportunity to know them and learn from them is there.

2.     It’s an opportunity to sharpen yourself as you continue to lead the charge.

There’s a general consensus that people of influence, leaders, have it all together and know the next right decision to make for the team(s) that they are leading. The fact of the matter is…we do not. But, the opportunity provided by the Summit to absorb effective leadership teachings from world-renown leaders has benefitted me more than I could imagine. Whether it’s learning from from Patrick Lencioni on dysfunctional teams, Bill Hybels commenting on team health, or grabbing worthy advice from Dr. Henry Cloud, the “gold nuggets” to grab and use seem endless. It prepares you for what’s on the horizon for you as a leader.

3.     You will leave with a desire to take action and blaze a new trail.

The use of these “nuggets” has positively impacted my ability to be influential in the areas of my life that I’ve been given responsibility to lead (work, church, and at home). It’s one thing to leave a conference and check off that you attended; it’s another thing to put into practice what you’ve learned. Being a part of the GLS prepared me to make an impact through the planting of the One Life Network. It also benefitted me as a business leader and allowed me to invest in a business for the purpose of not only making it profitable, but also healthy. And finally, it helped me in my leadership at home, as both a husband and a father, as I took what I learned and applied it to my home life. The GLS helps you take action and leave a lasting and positive mark on those you have been called to lead.

“But I’m not a leader.  This conference isn’t for me.”

Think again. If you’re breathing, you have the opportunity to be a person of influence. As a matter of fact, if you are breathing, you are influencing others, be that in a good way or bad. You are a leader. And I can think of no better way to prepare you for what’s next for you as leader than to suggest that you sign up for the Global Leadership Summit 2013.

Post by Heath Farmer. Heath serves as the Campus Pastor for One Life Church- Henderson. Follow Heath on Twitter.

This year’s Global Leadership Summit is scheduled for August 14 & 15th. One Life Henderson will be serving as a premier host site again this year. We highly encourage you to attend. Register here.

 

The Millennial Plan

Posted on by
Reply

5338547418562560When you think of how the Evansville and Henderson region will look in 2040, what do you see?  Are we a family friendly region?  Are we known for our extensive transit system?  Are we known for our reasonable cost of living and exceptional parks facilities?  Or maybe we are known for our abundance of available jobs or numerous well-regarded institutes of higher education?

What steps can we take now to reach this preferred future for upcoming generations to enjoy?

These steps will be outlined in the Regional Plan of Sustainable Development – a plan that directly reflects the voice of residents living within the Evansville region of Henderson, Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.

The entire 4 volume plan can be followed at this link on the SEAC website.

The specifics of Henderson and resources connecting to Engage Henderson and the partners involved in East End can be seen by clicking the link below….

The Millennial Plan for 2040 Volume 4 4-3-14

5673015446601728

City Serve 2014

Posted on by
Reply

Screen-Shot-2014-02-27-at-10.54.28-AMHenderson: East End Community Gardens, Jefferson School, South Heights School, Community One on Pringle St, Olive Branch at Bennett Memorial, Parks ….Evansville: St Vincents, Jacobsville park, Delaware School, many other city parks… and the list goes on and on.

City Serve Day in Evansville and Henderson.

Hundreds of volunteers converge on East End for City Serve Day

Posted on by
Reply

Crews converge on East End area for cleanup, repair

  • By Erin Schmitt erin.schmitt@thegleaner.com 270-831-8341
  • Posted April 5, 2014 at 11:37 p.m.
photos by Darrin Phegley / The Gleaner<br /> Christian Hancock (center) and Andrew Mattingly (right) work to plant a weeping cherry tree in front of Bennett Memorial United Methodist Church as crews work to landscape around the building during City Serve Day Saturday morning.<br />

PHOTO BY DARRIN PHEGLEY, THE GLEANER // BUY THIS PHOTO

photos by Darrin Phegley / The Gleaner Christian Hancock (center) and Andrew Mattingly (right) work to plant a weeping cherry tree in front of Bennett Memorial United Methodist Church as crews work to landscape around the building during City Serve Day Saturday morning.

The labor of love to the East End community was visible on Kristin Proctor’s hands.

Her fingers and palms were blue from applying new coats of paint to a shed and picnic tables outside South Heights Elementary on Saturday morning.

“We’ve been painting and freshening and establishing some pride for the students that attend here and for kids in the neighborhood who come here,” she said.

Raymond Wethington (right) of Henderson’s First Baptist Church, pulls nails and screws from a board to reuse as a crew from the church works on a house on Pringle Street as part of the City Serve Day on Saturday morning. From left are Paul Coy, Bill Sherman and Harold Gilmore.<br />

PHOTO BY DARRIN PHEGLEY, THE GLEANER

Raymond Wethington (right) of Henderson’s First Baptist Church, pulls nails and screws from a board to reuse as a crew from the church works on a house on Pringle Street as part of the City Serve Day on Saturday morning. From left are Paul Coy, Bill Sherman and Harold Gilmore.

Proctor was one of hundreds of volunteers who fanned out over the East End to take part in several neighborhood cleanup and repair projects as part of City Serve Day. The event was sponsored by Engage Henderson and involved multiple churches and community organizations.

Early risers showed up at the designated meeting place Bennett Memorial United Methodist Church well before the 8 a.m. start time, ready to get to work on the chilly spring day. The volunteers made such speedy progress, most projects were wrapped up before noon.

Groups of volunteers were sent to Jefferson Elementary and South Heights, the city parks and several East End homes in need of repairs. Clean up crews also focused on Letcher Street, picking up debris from the area between Madison and Washington streets and three to four blocks on either side of Letcher Street.

Volunteer Brad Knight oversaw one of the larger projects at South Heights. He designated groups of five to tackle the 15 jobs that called on volunteers to gather debris and trash, put fresh mulch on the ground and apply new paint to playground equipment. Raking leaves might have been the biggest job — he said more than 200 bags were collected.

Jessica Wiggins, who was there with One Life Church group, helped paint picnic tables and stain the gazebo. Working at South Heights is near and dear to her heart since her daughter Elayna is a second-grader there.

“This school has been like family to us,” Wiggins said.

Engage Henderson wants to develop relationships with East End people with shovels or rakes in their hands as they pitch in around their neighborhood, said Heath Farmer, a team member with Engage Henderson.

“We have this saying, ‘we want to do with not for,’” said Farmer. “So we know that in order for this to be sustainable that it’s going to require some buy-in from the East End community.”

Bennett Memorial, located on Letcher Street, shares that vision. The church kicked off its East End Kids program on Saturday morning and drew about 20-25 children, said Rev. Wayne Burt.

Working in front of the church, dozens of teenagers from Henderson County High School and Central Academy helped adults landscape around Bennett Memorial. The younger kids played games and learned Bible stories.

Volunteer Betty Lander, who attends Bennett Memorial and went to Audubon Grade School just across the street before it closed, helped man the tables where kids drew pictures of the world’s creation.

“That was my favorite thing to do,” Lander said. “To get them to understand, you know that what God created in this world is good. We’re just trying to be a light in this neighborhood, for Audubon.”

Hundreds gather for first City Serve Day to ‘spread God’s love’

Posted on by
Reply

Hundreds gather for first City Serve Day to ‘spread God’s love’

photos by DANIEL R. PATMORE / SPECIAL TO THE COURIER &amp; PRESS<br /><br /> Andy Schmitz with Encounter Church blows leafs out of flower beds at Haynie’s Corner Saturday morning April 5, 2014 part of City Serve Day were local area churches come together in partnership with the City of Evansville and the Parks &amp; Recreation Department to get the city parks ready for spring in Evansville, Indiana.<br /><br />

PHOTO BY DANIEL R. PATMORE //

photos by DANIEL R. PATMORE / SPECIAL TO THE COURIER &amp; PRESS Andy Schmitz with Encounter Church blows leafs out of flower beds at Haynie’s Corner Saturday morning April 5, 2014 part of City Serve Day were local area churches come together in partnership with the City of Evansville and the Parks &amp; Recreation Department to get the city parks ready for spring in Evansville, Indiana…..City Serve Day

 More than 500 adults and 175 children from 15 churches cleaned 21 neighborhood parks Saturday.

The first-ever City Serve Day, coordinated by leaders from the area churches, went off without a hitch, organizers say.

“We just wanted to serve the community need,” said Andi Miller, the local events coordinator for the Christian Fellowship Church. “We’re here to spread God’s message and God’s love.”

The idea for a “City Serve Day” came out of a “Group Shift Conference: Making Disciples to Change the World” in January that brought about 27 churches together. The purpose there was, in part, to unite the various churches to better spread God’s word, said Jeff Hudson, one of the Shift Conference organizers.

“After that conference we met with the mayor and said, ‘If we get 500 people together, what would you like us to do?’” Miller said. Christian Fellowship Church, Crossroads Community Church and One Life Church were the main organizers.

Mayor Lloyd Winnecke told the group to coordinate with the Parks Department, and the first City Serve Day was born.

The volunteers met Saturday morning at the C.K. Newsome Center and received their park assignments.

“We all prayed together,” Miller said. “We prayed for our city, prayed for the residents of our city and just prayed for this day that we could just reach out and just love our community. Just that Jesus’ love shines through us to all the residents of Evansville.”

The volunteers then headed to their assigned parks and made fast work of clearing trash and debris that had been blown around during last week’s storms. They also weeded landscaping, and pulled weeds from cracks in the pavement.

“It’s a lot of little things, but the little things add up to make a big difference,” said Angel Vazquez, a member of the Christian Fellowship Church.

After the cleaning, the churches hosted parties in nine of the neighborhood parks with food, music and inflatables for the kids.

“A park needs people, and people enjoying it, to bring it to life,” Vazquez said.

South Heights: Parents see big differences from Bornlearning Academy

Posted on by
Reply

By Erin Schmitt, the Gleaner, original article

Learning experiences can be found anywhere.

Taking young kids to the grocery is a chore for most parents, many of whom might dread their child throwing a fit in a busy store.

552416_t607But keeping the child engaged and aware of their surroundings might just be the trick to staving off temper tantrums.

It can be something really simple, said Sandi Hazelwood, the South Heights Elementary Family Resource Center coordinator, such as asking a child to spot Goldfish crackers. If the child gets sidetracked or distracted, gently remind him or her that they are helping look for crackers.

“They’ll love that,” she said. “That gives them something to do. That gives them some responsibility and they can be looking for the Goldfish crackers.”

Hazelwood introduced this and several other everyday learning opportunities during the last of six workshops that were held through the Toyota bornlearning Academy that was launched at South Heights Elementary last fall. Though the program was based at South Heights, it was open to all Henderson County families with a child from age 0 to 5.

Lynette Harris heard about the academy through Hazelwood.

969906_t607“I wanted to come and participate because I believe in reading to your kids and I wanted to see what else I could learn to do to help encourage reading,” she said.”

Harris brought her two children, 7-year-old A’nniya and 3-year-old Amar, to each class. Their favorite activity by far was making fruit pizzas, something the family has since enjoyed doing at home.

Using the tips she’s learned through bornlearning, Harris also plays a game with Amar, asking the boy to call out colors of the cars as his mother drives down the road. Harris will also ask him to go to the refrigerator and retrieve an orange food item — another everyday teaching experience to help the 3-year-old learn his colors.

For Harris, the classes have been a way to gain new friendships.

“I’ve been here for a couple of years and I don’t really know a lot of people, but I have been meeting people and I would highly recommend it to others.”

422227_t607Shayla Spanjers also sees the value of social networking at the meetings. She and her husband, Daniel, are both first-time parents and are always open to feedback on how to take care of their one-year-old Kevin, particularly since he’s teething now.

“If I’m having a problem with him, I can go up to any one of these parents and go, ‘Hey, have you ever experienced this?’ ” said Spanjers. “And more than likely they would be willing to help.”

The Spanjers attended an informational program called Diapers2Diplomas last June and liked it so much they were quick to sign up for Toyota bornlearning Academy.

Although Kevin is too young to apply some of the educational ideas presently, Spanjer said the class gave her a few ideas to try out later, like crafts on rainy days.

“I have to have something to keep him entertained,” she said. “I can’t just let him sit in front of the TV all the time.”

Parents attended the program for different reasons. Samantha Turner came with her two kids, 6-year-old Christian and 4-year-old Madison, on a court order.

“They give great advice for kids who are under 5 years of age,” she said.

Many of the tips they gave were things she already was doing for her kids, but she said learning about the different nutritional values was helpful to her. Ever since the workshops, Turner said the family has been eating more fruit.

Hazelwood said at least 27 families and their children participated in the program. One teenage mom attended each session except the last because the day before she gave birth to a healthy baby girl, whose first picture was displayed during Hazelwood’s presentation.

Toyota has 31 bornlearning academies across Kentucky, but has singled out the South Heights-based one as exemplary.

“This is a good example of what bornlearning is and should be,” said Helen Carroll, Toyota’s manager of community relations. “They’ve obviously done a great job of reaching out to the community and encouraging families to come.”

Carroll praised the strong partnership with the United Way and Henderson County Schools for helping make the first-year academy such a success. She stopped by South Heights on March 20 to see the final workshop of the first year and was impressed by the strong attendance.

She wasn’t the only special visitor at the workshop. Toyota hired a camera crew to film a promotional video that will be shown to schools to give them an idea of what goes on at bornlearning academies.

The South Heights program will hold new workshops beginning in the fall. Toyota is also looking to launch a second program in Henderson, likely at another elementary school, said Carroll.

South Heights will hold its first Toyota bornlearning Academy graduation at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in South Heights’ gym. Anyone who has participated or volunteered for the program is invited to see the graduates accept their certificates.

 

City Serve: Henderson

Posted on by
Reply

When: 8a to noon, Saturday, April 5th

Where: City Serve Launch happens at Bennett Memorial, 503 Letcher Street

Screen-Shot-2014-02-27-at-10.54.28-AM Who: Everybody is invited to serve

Join churches, neighbors and local non-profits in serving the City of Henderson with repairs and spring cleanup….

it’s about “Serving the City”.

 

Projects and activities include….

And there will be a special Kids Celebration at Bennett Memorial from 9 to noon for East End neighborhood families. To help with kids contact Pastor Wayne Burt.

5677616866525184There will be a Community One Coaches training in preparation for housing repairs on City Serve Day and beyond at First Baptist Church in Henderson on Monday, March 24th at 6p.To sign up for coaches training.. to submit a housing project or to ask any questions about Community One contact Lori Reed.

Questions or City Serve project ideas? Contact engagehenderson@gmail.com

East End focus of city commission discussion

Posted on by
Reply

East End focus of city commission discussion

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

The Henderson City Commission covered a lot of ground Tuesday evening during its monthly workshop — and a good portion of it was in the East End.

The commission tentatively signed off on a plan for the new park being developed there, as well as street repairs and funding for a group of volunteers called Community One who plan to rehabilitate houses in the area.

Gas Department employee Lindley Harmon, who was educated as a landscape designer, laid out the park, which will include a gazebo and a splash pad. Her work “saved us from having to hire a professional from outside Henderson,” said Assistant City Manager William “Buzzy” Newman.

The splash pad won’t be as elaborate as the downtown water feature, he said, “but the purpose is to get kids wet. They can run through it and do whatever.” It will be on a timer so that it won’t run at night.

Newman also laid out revived plans for a dog park, which also was designed by Harmon and is now planned in an abandoned ballfield at Community Park on Kentucky 136. The “bark park” is expected to cost $25,000. The facility will be up against Canoe Creek and not near any houses. Fencing, water stations, dog-related playground equipment and other amenities will be provided.

“We can have this thing up and running probably by June,” Newman said.

Funding for Community One is set at $50,000, which raised the eyebrows of Commissioner Tom Davis, who noted there is a process for funding outside agencies. “This is the first I’ve heard of it tonight,” he said. “It sounds like a great idea” but “we’re getting the cart before the horse.”

City Manager Russell Sights pointed out that if the budget amendment is approved next week the organization won’t get any money until a contract with the city is approved.

Public Works Director Brad Mills said the East End streets to be repaved include Letcher between Washington and Cumnock; Helm between Atkinson and Meadow; and the entire length of Grand. Helm will see only sections of broken concrete replaced, Mills said.

Another major project discussed Tuesday was $30,000 to begin the process of developing a vision for the community’s future. Sights is recommending the money be appropriated to bring in a consultant who could guide the process. “It will let us get started before July 1,” he said.

“I think it’s time for us to do this,” Sights said, because there does not seem to be a tight focus on where the community plans to go. “This is done in progressive communities I’m familiar with and I think we ought to be one of them.”

Other issues discussed by the commission Tuesday included:

  • Wayfinder signs: Newman noted that donations of $15,000 from the Preston Foundation and $1,000 from James and Nyla Tillotson means the city has sufficient funds right now to implement the first two phases of that project,” on which the city is currently getting ready to award bids. The signs will direct visitors to the community’s attractions.
  • Elm sidewalk: The city is looking at spending $28,000 to extend the sidewalk on North Elm from Hi-Y Drive to The Gathering Place, although Newman said that money will reach only to the bottom of the hill “and I think that’s all we can get done this year.”
  • Railroad crossing: The CSX crossing on Fifth Street is very rough, Newman said, but the railroad is not anxious to close it because there may be a need for it in the future. However, he said, it appears CSX will agree to allow the city to pave over the rails, and might even agree to share the paving cost.

The 1199 Love Banquet

Posted on by
Reply

One of the most important things we can do as a community is to build relationships and one the best ways to connect is to look for opportunities to serve.

Back to the South Heights Christmas Elementary Christmas Store described in an earlier blog…the leadership of Blazer University(AKA-Steve Treece) was looking for the opportunity to provide a banquet for the South Heights kids and families and so they partnered with One LIfe Church. One LIfe provided the venue, servers and a variety of other partners provided resources, donations and transportation to make it a very special evening.

The students had the opportunity to purchase this special evening for their families by using their “Dolphin Dollars” at the Christmas store. It was a unique evening of volunteer waiters and waitresses dressed in black and white with very special table settings including candles and tablecloths.

Over 300 people came, invited by their kids and enjoyed the dinner, a little entertainment and a lot of smiles.

Thanks to all who served and thanks to the kids of South Heights for wanting to use their hard earned Dolphin Dollars to take their families for a one of a kind night out.

Love banquet

The South Heights Christmas Store

Posted on by
Reply

Most Henderson residents are familiar with South Heights Elementary School. It is located in the East End of Henderson with about 600 kids and they have a 90% free lunch rate which means that many of the kids come from lower income families. South Heights is known for a high performing and challenging culture, so they are constantly rewarding performance.

The kids earn an in-house currency called “Dolphin Dollars” which they use to purchase items at a school store. This “Dolphin Dollar” currency is earned by multiple forms of positive behavior from grades to attendance to obedience in the hallways.  But if the kids are willing to “save” their currency until Christmas, they can use to shop in the school’s giant Christmas Store. In fact, if they save their dollars, they can earn interest. Many of the items in the Christmas store are donated or purchased throughout the year at reduced prices and the gym is filled with everything from jewelry to perfume to stuffed animals to soccer balls and so much more. The kids come into the store during two days a few days before Christmas and bring their lists and carefully shop for their family and friends. Once they have spent their Dolphin Dollars, there are volunteers and staff to help gift wrap their bargains.

1500966_10202258039948144_955957225_oThere are several observations from participating in South Heights Christmas store….First it creates a genuine opportunity for kids to be rewarded for hard work. They learn that the harder you work, the more the rewards. Second, the kids always show their big hearts for others. The staff help them to prepare Christmas lists and when they arrive they are pumped about getting presents for their family. And lastly, the kids always enlarge the hearts of the volunteers who serve. Here is a great example…..

1511198_10202606239827931_1925624747_n“Working at South Heights Christmas store today I got to meet this sweet girl. She told me what she wanted for Christmas (an iPod) and I told her I wanted a blanket so I could curl up and sleep the rest of winter. She left and went to use her “dolphin dollars” that she had earned to buy me a blanket. The sweet teachers convinced her to buy me an ornament instead. ….This is my 3rd year doing this at South Heights and it’s my favorite part of Christmas”..Andi Miles