Steve HunterSteve and Catherine have been excellent friends of Stephen and mine. We had a wonderful time with them in Weymouth as well as at The Leaders Conference in Brighton. I managed to catch up with Steve and this is what he said…….
M.M: Since taking over the Weymouth Family Church in October 2008, what have been your high and low lights?S.H: Highlights – It’s a privilege to lead the church, huge and incredibly humbling. I love the people and seeing growth in their lives. It’s a joy working alongside and rubbing shoulders with Matt Hosier, Guy Millar, Andrew and so on and people like you. You take God so seriously and I aspire to it.
Lowlights – Balancing family and ministry. There is no way I could do what I am doing without Catherine’s support. She has sacrificed so much for me. I’m acutely aware not to get the wrong attitude and to bring truth to people especially in our culture.
M.M: What is the vision of Weymouth Family Church?S.H: There are succinctly 3 points: a) Proclaim Jesus – It’s all about Him. He is the highest core value.
b) Loving people – in a radical way. Put other people first and
c) transform communities through the church i.e. local communities and communities throughout the world.
M.M: Do you have any strategic plans of how you’d like to get there?S.H: Phase 1 is Building church for people we haven’t yet got. We want to attract unbelievers and think of where they are at and have a love for people. In a condensed version – the way we do church - Nehemiah is our example in that we need to identify what key gateways we have into the community like Sunday mornings, Small Groups, Fusion and so on. We don’t want to get caught up in “this is how we’ve always done things.”
M.M: How has Neil T. Anderson’s book “Freedom in Christ” helped you as an individual?S.H: I realized again that there is nothing more I can do to please God. I have been set free from “you no good at this” mindset, and blocked goals: when you have to rely on someone else to get the job done and it doesn’t happen….the only person you can change is you. I need to keep my attitude right and deal with myself. God is BIG enough to deal with others. I have to add that it is a joy seeing it worked out in other people’s lives.
M.M: “Fusion” by Katy Phillips and Karin Todd - What are your thoughts?S.H: God is clearly using it in a massive way. It’s getting into people’s lives. We haven’t yet used it in the Church. It’s a gateway into the community. Katy and Karin have done a good job with it.
M.M: Fantastic. What touched you the most at Together on a Mission (TOAM)?S.H: a) Joel Virgo’s message was outstanding – very humbling. Team dynamic is so critical to church growth.
b) Terry Virgo’s first 2 talks – baptism of the spirit and a reminder of the grace of God.
c) Being with you and Stephen. I genuinely love you both. If we lose relationships, we’ve lost a lot.
M.M: I agree and you are making me tearful. Any nuggets for leaders?S.H: Be who you are. Don’t try to be someone else. Be who God made you. Make Jesus your best friend and the primary focus as everything flows from there. Honour your family with passion, love and affirmation. Be an encourager. Lastly, work yourself out of a job – raise up other leaders.
M.M: Excellent Steve. What a pleasure interviewing you and hearing your heart. May God give you ALL the desires of your heart as you continue extending His kingdom.
M.M: What is the vision of Weymouth Family Church?S.H: There are succinctly 3 points: a) Proclaim Jesus – It’s all about Him. He is the highest core value.
b) Loving people – in a radical way. Put other people first and
c) transform communities through the church i.e. local communities and communities throughout the world.
M.M: Do you have any strategic plans of how you’d like to get there?S.H: Phase 1 is Building church for people we haven’t yet got. We want to attract unbelievers and think of where they are at and have a love for people. In a condensed version – the way we do church - Nehemiah is our example in that we need to identify what key gateways we have into the community like Sunday mornings, Small Groups, Fusion and so on. We don’t want to get caught up in “this is how we’ve always done things.”
M.M: How has Neil T. Anderson’s book “Freedom in Christ” helped you as an individual?S.H: I realized again that there is nothing more I can do to please God. I have been set free from “you no good at this” mindset, and blocked goals: when you have to rely on someone else to get the job done and it doesn’t happen….the only person you can change is you. I need to keep my attitude right and deal with myself. God is BIG enough to deal with others. I have to add that it is a joy seeing it worked out in other people’s lives.
M.M: “Fusion” by Katy Phillips and Karin Todd - What are your thoughts?S.H: God is clearly using it in a massive way. It’s getting into people’s lives. We haven’t yet used it in the Church. It’s a gateway into the community. Katy and Karin have done a good job with it.
M.M: Fantastic. What touched you the most at Together on a Mission (TOAM)?S.H: a) Joel Virgo’s message was outstanding – very humbling. Team dynamic is so critical to church growth.
b) Terry Virgo’s first 2 talks – baptism of the spirit and a reminder of the grace of God.
c) Being with you and Stephen. I genuinely love you both. If we lose relationships, we’ve lost a lot.
M.M: I agree and you are making me tearful. Any nuggets for leaders?S.H: Be who you are. Don’t try to be someone else. Be who God made you. Make Jesus your best friend and the primary focus as everything flows from there. Honour your family with passion, love and affirmation. Be an encourager. Lastly, work yourself out of a job – raise up other leaders.
M.M: Excellent Steve. What a pleasure interviewing you and hearing your heart. May God give you ALL the desires of your heart as you continue extending His kingdom.
Interviewed by Molly Manhanga
1 comment:
Well done Molly - these are great! Been good seeing what everbody else says!!
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