“The Newbie”

As the newest member of the Writer’s Team, I’ve had my fair share of this is terrifying, can I go home now please moments. Working alongside the literary juggernauts of Erik Segalini and Becky Hill only exacerbate these feelings. Thankfully, these emotions come from my own insecurities and are in no way a reflection of how I’ve been received by the other writers. In fact, working alongside Erik, Becky, Hayley, Rich, Katie, and Jan has been one of the most welcoming atmospheres I’ve ever been a part of.

There are so many highlights/events since being a member of the team that its hard to pick one particularly that captures the seemingly-fluid transition.  Maybe it was when I received my official Missionary Journalist coffee mug, or perhaps when I suffered my first office prank at the hands of the quiet storm that is Hayley Newsom. But if I were to be honest, I would have to say the most exciting highlight so far was our Pizza Lunch.

The Pizza Lunch is a time where all of us who work on the magazine get together and review the previous publication over a delicious smorgasbord of pizza . Discussion ranges from layout design to journalistic quality, but the time itself was incredibly sharpening. I’m a huge fan of the art of journalism, and to be around such professionals while engaging with them is an amazing blessing. I found myself not intimidated, but incredibly grateful.

As a recent college grad, I’m a long way away from the expertise and experience offered by our team, but I felt the freedom to speak openly and contribute during our Pizza Lunch. It wasn’t because I had anything terrific to add, it was because the people here have established an atmosphere of acceptance and opportunity.

I’m so excited to continue this journey with everyone here. I hope that our work and how we do it is encouraging to you, and glorifying to our most Holy God.

-Jonathan Moynihan

Joining the Story

(This excerpt is from Writer Jess Fong in reference to her upcoming story “Mr. Fix It” which will appear in the  March/April issue of Worldwide Challenge)

I needed to get to know Keith Davy’s team while working on a story about his ministry at our headquarters.  His team not only convenes for weekly work meetings, but also for group devotions. Although I wasn’t one of them, their obvious warmth was a sweet bonus to my work.  So welcoming in fact, that they halted all other meetings in the mall of headquarters when they insisted on singing to me on my birthday.

Take our new survey!

Hello Worldwide Challenge friends!  By now, most of you should have received your copy of the new November/December issue of the magazine.  We want to encourage you to take a good look at it, and then let us know what you think by taking our Survey.  You can also take the print version of the survey (same basic questions), tear it out, and send it in, but we assume if you’re reading the blog, you’re relatively web savvy and might prefer the online option.

Either way, don’t miss out on this opportunity to give your feedback.  We look forward to hearing from you!

-WWC Team-

What would YOU say?

In a recent conversation with an atheist, one of our writers was asked a profound question:

“If God were to cease to exist for a day, what would you miss?”

Stop and think. This is a challenging question. What would you miss?

–Erik

I’m tired. That’s good.

Florence King wrote, “Easy writing makes hard reading, but hard writing makes easy reading.”

The writers and I are all tired. Here’s to easy reading.

–Erik

You Know You Belong When…

After 15 years of marriage, my wife understands my love for books, and how a day among the shelves of Barnes & Noble is better than Disney anyday.

Yes, she understands, but she doesn’t get it. Frankly, neither do most of my friends.

Then the writers team met this week to discuss a great book about writing. We are committed to excellence and always striving to improve our work.

One chapter is called, “Literary Theft: Taking Techniques from the Classics.”

As an application, I challenged all of us to read a classic and look for ways to apply it to our writing. Then, in a moment of sheer delight, I listened as Amber suggested we all go to a bookstore one morning. Someone else suggested the downtown public library–that way we all leave with a book.

But here’s where my breath was nearly taken away: this idea sounded exciting–yes, exciting!–to everyone else.

They get me.

-Erik

Rainfall

At the end of a tiring day I was reminded of Jesus’ statement that God sends both rain and sun on the righteous and on the unrighteous (Matt. 5:45).

With my wife and daughter, I had driven from Orlando toward my hometown in Nebraska. We had crossed the north half of Florida, then Georgia and Tennessee from north to south, and were near Cadiz, Kentucky. We stopped for dinner.

Parts of the day had been sunny, parts cloudy, and we had even driven through mild rain a few times. But shortly after we stopped, the worst downpour of the day started. We rejoiced that we were enjoying salads in a restaurant instead of dodging traffic in the deluge.

Soon the rain stopped, and we drove on praising God that he had kept us safe all day and out of the weather. The next day we drove on to Nebraska, and next week we plan to be in Colorado for our Campus Crusade staff conference.

As we drive, we’ll be mindful that while God sends the rain to fall on everyone, we can rejoice in the righteousness He offers us in Christ.

– Mark Winz –

Magic and Evangelism

Over the last two weeks our city, Orlando, has been abuzz as the Orlando Magic made it into the NBA finals. Street corner vendors hawked T-shirts. Businesses, schools, homes and even cars bore signs cheering on the team.

Today, every radio station aired last night’s result—a disheartening fourth loss in five games, ending the tournament.

In the midst of the excitement, I began to wonder: What if we could make evangelism this exciting? Can we, through our magazine and other media, build such interest?

Five nights I stayed up late to cheer and groan at the game on my television. Would I have stayed late up cheering—or praying—if I was watching someone share the gospel with a friend?

And would I have been as disappointed if that friend said “no” as I was when the Lakers took home their trophy at the end of the lop-sided game last night? I hope so.

I’ll watch the Magic next season, hoping for a return to the finals, and maybe a championship. But I’ll try to keep it in perspective as I look at those around me who need Christ more than Orlando needs an NBA championship.

And through the magazine we’ll keep looking for ways to bring the real excitement of someone choosing to follow Christ to you.

– Mark Winz –