The one step that will make you rethink leadership

God has called all believers to lead by giving. He led the way by redeeming us and giving His Son Jesus. Jesus is the ultimate leader, and as His followers, we're called to lead by giving to His work. Giving is Leadership 101 in the kingdom of God -- a step that transform generations.

We're asking you to lead with us by giving to the work of Dallas Leadership Foundation on North Texas Giving Day, September 22, 2016. Please support DLF as we continue to lead in neighborhoods, schools, and in prison. Watch the video with DLF CEO Wil McCall to see how passionate we are about what we do.

Because we're entering the fall, our staff members who work with youth are returning to schools to mentor students through our Power Lunch. 

Our reentry team is acknowledging men and women they’ve mentored in prison who've made successful returns to society at our annual Praise in the Park celebration, and our neighborhood staff members are busy helping a disabled U.S. veteran in one of our target neighborhoods receive major home renovation through our Secret Angel program. 

As always, DLF staff members are giving beyond our paychecks. We'll put in long hours, work weekends, and go beyond the call of duty because we're leaders and leaders give! 

To date, because of ongoing collaborations between our team and community leaders, we've witnessed a 41% crime rate reduction in our youth programs and a 6.7% recidivism rate in our prison program. The graduation rate we're experiencing among young people we're mentoring is 92%.

Why do we give everything we can? Because that’s what we're called to do as leaders: We give.

Thank you for your support!

Learn more about our work in targeted Dallas neighborhoods by going to www.dlftx.org/ourimpact.

School supplies from World Vision are a huge hit

In early August, Dallas Leadership Foundation's Neighborhoods Director Jamee Rodgers and Matthew Velasquez, along with three Paul Quinn College interns, painted and added needed supplies at Dunbar Elementary School. The school is located in Mill City, one of DLF's target neighborhoods. The elementary school lacked basic resources, and that's why DLF wanted to help.

Taking the lead in pitching in at the school led to a phenomenal leadership step by internationally known humanitarian organization World Vision. The Christian nonprofit has decided to donate school supplies for the Dunbar school supply closet. World Vision's contribution enables DLF to reload again after the new year with whatever is needed for the students, including furniture.

The support by World Vision, which works worldwide to break the cycle of poverty in families and communities, is another example of how Leaders Give!

If you want to know how you can take a leadership step by giving to the communities DLF serves, visit dlftx.org.

Do this first to become an unforgettable leader

Just like a newborn baby’s first impulse is to receive milk, a newborn leader’s first instinct is to give something. Giving is a leader’s natural inclination because Leaders Give!

To be a leader, one must give something: encouragement, motivation, instruction, comfort, time, or money. One who refuses to give refuses to lead.

From start to finish, Jesus’ model of leadership is based on giving. When Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding at Cana in Galilee, He gave His very first miracle.

While calling His disciples, they were frustrated after experiencing a failed fishing expedition. Jesus took the initiative and gave them encouragement to try again, released His power so that they could succeed, and invited them to become a part of something great.

After noticing Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector trying to see Jesus by climbing in a tree, Jesus told him that he was going to stay at his house that night. At that moment, Jesus gave a man despised by his community recognition, unconditional acceptance, favor, and friendship.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus gave a lot! Among the other things He freely gave were forgiveness, healing, inspiration, food, courage, grace, acceptance, knowledge, comfort, deliverance, revelation, instruction, an example to follow, hope, love, and, ultimately, His life. The gift of His life paved the way for salvation for all human beings. God led the way to redeem us and gave His Son Jesus to close the deal. He did it because God is the ultimate leader and Leaders Give!

Daily, Dallas Leadership Foundation’s leaders lay down our lives for the work God has called us to do in Dallas. We’re asking you as a leader to do the same by giving to DLF on Sept. 22. 2016, which is North Texas Giving Day. Give to help DLF continue to lead in neighborhoods, schools, and in and out of prison. Do it because that’s what we do: Leaders Give!

To learn how you can lead by giving today, visit dlftx,org.