Session 9 - “Risk Taking, Barrier Breaking, Bold Leadership” - Catherine Rohr

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Spkr_cRohr_lg At age 30, Catherine Rohr is the CEO and founder of the nonprofit Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP). Under her leadership, the program recruits volunteer senior business executives who provide training, mentoring, and support to prison inmates. The participants in this one-of-a-kind program have achieved a 98 percent employment rate and have launched 40 entrepreneurial businesses. Currently PEP is refining resources to replicate its model in facilities nationwide.

Lois and I heard an interview with Rohr on the Catalyst Podcast and were fascinated with her work. I’m so excited to see this interview.

Highlights:

  • The prison is full of proven entrepreneurs
  • A mission trip, exposing her to injustice, changed her world after college
  • Because of her calling, she was willing to risk everything - went completely broke funding the vision (including 401K) - when got to Texas her possessions stolen so starting with nothing when she got there
  • We’re grace junkies - okay with old school murderers like David, Moses and Paul but not with people who have done time now
  • Look for the best criminal leaders and work with them
  • God doesn’t need me; he just wants me to be obedient
  • Modeled it after what Jesus did in going after a bunch of so-called losers.
  • People are wowed by her story, but why, she asks. How lame to be in NY doing million dollar deals. 
  • I know there are a lot of beat downs but reconnect with the vision God gave you. I dare you to pray, "Bring it on, God."
  • Interesting: They're looking for the "who" before the "where" as they look to multiply this incredible program.

Oh my gosh! Can’t capture this on highlights, but what an absolutely great session. I want everyone I know to see this one.

Session 8 - “Defending the Faith” - Chuck Colson

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Spkr_cColson_lg Chuck Colson is the chairman and founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries, the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners, crime victims, and their families. He has written more than 20 books including Born Again and his latest release, The Faith: What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters. In addition, Colson is the founder and chairman of the Wilberforce Forum, the Christian worldview teaching and advocacy arm of Prison Fellowship, and producer of his daily radio broadcast, "BreakPoint," heard through more than 1,000 outlets.

Colson has long been one of my heroes and I don’t know of an author who has had a greater impact on my thinking and heart over the years.

Highlights:

  • Great Commission is not about making converts; it’s about making disciples.
  • We have transferred our allegiance from truth to therapy.
  • What he learned in the Marines applies to spiritual leadership - Serve the troops = train and equip because they’re going into battle; give them a vision; follow me - don’t pander but lead
  • Stop blaming the culture for everything that’s going wrong - the culture is sick because the church is sick
  • Why so many in prison: Lack of moral training in the morally formative years
  • What is Christianity? - the first question - in the beginning was the Word (all truth/logos was in him) - every area of life is under the Lordship of Christ and it rests on certain truth claims that are the foundation of all we believe
  • The fall - free will in the beginning and chose the non-good; what is the problem with the world = “I am” (Chesterton)
  • We can’t impose, we must propose - an invitation to you to a way of life that’s rational and true - come to the wedding feast - the need to see us living the faith and not saying stupid statements like there is no truth