I just did a search in Amazon.com using the key word “leadership” and got 2,060 listings. Authors, teachers and trainers have established many different definitions and categories of leaders and leadership. There are many leadership theories and techniques. The amount of material on leadership can be overwhelming.

My personal definition of leadership centers on a person’s positive influence on others. Books have been written about Moses’ style of leadership, but no one can deny that he exercised tremendous influence upon the lives of countless people.

I’ve been thinking about leadership today. I bedded down in Morgantown, PA last night, and this morning I headed back in to Philadelphia for a lunch meeting with Jim O’Neill, president of CrossWorld, a mission dedicated to reaching those who have not heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They were formerly called Unevangelized Fields Mission when they were founded in 1931. To tell you a bit about them I need to start with a man who exhibited amazing influence. His name was C.T. Studd (1860-1931).

Many of you have probably heard of C.T. Studd or you have read his book Chocolate Soldier. He was an English missionary who served in China, India and Africa. He was one of The Cambridge Seven, who offered themselves to work with Hudson Taylor in the China Inland Mission. After 15 years in China, he also served for six years in India before going to Africa where he continued to labor until he died at 70 years of age. During his time in Africa he founded Worldwide Evangelisation Crusade, now known as WEC International. In the final years of his life he was instrumental in the founding of yet another mission, the one I visited today, CrossWorld.

Studd’s book continues to be read by thousands today, and his name is linked to many key moments in the history of God’s mission. In my book, C. T. Studd was a great leader, a man of influence. Can you even imagine the lives that have been positively touched and transformed by this man?

Speaking of influence, let me tell you a bit about my meeting today. Jim O’Neill was headed toward a church planting ministry here in the United States until he came under the influence of Roscoe Brewer, a passionate man with a heart for God’s mission. Jim had wanted to meet me since he heard Roscoe talk about me back in the 1970′s. Roscoe is one of the key mentors in my life. Oh, by the way, I am here in Pennsylvania for another Christar meeting as a member of the board of trustrees of that mission. The President of Christar is Steve Coffey. Steve, like Jim, went to Liberty University when Roscoe headed the mission department. So, Jim, Steve, and I all have the influence of Roscoe in common. Roscoe is a leader.

Roscoe will also be preaching at KCBT a week from Sunday. This will be his first time back in many years and I am very excited for him to be with us.