What's happening in Fresno - The Walmat Hunger Initiative

Dancing with Apolo Ohno - A Leadership Challenge

Apolo Ohno won the Dancing with the Stars competition in 2007.  As the "Babe Ruth" of short track skating, he is also the best-known short track skater in the United States.  What most Americans know about this sport, they learned from watching Ohno.  He is also on a mission.  Ohno's dominance of the sport grows out of his passion to be the best short track skater in the world.  He is accomplishing his mission:  

• Won eight Olympic medals leading up through Vancouver 2010.
• Was one of only four Americans who have won three medals in a single Winter Olympic games.
• Won more Winter Olympic medals than any other American.  
• Has been the reigning United States’ champion since 2001.
• Won the men's national title a total of 12 times.  
• Was the youngest skater to win a World Cup event title in 1999.

Like most champions, he combines natural physical ability with three critical factors: 

1. Discipline - "Before I even get on the ice for the morning training, I put in as much effort and I focus as if it's the last two hours before the [Olympic] Games."
2. Determination - "I knew it was going to hurt, but it didn't matter."
3. Strength - "We train every muscle in the lower body to work together in synchronicity."  For perspective on strength, imagine squatting down to a 90 degree bend on one leg. Hold it, and then put on a 150lb backpack to account for the additional pressure provided by the 2G acceleration of the turn.  Then balance all of that on a 1mm blade.  Check out the strength in his legs as you view the video!

As you follow after Christ this week, plan to use discipline, determination, and strength.  Relentlessly seek Christ.  Be challenged and encouraged by Apolo Ohno in this video.

Rich Johnstone

8/9/2010 Update on Danny Sotelo

We received this update this morning 8/9 from Debbie Campbell, CSBC Healthy Church Group:

Michelle Sanchez, grand-daughter of Danny Sotelo writes: 
My grandpa is out of the hospital and in a rehabilitation center.
San Joaquin Valley Rehabilitation Center, Room 121
7173 N. Sharon, Fresno 93720
Ph: 559-436-3600
Visiting hours 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm

He is still in pain from a bone marrow biopsy but appreciates short visits from all!

I'm sure Danny would also appreciate cards/notes of encouragement.

Rich Johnstone/rw

Update on Danny Sotelo

This update was sent from Debbie Campbell, CSBC Healthy Church Group, on Wed. 8/3/10:

Bro Danny had a real stroke yesterday and it seemed to affect his right side some. But even hours after the stroke, he was already moving and looked better. He was to moved out of ICU but still remains in ICU until further notice.


Please pray for bro Danny as he is now recovering from the stroke side effects. Pray for his family as the help support him and his recovery. Bro Danny doesn't have his cell phone personally so one of his daughters will answer if you call it. Or you can call the following people for personal updates, his grand daughter, Michelle Sanchez on her cell: 559-274-8802 or Bro Danny's daughter, Lydia Sanchez on her cell: 559-930-4590.

Please continue to pray for a speedy and complete recovery for Bro Danny. He appreciates all your prayers and support!

Hitting the Missional Bulls Eye

Matt Emmons is an American shooter who competed in the Athens Olympics in 2004. He held a commanding three point lead in the Olympic 50-meter three-position rifle final. All he needed to preserve a gold medal win was to safely hit the target. Any shot close to the bulls eye would suffice. A perfect score — dead center in a bull’s-eye that is smaller than a dime — is worth 10.9 in the final round. Matt only needed an 8.0 for gold. From the standing position, Matt squeezed off his final shot. It was good enough to retain the lead and earn the gold. However, the score did not register on the scoreboard. He gestured to the judges, as if to suggest something was wrong with the target. The judges huddled and confirmed the worst. Matt shot from lane three, but hit the bulls eye in lane two. He dropped from a certain gold medal to eighth place.

Perfect execution doesn't count if you are perfectly executing the wrong things. Missional alignment is all about accomplishing goals that are truly mission critical. Consider this as you develop your task list for this week. If you and your church perfectly execute your plans, will the mission of God be directly advanced? Thom Rainer urges leaders to "say no to almost everything." Ruthlessly say no to the extraneous this week. This will buy you the time you need to make a more significan impact on behalf of your mission.

As for Matt, he landed on his feet. A Czech shooter, Katy, was watching the Matt's match. Katy felt so bad for Matt that she approached him later that day to console him. The chemistry between the two was instant. They began dating, and the couple married in 2007. They competed together in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Rich Johnstone, DOM