David Pendleton-Anythingcantalk.comDavid Pendleton, Keynote comedy ventriloquist, has recently been touring the Midwest with his cast of comedic characters: Aunt Tilly, a lovable but blunt 94-year-old spinster; Mack Elroy, the classic, quick-witted troublemaker; Buford, the dopey yet adorable hound dog; and Vern, the slightly misguided albino vulture.

Making people believe that “anything can talk” is not the only thing that has kept David busy.

“I’m very excited about the opportunities I’ve had to help build a close community among Christian comedians through the Christian Comedy Association. As a board member, I have organized an annual conference that provides a unique chance for people within the Christian comedy community to connect. It’s a great place for us to encourage one another and grow together as we pursue excellence in what God has called us to do.”

In conjunction with Love a Tree Day (May 16), David also launched his new website at: anythingcantalk.com. “My website has needed an update for far too long. The new site will give people a clear picture of the creative outreach I can offer through my comedy ventriloquist act.”

This fall David heads to South Africa with a team from Houston Northwest Baptist Church. The team will be doing a series of outreach events in schools, prisons, orphanages, and neighborhoods throughout the region. “It excites me to know that what I offer as a comedy ventriloquist will open the door for those on my team to share the gospel with individuals that they might not otherwise encounter.”

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Comm Lab 2014

April 22, 2014

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies-in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV)

1 Peter 4:10-11 is the theme verse for Comm Lab–a four day intensive communication training Keynote conducts each year in Westfield, IN. At Comm Lab, attendees receive one on one training from experienced coaches as well as instruction from communication experts. This year’s 28 participants included Cru staff members, church pastors and community leaders.

Eric Maitlen had this to say about his Comm Lab experience:

Eric Maitlen“My wife Jillian and I lead worship at Mercy Road Church in Carmel, IN and have done music evangelism for the last 10 years across North America, Central America, parts of Europe and Asia. This month we attended Comm Lab for the first time and were blown away by the level of teaching and practical skills training for better communicating the gospel. I found the week to be very challenging as I became aware of and began to break a lot of bad speaking habits I had formed over the years. I also felt as though my eyes were open for the first time to the postmodern mindset that is sweeping our country. There is a way to reach and impact this next generation with the gospel but it will take new methods of communication and evangelism. Thank you Keynote for using your time, resources and manpower to equip me and so many other harvest workers to become more effective evangelists in 2014!”

You may recognize Eric from a previous blog post. He and Jillian went with a Keynote team to help lead worship at the STINT mid-year conference in Thailand.

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Blessed to be a Blessing

March 31, 2014

“Thank you so much for the worship! We don’t get to do this where we live.”

Keynote team members heard this from many who attended Cru Global Missions STINT Midyear Conferences. STINT is short for short-term international internship. These interns serve for a year or more all over the world, many of them in countries where it is illegal to worship God in public. This is the first chance they’ve had in six months to worship God out loud!

160 “STINTers” came to Chiang Mai, Thailand from Eastern Asia, 250 Cru staff members traveled to Nerja, Spain from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, and 50 went to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic from Latin America (20 were unable to attend due to political unrest in Venezuela). Leading worship for these missionaries is an incredible privilege. Their hunger to worship the Lord is breathtaking. Keynote staff member Stephen Haddenhorst, part of the Thailand team, expressed, “Proverbs 11:25 proved to be true for all of us on the team: we felt spiritually refreshed by helping refresh others.”
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A letter from Chris Zaugg, Keynote’s Executive Director

Dear Friends,

This is a letter I never thought I’d write. After spending virtually all of our adult lives on staff with Cru, God is calling us to a new role in His Kingdom. The Lord has blessed our family by allowing us to serve with Cru for almost 32 years, more than a decade of that in my current position as Executive Director of Keynote. We love the ministry and the friends we’ve worked with!

I have been asked to join the leadership team of a small software company … a company committed to influencing the marketplace with the gospel. The owner has been a dear friend of mine since he was my Sunday School teacher 37 years ago, and is someone I have relied on for coaching and advice from time to time. Though it’s difficult to imagine not being on staff after so many years, God’s call is crystal clear and we are confident He will use us even more effectively in our new role.

As you may know, Vicki Guinn has served as Senior Director of Keynote over the last few years, running the day-to-day operations of the ministry. Vicki will be moving into the role of Interim Director upon my departure and will continue working with the Keynote Leadership team to give focus and direction to the ministry. I couldn’t be more excited about what God is doing through this ministry and what He has planned for the future.

Serving with Keynote has been amazing and Susan and I plan to stay connected with Keynote as ministry partners! I have a great appreciation for our staff and I’ve been overwhelmed by the support of people like you through the years. You will always have a huge place in my heart.

Together in His Service,

Chris Zaugg

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Using Videos/Short Films to Start Spiritual Conversations

There are so many great videos available online through Vimeo, YouTube and other locations that invite conversation. Some contain the gospel, but many are door-openers to talk about spiritual things. These videos can easily be shared on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or other social media outlets as well as through email and on smartphones or tablets. Here are a few ideas:

Social Media:

Broad audience: Post the video along with a question or phrase about the content.
Examples:
“When I saw this video I was reminded of my own choices and how they have affected my life.”
“Would love your thoughts on this video.”
“Can anyone else relate to the story in this video?”

Individuals or a smaller group: Post the video to a group page or in a private message and let the person/people know your thoughts about the content. Consider how the video might speak to their current situation. Invite dialog and be ready for their questions or comments.

Face-to-face at coffee shops, on airplanes or other locations:
Keep quick access to some of your favorite conversation starting videos (list of ideas below).

Ask questions like, “Can I show you a video on my [tablet] and get your opinion?” or “I saw a video recently that has some answers to some of the questions you’re asking. Can we watch it together now?”

Video ideas:
Music Box
Falling Plates
Wreck
Isn’t it Beautiful?
In My Head
A Thousand Words
Overboard
La Liberté de l’Interieur
Venia
CTRL Z

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