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Monthly April 2011
Faith Personal Development
Easter Blues

It’s Saturday night and Easter Sunday is just hours away. I’ve watched several online videos about the significance of the Death and Resurrection of Christ but I’ll have to admit—I’m feeling numb to it all. I know I should be excited about this day. I know it’s the pivotal event for Christ-followers. But I’m just not feeling it.

Does this just happen to me? Have I heard the story so many times that it no longer grabs me emotionally? Can I blame it on the burnout I’ve recently been grappling with? (I’ve been traveling a lot lately; too many road miles it seems. My body has also been run down; I think I’m finally getting over a head cold that has gripped me for several weeks.)

Or is it simply another reminder that our faith is not based on feeling but on fact?

Not too long ago I delivered six sessions on one day. By number five I was really dragging. I felt that my presentation had fallen flat; that I had lost all passion for one of my favorite stories in the Bible. What fascinated me, however, was how well the Q & A period went right after I had finished my labored delivery. We got on to this issue of faith versus feeling. That faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). That often as we mature in our faith our emotions, feelings, and experiences lessen—that we must tenaciously hang on, especially when we don’t feel like it. That sometimes, though not always, feelings might follow the choice to act out of our beliefs.

I believe that the death and resurrection of Christ is the greatest event that ever took place in history. I have a joy that is deep-seated though not always felt. And tomorrow I will choose to worship with thousands of others based on my beliefs rather than on my feelings. Perhaps my emotions will be touched, and possibly not.

So how about you? Have you discovered that the longer you follow Christ the more you walk by faith than by sight? What about the frequency of your feelings and emotions? If that is going down how do you deal with it? Is your faith growing cold or is it actually growing deeper?

Luke Kuepfer | April 23, 2011
Leadership Mission Significance
The Great Initiator

Noah is raising three sons. He’s a righteous man, blameless in his community, and walking in the steps of his Creator. God invades his space one day and announces that the world is going down. Suddenly Noah finds himself constructing a giant life preserver and then out on the high seas. God initiates, Noah obeys, and the planet is saved.

Gideon is cowering in a winepress, beating out his wheat; it’s the last place the Midianites will look for a guy trying to survive. Suddenly a messenger from God appears and refers to Gideon as a mighty warrior. Gideon attempts to sidestep his calling but ultimately ends up becoming general of a small army. God initiates, Gideon responds, and a simple act of obedience rescues an entire nation from the oppressive Midianites.

Moses wakes up one day to the reality that he’s been strategically positioned for the deliverance of his people. Taking things into his own hands, he kills a slave driver and appoints himself leader of a nation. Moses’ leadership lasts for just a moment however and suddenly he’s hightailing it for the desert. Forty years later at a burning bush, God initiates and Moses’ dream finally becomes a reality; this time on God’s terms.

David is tending sheep. Anointed one day by God’s representative Samuel, David is suddenly thrust toward kingship. God initiates, David submits, and years later after many harrowing escapes, David aspires to what was promised.

Isaiah is worshiping when suddenly he gets more than he bargained for. Seized by his imminent fate, Isaiah cries out, God intervenes, and Isaiah is spared. God then initiates a call (“Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”), Isaiah responds, and a Messiah is foretold Who will take salvation to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 49:6).

A young lady is simply minding her business one day when an angel appears and announces that she will bear the Son of the Most High. God initiates, Mary complies, and the world has never been the same since.

Saul is on a mission—one he fervently believes in—when suddenly God invades his space through a blinding flash. This prompts a 180-degree turn in Saul’s heart, tipping a domino that will result in the Gentile world coming to Christ. Again, God initiates, man responds, and Gospel shock waves reverberate around the world.

God is the Great Initiator. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). And according to two Old Testament authors He also sustains us in the middle (Psalm 55:22, Isaiah 46:4).

This is the ultimate perspective that should impact every aspect of our leadership. Not “kudos to us” but rather “kudos to God.” The Psalmist reminds us that, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1a). God invades our space to call, equip, empower, and direct us in our sphere of leadership for the sake of His Kingdom.

Leadership is not about us. It is not about us striking out on some journey and equipping ourselves with certain skills to fulfill our purposes. Rather, God invades our space to fulfill His purposes for the world.

Luke Kuepfer | April 13, 2011

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luke@lukekuepfer.com

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HOT TOPICS

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Logistics and Details

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

As your speaker I will give you my best effort. See me as a catalyst or facilitator that will help you achieve the goals you’ve set for your event. When you win, I win. It’s as simple as that. I’m here to serve you!

Venue

A venue for the event should be chosen with the target audience in mind. All-day or half-day workshops are ideally hosted in rooms where food can be served and participants can gather around tables for group dialogue and breakout sessions (click on links for preferred room setup: round/long tables). All venues should be suited for multi-media presentations and wired for sound.

Once a date and presentation topic have been confirmed for an event, the venue name and address along with a contact phone number should be submitted for advertisement purposes. I can provide advertising media for all events including online registration if needed.

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Equipment

A room featuring a multi-media projector with 3000 lumens or greater is preferred for all events. I will use my own projector when one is not available. Please note that for most presentations and workshops I need my laptop at the front of the venue from where I’ll be speaking. My system can accommodate VGA/HDMI cables. I can also supply an Apple TV for systems that require wireless projection from the front. Most of my presentations are designed for widescreen (16:9).

For audio I prefer a lapel or Countryman microphone. For presentation/video audio I can supply my own speaker for groups under 100 people. For larger groups I need a mic cord (to plug into my direct box) or an audio cable (3.5mm mini stereo) that plugs directly into my laptop.

Replace lecterns and pulpits with a small table or stand on which to place a laptop. Standard telescoping music stands are ideal.

For workshops, have a flip chart or white board available with markers in several colors.

An eight-foot table should be available on which to place books, CDs, DVDs, and other resources for sale. Cash, checks, and credit cards are all accepted.

Fees

I do not charge a set fee when speaking at non-profit events. However, donations are welcome to support my family and cover bills. The suggested donation amount is $500/day for each day I’m on the trip plus travel expenses. If I’m within a few hours of an event I will drive (suggested reimbursement of $250), otherwise, I typically fly (if within the USA, $500). I fly out of Chicago, IL and typically purchase my own tickets; a reimbursement check made out to “Luke Kuepfer” can be mailed to 725 Newgate Lane, Apartment C, Prospect Heights, IL 60070.

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I’d be delighted to come to your event and speak. I typically keep my events within a 1-3 day time period; anything over this length of time is generally reserved for international travel. Workshops can be facilitated as whole-day or half-day events. My multi-part series can be easily held over a weekend, beginning Friday night and ending Sunday morning or beginning Sunday morning and ending Monday evening.

About MeAbout Me

Speaker, author, and life coach.

HELLO, I'M LUKE KUEPFER.

Originally from Ontario, Canada, I currently hail from Chicagoland, IL. My wife Amy is originally from Indiana, USA and we have three children—Brittany, Courtney, and Jamin. Brittany is married to Josiah Zimmerman, Courtney to Jevon Martin, and Jamin is dating Emma Kate Crouse. 


I believe that as followers of Christ we are called to glorify God in all that we do. One way to do that is through serving leadership—leading, loving, and serving like Jesus. To ultimately serve others we must first serve our Audience of One—our heavenly Father—and, like Jesus, we must focus on the few to impact the many.

I served as Field Director for Global Tribes Outreach between 1997-2008, a non-profit organization in Southeast Asia I helped found back in 1995. Currently I serve as President of the Reverb Network which initiates serving leadership movements in North America and around the world.

My experience in missions mobilization, leadership training, and team development has taken me to four continents over the last 20 years. I have a Masters degree in Christian leadership from Asbury Seminary and speak, train, and coach in both business and non-profit spheres.


Having climbed 29 of Colorado’s 14,000 foot peaks, my family hopes to summit all 53 before my energy runs out.

TESTIMONIALS

I have heard from other staff members who agree with me, this was one of the best/productive workshops we've attended.

Dan Domer
Staff Member, Covenant Church, Winterville, NC

Your talk rocked my world.  

Qian Wang
Perspectives Student, College Station, TX

Luke Kuepfer’s high-energy presentation of the material was delightful, articulate, and profound! If you are looking for a fresh and life-changing look at Jesus’ servant leadership model, look no further! Give Luke a call!

Don Showalter
President, Hearts Alive!

Luke is a dynamic speaker with the gift of clearly articulating Biblical truths in an easy-to-understand manner. He speaks in humility but with authority, and injects his message with the experience and global perspective gained from living abroad as a missionary for many years.

Santosh David Poonen
Elder, River of Life Christian Fellowship, Loveland, CO

Luke’s enthusiasm and passion for the local church and its impact in the community is inspiring. I highly recommend his teaching and ministry!  

Clarence Miller
Deacon, Sharon Mennonite Church

“Transformational” is the one word I would use to describe the seminar. Luke has a true gift in communicating God’s truths with clarity and passion.

Joe Bacher
Pastor, Foothills Fellowship Westminster, SC

Luke is enthusiastic and knowledgeable, presenting the interactive material creatively. It is a unique presentation unlike the usual “leadership seminars” taught from the front. Luke presents it with expertise, fun, and interest in each attendee.

David Livingstone
Regional Manager, North-East & Mid-Atlantic Region, The JESUS Film Project

Luke really has an incredible way of captivating everyone’s attention and making a seminar meaningful. He speaks from his heart and lives what he preaches. As a result of this Encounter we’re taking our family to Southeast Asia on a two-month mission trip with the possibility of moving there long-term.

Lloyd & Mary Ellen Esh
Pastor, New Covenant Mennonite Fellowship New Holland, PA

REVIEWS

SKILLS

SKILLS

Years Lived Abroad
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Countries Visited
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14-ers Climbed in CO
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Education & Life Experience

2014 - 2022

SPEAKER, COACH, & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPER

Presentations and workshops in both non-profit and business venues around the world on leadership, people skills, and life purpose.

2011- 2013

STUDENT @ ASBURY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Masters Degree in Christian Leadership.

2009 - 2010

STUDENT @ THOMAS EDISON STATE COLLEGE

Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies.

1997 - 2008

DIRECTOR @ GLOBAL TRIBES OUTREACH

Founded and served as Field Director of Global Tribes Outreach (GTO), a non-profit organization based in Southeast Asia committed to church planting and social work.

1994 - 1996

WORKER IN CONSTRUCTION AND AGRICULTURE

Floor finishing in concrete construction and equipment operator on a cash crop farm.

1990 - 1993

TEACHER @ PRAIRIE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Taught elementary through high school students in a self-directed learning environment.