Breaking News: I recently received some exciting news: Legacy Shepherding Ministries, Inc. is now an enrolled organization in Thrivent Choice! And you may be able to help Legacy Shepherding receive a contribution. What is Thrivent Choice? Thrivent Choice is a charitable grant program that allows eligible members of Thrivent Financial to recommend where Thrivent Financial distributes part of its charitable outreach grant funds each … [Read more...]
Mentor Training
A Heartfelt Testimonial: One evening, while he was leading a gathering of around 70 people, Tommy Bowman was brought to tears as he described the impact that being the recipient of spiritual mentoring has had on his life and ministry; how he wasn’t sure he’d be able to do the work he’s doing without that sacred space - just for him - to be known, loved, and challenged. The room was hushed as he paused and openly wept. There seemed to be a … [Read more...]
Time Magazine Wrote An Article About My Friend In Prison
William David Linley served his country faithfully in the military for seventeen years, now he struggles with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and is serving sixteen years in prison after being in a 10 hour stand-off/shoot-out with the police on September 22, 2006. Time magazine is telling his story in their recent publication. You can click on the cover picture or link at the bottom to read the Time article. A Brief History: I met … [Read more...]
A Christmas Surprise!
The First Update of 2014: I hope you are having a wonderful start to the new year. For me, there is something life-giving about a new start each year, like a blank slate with endless possibilities. What will we choose to co-create with God in 2014? I’m excited to find out. A Christmas Surprise: A couple I know surprised me around Christmas time with the personal gift of a new camera, as well as the accessories that go with it! I was … [Read more...]
Melanie’s Divine Healing!
Melanie (in the middle) lives with an autoimmune disease that at times leaves her body racked with pain. Even amidst her struggles and tears, she is one of the most positive, abundant, joyful women I’ve ever known. There is something about deep suffering that can bring out the extraordinary in people. Maybe suffering forces people to make choices about what is really important, and in whom they will place their dependency and trust. Maybe … [Read more...]
Dan and Discipleship
Randy's November, 2013 Update: Dan's Identity Shift: “Filled with misguided passion, angst, and an unshakable sense that my value was directly related to my productivity and how I portrayed myself, I wrestled with the frustration of feeling “stuck”. Perhaps much of my frustration came from envisioning what I wanted, and then growing angry when God didn’t deliver. Often I would become weary and frustrated waiting, too paralyzed by fear and … [Read more...]
Jon Peacock – Director of Axis, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL
2008 - I’m currently the director of Axis, a ministry of Willow Creek Community Church that reaches out to 18-20somethings. My leadership run began in October of 2006. In early 2007 I realized the necessity to have someone pour their life, wisdom, and faith into me; in essence I had been consistently pouring my life out to others and needed someone who would be willing to do the same for me, that someone is Randy Guenther. Randy and I have … [Read more...]
Gabe Strom – Missional Community Leader – Axis, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL
2008 - Meeting with Randy has been nothing short of life changing! Growing up as a pastors kid, I always felt loved and encouraged. However there has always been a yearning to grow and develop as a person and with God. I have read dozens of books, and prayed vigorously for truth but always seemed to come up empty. Since meeting with Randy I have gained tremendous insights into who I am and who God is. Randy has a passion for his … [Read more...]
Tyler Sterchi – FormerOne Year Intern – Axis, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL
2008 - Randy was leading my internship small group at Willow Creek when I first started in the winter of 2007. I didn't know anyone in my group, so I was a little apprehensive, especially about the idea of opening up to a bunch of people that I just met. Randy had a gentle strength about him that drew me in immediately and began to make me feel at home. His intentional questions, as well as his truthful, yet loving responses made me feel … [Read more...]
Praveen Kommu – Former Small Group Leader – Axis, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL
2008 - Three years ago God wrecked my world by introducing me to the discipline of Spiritual Formation through the concept of "Wounds and Arrows". Randy was the one who led that session at an Axis Leader's Retreat. His honesty and vulnerability touched me and they made me feel comfortable with the idea of exploring my past for dirt that I have worked so hard to bury and getting in peace with it. I don't claim that I am finished doing it or … [Read more...]
Andy Padjen – Former Intern, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL
My deep friendship with Randy has been the most transformational friendship I've ever had. Through Randy's love, grace, acceptance and wisdom, I've grown more in love with God, myself and others than I ever thought possible. I've also seen him lead others in various contexts, and the results are the same: life transformation! Randy is "The Man"! … [Read more...]
Jason Feffer – Former Youth Pastor, also Former House Group Leader – Axis, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL
2008 - Randy is a man of incredible depth and character. A few words that come to mind when I think of Randy are: depth, integrity, love of God and people, wisdom, and authenticity. Randy is the kind of man who can level you with a single question. Anyone who has had a developmental or mentoring conversation with him will tell you that there is know doubt that the Holy Spirit moves through him in the questions he asks and the gentle words … [Read more...]