Founders’ Day Leadership Lunch unites the community
Our greatest gifts lie on the other side of our wounds
A well-known pastor, podcaster, and author spoke to nearly a hundred community leaders Friday afternoon at the second annual Founders’ Day Leadership Lunch, where supporters of Emerge Recovery & Trade Initiative gathered to commemorate the progress this past year and give thanks to the organization’s major donors.
“Our greatest gifts lie on the other side of our wounds,” said Tony Miltenberger, who is the founder of Follow 2 Lead Coaching. “The wisest people in the world learn this. You’re never going to be able to get rid of your wound. People are always going to bump up against it. Wisdom is not the absence of the wound. Wisdom is intimacy with the wound. If you’re brave enough to be intimate
with your broken parts, they will no longer have the authority to make decisions for your life. If you want to change the world, that’s what it’s going to take – not allowing our wounds the authority to speak in our lives.”
Miltenberger, who also hosts the Practitioners Podcast and the Reclamation Podcast to share what God is doing in the world, also thanked the people supporting Emerge.
“Thank you all for sharing your gifts and being here,” he said. “Thank you for your willingness to jump in. Brighter days lie ahead.”
During the annual lunch, which was attended by community leaders from throughout the region, Elaine Bonner, director of philanthropy at Emerge, gave an update on several milestones from the past year to those who have invested and advocated on behalf of Emerge in a major way.
She said the lunch is held on this date because it coincides with when the building went up for auction in 2021.
“As I have learned the stories of some of the men who are here doing the hard work of changing their lives, I am always struck by two things: their humility and their gratitude,” Bonner said. “In this spirit, I find myself humbled as well. Humbled by the Founders, Kip, Doug and Chris and their continued servant leadership. Every week as donations come into our office and people reach out and connect with our organization, I am amazed by God’s Plan unfolding that has connected all of you with this profound challenge to rebuild lives and restore hope. It also leaves me grateful. As First Thessalonians reminds us, ‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.’ Because of you, we continue to persevere and pivot as opportunities present themselves – Yes, we give thanks in ALL circumstances!”
Bonner said it’s also humbling to be in a crowd of so many caring people. She also recognized and gave thanks to the event sponsors for the evening, which includes Five Star Home Services and Ashley’s Pastry Shop.
The speaker from last year’s event, Scott McGohan, spoke as well and introduced this year’s speaker.
“One of the things I love about Emerge and what you do here is that you do the hard work finding people who are lonely, broken and afraid,” he said. “You provide shade for others. I am proud of what you are doing. And I have the honor of introducing Tony Miltenberger, author, father, and friend.”
Miltenberger said he is in long-term recovery himself.
“I have been praying for you guys since Elaine sent me the invitation,” he said. “I am here today because I am passionate about long-term recovery. I stopped drinking on Sept. 9 of 2013. Before that, I grew up where drinking was normal. Everyone had a drink in their hands. I had a coping problem, and I realized that ultimately that I am responsible for how I think, feel and act. I get to choose how to respond. Your intentions equal your results. If you really intend something, you can change so much.”
During his speech, Miltenberger did an exercise with members of the audience to demonstrate how we are all hard-wired with some emotional truths from our childhood.
“We forget that we are hard wired with some assumptions,” he said. “In my recovery, I worked hard to figure out where these assumptions come from.”
He explained how many of our issues are tied to our upbringing.
“I learned that on the other side of our wound is our greatest gift,” he said. “The wisest people in the world learn this. You’re never going to be able to get rid of your wound. People are always going to bump up against it. Wisdom is not the absence of the wound. Wisdom is intimacy with the wound. If you’re brave enough to be intimate with your broken parts, they will no longer have the authority to make decisions for your life.”
Additionally, Emerge CEO Rachel Huffman recognized the many elected officials at the lunch. They included:
- Sandra Brasington, Western Ohio Regional Liaison for Governor Mike DeWine
- Judge Chris Epley, with the Montgomery County Second District Court of Appeals
- Greene County Commissioner Dick Gould
- State Representative Brian Lampton
- Kettering Mayor, Peggy Lehner
- Xenia Mayor Sarah Mays
“It is natural for us to run away from our wounds,” Huffman said. “However, that’s where we cling to God the most.”
