Mike Hammar

http://lkjennings.blogspot.com/

Mike really displays a love for people and seems good at building honest, real relationships with them. The various outreach ministries: Bridges event, Skate Park church, took a lot of faith and work to launch. But, he did it anyway. As I listened to him, I couldn’t help but think, “This man is a dreamer, and he doesn’t stop until it happens.” That is a great nugget of character I’d love to have some day.

I love that he understands what it truly means to be vulnerable. As a leader, as a husband, as a father etc… He spoke about how people (outside of the church) would gain respect for us if we learned to be open about our weakness. It takes a great amount of humility to admit your faults- especially when you make them while in leadership. One point he made about this is, “secrets make you sick.” I couldn’t agree with this more. I have found that truth always comes out at one point or the other so, we might as well be honest from the get-go.

Even though I agree with most things he said, I noticed he didn’t talk much about how he reaches out to the community. The skate park and different events he puts on are based around believers. Isn’t the entire purpose of church to prepare the body to go out and “make disciples of all the nations?” If we keep the Gospel primarily inside the church walls, then (forgive me if this is off) church becomes something that God never intended it to be. Freedom Valley is doing a wonderful job of moving into the direction of evangelism with their vision of church planting. My God put it on the hearts of many others to do the same. After all, that’s what we’ve been called to do, isn’t it?