John Markum

The Tuesday Ten: Big Influencers

This week, I decided to share the top ten people who have influenced my life the greatest, whom I have never met. Also, these are non-biblical individuals, so the obligatory “Jesus,” or “Apostle Paul” didn’t make this list.

  1. Billy Graham: Taught me that the Gospel, itself, was powerful enough to change multitudes.
  2. Rick Warren: Dared me to think about church differently.
  3. Peter Furler: Former lead singer for the band, Newsboys. Showed me that good music can be fun, loud, powerful, and full of the Holy Spirit.
  4. Steven Furtick: The church should be the most creative entity in the world… and it’s OK to preach in jeans.
  5. Perry Noble: Be real. Be yourself.
  6. Bob Hughes: Missionary to the Philippines. Don’t hold back!
  7. Chuck Swindoll: It’s lonely to lead.
  8. Andy Stanley: Discipleship happens in community.
  9. Mark Zuckerberg: Connected more people to a social website than were on earth during the time of Christ.
  10. Steve Jobs: A man who clearly had an amazing gift. He changed much about my world. I think of people like him advancing God’s Kingdom.

These are not perfect men, and some of them may not even be Christ followers. But I – and much of my generation – have been greatly influenced by these individuals, and I’m grateful to be the recipient of their contributions.

My New Year’s Resolution

So I already gave a general idea of things to think through this year. Like many of you, I’ve had to narrow that down to a few specific goals for myself. In short, here are a few of the things I’m trying to make happen in 2011:

  • Give more away.
  • Take my wife far away for our 7th anniversary sometime between March and June. Somewhere warm!
  • Attend the NewSpring Leadership Conference in Anderson, SC. I’m totally psyched about this thing!
  • Have a new, record setting year in people who come to Christ, get baptized, and make Saturday nights their church home at Edgewood.
  • Get a new Mac Pro for home business.
  • Sell home in Springfield, MO.
  • Be more Christ-like in thought, word, and action.
  • Go on a missions trip to help a close friend and church planter, Justin Banks of Audacity Church, in Wichita, KS.
  • Model the love of my Heavenly Father to my 3 children (4, by the end of the year!).
  • Get back in the gym. I’ve gotten SO out of the habit!

So what are some of your goals this year? Please share!

Blessings,

John

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