Isn’t it amazing that friends can change our lives just by something they say mid conversation? That happens a lot to me! Here are some sweet things my friends have taught me without even realizing it:

Zack Blair - “Surround Yourself with People that Scare You”- This has helped me so much – get people around me who know so much more than I do that they scare me and have them invest in me. It’s taking me to another level.

Chris Martin - “Be the best ____ (Your name or ministry) “Bubba Smith” You can Be - It’s so easy to try to be those you idolize isn’t it? I’m learning who I am and how to become the best Bubba I can be, regardless of what others think.

Mike Steidel - “Be a Great #2″- Being a youth assistant puts me in a support role of my pastor. I’m really enjoying learning how I can add value to him by serving him and being a great number 2 guy.

Laura Steidel - “You’re Loved for Who You Are, Not What You Do”- This is changing my life. So often, I try to cover up insecurities in my life by accomplishing things. It’s very hard for me to find my value in who I am, instead of what I do, but I’m determined to get there!

Nathan Hurst - “What are You Doing to Making Yourself Indispensable?” – I’m recognizing that I’m moving beyond a level in leadership where I can just lead by passion. I need to start developing skills and actually build teams, people, etc. in order to take the next step. I’m excited for this next season!

What have your friends been teaching you?

October is Pastor Appreciation month and I just want to recognize some pastors who have had a huge impact on my life!

Pastor Jeff Kistler - I attended Middletown Road Baptist Church when I got saved in middle school. This is when I figured out I was called to ministry! Pastor Kistler spent so much time pouring into me and loving me. He helped light my fire for Jesus as a teenager!

“Pastor” Judy Steidel - Ok, so she wasn’t exactly an ordained pastor, but this woman ran a bible study of 80+ teenagers every week in her house. Through her bible study I rededicated my life to God and started going to Victory Family Church. She took me under her wing as a son and showed me what it’s like when someone lives a passionate, sold out life to God. I still get fired up just thinking about her!

Pastor Larry Bettencourt - Ok… so without this man… I have no clue where I’d be! I interned under his leadership for 2 years. He taught me a ton about ministry, opened doors for me, and gave me my first opportunities to speak. I am so thankful for his leadership and now I am grateful for his friendship. He’s changed thousands of lives and he continues to do that through his ministry (Finishline).

Pastor Zack Blair – Sounds weird to call him Pastor because we’ve known each other since we were freshmen in college! It’s been awesome seeing Zack grow into his calling. He is now touching a generation of twenty somethings and he is constantly speaking into my life and taking me to new levels. I love this guy!

Pastor Craig DeBower - PC! I don’t even think I need to say anything else! This man is a walking Bible! He was a CEO and now he is a Pastor… the man has a ridiculous amount of wisdom on the inside of him. It’s a privilege to get to spend time with this guy!

Pastor Steve Moore - Over the past year I’ve gotten the opportunity to spend a lot of time with this guy! He took my leadership/ministry lid and blew it out of the water! My favorite line of his would be when something crazy would happen (pretty regularly) and he’d say to me, “Welcome to ministry!”

Pastor John Nuzzo - When I see everything happening at Victory… I just think to myself… What if Pastor John and Michelle weren’t obedient to God? Wow… thousands upon thousands of lives have been impacted forever as a result of their obedience. They are touching a generation. I can’t even put into words how grateful I am to sit under this mans teaching and leadership…what a privilege.

I would encourage you to think about the Pastors who’ve helped changed your life as a result of their obedience to God and write them a letter, buy them a gift, or simply tell them you appreciate them. Ministry really is a thankless job, you’d be surprised what just hearing “thank you” can do to encourage a pastors heart.

• If you’re following nobody, you’ll become nobody

• “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens another man!”

• Most people won’t be in your inner circle because you want them to be, you have to ask them

• You will go no higher in life and in purpose than the immediate circle of those who surround you in daily life.

I will probably do a whole series sometime on the people you surround yourself with.

Who do you purposefully hang out with that will take you to a higher level? Challenge you? Help you reach your potential?