True Greatness

PCA Sophomore, Zach Peters' press conference on his verbal commitment to the University of Kansas

It’s not everyday that one of our PCA sophomores commits to play college basketball at a major university, but that’s exactly what happened today. Zach Peters, one of our incredible basketball players who helped lead PCA to this year’s state championship, verbally committed today to attend the University of Kansas. That was a great moment for Zach, his family and all of PCA. What really took that incredible moment to the next level was all of our Upper School students. In anticipation of Zach’s announcement, I watched as our students filed in, dodging media cameras and crew, filing the Field House stands. Our students showed up when it counted and were there to support their friend and classmate as he voiced this important decision to the world. Students cheered and rallied around one of their own. Today, I saw an incredible student athlete make a stand and choose his college basketball program as a sophomore, but I also saw much more. I saw PCA be what makes PCA great…students taking the stands to cheer on one of their own—a fellow champion for Christ.

What an Amazing Night at the 2nd Annual Zig Ziglar Servant Leadership Award Event!

Last night, I had the opportunity to join nearly 850 friends and supporters of Prestonwood Christian Academy’s Sponsor-A-Child Program as we honored two men who truly embody the qualities of servant leadership:  Zig Ziglar, the award’s namesake, and our 2010 recipient Mike Fechner.  What an amazing evening of personal testimonies from those who have benefitted from Mike’s touch in their lives, as well as those who have been part of the Sponsor-A-Child program.  This remarkable event was a glorious evening dedicated to our students.  Students like Carver Bennett (Class of 2010), Janielle Kastner (Class of 2008), DeMarcus (Class 2009) of and LaTonya Thornton (current seventh grader), Elizabeth (current sixth grader) and Elianet Corredera (current second grader), and so many others who are thriving and showing Christ’s love at PCA and into the world because of Sponsor-A-Child.

The powerful remarks of Pastor Graham, Tom Ziglar (Zig’s son) and Mike Fechner demonstrated to each of us that God was at work.  Pastor Graham inspired us with stories of his grandson’s experiences at PCA while expressing the importance of supporting Kingdom Education.  Pastor said it best when he mentioned the original vision and eventual “marriage” of Prestonwood Baptist Church and Prestonwood Christian Academy more than 13 years ago.  Everyone in the room was touched by Mike Fechner’s moving comments, his openness in sharing the Gospel and his unwavering commitment to PCA and the benefits of supporting Sponsor-A-Child. Mike’s life showed us the selfless qualities of a servant leader — in his home, church and community.

When Mike requested that his children stand, he honored each of them personally, calling them his “heroes.”  It was Mike Fechner, the servant leader,  who then accepted the award on behalf of his children.  It was a spirit-filled evening that will not be forgotten.

The Lasting Legacy of Servant Leadership: Honoring Zig Ziglar and Mike Fechner

I recently returned from another incredible PCA Minimester trip to the Caribbean area where we took more than 20 students and sponsors whom I saw first-hand take an active role in ministering to the people there in so many  ways.  I saw students holding little ones’ hands, praying and reading the Bible with them and being the hands and feet of Jesus. Upon reflecting on those experiences, I realize that what I really saw were examples of servant leadership at work and a lasting legacy that will translate to their own children one day.

As Pastor Jack Graham said on Sunday, servant leadership is a quality that should be honored and revered when it’s lived out. At PCA, we’re about to hold our second annual Zig Ziglar Servant Leadership Award event on Tuesday, April 13, that will honor the selfless servant leadership of Mike Fechner while all proceeds from the event benefit PCA’s Sponsor-A-Child program. Mike has demonstrated servant leadership in every aspect of his personal and professional life, including his unwavering work with H.I.S. Bridgebuilders ministry that reaches communities from Dallas to around the world. Now, he accepts this honor to help PCA make a Kingdom Education accessible to any family desiring a Christian education. Mike Fechner is a true servant leader who leads, and lives, by example.
I personally invite you to join us in honoring Mike by purchasing tickets to the April 13 event at ZigZiglarAward.com. We need more servant leaders in this world. We need more people like Zig Ziglar and Mike Fechner who have made servant leadership a lasting legacy.

Check out the video below that describes exactly why PCA holds this event: