The Monday Memo from John Stanko

My Latest Ministry Update

Since 1991, I have worked to provide resources to help you and people all over the world like you to find and fulfill your God-given purpose. Here are some of the ways you can benefit from and get in touch with those resources in the days to come:

KENYA UPDATE: I posted the latest update from my work in Kenya on my blog. You can read about the work we are doing with orphans there, and you can read through a history of our work by viewing all my Kenya entries here. Once you have read, I ask that you donate generously to help us continue the work. You can do this through my website using PayPal or by sending a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882.

KENYA COLLECTIONS:  I collect items of need for Kenya year-round and ship them over once a year to found libraries and equip schools. Items collected include shoes (men's, women's, kid's, dress, casual, new and used), books (fiction and non-fiction, non-textbooks, new or used), used but in-working-order laptops, educational supplies, undergarments for children, musical instruments, and art supplies. Contact me for pickup or drop items off at Allegheny Center Alliance Church on the North Side of Pittsburgh.

KENYA TRIP: The deadline for applications for the 2015 Kenya trip is Sunday, September 28. The final information meeting will be held for those interested in going on that day as well, at 12:30 PM on the North Side of Pittsburgh. Let me know if you will be attending. You can read about past trips on my travel blog.

COMING TO DALLAS TEXAS: I will be conducting a purpose seminar in Dallas on Saturday, September 20 from 10 to 12:30 at 8115 Preston Road in Dallas (this is a board room in an office complex and not a church or nonprofit organization). I am sponsoring this myself with the help of my friend, John Mogk, and the admission is free, but you do need to register! I need to hear that you are coming no later than Thursday, September 18 at 5 PM. Just send me an email and I will send you a confirmation!

PITTSBURGH SEMINAR: I will be hosting a purpose seminar here in Pittsburgh on Saturday, October 4 from noon to 4:30. Space is limited to 40 people but admission is free! Once again, I ask that you send me an email to let me know you will be there. My email address is [email protected]. The sessions are held in the Children's MInistry facility at Allegheny Center Alliance Church.

CREATIVITY GROUP: Last year I began a once-a-month meeting of creative people who get together for encouragement, teaching, and feedback on their work. The group is called G1 (short for Genesis 1) since we are created in the image of the Creator. The upcoming meetings are September 27, October 25 and November 22 (all Saturdays) from 1PM to 3PM in Pittsburgh on the North Side. Again, just let me know you are coming. The group has created a Facebook page for you to access.

RADIO: I currently host or co-host four weekly radio shows: one is on a local AM station and three are strictly Internet productions. You can tune in to Ministry Beat on Tuesdays at 4PM, Urban Heroes on Wednesday at 8AM, Leadership Talk on Friday at 4PM and Wake Up to Purpose at 8AM on Saturday morning on WPIT-730AM (you can listen to this online or using the WPIT mobile app anywhere in the world; archived shows are available on my website). If you cannot listen live (and most can't) all these shows are placed in an archive, which you can access at your convenience on the link provided.

MESSAGES: You can listen to or watch messages I have spoken at my local church on the church's website or other messages in my own website archives.

BOOKS: I currently have 20 books in publication, three of which are devotionals published this year. The devotionals make a great gift to yourself or others, for they keep on giving every day of the year! You can see all my books on Amazon and most are available in paper or Kindle versions. The three new devotionals are A String of Pearls: Wisdom for Productive People, A Daily Taste of Proverbs and What Would Jesus Ask You Today? 

PURPOSECOACH: I am available for one-on-one purpose mentoring, personality assessments, 360-degree profiles and creativity coaching. I am also available to speak or consult with your company or organization around the topics of purpose, team building, leadership development and strategic planning.

THE PACIFIC INSTITUTE: I am a certified facilitator for the cognitive learning programs offered through The Pacific Institute, a world leader in personal development and leadership training.

TELEVISION: I am currently launching a new television show called Your PurposeQuest. This is a show designed to help you find purpose through the stories of my guests. The show can be seen locally on the Pittsburgh Community Channel. Never fear, however, if you cannot get that channel. Just go to my Vimeo channel and you can watch it any time from anywhere in the world.

WEBSITE: My website, PurposeQuest, is chock full of tools to help you find your purpose. Go there to take a purpose assessment and to see all the latest resources to help you be a person of purpose.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL: I write every day and post it for your devotional enjoyment and spiritual growth. This year's devotional is The Leadership Walk. You can subscribe to receive it every day or simply go there to check it out from time to time. I also post that daily devotional on Linkedin.

NEW TESTAMENT DEVOTIONAL: I have completed a verse-by-verse devotional of the entire New Testament, which is available on my Bible blog or on my website. I edit these on a regular basis and you can subscribe to receive those updates at the Bible blog site.

SOCIAL MEDIA: I have three Facebook pages - my personal page, one for my ministry PurposeQuest International and one called Feeding Widows and Orphans in Africa. My personal page is maxed out, but you can go to the other pages and register a 'like' so you can stay in touch with what's happening. I am also on Twitter at @johnstanko.

CONTRIBUTIONS: If you notice, most of what I listed above is free of charge. I seldom ask, but if you would like to contribute to my personal support and ministry, you can do so through my website or by sending a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882.

Thank you and I pray the Lord will use the resources and programs above to encourage and equip you for purposeful living.

527: Commitment

This week I wrap up the fifth c in succcccess, the first four being curiosity, creativity, competence and collaboration.  You can catch up on any you didn't read here, but let's move on to this fifth and final c and wrap this series up!

THE WINNER IS

When I think of one who had to perservere and endure but who was totally committed to God's plan, I think the winner is Joseph in Genesis. Joseph had his visions from God indicating that he would lead his family when he was just 17 years of age.  After that, all hell and parts of heaven broke loose for him and before he knew it, his brothers had sold him into slavery, then covered their deed with their family by concocting a story that Joseph had been devoured by a wild animal.

Joseph prospered in Potiphar's house and then languished in prison until he was 30 years old.  It was then that Pharaoh had his two dreams and Joseph was summoned to the palace to interpret the dreams.  Joseph not only interpreted that there would be seven bountiful years and then seven of famine, but he also came up with a plan that pleased Pharaoh of how to prepare for those lean years.  Joseph went from the dungeon to the palace in a matter of minutes, but he had been in Egypt for 13 years up to that point.

It the story ended there, it would be a good one - but it doesn't! Joseph serves Egypt during the seven good years, storing up grain and establishing Pharaoh's throne. Then the lean years begin and Joseph's family, not knowing he is alive or in Egypt, came down to buy food.  They appear before Joseph and he recognizes them, but they don't recognize him.  Joseph told his brothers, "I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute" (Genesis 45:11).

What's my point? Joseph was 39 when his brothers came to get food and he revealed himself to them.  That means he lived in his dreams before they became reality for 22 years.  Can you wait for your dream that long, preparing for the day when it will come to pass?

YOU MAY BE NEXT 

If you have done all you can do, are you prepared to wait?  Are you committed to see succcccess in the long run, whether that is in business, ministry, publishing or some other purpose expression?  You can be the next Joseph, if you are willing to pay the price for succcccess as I have spelled out over the last five weeks. Like Joseph, you can wait long, but then have your life change for the better in five minutes.

I am 61 years old, and I have yet to see some of the things I believe God put in my heart. That is why I keep writing, praying, learning and growing.  I am committed to do what it takes to see my dreams, and that may mean I see them from another vantage point after I am gone to be with Him.  Whatever it takes, I won't give up.

I invite you to join me in the pursuit of succcccess.  Let's not stop until we run as far and fast and as long as we can, as He empowers us.  I hope these last five weeks have helped you and that you have learned something.  Have a great week!

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KENYA UPDATE: I posted an entry explaining that we raised our money for the matching grant, which you can read here.  We need more, however, and I tell you how you can give in the same entry. 

ZIMBABWE, HERE I COME:  I will be back in Zimbawe for the first time since December, 2007 starting November 27.  If you would like to be part of my visit, you can read about my schedule here.  I look forward to seeing all my friends there when I return. 

466: Report from Israel

As you may know, I have been in Israel since last Wednesday with 24 people from my church in Pittsburgh.   If you haven't checked out the entries and pictures on my travel blog, you may want to do so here.  There is some pretty cool stuff there, and you subscribe to receive my daily updates.  Later in the week, we are going into Egypt to see the pyramids, and you won't want to miss those updates either.

SIXTEEN YEARS  

I first came to Israel in 1994 and was so moved by the trip that I determined I would one day lead teams to the Holy Land so others could experience what I have experienced.  There are so many surprises, for at times things you thought would move you do not and things that you didn't think anything of before will move you to tears! 

The point I want to make is that I set a goal 16 years ago and now I am ready to carry it out.  I hope by God's grace to lead a trip every 18 months and teach about purpose, the supremacy of Christ and the nature of Jesus' earthly ministry.  I will return in May of 2012.  Would you like to be part of that tour?

WHY NOT JOIN ME?

If you would like to be a part, then why not set a goal . . . and then go for it?  Why not say, "I will be there" and then begin to watch for ways you can prepare spiritually and financially. You will not get to Israel by wishing it to happen; you will have to help make it happen!  Don't tell me what you may do one day. Tell me what you will do.

We are working on goals at this time as part of the PurposeChallenge I issued last month.  If you haven't taken the Challenge yet, read about it here and then get with the program.  And if you want to be in Israel in 2012, send me an email and I will keep you posted as plans come together.  What a great goal that would be!  And what a great way to improve your assessment score during this time of the PurposeChallenge.  I have to run, but in the meantime, all I have to say is "Shalom!" and "Next year in Jerusalem!"

443: Easter Implications

Next Sunday is Easter Sunday the world over.  I thought I would go into my archives and copy a past Memo that focused on Easter and resurrection, and I was surprised to find that I did not have anything in the archives!  I write every year about purpose lessons from Christmas, but had nothing on Easter.  Well, I am going to correct that this week, so let's get Holy Week started with this Memo.

A PACKED HOUSE

My church has six weekend services and we are getting ready for overflow crowds next weekend.  People who don't darken the door of a church throughout the year will come to church on Easter Sunday, which will make for a packed house. They sit with the regular attenders, family and friends, and pay homage to the fact that Jesus was raised from the dead. It is probably the same in your church.

We will assemble next week and say by our presence, "Yes, we believe Jesus was dead.  Yes, we believe that He was in the tomb for three days.  Yes, we believe that God raised Jesus, who was both fully God and fully man, back to life. Yes, we further attest to the fact that Jesus ascended into heaven, and that our flesh, Mary's boy, intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father."  I hope you agree that those affirmations summarize truths of Easter.  But is that all the truth?

It always intrigues me that many will come and attest to these truths yet all too often those truths have no meaning or application in their daily lives.  Stop for a minute and ask, "So what if Jesus was raised from the dead?  What difference should that make in my life?"  Those are good questions; let's try to come up with some answers.

IMPLICATIONS

If you believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, then you can believe God for anything!  If God raises the dead, which He does, then He can cure cancer.  He can provide for your business or ministry.  He can transform you into the person He intended you to be, that person you want to be. If God can take a dead body and give it life, then nothing is beyond His miracle-working power.  What's more, you have the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead living in you!  It is not a replica of that Spirit, it is not a portion of that Spirit.  You have the Spirit that raises the dead living in you.  Here is what Paul had to say about the implications of this Spirit-resident:

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you (Romans 8:9-11).

I trust you plan on being at your local church fellowship next weekend.  Don't go as someone merely giving assent to a historical fact, go celebrating the truth that God is alive in You  Then find how you can release that resurrection power into your life, relationships, work and purpose.  If you can believe that God raises the dead - and you should - then you can believe God for anything.  Have a great resurrection-power-filled week!  Happy Resurrection Day!

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OPERATION PETTICOAT:  I announced plans last week to continue raising money for The Sophia Fund, the Deborah Foundation and a new program, Operation: Petticoat.  The latter is an effort to raise money for underwear for the young ladies in Kenya, who don't have any and consequently miss school because of it.  I know it may sound simple, but this is an important issue as evidenced by two emails I received this past week:

Just read about Operation: Petticoat.  It is so true about the underwear issue.  Most of the girls here don't wear bras and the panties are tattered.  It may seem strange to you but it is a big issue and the silly things are not cheap!  So little material but the price can be restrictive to kids who have little - J.M.

John, I think Operation: Petticoat is brilliant. Lack of underwear is a huge problem for girls and women in Africa and they are very grateful for any that can be sent. It doesn't matter if it is second hand as long as it is clean. Bras are particularly appreciated because they are harder to find and much more expensive. They are also necessary for older girls to be able to play sport. Women in developed countries don't know what to do with their older bras other than throw them away, and they could make such a difference. Children's clothes are also needed. Zimbabwe winter temperatures regularly go below zero at night.  Another vital necessity, which is out of reach for all but the best paid, is sanitary towels and tampons - S.F.

I am going back to Kenya in May, so we set April 30 as our deadline to raise money to purchase underwear here and take it over there.  You may not be passionate about underwear, but the two emails above speak to the urgency of the matter. 

You can give through my website or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Just let me know if your contribution is to be used for food or underwear and I promise to apply it where you direct. $70 came in last week for Operation: Petticoat and $500 yesterday for The Sophia Fund, and I am trusting the Risen Christ for a lot more!  Thank you for your help. 

KENYA TRAINING:  Next week, I will give you the specifics of The Pacific Institute (TPI) seminar I will conduct in Nairobi from May 17-19.  Frankly speaking, TPI is the best training I have ever experienced and I love to share it with my friends. Be watching next week for the specifics and then meet with me in Nairobi for a life-changing experience.

415 Supplement

Memo 415 was a little longer than usual, so I thought I would put the add-ons in a separate post, especially since one of the items is so important. 

1. LAST DAY TO GIVE TO THE REVELATION PROJECT!  Today is the deadline for the matching grant! As I wrote on August 1, I had a major breakthrough in my attempt to publish my Revelation studies. A donor made a matching grant challenge for the month of August, promising to match every dollar donated with another dollar of his own.  Last week about $150 came in, so that means we have $1,000 of the $4,000 needed to publish. But today, August 31, is the last day for the grant, so you must act fast to help me make what I am calling The Revelation Project a reality. 

Every dollar you give will be doubled, so when you give, you are exercising good stewardship.  What's more, you will be part of publishing and distributing this work that will help reclaim Revelation as a rich devotional book of victory and worship!  You can make a contribution this month by going directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or by sending a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Please make sure you mark your donation for Revelation and don't forget that every dollar you give is actually two, but the offer ends today!

2. THE SOPHIA FUND UPDATE:  Two weeks ago, I posted a new report from Kenya concerning The Sophia Fund.  You can read it here.  About $200 came in last week for The Sophia Fund, and I am always blessed when people and readers respond. I am heading to Africa in late September and will check on the status of our donations then to make sure all is going well.  As you know by now, I am using the money to feed AIDS orphans and widows in Kenya and Zimbabwe. You can also read about my rationale for The Fund here (named after my late mother). Even though I am raising money for my Revelation Project, I will not neglect The Sophia Fund.  The orphans and widows need our help now more than ever.

Please consider a contribution of at least $5 toward the fund and hopefully more. You can use the "Chipin" widget on the Monday Memo site to contribute, or go directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Make sure you let me know it is for The Sophia Fund. Don't delay; give today and make a difference in the world.

3. DAILY PROVERB: I am now posting a short daily devotional focusing on one verse every day on my blog site. If you would like to read it or subscribe to receive it, just go to my site and register there. I promise to have it updated every day.

4. FACEBOOK: My goal is to have 1,000 Facebook friends on FB by 12/31. Right now I have 575. I update my status on Facebook (you can find me by searching my email, [email protected]) every morning to include a daily verse from Proverbs and an inspirational quote. I do the same on Twitter @johnstanko. Go there to sign up and follow along.

5. FREE PURPOSEQUEST ASSESSMENT: I updated and improved the feedback email you receive from your online assessment, so now is a great time to take or re-take the purpose assessment on my website. This is not a scientific survey, but something that is meant to stimulate your thought and direct your study concerning where you are in your PurposeQuest.

Monday Memo 348: It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To!

Last week, I wrote about how purpose allows you to invite yourself to the party, whatever the party represents for you.  If your purpose is cooking, then you can open a restaurant, invite people over for dinner, head a hospitality team or do just about anything your purpose and heart dictate to do.  It's that simple.  What's more difficult is preparing yourself for success once you get to the party, but finding the party is usually pretty simple.  Or is it?

This week I am starting my own party and you're invited to come!  No, it's not at our new home; it's not even in a banquet hall or public venue.  Where is this party, you may ask? For that, you will have to read on.

IT'S MY PARTY AND I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO

That line is the name of an old song from the '60s sung by Lesley Gore, but that's just how I feel as I get set to launch my radio show this coming Wednesday, May 21, on Voice America.  What's more, I am launching it under a new business division of PurposeQuest International, something I'm calling PurposeQuest Media.  For many years, I have known I was supposed to be on media.  I would be invited to be a guest on shows and the interviews would always go well.  One year, two interviews I did on a local channel won national awards for excellence.  I have said for years, "I am both a good interview and a good interviewer."  Yet seldom would anyone invite me back to be on their show, except my good friends the late David Vincent in Zimbabwe and Dr. Mitch Nichols here in Pittsburgh.

I wrote proposals for radio and television alike, and they were all rejected. Hosts would tell me, "Wow, that was great!  We'll have you back again soon."  They never did.  My last radio interview was supposed to last 20 minutes and went on for an hour.  People called the station to get in touch with me for two weeks.  The man never invited me back.  It was frustrating.

Then I had the idea last December while flying home from Zimbabwe that I was waiting for something that would never happen.  I realized that if I was ever going to be the media host and presence I thought I should be, I was going to have to start doing it myself.  So I decided to invite myself to the party.  I will host my own show, have my own guests, talk about what I want to talk about, and I will cry if I want to - but I won't, I promise.

SO WHAT'S THE SCOOP?

In case you've missed the announcement the last few weeks, my show, Your PurposeQuest: The Power of a Focused Life, will air this Wednesday and every Wednesday after that on the Voice America Internet radio network.  You need no special equipment to listen.  Just go their website and go to their flagship station at 9 AM Eastern time (8 AM Central, 2 PM in the UK, 3 PM in Zimbabwe, 4 PM in Kenya or 9 PM in Singapore).  The show will air again 12 hours after the initial broadcast, and it will be archived so you can listen or download any show at your convenience to listen on your computer or on your MP3 player.  Just think, soon you can listen to me while you walk along the street or ride the bus!  Pretty cool!

Here is the summary of this week's first show:

Episode One: Write a Book, Save a Child -- Have you ever thought about writing a book?  Ever wanted to travel or start a company that will make the world a better place to live?  If so, then you won’t want to miss John Stanko’s inaugural program with his guest, Diana Scimone.  Diana is a publisher, author, world traveler and founder of “Not For Sale,” a nonprofit organization working to alleviate the child trafficking problem around the world.  Join John and Diana as they talk about writing, travel, purpose and how you can be a person of purpose, too!

So there you have it.  You can call the show while it's live at 1.866.472.5787 or email me your questions before, during or after the show.  Then tune in every week as I introduce you to people of purpose whom I've met over the years.  I want to give you a chance to hear from people just like you, people who are struggling at times to clarify purpose.  Yet they have made tremendous progress in their Quest and I want you to learn from them.

You know, however, that this isn't the only thing I want you to do.  I'd love you to call, I want you to learn, but more importantly, I want you to find your own party and stop waiting for someone to invite you to theirs.  As I start radio, ask yourself what you can do to come closer to fulfilling your purpose or a long-standing dream.  It's within your grasp and you don't need anyone's permission to proceed.  And when you find it, call my show and tell everyone what you've done and how you did it.  Have a great week!

Feel free to add your comments to this entry on the site where it is posted.

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LAST CALL FOR TESTIMONIES!

Speaking of new website, I am in the process of assembling a new PurposeQuest website and I need some testimonies.  I am looking for some stories in two or three sentences max about: 1) How the purpose message has impacted you life.  2) How the former website helped you. 3) How hearing me speak has helped you in your PurposeQuest. 4) How a one-on-one or coaching session has helped as well; 5) How the Monday Memo has assisted you in your PurposeQuest.

If you could also send a high resolution picture of yourself with the testimony, I will try to include that on the site, along with your name, city and country where you live.  The picture should be high resolution, at least 300 dbi in jpeg or tiff format. This is your chance to be famous and to encourage others around the world to pursue their purpose.  The deadline is yesterday, so please write as soon as possible, with a picture if you have a good one. Thanks in advance for your help. The new site is coming along and it will be a work of art, thanks to my web designer, Justin Agoglia. 

I can't wait for the new site to launch.

Special Message

I apologize for this special message.  This is only the second time in five years that I have sent anything to you that wasn't a Monday Memo.  I'll make it short.

1.  Plans are now finalized for my PurposeQuest Seminar in Johannesburg on Saturday, August 26.  We will meet at the Sandton Hilton Hotel from 9 am to 12:30 pm.  I will talk about purpose and productivity, with a lot of time for questions and interactions.  The cost is 200 Rand and covers the cost of the hotel room.  If you would like to pre-register, please send me an email and I will put your name on the list.  Feel free to bring your friends and associates; just send me their names along with your email.  I would highly recommend that you bring any youth with you who are searching for purpose; I have had great success recently as the purpose message connects with young people. 

2.  I will be one of the speakers at a Women's Leadership Conference on Thursday and Friday, August 24 and 25 at the Sandton Southern Sun Hotel in Johannesburg. (I am assured of being the best looking man there, since I will be the only man there).   If you would like information about registering for the conference, please email me right away.  I spoke at this event in Harare two years ago, and it was really a great event.  The program this time around promises to be even better.

3.  I want to remind you that my PurposeCoach program is now available on CD Rom.  This is a seven-step, self-study program that focuses on purpose, values, goal-setting, time management and other key leadership development topics.  The cost is $699 and has already helped many people.  Isn't it time you invested in yourself?  Better yet, why not invest in one program and use it for your family or leadership team?  It is a great directed study program that I have put together that includes my personal involvement with you as your coach and guide.  If you are interested, check out this overview along with a FAQ sheet:  Download purposecoach_overview.doc

4.  I depart next Tuesday for Africa and will be home on September 28.  If you can financially assist me in my travels, I would be most grateful.  At this point, I have been home for two months and resources are low.  You can send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221 or give on my website through Paypal using your checking account or credit card. 

5.  Here is my latest prayer letter if you would like to support me in prayer over the next 30 days.  Download august_prayer_letter.doc

Thank you.  Please feel free to write your comments to this message on the site where it is posted.