Meeting Recap – July 2021

July 13, 2021
More than 100 partners gathered on Monday, July 12, 2021 for an inspired party with a purpose and the first in-person meeting after more than a year of virtual gatherings. Thank you to all the partners and guests who were in attendance! It was so wonderful to see your smiles and hear the buzz in the room as friends, new and old, gathered together.
The evening kicked off with delicious pizza and pie served by our presenting ministries, Lion’s Fire Pizza and Sweet Potato Comfort Pie.
Guest Speakers Jay Bennet and Ward Brehm, shared a few “Tips from Old Salts,” reminding us that “gratitude is the antidote to depression” and the fruits of the spirit are available to us every day.
We watched a ministry spotlight video from Shane O’Rourke, Lift Up, and were reminded of the impact we make on ministries when we gather together. And a special thanks to musician, Mark Smeby for opening and closing our night with song.
In case you missed it, here’s a quick recap of the ministry presentations and a way to “connect” even further!
Lion’s Fire founder, Kathy Nielsen, shared information on her ministry which provides employment to female student-athletes at Minneapolis North Community High School. Using a wood fired pizza truck and a unique model offering above average wages, the Lion’s Fire’s model provides more than a job – it is a community that provides leadership opportunities, life skills training, and a lasting network of support.
The strategic question she brought to the partners: How do I scale my operation from a small side-project to a viable business to fulfill the mission God has placed on her heart to offer life-changing employment and a network of support to students?
Rose McGee, shared her story of Sweet Potato Comfort Pie, and her calling by God to “do something” in response to the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson back in 2014. Her response was to bake and deliver sweet potato pies to the community, bringing comfort in the midst of a difficult situation. Since then, Rose has baked thousands of pies, using them as a catalyst for caring and building community. Through annual events and intentional story-circle conversations, Rose has created a recipe for change to advance racial justice and equity, heal damage caused by race-based trauma and elevate marginalized voices and experiences.
The challenge? The national media recognition and desire to create a national network of volunteers is outpacing her current model and capacity. How does she scale while maintaining the core of who she is?
AMP SESSION
Mark Your Calendar
Spark Fundraiser featuring comedian Michael Jr. and musician Keri Noble.
Christ Presbyterian Church • 7:00pm
Purchase tickets now! Seating is limited due to COVID protocols and we anticipate we will sell out this event. Please purchase your seats early to guarantee your spot.