Angela Breidenbach is a multi-award-winning inspirational speaker, popular conference presenter, and author of the Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life and the new Kindle release of Creative Cooking for Colitis. Other works by Angela include compilation books and devotionals from Guideposts, Group, and articles in magazines, ezines, and newspapers. She connects missions to her work with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries and the Jadyn Fred Foundation. Angela serves as an assisting minister for her congregation in Missoula, Montana. Angela Breidenbach on the web: http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com, http://www.GodUsesBrokenVessels.com, and http://TheFaithGirls.com on Wednesdays each week. 

Visit her Christian Speakers Service page for speaker bookings.

Have you ever cringed at the harsh words spewing across the table at a business meeting? Did it energize or inspire employees to work harder or build a larger book of clientele? What did you focus on afterwards—the goal or the way you were treated?

I’ve never met a harsh boss that inspired a worker to produce or create anything amazing under fear of punishment, loss, or a verbal whip. Why is it those negative souls choose power and control over healthy servant leadership? Servant leaders guide from love and the desire to see the people they lead become the best they can possibly be. Leaders like these not only change the world, but the hearts of all they touch.

The Fred family lost their precious little one to a rare form of cancer. As they went through the treatments with her, the family watched countless other moms and dads sleep in their cars outside the hospital, go hungry or be in forced separations. Imagine the gut wrench of leaving your frightened child alone to face chemotherapy, for weeks at a time, and driving away so you can pay for those painful procedures. How often would you look in the rearview mirror? Most insurance companies don’t cover important necessities like transportation, hotel and meals—or families have no insurance at all. The choice boils down to treatment without mommy and daddy or no treatment at all. Which would you choose?

Jadyn’s life struggle allowed a vision to grow in the hearts of her family. They could be bitter and angry. They could bear a grudge against doctors who failed to save Jadyn—or God. Instead, everyone gets a smile, love and a listening ear from the Fred’s. The Jadyn Fred Foundation started in 2001 as a life long commitment for Jadyn’s parents, Britt and Alecia, and her grandparents, Lynn and Sandy, to use the experience that touched their lives to help others and have better choices available. The Fred’s are a living example of Leviticus 19: 18, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” The Jadyn Fred Foundation is the result of loving others.

Meet Debbie and Brian Lee, two people in a world of billions. Yet their passion for Kenya sparkles in their eyes with infectious joy. The enthusiasm bubbles over to university students whose lives are dramatically altered by serving alongside them and the Kenyan people each summer. Passion begets passion. Pressure to perform doesn’t have a place in this ministry. The InterVarsity Kenya Global Project teaches, “we are not going to Kenya with the unrealistic expectation of trying to change Kenya in 7 weeks—but to instead let God change us through Kenya.”

The Lee family models the servant leadership of the Lord’s command in Deuteronomy 6: 5-7, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” This is Brian and Debbie’s ministry.

Colleen Briggs connected with Debbie Lee to create Pamba Toto Jewelry. Each led by an independent vision to somehow support the Sanctuary of Hope Kenyan orphan homes. Together they formed the perfect servant leadership team for Pamba Toto (which means to adorn a child in Swahili.) Colleen is the designer while Debbie is the marketing whiz. Again, enthusiasm and passion fuel the success of this God-inspired venture following James 1: 27, "True and faultless religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress . . .”

People like the Fred family are building a legacy through the Jadyn Fred Foundation, Debbie and Brian Lee who co-lead the Kenya Global Project, and Colleen Briggs who designs jewelry to support orphans all pour their lives out for others. These people all devote themselves to loving their neighbor. They lead not only time and talent, but with humble grace. No demands, no harsh words, no pushing or prodding. Servant leaders draw the best out of those around them because they are other-focused rather than result or self-focused. Yet, the results are stunning. They learn gems of wisdom from past experiences and want to share rather than keep the treasure to themselves. Their goal isn’t self-serving. It’s to benefit someone else and glorify God.

A servant leader has a willingness to do even the smallest chore as in Mark 9:35b,"If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Selfless visionaries offer passionate examples that marry their words and actions. Stepping aside to allow someone else’s expertise prominence is

common because a servant leader doesn’t need the credit. They revel in the progress toward the final outcome. Ultimately, servant leaders know that any great vision or achievement is a symphony and not a solo. A symphony played with a lovely melody and many musicians. They play the same song each in a unique part.

You can find out more about these servant leaders at:

www.jadynfred.org
www.pambatoto.com
www.intervarsity.org
www.hopespromise.com

What kind of a leader are you?

Simple Steak Stroganoff

(Recipe courtesy of Creative Cooking for Colitis now available on Kindle) One of the quickest meals you’ll ever make and it will tasted like you slaved for hours  Less ingredients means less work but that doesn’t mean boring. With supervision, this is an excellent meal for kids to make dad. The gravy is a perfect simple base. Start to finish is about 20 minutes. Serves 4.

Start the kettle of water boiling for the noodles first. While the noodles are cooking, cut steak into thin pieces. Heat a stainless steel or non-stick large frying pan and add the oil. Add meat and stir-fry. Once all the meat is cooked through, set it aside on a plate. Blend the powdered gravy mixes with the water and add to hot pan. Stir to keep from burning. Once the gravy thickens, return the meat to the pan, add mushroom slices, and stir well. Turn off heat. Add the large dollop of non-fat yogurt to the gravy and beef.

Stir well to blend.

Drain noodles and cover to keep warm. If it’s going to be more than a few minutes, toss with a tiny bit of canola oil to keep from sticking. Serve over hot noodles. If you are adding mushrooms, add with your last batch of meat and transfer to the plate with the meat while you make the gravy. Hot white rice is also a good base for stroganoff.

Insider Tip: Stir-fry half of the meat (or less) at a time to avoid juicing out. When the pan is not hot enough and the meat cools the pan down, the beef will juice losing tenderness and quality. Frying portions keeps the pan hot.