Embracing Simplicity and Excellence: A Journey of Faith and Leadership
I was raised in a Christian household where my parents followed Jesus Christ. When I was 6, they made the significant decision to dedicate themselves full-time to pastoral ministry. In summary, my father planted a church and served as its leader for 40 years until his retirement in 2020. One aspect of his ministry that consistently captivated me was his leadership, particularly his application of the principles of simplicity and excellence.
He strongly believed in the importance of these principles for a local church. Notably, despite leading a sizable congregation, he firmly resisted investing in an elaborate temple that would only be used for a few hours each week, deeming it an unwise use of resources. His stance was clear: simplicity and excellence could coexist harmoniously, emphasizing the value of being straightforward while excelling in all endeavors.
In the Christian context, I am convinced that these two principles should be intertwined. From our perspective, we are like exiles (1 Peter 2:11; Hebrews 11:13; Philippians 3:20) in this world – it is not our permanent home, as we are here temporarily. Consequently, our focus should be on the eternal. I distinctly recall numerous instances where my father, leading the church, chose to address the needs of a missionary even while we were seated in simple plastic chairs, in a rustic gym with no air conditioning or heating. His perspective was clear: the temporary discomfort endured for 1-2 hours a week is manageable when viewed through the lens of the kingdom perspective. I have experienced and validated this belief in my travels to Africa, witnessing a people's unwavering desire to worship, regardless of the quality of the chairs, climate, or location, often in challenging circumstances.
As a donor-based organization, Lead by the Name, we have embraced these two core principles—simplicity and excellence. They permeate every aspect of our endeavors. Our budgetary strategy and projects align with these principles with the goal of maximizing resources for fieldwork, encompassing trips, training, mentoring, and investing in the academic formation of pastors in small churches. A member of our team expresses it this way: "We tackle projects that few are willing to undertake—no marketing, no spotlight, just a commitment to serving."
Our overarching goal is to formulate viable strategies that uphold these principles, drawing inspiration from best practices and perpetuating a legacy of impactful and purposeful initiatives.
Are you interested in discovering more about us and exploring opportunities to join us on this journey?
Eduardo Mendes
Founder and President
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