Large Group and Small Group

After a busy Wednesday, Jim finished up the morning with Module 3 for the group, and then Jay began Module 4. We can tell that the group continues to enjoy the practical illustrations from our personal and professional lives when they relate to the material. It was interesting to watch them try and wrap their minds around how a pastor could talk about business principles and apply them to a church, when religion in their country is so separated from secular life. They asked great questions and it allowed Jay to talk them through how we use the principles in the church and apply them to the general mission of spreading the Gospel, and Calvary’s specific mission in our own community.

After another great lunch, we met over coffee at the hotel with three of the class members who were not able to attend the Lead Like Jesus seminar on Tuesday–Vaysl, Anatoliy and his wife Natalia. Jim had lunch with Anatoliy and Natalia, and we spent the first hour just getting to know him better and his approach to business. He let us know that he had been awarded by both the Roman and Greek Catholic churches in his city for his donations to their civic and charity causes. With that in mind, we had a 2 1/2 hour discussion about the business and political climate in Ukraine, the culture of his business, the role of a leader, what it means to lead like Jesus, and why we believe it’s a better way to lead people. The fatalistic sense that if he tried to do better and lead better that his people would not follow and would continue to take advantage of him is so strong. It is something we are seeing repeat as a theme over and over in the business climate here–that nothing will change or get better unless everyone rule by authority, takes no responsibility, or acts in trust for each other to build a better culture. It allowed us an opportunity to share several points of the Gospel with Anatoliy and Natalia (Vasyl is a believer) and to hear the difference in perspectives on the new vs. old economy between him and Vasyl. In the end, the Gospel was shared from a relational perspective, and we pray that the Lord would use it to work on Anatoliy’s heart. He was grateful for the time we spent with him and the conversation.

After a short break, it was back downtown to walk around and decompress from the day and grab a bite of dinner. As the week is winding down, we took some extra time to sit, talk and enjoy what the Lord is doing in and through the group. After our devotional it was to our rooms to study for the final session which we have broken down into three parts. The last session will be completed after Jay wraps up two main points from Module 4 that didn’t get completed on Thursday. Thanks for the continued prayers!