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Monthly August 2011
Personal Development
Downtime

“Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest,” Jesus once said to His disciples. And this was based on His personal experience. Several times in the Gospels we read of Jesus getting away by Himself. It was vital to recharge His batteries by spending time with His Father in solitude.

Presently our family is in Colorado for three weeks of downtime. Though I have a few speaking events scheduled I’ve spent very little time hunkered down behind my computer screen. Rather, I’ve been out in the open air sitting on a tractor seat, hiking in the Rockies, and hanging out at a ranch. I’ve also cut back on listening to podcasts and music. I’m taking time to listen and pray.

The skies are vast, the air is fresh, and my mind is currently at rest.

Several years ago while still living in Southeast Asia my wife and I came to a point of mental, emotional, and physical burnout. Instead of traveling back to North America for a furlough we opted for nine weeks of rejuvenation in the beautiful country of New Zealand. We moved far away from schedules, meetings, and the obligatory demands we tend to put on ourselves. One of the critical decisions we made during this “vacation-with-a-purpose” was to say “No” more often in order to say “Yes” to the most important.

Through past experiences we have learned that “Good” often becomes the the enemy of “Best”. Attending numerous events to keep friends and family happy and generally over committing in an attempt to serve others had caused us to burn out. Maintaining a healthy tension between rest and service is difficult but of critical importance. In one New Testament story Mary chose what was best by sitting at Christ’s feet while Martha concerned herself with what Jesus deemed unimportant (see Luke 10:38-42).

More of us need to spend time putting together “Not-to-do” lists rather than “To-do” lists. We also need to schedule more solitude times to get the mental and emotional rest necessary for the long haul.

So schedule some solitude time. Re-align yourself with your personal values. Set aside a day this month or a week in the coming year to get away from the busyness of life and rest, think, and listen.

Luke Kuepfer | August 15, 2011

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Email Address

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.