We write, teach and equip frequently on the subject of Servant Leadership. It is Jesus’ leadership model and therefore something we take very seriously. It is certainly one of our Seven Pillars of Faith and Work.

Servant leadership is simply about serving others. Humbling ourselves to help others. Sometimes that takes place inside the workplace. Other times we can use our work to help others in need.

Many of you will remember one of the most lethal tornadoes in U.S. history ripping through our neighbor to the north in Joplin, MO. Not long after the tornado, our Young Professionals ministry ENGAGE, organized a trip to Joplin on Memorial Day to serve those in great need. It was overwhelming to see the extent of the damage and resulting needs.

God used that trip in a very powerful way for one of our ENGAGE leaders. Read this excerpt below of her story (NWAOnline.com):

Candice Haines had an idea while on the ruined streets of Joplin, Mo., just days after the May 22 tornado that killed 159 people.

“I talked to one elderly gentleman named Ken, and he was just standing in front of his destroyed house, and I asked if there was anything I could do to help him,” Haines said. “He asked what I did, and I told him I sold eggs.

He said that he loved eggs and that before the tornado he had eaten one or two every day.”

At the time, Haines, 26, was taking off work at Rogers-based CCF Brands to volunteer with a church group to help out in Joplin.

“This elderly man told her that Haines he would really love some eggs, and I guess that idea kind of percolated in her head,” said Zach Tusinger, a Joplin lawyer who attended school with Haines at Drury University in Springfield, Mo.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about this guy,” Haines said.

So she contacted the American Egg Board, which has organized many community breakfasts through its Good Egg Project, and she began planning one of her own.

“I took a small idea and hopefully we’ll make a bigger impact than getting eggs for just him and his neighbors,” said Haines, whose mother, Jami, is a teacher at R.E. Baker Elementary School in Bentonville.

The idea certainly grew beyond that. The breakfast, scheduled for Aug. 20 at Missouri Southern State University, will likely feed more than 800 Joplin residents, she said.

What does servant leadership look like to you? Are you willing to act on it?

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