Josh Proctor serves as part of the Connections Team in a myriad of ways. You’ll usually find him at the Next Step area, and he even led Jody’s OLU class this week when Jody was in NYC. Below, you’ll find some of Josh’s thoughts on working as part of the team.

3 things from working with the Connections Team have brought me blessings and pulled me through a very tough time in life.


1. The opportunity to lead.

My personal life seemed in shambles. I’m used to being a provider and maintainer. I don’t know if God has been teaching me a lesson over the past year or simply removing certain objects and influences in my life in order to provide what He wanted there for me, but I must say I went kicking and screaming through it all. I’ve run the gambit with negative emotions: depression, frustration, anger, fear, guilt…all of these feelings have been my companions over the past few months.

It didn’t take much to kill my desire to serve. Several times, I had the phone in my hand with the intent of resigning from my position. One thing stopped me: I had people that I made commitments to.

Whether or not you have the respect of your team depends on your commitment to your cause and whether you can put actions to your words. People will buy into even a horrible plan if their leader is committed and can communicate the plan properly.

I had a vision for the type of people we needed to take the Next Step area to its own next step and those people indulged me. Walking away from the people who committed themselves to Next Step would’ve been cowardice.

I am more willing now to be a failure than a coward.

2. Challenges and opportunities.

We have had so many walls to climb and barriers to conquer in the Next Step area over the past 6 months; I couldn’t begin to name them.

From staffing with particular types of hearts and minds, to four services, to the move to the HOR, to our mobile booth (again, and again, and again…), we have had to stay on our toes and have had very little time to become complacent or disheartened.

Each time I felt my morale slip, there was another challenge to bring me back to the goal. I am grateful to Will Goodwin for giving me the line, “If praises do not rise upon my lips, as I journey through these trials, may I find myself upon my knees in this abyss, praying for another mile.” Thank God.


3. Most importantly – THE NEXT STEP TEAM.

There is no way to express my gratitude to the Next Step volunteers. You all have been ragdolls for the church through all of these changes and new frontiers and you have never wavered. May God bless your investments. Not only have you endured so much change but you have all embraced each other and that is so much more important than anything else I could have experienced.

Barbara and Shelly, you are both in your sweet spots. Barbara, you are the glue that holds our team together. You are our Peter. I am proud to serve with you. Shelly – OLU has been the cleanest and most efficient ministry I have witnessed since arriving at OLC. You are answering an obvious calling.

David, your leadership and wisdom will be a blessing to our team for a long time. Many teams wanted you and I’m glad that we won.

James and Sarah, if ever I have witnessed “leading from the middle,” you two are the perfect example. You are steady and great representatives of Christ. You two are what we want Oak Leafers to resemble.

Sheila – you brighten our group with your smile and enthusiasm. Thank you for joining us.

Thank you all for letting me serve and grow with you.

-Josh