"What is a Leadership Foundation & what is your sale's pitch?"
By: Christian Postel | Lexington Leadership Foundation, CEO
October 19, 2023
A friend and I were recently talking over coffee after I’d invited him to pray about supporting the Kingdom work of Lexington Leadership Foundation. He looked at his watch, and, realizing we’d spent most of our time catching up on faith, work and dad-life, abruptly pivoted, “I’ve got a meeting in 15 minutes, what is a Leadership Foundation and what’s your sales pitch?” Those who know me well know I value direct communication, but I have to admit, I was taken aback!
For a split second, I thought to myself “If I could just go lock that door over there and take the next 12 hours to explain this to him I could give a great answer.” Despite his somewhat facetious tone, the ball had been thrown and I had to swing. “I don’t have a sales pitch, I’ve got nothing to sell. I don’t even have a good elevator pitch yet, unless we’re in the Willis Tower, in which case I’m pressing every button.” As he half-laughed at my mid-level dad joke, the Holy Spirit was gracious to bring Matthew 11 to mind.
You likely recall the story: John the Baptist was in prison (and is beginning to doubt) and sent his disciples to ask Jesus whether he was the Messiah. Jesus’ answer to John’s disciples? “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” I looked at my friend and said candidly, “Lexington Leadership Foundation is a complex entity with a lot of moving parts, so for now, let me tell you what I see and hear.”
I told him about how our Fatherhood Initiative is once again meeting with incarcerated fathers, preparing them to restore relationship with their children upon reentry. I shared how our Leadership Academy helped reduce the rate of Crawford Middle Schoolers in the Juvenile Detention Center from 10 to 1 last semester. I told him about an Amachi mentee who turned her life around thanks to the guidance of a mentor and wrap-around support from our Match Specialists, and I told him about the pastoral care, prayer and worship saturating our city through The Prayer Room.
Jesus stirred my friend’s heart that day, so much so that he decided to get involved LLF in multiple ways, not because of anything wise or persuasive I said, but because he heard what was happening through the power of the Holy Spirit in and around the Kingdom work of LLF. Still, I continue to get asked, “What is a leadership foundation?” So much so that we even put an answer to that question front and center on our new website (check out LexLf.org). While I’m not totally convinced I’ve found the “right” way to frame it, I am glad to reflect Jesus by simply reporting what I hear and see.
So, now I’d like to ask you a direct question: will you join me on November 2nd at the Hyatt as we celebrate what Jesus is doing through the Kingdom work of LLF? I’d love for you to hear and see how lives are being transformed this side of heaven. No sales pitches, no elevator pitches, just a night of celebrating Jesus and an opportunity for you to get in on the transformative work. I hope to see you there. In the meantime, enjoy what you hear and see in this newsletter.
Christian Postel
CEO | Lexington Leadership Foundation