{"id":259,"date":"2018-09-28T16:29:24","date_gmt":"2018-09-28T23:29:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/create.twu.ca\/iamfriesen\/?page_id=259"},"modified":"2018-10-01T19:23:55","modified_gmt":"2018-10-02T02:23:55","slug":"a-cast-of-characters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/create.twu.ca\/iamfriesen\/2018\/09\/28\/a-cast-of-characters\/","title":{"rendered":"A Cast of Characters"},"content":{"rendered":"

My name is David Friesen. I love Disney. Actually, my whole family loves Disney. I have one wife and three kids. We would all be okay to spend more of our time at Disney.<\/p>\n

My oldest son is taking a business degree at the University of Calgary. When he was much younger he drew a picture of a community where people were learning and growing and caring for one another. In that moment I knew his life was destined to impact other people. He wants to help others find their place and empower them to step into what they were made for. He has the kind of strategic mind that could create a place like Disney.<\/p>\n

My daughter is our middle child. She just started her art degree from Emily Carr University of Art and Design. She is the most creative person I know. She loves to imagine. She has a sketch book with her wherever she goes. She brings joy into a room when she enters, and when she exits the room is filled with more colour. She loves to inspire people. She would love to work as a 3d animator for Disney.<\/p>\n

My youngest son is an actor. He is one year away from graduating high school. He loves to perform. He has played multiple lead roles in school theatre productions. He is captured by a good story and takes delight in other people being caught up in the moment. He invests time in helping people see how they can be connected to something bigger. He has the potential to capture your attention like a Disney character.<\/p>\n

I tell you this for two reasons. First, I love my family. My family is a priority. As a pastor it concerns me when ministry leaders sacrifice their family for the sake of their job. Insert soapbox. I have often told my kids that I would resign my job as a pastor if it got in the way of their spiritual development.<\/p>\n

The second reason I introduced you to my children is I see similarities in my story. I love to be strategic. I plan with an end in mind. I find value in first determining the future goal, and then establishing a blueprint to accomplish it. I love to create. I thoroughly enjoy the process of designing new ways to do things. If there is a better way to accomplish something, I believe it is worth the risk to try something new. I love to see people connected to something bigger. I believe there is room in God’s story for all of the unique and diverse people he created. I believe people find their purpose when they discover their identity as a child of God.<\/p>\n

Although it took a moment for my 47 year old brain to get back into school-mode, I have greatly benefited from my experience with the MA Lead program. I have appreciated the intentionality of courses, the insights and encouragement of professors, and the experiences and interactions I have had with other students.The MA Lead program has helped me put words to my dreams and steps to my ambitions.<\/p>\n

My life purpose:<\/strong> I desire to live a life that is a creative and courageous invitation for people to engage in an adventure with God so they know they matter.
\nMy vision:<\/strong>\u00a0To walk in step with the Holy Spirit to create spaces for people to more effectively understand God\u2019s love and engage in God\u2019s story.\u00a0I will accomplish this vision through:<\/p>\n