CATALYSE - INTERVIEW WITH JOAN COLLISON

There are 6 strategic priorities for the next five years. In total, there are 16 initiatives to implement key projects for these priorities.

Today we hear Joan Collison's CATALYSE story. Joan works as a school teacher in New York city. She is also a core leader with Hope New York church.

(This interview with Joan was conducted before the CATALYSE launch in Jan. 2011)


How did you first hear that HIM was embarking on a strategic planning process?

Joan: Thinking back, I believe it was when Pastor Ben and Dinah was visiting the U.S.A. We were having a meal together and Pastor Ben talked about HIM strategic initiatives, what needed to be done, and whether I would consider being a part of a team.

How did you first get involved in this process?

Joan: Well, when Pastor Ben first asked me to become part of a team, I had several questions- about what it involved, and mostly about whether I would be the right choice to be on this team. Could I really bless people by doing this? It was very humbling to me that Pastor Ben would consider me for a team.



What made you decide to serve on a CATALYSE team?

Joan: Well, I really prayed about it. God gave me confirmation in my heart that He wanted to use me in this way. Personally I feel inadequate, but I know that God is able to use me as He desires, and I want to serve in any way He enables me to serve. So I decided to say yes.



What is your involvement in this global strategic plan?

Joan: I don't really exactly know how I will be involved yet, because they haven't been launched yet. All I know is that I will be a member of Improve Cross-Cultural Church Planting initiative (Western focus group).

How do you feel to be involved in HIM’s first-ever strategic plan?

Joan: I feel like it's such a privilege. I feel like I need to cry out to God more for wisdom and insight about church planting here in the West, to learn more about God's strategy for reaching the people here.



Will you be traveling to Chiang Mai for the CATALYSE Launch in Jan 2011?

Joan: Yes, I will attend the GC in Chiang Mai for the launching of the five-year plan. I'm so excited! Chiang Mai is such a beautiful city, and it's like my second home. I can't wait to fellowship with my brothers and sisters there, to get deeper into God's heart through His Word, and to learn about how I can serve the church of God on a strategic planning team.



What are your expectations about this Launch at the Jan 2011 GC?

Joan: I'm not really sure what to expect- but I'm sure that God will move greatly in our lives, and use it to give us more wisdom about His plan for church planting in our global movement. I believe that God is doing something amazing in us, and I look forward to seeing more of what He has in His heart for our church!

Thanks Joan for sharing your story here.

CATALYSE SPT


For more information write to us at

spt@byhim.org

HIM Corporate Communications