Class Summary
January 15, 2026
Jesus Journey Speaker, Stephan Tchividjian
Quotes:
“When you’re a servant leader, you earn the right to say very hard things to someone. Not because you’re better than them, but because you’ve already gone low to serve them. Jesus washed Peter’s feet before He corrected his heart. That’s where real authority comes from.”
“When Peter pulled out his sword, he thought he was being brave. But Jesus showed him that real courage isn’t fighting for control, it’s surrendering to God’s will. Not every battle is meant to be won with force. Some are only won with obedience.”
“We cancel people when they disappoint us. Jesus restores them and gives them purpose again. That takes a different kind of courage.”
“If Jesus would go out of His way to salvage the man who denied Him, He will go out of His way to salvage you. And if we follow Him, sometimes He will ask us to do the same for others.”
Resources:
Listen to Stephan’s Jesus Journey here.
Business Spotlight, Dr. Gordon Chen - ThriveWell
Dr. Chen’s Insights on Longevity:
Leaders can potentially gain 10–20 additional healthy years (healthspan).
Only ~20% is genetic; ~80% is influenced by lifestyle and choices.
Biblical anchor: Psalm 90:12 – “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Health should be approached intentionally, like leadership, finances, and family.
The Five Drivers of HealthPersonal – purpose, priorities, life plan
Community – meaningful, supportive relationships
Physical – sleep, steps, strength
Nutritional (MRS)
Mostly plant-based
Real, whole foods
Stop before full
Spiritual – prayer/meditation, mindfulness, emotional health
Resources:
Check out Dr. Chen’s website here.
Register for the Mind, Body & Soul Event at ThriveWell on January 22 here.
Keynote Speaker, Jessica Kim
Jessica Kim reframed courage as heart-centered action rooted in compassion, not fearlessness or bravado. Drawing from her journey as a serial entrepreneur and her experience caring for both parents through serious illness, she explained how compassion becomes courage when we choose to act despite fear, inconvenience, or personal cost. She shared how this conviction led her to found Ionicare to support family caregivers, and challenged leaders to build organizations marked by agape love—love that protects people, guides difficult decisions, and measures success by human flourishing, not just growth. She concluded by emphasizing that sustainable courage also requires self-leadership through rest, accountability, and spiritual grounding.
Quotes:
“We’re conditioned to think courage is this display of bravado, like you’re not scared of anything. But true courage doesn’t start with a roar; it starts with the heart. Courage is literally the work of the heart.”
“Compassion is feeling someone else’s suffering so deeply that it compels you to act. But feeling compelled doesn’t mean we always follow through, because the cost can feel too high. Courage is what bridges compassion into action.”
“Love is the ‘why’ and courage is the ‘how.’ It’s love with work boots on. It’s choosing what serves people best, even when it’s uncomfortable or costly.”
“Courage isn’t just how you lead others; it’s how you lead yourself. Rest, accountability, and surrender are not weaknesses—they’re how you stay faithful for the long journey.”
Check out Jessica Kim’s Business website here.
Ministry Highlight, Rick Andreassen - Saints of FL
Coach Rick Andreassen shared the story of Saints, a Christ-centered homeschooling and children’s ministry he founded 28 years ago after stepping away from his career, starting with just two volunteers and 18 students. Today, the ministry serves families across five U.S. states and 18 countries, using education, sports, activities, and gospel outreach to help children understand their identity in Christ and encounter God’s love at an early age. Coach Rick spoke passionately about the urgency of reaching children, noting that most people who come to faith do so before age 12, and emphasized that “training a child is better than repairing an adult.” He reminded the group that real courage is found in daily faithfulness—showing up, loving people, and making a difference one life at a time—and invited those interested to consider joining the mission by serving, working with the ministry, or supporting its global outreach.
Check out Saints of Florida’s Website here.
Case Study, Bob Denison
Bob Denison shared a candid story of how God reshaped his faith from “check-the-box Christianity” into costly obedience and courageous love. He described being challenged in his late 20s to take Scripture seriously—leading him and friends to build relationships with people experiencing homelessness, eventually inviting many to live in their home despite real risk, mess, and disappointment. He also spoke about deep personal trials, including infertility, the birth and loss of their daughter June after a long NICU and hospice journey, and the pain of betrayal when a trusted colleague stole significant money from his business during that same season. Through it all, Bob emphasized that courage looks like staying open-hearted rather than self-protective—choosing forgiveness, community, and obedience even when outcomes aren’t “successful.” He closed by sharing ongoing conviction about stewardship after a business acquisition, wrestling with how to use increased financial margin in a way that aligns with God’s priorities and love for others.
Scripture:
“This is the kind of fast day I’m after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, will answer. You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you get rid of unfair practices, quit blaming victims, quit gossiping about other people’s sins, If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight. I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places— firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.”
Isaiah 58:6-12, The Message
Mark your calendar for our next class:
Humility & Generosity
When: Thursday, February 19 (Extended Day)
Speaker: Holly Morre (Humility) & Ryan Skoog (Generosity)
Time: 10:00am - 4:30pm (Lunch provided)
Location: Boca Raton Community Church
(601 NW 4th Avenue Boca Raton FL 33432)
Reading assignment: Humility by Andrew Murray & Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
Upcoming Events:
Power Lunches:
If you didn’t register for a Power Lunch yet, please do so here.
Next dates are: February 26, March 16 and April 21.
Iron Chef Night:
Iron Chef: Lifework Edition is a team-based cooking challenge designed to help our class bond in a fresh (and delicious) way. You’ll cook together, compete together, and enjoy the night together—coaches included. Register here.