Based on the votes received in the previous survey, and what we feel best fits the vision of the organization, we have narrowed down the possible names to two. Thanks to everyone who voted previously, please take a moment to vote one last time as we have narrowed the selections to, “Love Walks” and, “Here Am I.” The survey is just below, with more background information on the names below it. Thanks!

Having trouble viewing the survey? Click here.

Possible Names:

Here Am I Ministries

About a year ago I posted a video on my blog that does a great job illustrating why I think this name carries power and relevance. If you have a few minutes click here to watch it. Basically the idea behind the name is this. God has begun his redemptive work through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. He then put forth a call for us to carry forward that redemption until Christ’s second coming at which point he will complete the renewal of all things. In this is a call for us to show up, to respond to God’s call.

In the Old Testiment you see God calling other servants, other men, to respond to him. You see it with Abraham in Genesis 22:1, with Jacob in Genesis 46:2, and then again with Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:4. Each time these men responded to God saying, “Here Am I.”

I believe that is where it starts with us. Before anything can happen. Before we can serve locally or abroad. We have to show up before God, we have to respond to his call for our lives and say, “Lord, here am I, use me.” This name reflects our desire to aid this generation in both acknowledging and responding to God’s call.

Love Walks

The idea behind this name is that we as Christians need to continue to move from just talking about God’s love and redemption, to actually living it out in our lives, and thus serving as a light in the lives of others as well. To use the cliche, we need to walk the walk. Implicit in the word walk is an idea of movement, and more, movement in a specific direction. Love is the direction.

As many of you know a large portion of my time and energy the past few years has been focused on a nonprofit organization I founded back in 2006 with a few close friends. The ministry was “Love God Love People,” and our goal was to unite, and equip youth and young adults in Phoenix through serving others and living out God’s greatest commandments found in Matthew 22:34-40: Love God and Love People.

The past four years our ministry has grown and we have worked with five different churches and over 300 volunteers. We have served in Rocky Point, Mexico on a monthly basis for over three years and are now in the works of establishing a training and equiping program to continue to develop and equip youth and young adults to better understand our call to love and serve others.

At this point in our journey we are undergoing some pretty big transformations, one of which is a process of re-branding. Recently we came to find out that a ministry in the mid-west owns the trade name for ‘Love God Love People,’ because of this we need to change our organizations name. While we are sorry to no longer carry Love God Love People as our name, it continues to be the foundational part of our mission as we now seek to establish a name that helps us communicate that as well as this one did.

At the bottom of this post you will find a  survey of names we are considering. The survey is only one question and we would greately appreciate your feedback and voice in helping us choice a new name. Also, below I have elaborated a bit on each name and the meaning behind it. Feel free to read through that prior to the survey.

Thanks so much for your help!

Possible Names:

Here Am I Ministries
About a year ago I posted a video on my blog that does a great job illustrating why I think this name carries power and relevance. If you have a few minutes click here to watch it. Basically the idea behind the name is this. God has begun his redemptive work through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. He then put forth a call for us to carry forward that redemption until Christ’s second coming at which point he will complete the renewal of all things. In this is a call for us to show up, to respond to God’s call.

In the Old Testiment you see God calling other servants, other men, to respond to him. You see it with Abraham in Genesis 22:1, with Jacob in Genesis 46:2, and then again with Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:4. Each time these men responded to God saying, “Here Am I.”

I believe that is where it starts with us. Before anything can happen. Before we can serve locally or abroad. We have to show up before God, we have to respond to his call for our lives and say, “Lord, here am I, use me.” This name reflects our desire to aid this generation in both acknowledging and responding to God’s call.

The Matthew 22 Project
This name requires very little explanation. Matthew 22 is the passage of scripture where we find Jesus responding that the greatest commandments are to ‘Love God and Love People.’ This name would be the closest thing to keeping the same name we currently have.

Love Walks
The idea behind this name is that we as Christians need to continue to move from just talking about God’s love and redemption, to actually living it out in our lives, and thus serving as a light in the lives of others as well. To use the cliche, we need to walk the walk. Implicit in the word walk is an idea of movement, and more, movement in a specific direction. Love is the direction.

Other Names
These are just three options, but we would also love to have your input on other suggestions. On the survey is a blank spot where you can suggest other names that you think might be approptiate and fit the vision of our organziation.

Thank you again for your participation. If you can’t view the survey below try clicking here!

During my time at ASU I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah. Last week I also had the pleasure of shooting Sarah’s wedding with another classmate, Megan Pfleiger. It’s always fun to shoot a wedding for someone you know, this was no different. Megan and I had a blast traveling to Sedona for the day and capturing moments for Sarah, and her now husband Bobby. The day couldn’t have been much better for a wedding. It wasn’t too cold, we had beautiful sunlight through most of the day, and evaded the slight chance of rain which had been looming leading up to the wedding. Sarah and Bobby met while at ASU and volunteering for the ministry Campus Crusade. They are both kind and passionate people, who are a great fit for one and other.

The following are pictures from their wedding day. To see more and/or order prints click here!

Prior to the ceremony we took Bobby and Sarah to Red Rock Crossing where they saw each other for the first time that day. It was a great moment, Sarah came around the corner of a secluded path which wound through the trees and around the near bye creek and gently turned Bobby with a light tap to the shoulder. He was speechless for a few moments as he took in the sight of his bride.
After a few moments we moved further down the path to the creek and took a few more pictures before heading back to the ceremony sight.

The wedding ceremony took place at the Sedona Golf Resort. With the sun setting and redrocks all around it was a gorgeous setting. The wedding was officiated by a friend and leader from campus crusade, Bobby’s groomsmen had all flown in from Hawaii (where he is from), Sarah was surrounded by her family and friends, and background harp music was played throughout, all adding up to create exactly the ceremony they wanted.

This next series of pictures highlights a great moment during the ceremony. Sarah surprised bobby by having leis incorporated into the ceremony, a Hawaiian tradition. Bobby knew exactly what to do and after placing the lei around Sarah’s neck he gave her a kiss, which would have been exactly what you’re supposed to do…except during the ceremony when you are waiting for those words, ‘you may now kiss the bride!’ Woops! Sarah immediately realized the slip up and Bobby protested that it was part of the tradition. It was just a brief light hearted moment but a great one that I’m sure they’ll remember.

This shot below was captured just following the ceremony when Bobby and Sarah ducked behind a corner and got to celebrate their new marriage alone for the first time.

The reception was also held at the  Sedona Golf Resort. It was a great celebration which was capped with three hours of dancing without a lull, something I seldom see at receptions. The guests just kept on dancing through the night and D.J. Bobby Russell kept the tunes coming. It was a lot of fun to watch everyone enjoying themselves, and of course to get some photos of some creative dance moves!

Megan it was a blast shooting another wedding with you. Bobby and Sarah, thanks for letting me be a part of your day. Best of luck settling in Hawaii and with everything that is to come!