UPDATE - Week of March 13

The Fellows Celebrate Camille Stogner on her Birtthday!

Happy Birthday Camille!

I tell people all the time: If the Fellows was just for Camille - it would be worth it. Her year has been nothing less than transformational. I am so thankful for her and what she brings to the group. Happy Birthday Camille!

LADIES!!! You are invited!

THIS FRIDAY from 7-8:30pm at 925 S. Hawthorne St. Winston-Salem, NC 27103 (you can park at Redeemer Presbyterian Church) the Lady Fellows and Friends of the Fellows are hosting a Fundraiser for our Israel Mission Trip. 

It sounds awesome: painting, wine, and a silent auction from some of our finest local artists. 

Please RSVP to Jessica at jessannkok@gmail.com or text her at 708-606-6257 so we can make sure we have enough supplies. 

This event is open to all, so please invite friends!

Can't wait to see the pictures next week!

Rahel, Alex, Christina, Camille, Julia and Jessica hope to see you there!

If you can't make it, but you wish to support our mission trip, you can send checks to 

Winston-Salem Fellows

851 W. 5th Street

Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Or go online to our giving page by CLICKING HERE

Thanks! 

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK

Camille's Gigi and Pop Pop hosted the Fellows this week

Round Table this week was at the home of Camille's grandparents. Dinner was delicious, but the dessert was legendary! Holy Smokes! I don't know what Gigi puts in those brownies, but wow! They'll be serving those things up in heaven, I'm sure! Thanks Gigi and Vince for your hospitality. 

We had a great night of sharing culminating in an open-eyed prayer of gratitude for Camille. 

Leader Lunch was hosted at River Oaks Community Church. Andrew Wild, one of the pastor's there and one of the speakers that day, had the great idea to have the meal catered by some Syrian refugees. 

Oh my! Can anyone say wrapped grape leaves? If you are interested in getting these ladies numbers, let me know. I'm getting it from Andrew today!

Lentils, bow tie pasta, coconut surprise, and little sausage-like wrapped grape leaves

This is the Egyptian woman helping the Syrians with their business

For Leader Lunch, I asked Andrew Wild, Frank Thomas, and Matt Peterson to share with us. These men have a couple things in common: one, they are all currently pastors; two, they all used to serve in the military or government.

They had us on the edge of our seats - and reminded us all that we were built for adventure. Thanks guys! What a day.

Matt and Frank are on the left. Andrew is up front on the right.

After lunch we went to Cleveland Avenue to spend time with beautiful children like this.

Across from Rahel, Antwon and I were competing in some complex math problems. He slayed me. 

RECRUITING NEWS

We received another application on Thursday. I have been working on this guy for over a year! Please pray for us as we go through the interview process with this fine young man. His name is Antonius.

Please pray for Fellows for next year. Recruiting is always the most challenging part of this program. If you know of men and women that are ages 22-26, who are looking for direction and purpose - please put them in contact with me.

They are out there!

On Thursday night I was at Petsmart with Anna Rose when we struck up a conversation with Mitch the cashier. Mitch is 24 years old, a computer whiz with a degree in game design. He is also witty beyond all get out. I gave him my card. I hope he applies!

FUTURE?

This is an interesting time for our Fellows. With things like Israel and the National Conference to look forward to, there is also the reality that this program will not last forever.

For many of these Fellows, this year has been an important year of discernment and direction. But now is the time for decisions!

PLEASE PRAY for them. Many Fellows are either pursuing opportunities, waiting to hear back from opportunities, or working on plan B's, C's and D's.

Here are a few general truths.

• Most of these Fellows if offered the right opportunity would stay here in Winston-Salem. 
• I would hire any of them if I could. 
• Any of these Fellows would be open to having coffee or lunch with any of you.

If you are interested in connecting with a Fellow about an employment opportunity - let me know.

We have Fellows who would be fabulous in Recruiting, Sales, Analytics, Ministry, Community Development, Project Management, Business, Education among other things...

FELLOWS HAVING FUN

The ladies at the movies Friday night

Accidentally giving Antler Ears to Vince on Monday!

Shamrock Shake at McD's on St. Patrick's Day

Fellows adventure at Grayson Highlands

"Wild" Ponies

Christina and Dave Dave

Not the warmest on top

Julia is holding onto David for fear of him getting blown off!

So beautiful

Dancing that night at the Allegheny Jubilee

There will be bluegrass and clogging in heaven

Will walk dogs!

Christina continues her journey of learning how to cook (Pancakes and bacon!)

LOOKING AHEAD!

• Round Table will be at Austin and Erin Pfeiffers! We will be going over the Highlands Ability Battery and checking in for the week. 
• Leader Lunch will be at Baird Financial - WITH the entire Baird Team!
• FRIDAY NIGHT - DON'T FORGET - CABERNET AND CANVAS!!!
• Ned will be speaking Friday and Saturday at Edenton Street Methodists Youth Retreat in Raleigh. 
• Pray for Recruiting!
• Pray for Fellows Futures
• Pray for Fundraising
• No need to pray for my NCAA tournament bracket - it is totally busted. 

Thanks all! Love you!

UPDATE Week of March 7

The Future is Bright...Anna Rose, future fellow

The Week That Was...

Thanks John and Pat

This week's Round Table was at the beautiful home of John and Pat Gerstmyer. Pat outdid herself with a meal for the ages. 

As we started meeting, I asked John and Pat if they wouldn't mind sharing their story. Fifteen minutes later, they had us all in stitches. It was a great teaching moment because one thing I have learned over the years is the power of open ended questions. You really never know what you're going to get!

Thanks John and Pat! You made a great impression. 

WELCOME TO THE FELLOWS!

Welcome, Caleb

Caleb McKillop comes to us from Chattanooga, Tennessee via Covenant College via Jamaica, where he spent his formative years. He came in Monday to interview and came with me to Round Table at the Gerstmyers. Later that night, he commented that he was really blown away by the community we have been able to establish here. On Thursday, we extended an invitation to him. He accepted an hour later!

As the fourth newest member of the Class of 2018, we are anticipating quite a year two!

Welcome, my friend. 

Griff Shuler and David Daggett

On Wednesday, we had a fabulous Leader Lunch with David Daggett and Griff Shuler. They are great motivators. David inspired one of our Fellows to wake up two hours early, and an hour earlier than he wanted to, just to get a jumpstart to his Thursday. If I told you which Fellow it was you would know how amazing that is!

These men are true inspirations. If you ever wondered if there was such a thing as a value-driven law practice specializing in personal injury law, I can tell you there is. Thank you David and Griff for taking nearly two hours out of your days to share your warm hospitality and valuable pearls of wisdom with us. You all rock! (Also, special greetings to David Jorgenson who joined us)

Tutoring at G.I.D.E. continues to be a blessing to all.

This week, G.I.D.E. will be moving offices, so we will be helping out in the Rolling Hills Neighborhood on a H.U.D. project. Looking forward to that!

FUNDRAISING NEWS

CHIK-FIL-A SPIRIT DAY TOMORROW!!!! Tomorrow, Chik-fil-a in Thruway Shopping Center near Knollwood is donating 15% of sales to anyone who purchases lunch or dinner and says that they are with the Winston-Salem Fellows. 

So please stop by, say hi to Jade and Jess Costen, and support the Fellows!

ART SHOW! The Female Fellows are putting together a wine and art show on March 24. Please save the date. Details forthcoming!

ALSO, Thanks to all of you who have supported us financially this year. As you enter tax refund season, please consider the Winston-Salem Fellows as a place to give back to the community!

Mail checks to 

WS Fellows

851 W. 5th Street

Winston-Salem, NC 27101

or give online at www.wsfellows.com/give

YOU ARE OUR BEST RECRUITERS!

No strategy has ever been better than good old word of mouth. 

High School Campbell Anderson

Campbell Anderson joined the program last year because a friend of a friend told his mother about it. This year, you could be that friend!

If someone comes to mind, please get them in contact with me or get me in contact with them - thanks!

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Celebrating Clay's first birthday (Clay is a young South Korean who will join Michael and Joan Mitchell in six weeks as their newest child!)

Christina Sandstedt gets cooking lessons!

Not pictured...several of us went to see the documentary I Am Not Your Negro. Sooooo good...

This photo was taken during UNC/Duke game. By the look on Will's face, you can probably tell about the time this photo was taken. 

Overlook at Hanging Rock

You can imagine how loud we were screaming, can't you?

Ski Day at Beech Mountain

Will is getting ready to shred

We sure do live in a beautiful part of the country

PRAYER MATTERS

Please remember to pray for the Fellows both current and future. 

Pray for our Board as we gather on Wednesday night. 

Pray for the Director that his sore throat goes away. 

Pray for our week. 

ONE MORE THING!

Celebrate Camille Stogner with us! Her birthday is on Wednesday but we will be celebrating her all week. If you have a note you wish me to pass on to her, let me know!

Thanks all!

Keep sharing the story and spreading the love 

UPDATE - Week of February 27

Alex made a surprise visit to Chattanooga and handed Morgan Bonds some Fellows love

REAL LIFE

What comes to your mind when you see those words? Real Life. 

For you - is it the daily grind? Is it the ordinary, the mundane, the stuff of life? Is it the mess, the hard, the challenges? Is real life for you "just the way it is?" 

If we are honest, real life is all that. 

Life isn't one epic adventure after another. 

And yet, I believe real life really is a daily adventure. Real life is an invitation to live as you were intended to live in the normal and mundane and every day. Real life is to know there is a greater story going on and that you play a vital role. 

Real life is not a program. Real life is living for real...on purpose. 

That's what we are working on this month with the Fellows. Less program. More purpose. 

I invite you to join us!

The Week That Was

Steve Beck keeping the peace

We completed our Peace Making class at Salem Presbyterian Monday night. Steve Beck as usual poured gasoline on the fire then showed us how to put it out.

Camille, Jessica, Christina, Alex Julia, Campbell, Reese, John Dickenson, Will, Dakota and Sean

John Dickenson, my dear brother and Fellows Board Member, came and met with us Wednesday for our Leader Lunch.

A couple gems from our time:

"When you have that radical faith, you know that whatever you have lost, it WILL grow back better."

"Surrender. Know Him for who He is and not what you want Him to be. This is the cornerstone to have a successful life."

"Don't be selfish with your goals. You must have a posture of obedience."

"Lead in the little things. If you are faithful in the little things, God will trust you with the big things."

Thanks John!

No photo of this...but I had a fantastic time with future Fellow Patrick McCarthy. He and I had an experience at the Sovereign Lodge of the International Order of Odd Fellows (with the unfortunate acronym IOOF) that I don't think either of us will probably ever forget. Unbelievable things are happening in this city. Unbelievable...

Thanks Alfaro's for donating your faces

On Thursday, I attended the Winston-Salem State Career Fair. It was an honor to be there. So many young, inspiring men and women. Join me in prayer as I am hoping we receive three or more applications!

Christina caught on camera during lunch break at work

Jessica and Rahel eating some of Rahel's favorite things

Randy and Paula

Reese helped lead a group of Middle Schoolers from Hope Presbyterian and Redeemer on a work project day at Solus Christus. 

Jessica at Senior Services

 Jessica helped put together an Art Show at Senior Services on Saturday

Amelia Earhart

 Anna Rose performed as Amelia Earhart in the Living Biographies program in her 4th Grade.

Bengt Carlson

One of my best buddies, Bengt Carlson (Wake Forest grad) spoke to the Chattanooga Fellows on Friday.

Frank Thomas and Ned

 The Ericksons went to High Point to join our brothers and sisters at Mt. Zion Baptist Church for worship yesterday. David asked me, "Why is that man yelling?" I said, "What did you say? I can't hear you."

It was awesome. Frank is one of the best.


ISRAEL

We are in the middle of fundraising for our Missions Trip to Israel. Please consider helping us. You can send checks to

Winston-Salem Fellows
851 W. 5th Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Or give online: http://www.wsfellows.com/give/

Or email me if you have some odd jobs, babysitting, yard work...anything!!!


THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday, we will be interviewing another Fellows Candidate. Please join us in prayer for what's best for Caleb McKillop.

Also Monday, we will be enjoying a Round Table at John and Pat Gerstmyers. Very Excited about that. John is Campbell's mentor.

Wednesday we have a Leader Lunch with David Daggett and Griffis Shuler. Should be amazing.

Also Wednesday, we will be volunteering once again with G.I.D.E.

Thursday, several of us will be going to Aperture to watch I Am Not Your Negro.

Friday, we will have class with Dr. Cooke.

Saturday, we are invited to attend a public conversation about Loving Our Muslim Neighbors.

Exciting stuff.

PRAYER

Prayer is so important to the life and, frankly, the existence of the Fellows. Please choose a time in your calendar to pray for the Fellows every week.

I'm putting down a reminder to pray at 12:12 every day.

Specific needs:
- 13k for Israel
- 18k to complete our fiscal year budgetary needs
- 12 Fellows for next year
- the Right Next Thing for each of our current Fellows

General needs:
- for wisdom as I meet with individuals in this community and listen to their dreams
- for open doors for the Fellows
- for favor across this city
- for opportunities to make an impact.

One Last Thing.

If you are interested in learning more about this assessment and what it can do for you, let me know.

Last story. 

I was getting lunch with one of my best friends on Friday at Chipotle. He had pre-ordered. He's that kind of guy. Another great friend of mine was five people in front of me. We exchanged a text greeting and then fist bumped. As I was finishing up my order, the man in front of me at the cash register started acting really flustered. Turned out someone had paid for his meal. I realized it was my friend who must have been trying to pay for MY meal, but the lady behind the cash register had picked the wrong customer! I started laughing and before you know it both the customer and the cash register lady were looking at me. I said, "The free meal was most definitely meant for him." The man put his cash back in his wallet (after giving the cash register lady a tip), and I got a story which is ten times better than getting a free lunch (which is saying something).