Updates

Every now and then you meet someone and you know immediately that you’ve connected.  You look into someone’s eyes and feel a sense of authenticity and shared passion.  That’s the feeling I had when I met Gary Molander from Fresno, CA.

Gary reminds me of myself — he’s been in full-time ministry for years, pastoring and leading people through their times of worship in the local church.   Yet, like myself, he’s been smitten with the DNA of an entrepreneur and he used that gift to launch a well-known media company, Floodgate Productions, back in 2006.

Gary’s name came up as a possible speaker a couple of years ago when we were first dreaming about our first “Refuge”.  I wasn’t familiar with Gary at the time but there were those closely involved in our circle of dreamers that had already been impacted by his pastoral, sensitive, caring approach to art and ministry.

Last year one of my friends asked if I’d read Gary’s book yet, “Pursuing Christ. Creating Art”.  Although I’d been given a copy of the book a while back it sat on my desk with a large stack of books and CDs that I receive.  I finally decided it was time to dig in.

I couldn’t put Gary’s book down.  It spoke to me over and over.  As I read his book the creative in me was awakened once again and my passion for creativity, art, writing, and most importantly, the Creator, were stirred.

I finally had the privilege to meet Gary during the Echo conference in Dallas, TX this Summer.  I felt as if I knew him already from his book and several Facebook and Twitter convos.  My first meeting was exactly what I expected – a meeting that felt like a reconnection of trusted old friends.  I sat through this workshop at Echo and knew that this was the guy who would lead Refuge 2013.

I’m so very thrilled to have Gary join us and I am positive that all of the attendees to Refuge will be inspired by his leadership and truthfully, his mentorship.

Many more updates to come — see you in March!