Vision leaks.

I heard, 'vision leaks,' loud and clear from my mentor. He reminded all of us in the room that day. The leader's role was to keep the vision white-hot. I was wondering why I needed to hear that back then. I understand it now, very well. Vision gets lost in the day to day details of life. If the vision doesn't get kindled, rekindled and kindled again--we lose it. Maybe you've heard the quote, "Without a vision the people perish." (Proverbs 29:18) I like how Eugene Peterson translated this same scripture in The Message translation, 'If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves.' I don't want to stumble.

Worship, Personal Transformation, Relationships, Next Generations and Mission

When people ask what our church is about, I pray these values come to mind. We don't just give lip service to these values, we live into them daily. Wheatland invests resources, time, energy, thought and money into these areas. We have Christ-centered staff who lead our congregation because we believe in these values so strongly. We are blessed to have John Dudich leading our worship ministry, Kim Neace leading our Adult Ministries, Justin Sommer leading Young Adult and Youth Ministries, Susie Sottosanto leading Children's Ministry, Deb Lionberger leading Admin and Facilities Ministries, Tom Harle leading our Tech Ministry and Michele Lantvit as our new Financial Administrator. Rev. Corey Ashley embraced the role of Oswego campus pastor. New energy continues to be infused into the multisite model because we believe it is the best way to reach people for Jesus Christ.

There are other stellar staff members like Academy Director Kelley Lemley, Michele Jenks, Emerson Tonon, Vicay Lauderdale, and our new Oswego Campus NextGen Coordinator William Victory who support these ministries and help them grow. I am incredibly grateful for part-time, quarter-time and some-time staff who do so much behind the scenes work--not because they get paid--but because they believe in our mission, vision and values. Wheatland has what it takes to become a greater influence for Jesus Christ--and you are part of that vision!

Come Sunday!

Sunday is our ONE SERVICE at Naperville Campus which begins at 9:30 AM. We have a huge party/picnic planned afterward. Kim Neace is desperately praying it does not rain--maybe you can too. I'm bringing a roaster filled with pulled pork because my last name begins with 'W.' I checked the list. I am to bring a main dish to share. Check out what you are supposed to bring!

You have an important role to play. You are called by Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit to go into all the world with a message of hope and reconciliation: to love God, love others and change the world! What is it going to take to keep this vision white-hot in your own life? What compels you to care about the lost, broken and messed-up world? What causes your heart to burst into flame? How has God equipped you for ministry and what is He asking of you? Don't sit idly in the fan section while the game is being played on the field. You were born for more than sitting it out. One day we will all answer for what we did in this life. It's time to get active and onto the field. We will get dirty. We will make mistakes. We will get back up and try again. This is our journey and it is our time. Let's do this.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

Pastor Jen Wilson