Fall 2009 on the IMPACT 360 campus was about looking inward to see what we needed spiritually and intellectually so that we could become the Christ-centered servant leaders that we were designed to be. Basic training and fundamental tools are required in the equipping stage so that we can effectively live out the two great biblical mandates: the creation/cultural mandate and the great commission mandate. The latter challenges us go into all the world with the Gospel (Matt. 28: 18-20), while the former exhorts us to continue to fill and subdue the earth (Gen. 1:28) through culture-making and Christian ideas. We were reminded that an unbelieving world would prefer to go on without our influence and the results that follow when both mandates are carried out with a God-driven passion and a Spirit-filled wisdom. As C.S. Lewis once put it, “a cultural life will exist outside the Church whether it exists inside or not.” As Christ-centered servant leaders, we learned that we are to be unwavering, tireless advocates of both mandates.
The spring has been about learning to look outward and serving others through spreading the gospel and redeeming culture. We jumped right into an intense, thirty-day ministry in Brazil. Here we were forced get out of comfort zones and interact with well-intended people who were clinging to hollow worldviews. With God’s help we were able to show them His truth, and we saw how He blesses when we’re faithful and trust Him with the results. We then learned about key culture-making topics such as faith & science, bioethics, God’s design for social order, and marriage and sexual ethics. We completed 40 hours of volunteer service for a Chick-fil-A store grand opening, and, of course, leadership presentations at corporate!
Much has been accomplished. Many tasks completed; many successes celebrated. But the learning has only just begun. As the members of the IMPACT 360 class are commissioned to their various colleges, universities and positions of influence, we pray that they will remain Christ-centered, that they will always serve others, and that they will bring their biblical worldview to bear mightily in whatever callings He has for them. In all things may we remember that it is all for His glory!