For the past three years, I feel like I've been an a holding pattern. That may sound negative but it's been a blessing — God's used the time to tear down idols in my life and draw me closer to Him. I've matured and most importantly, I know that my identity is in Him alone. However, I believe this holding pattern is coming to a close and that it's time to land…time for me to start focusing again on my calling as a writer, communicator and how I'm to use the gifts God's blessed me with to tell others of his love.

I've been frustrated over the past few months because I have no tangible idea of what that will look like and how it will take shape. And I've been blocked, creatively. So the possibility of interacting with other leaders at Catalyst is extremely exciting. I have plans to be in the area already so when I saw your tweet, I had to comment. I've heard a lot about these conferences and right now, it seems like it would be a good “fit” for where I'm at.

In any case, thanks for having this giveaway and giving someone such a cool opportunity. Blessings!

Fayola

Wes, thank you for taking the time and thought to share your story. I am sympathetic to the hurts you've experienced in an institutional church. I believe we all have our bad church stories. And yet able to reconnect with God in a healing & restorative way, that you're preparing to be a church leader. Grateful for you!

Doesn't leave any coin for catalyst, which I would love to check out.

I've never been to a Catalyst, but having worked in/around a church for the previous two summers I've been mentored by and worked alongside many who spoke very highly of the networking/leadership events. A little bit about myself: I'm a senior (graduating in Dec. 09) World Religions major and Sociology minor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. I grew up in Tyler, TX (in the belt-buckle of the Bible belt) where I attended a large United Methodist church my whole life.

I've been hurt by the church, and I'm not really sure who to blame. But I'm not ready to completely walk away from Her; I've tried that before and it didn't work out for me and it didn't work out for Her. I believe there is a generation of people rising up who are committed to breathing new life into what it means to be a leader and what it means to be part of the structures and the hierarchies of the Church.

I strive to invest myself daily in the future of the church. I'd love to attend Catalyst because I–one day–hope to start a church of my own, God willing. I want to know what it means to be a leader in the 21st century. I want to know the proper role of technology and church. More importantly, I want to know how to 'build' a church without building an institution that abuses: instead I want to let the Triune God be the builder and sustainer of community because He is Community, and only through Him can we have community.

I believe Catalyst is the gateway to many practitioners and voices who are leading and hacking the way forward in this journey of redeeming the Church–a task that is too big for us to take on individually. I'd love the opportunity to learn from these lectures/seminars as well as experience the community of leadership going on at Catalyst and to be part of what Catalyst is birthing in the world.

Good luck with your decision,
Wes

At this moment, I'm definitely leaning towards someone who has never been to a Catalyst event. So, those of you who have already been to one, I'm going to have to graciously say thanks for the comment and maybe see you some other time some other place.

And, Josh, your video was incredible! What an effort! You know you can hang out with me any time, so you don't have to go to a conference to do that. Just give me a call and we can meetup and/or tweetup