BMH author Kary Oberbrunner (pictured at right) was the speaker Friday evening at DRIVEN07. Below is the story that ran in today’s DRIVEN World, a daily newsletter produced by BMH for the conference.
Mildly inspired by a Bon Jovi song, Kary Oberbrunner’s talk on Friday evening, WANTED: Dead AND Alive, will focus on making a difference. “If you want your time to count… you must count your time,” he says.
It’s something he strives to do every day, living as if it were his last day on earth (hence the name of his ministry, Redeem the Day, based on Ephesians 5:16). “It is a great way to live life,” he says.
Today, he’s focused on sharing God’s truth with us and with training 12 leaders, young men and women, who are enrolled in the Summer Teen Track at Grace Institute.
“These teens are oozing with leadership potential,” he says. “Their ‘payment’ for the summer is to come and serve you at DRIVEN. Make sure you tell them hi.”
Another way he makes his mark is through his ministry at the Grace Brethren Church in Powell, where he serves as the pastor of discipleship and leadership development.
“It is a job where I get to Train Leaders to Transform the World. How sweet is that?” he says. “I also have to write. I literally mean I HAVE to,” he adds. “When I stop (and I’ve tried several times) something in me begins to die and then I get all depressed inside. “Thus, I continually have to get my ‘song’ out. I keep Thoreau’s warning in mind, ‘Most men live lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.’”
A self-proclaimed nerd, Kary admits to listening to books on his iPod while driving his car. “My latest one is John Maxwell’s 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,” he says. “I like him because he knows himself (his strengths and weaknesses), he’s confident (he doesn’t tip toe around), and he is a life-long learner (he is a student of many disciplines).”
But Kary is most committed to making a mark as a father. He and his wife, Kelly, have a son, Keegan, and are expecting their little girl within the next few weeks.
“He is the coolest kid,” Kary says of his son, and of his soon-to-be-born daughter… “I can’t wait to meet her.”
Kary is a graduate of Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary and recently received a D.Min. from Ashland Seminary. He invites conference participants to check out his website at KaryOberbrunner.com.
“I am committed to providing you with tools, skills, and thoughts that will stimulate you toward leadership, spirituality, and redeeming the day,” he notes.
In a closing thought, he sends kudos to the DRIVEN steering committee, and specifically this year’s director, John Ward. “You all have done an amazing job serving the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches!” he says.
