September 2008
They Tell Me To Be A Kingdom Builder
They tell me to be a Kingdom Builder
Am I to build with my hands or with my heart?
Physically, I am weak
My hands are not strong
But I am not sure of the spiritual parts
They say you need a mindset in God
Think and live through him.
Shine like a light to be seen from afar
And show what was placed within
How can I do this if I feel so weak?
My strength is not reassuring
It seems this is not the strength God seeks
It is different with him I am learning
I contemplate a little more
Pray, think and meditate
All of a sudden, I feel something there
My heart beats with a steady rate
I am strong in a different kind of way it can’t be beat,
Pushed down, destroyed
I am a kingdom builder in Jesus name
No one can steal my joy.
Written by Leilani Sierra
Kingdom Builder
What is a Kingdom Builder?
I am a kingdom builder
What is a kingdom builder?
A leader of Christ
What is a Kingdom Builder?
A person who follows their dreams
What is a Kingdom Builder?
One who follows the Word
What is a Kingdom Builder?
I am the meaning of a Kingdom Builder
Written By: Anesha Jones
Kingdom Builders
Building the Kingdom of God
Like Los Angeles or New York
That is how to live life
Spreading the word of Jesus Christ
And growing in his word
Start with the foundation
And work your way up
At the top of the building of God is eternal life.
Written By: Weston Reindl
Kingdom Builder
Break down my body
Break, break down my soul
Break down my mind
That is what is said
This is getting old
Time to build it up
UP
Time for something new
Time for new faces
The day is almost gone
We are coming in on a new dawn
I have to start
No time to waste
Follow me if you want
I will just see you at the gate
I am a Kingdom Builder
Written By: Olivia Parkey
August 2008
Graduates expand base of DVULI training in West Michigan
Ten adult and 24 teen leaders graduated from the Grand Rapids Initiative for Leaders (GRIL) on June 11, 2008. The program, which utilizes the curriculum of the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative, is in its fourth year of training local urban leaders.
According to GRIL director, Denise Fase (Grand Rapids, 1998), the 34 new graduates will swell the number of West Michigan based DVULI and GRIL alumni combined to nearly 150.
Three groups of adults have graduated from GRIL since it began and two teen groups. In addition, a local ministry has asked the organization has GRIL training its entire staff.
“It’s exciting!” says Denise. “We are seeing God use this training to breakdown walls between church denominations. Because we have a common language now we can tell God is read to do some great things.”
All the instructors are local DVULI or GRIL alumni and Denise said that “there’s definitely an indication that people are walking away with everything we walked away with. We’re hearing them are talk about accountability and living out balance, even amongst the kids.”
GRIL is a collaborative effort of the local DVULI graduates. The organization is gaining momentum with their new website, publishing a monthly newsletter, as well expanding their local support.
July 2008
Six DVULI alumni certified as Leading for Life trainers
Applause, applause for six DVULI alumni who spent four days in Grand Rapids, MI being oriented on delivering DeVos Urban Leadership’s original training, Leading for Life. As one of the Initiative’s follow up of models, Leading for Life is being made available to ministry teams across the U.S. and being taught by qualified alumnus. These trainers will be paired up to accept invitations to facilitate the 12-hour module in select cities.
Congratulations are in order for:
Cynthia Burton
(San Diego, 1999)
Karin Wall
(Boston, 2000)
Anna Scott
(Orlando, 2000)
Khary Bridgewater
(Boston, 2006)
Ray Banks
(Chicago South, 2007)
Amy Williams
(Chicago 2007)
Any DVULI alumni city interested in hosting a Leading for Life workshop, please contact our office at 616-643-4700 or dvuli@rdvcorp.com.
May 2008
Hispanic Prayer Breakfast
Graduates of the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative were among hundreds of ministry leaders and pastors who gathered in Washington, DC in June for the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast.
The 3-day convening addressed the value of Community Engagement Training in discussing the relevance and importance of advocacy vs. lobbing and the impact of Housing issues that affect the Hispanic community. In addition, there were networking opportunities, ministry resource exhibits and tours of museums, monuments and other local sites.
Culminating the largest annual assembling of Hispanic-American clergy was the keynote address by President George Bush at the breakfast. The president encouraged attendees to remain strong as a community of faith and to remember “you’re sustained by prayer.” This was evident in the time that we had in worship and the time of prayer. Many prayers were lifted up for our Leadership our Troops, families and children.
Following Bush’s speech DVULI delegates were among the first to meet and greet the president for hand shakes, brief words of encouragement and photo ops.
by Rick Diaz
The following were selected to represent the Initiative in our nation’s capital:
Willie Maldonado (Chicago 2000)
Chris Negron (Chicago 2007)
Esperanza Martinez (Miami 2007)
Mary Rengifo (Miami 2007)
John Echeverria (San Diego 2001)
Robyn Moya and Refugio Moya (San Diego 2001)