The Goal of My Life (23 page)

I met Paul in 1994. The thing that resonated the most with me about his testimony is that he came into a relationship with Jesus Christ at a time when he had everything the secular world had to offer, and yet had this thirst to fill a void. I have always believed that people will not listen to what you say unless it matches what you do. Over the years, Paul has consistently demonstrated that his actions replicate what he tries to impart to others. Nothing has more poignantly shown this than the genuine peace and joy he shows while battling cancer
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Paul invited me to be a member of his morning group eleven years ago, telling us at the start that his objective was to mentor each of us to become leaders. After three years, I felt that I was ready to lead my own and have done so on a weekly basis since then
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As a direct result of Paul’s impact on me, I have tried to “pay it forward,” and now men whom I have mentored understand and practise openness, are willing to share and address deep issues with other men, to have other men hold them accountable, and are better husbands and fathers and therefore better men. This, in turn, stirs the desire within them to share their growth with other men
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Paul, like any of us, is not perfect but, through example, demonstrates that if we strive for perfection, we can achieve excellence. He has taught me the value of prayer, and over
the last eleven years there are few days when we have not prayed for one another. He lives his mantra that “there can be no impact without contact” through regular communication and making you feel that he has all the time in the world for you despite having contact with dozens on a daily basis
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When I mentioned to my wife that Paul was looking for feedback as to how he had influenced me, she volunteered the following observations of how I have grown as a husband as a result of his impact:

When with a group of couples, she feels that no woman in the room is loved more than she, a major change that is a result of Paul sharing that about how he makes Eleanor feel
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Paul is a natural leader and she feels that through his mentorship, my once latent leadership qualities have blossomed at home, professionally, and in mentoring men and other couples
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One of Paul’s favourite Bible verses is “iron sharpens iron,” and Deborah and I are certain that, as a result of his influence, I am a far better husband, father, and man than I would have been had I not had the opportunity of developing the relationship with a man who, as a result of scoring “the Goal of the Century,” has selflessly used that springboard to positively affect countless lives over the past forty years and who I am humbled to call one of my best friends
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1) Paul has been a tremendous example of someone who has leveraged his status as one of Canada’s most iconic sports figures to accomplish things that have made a significant impact on others. He has taught me that every one of us has a responsibility to take what we have been given by God and
use it to influence others to make this world a better place. If it’s humanly possible, Paul has enhanced God’s reputation across Canada. He has been courageous in sharing his faith in Jesus Christ with anyone who would listen. It challenged me to speak more boldly about my faith as well
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2) Paul has taught me grace when life gets tough. His confidence in God to see him through is both awesome and inspiring. It’s been a reminder to me that our faith is most vibrant when we are tested by life’s challenges and mysteries
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3) Paul’s eagerness to learn especially in matters of Christian faith has brought a balance and maturity to the natural enthusiasm that God has given him. My years in one of his leadership groups increased my confidence and encouraged my spiritual disciplines. He has reaffirmed my belief that growing as Christians is just as important as becoming a Christian
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4) Paul’s love and respect for his wife, Eleanor, has always set an example that I want to emulate. His willingness to share his shortcomings, speak frankly about his journey, and then challenge men to take their marriages and families seriously has set a new standard
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5) In my leadership role, Paul has always been an encourager. His passion and goal orientation have pushed me to be better. Paul’s example has helped me stay firm in my commitment as a Christian leader. I believe my leadership at World Vision Canada has benefited because of his support
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6) Most importantly, Paul has been a friend to me. His transparency, willingness to listen, and life experience are a gift
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I hope this encourages you and expresses my admiration for who you are and what you do
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Some of the impact of my relationship with Paul and the ministry are as follows:

1) Paul was the one who courageously spoke to me about the gospel, and when I asked questions he followed up by inviting my wife and me to his home to discuss biblical and spiritual matters in depth
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2) From the first moment that he witnessed to me until the time I accepted Christ was a week and a half
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3) Upon Paul’s return to Canada, he became part of the ministry and almost immediately began a discipleship group modelled after the one he had attended in Birmingham, Alabama
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4) He invited me to be part of that first group using the master life series material. This material was similar to the purpose for living material that we use today
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4) He caught a vision to disciple men and challenge them to become vehicles and ambassadors for Christ. The challenge was also to be available to go wherever God called us to, anywhere in the world
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5) As Paul matured in his life as a Christian, his challenge also matured to the point of helping me realize that I must listen to the challenges put to me by the holy spirit of God
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6) I also know that I can always count on him to be consistent and honest with praise and criticism
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7) I know that he prays for me on a regular basis, and I am encouraged by that
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8) He has always encouraged me to stay in God’s word and step out in faith based on the leading of the Holy Spirit
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9) Through the ministry, I have been introduced to many Godly men, such as Bill Bright and Tony Campolo
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Some of the things that I do differently today are as follows:

1) After thirty-two years as a Christian and a friend of Paul’s, I find that he is a good sounding board for me to go to when needing spiritual advice, prayer, or encouragement on the ministry that God has called me to
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2) I have confidence now to step out on my own to witness, to preach, to teach, to disciple, or to minister to those grieving. I do this with the full understanding that if I prepare properly both spiritually and with the skills and talents that I have been given by God, that the Holy Spirit will use me as his vehicle
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3) Something that has also matured over the years is that I think of Paul not as the hero of the 1972 series and a major celebrity, but as my brother in Christ and one of the most important friends in my life. I am not envious of those who see him more often than me because we have mutual respect that involves the more important calling of God to help others find Christ and grow to further the gospel
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4) I do things more honestly today and make fewer excuses for my mistakes, knowing that God has it all under control and loves me just as I am
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5) I respond to the correcting of the Holy Spirit from a biblical point of view and trust the Holy Spirit to make the necessary changes in me for his glory and use in the body of Christ
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6) The first verse that Paul ever shared with me was Romans 1:16, and I attempt to live by that verse. I have seen God honour that stand many times and bless me because of it
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7) I don’t feel jealous of those who I was competing with prior to meeting Paul. Many of them have become wealthy
by the world’s standards, and I am happy for them and still count them as my friends. I will continue to pray for them and be there for them, trusting the eternal destiny to Christ
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I am involved today in the following ways:

1) I still lead or am involved in two discipleship groups challenging men to trust Christ first and not the world
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2) Whenever possible, I try to support Paul if he needs me. He will forever be the one who God used to change the life of my family and myself, giving us a purpose for living with the promise of eternal life
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3) I spend a great deal of time encouraging men to consider Christ and become a part of the discipleship group. I leave the results to the Lord
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4) I have officiated at ten funerals and done more eulogies than I can remember, with the knowledge and understanding about the Holy Spirit as the head of the ministry. This came from the time spent in the word, at church, and with the many men in the many discipleship groups over the years, from the first one with Paul
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5) Today it is much more about sharing Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit rather than in power. It is much more fruitful in His power
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6) I find that I am the go-to guy for many needing help in their spiritual lives. I also find more unbelievers calling me for help when life overtakes them
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7) I fully expect God to use me every day in a new and exciting way. He can use me for anything as long as I trust him
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I plan to be very aggressive the rest of the way to finish well. I am asking God to allow me to push a little harder to win
to Christ those who don’t know him but whom I love. I will finish, without writing my own book, with a verse that many of my friends know: Cascone 1:1 – “He’s on the throne and he’s not nervous.”

This weekend, I reflected on not only where my life is today as a result of LeaderImpact Group, but also where my life might have been if not for your spiritual mentoring and friendship
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It was September 2002 when I first attended your group. Truthfully, I had no idea what to expect, and looking back, I can’t even imagine the first impression I must have made! I must have seemed so “lost” to you and the other seasoned veterans within the group, but no one ever looked down at me and I was simply accepted with open arms
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At that time, my life resembled the trajectory of Rory McIlroy’s pulled tee shot on the tenth at Augusta on that Sunday during the 2011 Masters – which led to one bad shot followed by another and another. I had already purchased a condo and informed both my wife and two young children that I would be moving out. I’ll never forget the pain I caused my son when he cried and held on to me, begging me not to leave. Thankfully, when I saw that completed penthouse, even I realized that it was not a home and I was about to abandon my family
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I recall going to church the following Sunday and asking God to help me because I was in way over my head. And on Tuesday, during a previously scheduled golf game with a member at Mississauga Golf and Country Club, I was asked
if I would mind having Paul Henderson join our group. “Are you kidding?!” I remember exclaiming. Who knew that your question on the eigth fairway, “How’s your spiritual life?” would over time bring that ball deep in the woods back onto the fairway
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And today, my marriage is stronger than ever and my relationship with my kids so very vibrant! But you know better than anyone, it was not easy for me. But through the support, friendship, encouragement, and prayer from the men in the group, I came to have a faith in Christ, and the belief that through God, absolutely nothing is impossible! I’ll never forget the first memory assignment you gave me – 1 Corinthians 13:4–8. Before this, I never knew what love truly meant
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And so many other aspects of my life are stronger and better, especially as an advisor and steward of my clients’ wealth. Now I come to work knowing that Christ is my boss, and it is the Lord to whom I report
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Last Monday, I was profiled in the
National Post
and you called me to tell me you were so proud of me. I can tell you this – your words meant so much more to me than that article!

Who would believe ten years ago that my 2012 New Year’s resolution is to be “single minded” – that is, to have “thought” devoted to Christ, to be joyful regardless of circumstance, and through every circumstance see Christ
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And, Paul, would you have ever thought ten years ago that I would actually be leading more than seventy men at my church, positively influencing those men in how they are as husbands, fathers, employers, employees? It boggles the mind! Last week Father Vid told me that Men’s Fraternity is “the
defining element at Merciful Redeemer Parish.” He went on to say that not only are men’s lives being transformed, but also their families and, as a result, the community
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Paul, words cannot express how grateful I am for your support and love! With Christ, you have saved my life!

Now I like to think of my life as McIlroy’s ball at Congressional. It occasionally goes awry, but it’s on its way to winning the U.S. Open!

I will pray for you and your lovely wife, Eleanor, for the rest of my days
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May God continue to bless you and all your descendants
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Back in 2001, my wife, Debbie, and I were asked to lead a Campus Crusade for Christ’s Power to Change campaign in Manitoba
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Over the course of that campaign, we trained 6,500 people in how to share their faith. We also organized forty-five outreach events in six regions of the province. When we were booking speakers for those events, we came across the name Paul Henderson. We knew that he was “that guy who scored the goal,” so we thought he’d be pretty good. But I didn’t actually have a clue who he was
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So we invited Paul to come to Manitoba for a week to speak at some of our events. He promptly called me back and said he was only prepared to give me three days. What a jerk, I thought. This guy works for Campus Crusade, and this is one of their own campaigns. Why would he not come for a full week?

We ended up inviting him anyway. But we hired a charter
airplane, and scheduled Paul to speak at breakfast, at lunch, at coffee, and at dinner. Paul humoured us with our ridiculous schedule, and in the end we managed to pack seven days’ worth of speaking engagements into three
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When I first met Paul, I was expecting a typical sports guy – larger than life, a little full of himself. What impressed me about Paul was that yes, he was proud of his sports accomplishments – but he only used his story and his status as a vehicle to tell people about Jesus. I’m originally from the business world, where it’s easy to base your whole identity on your money, your success. I knew Paul could easily have done the same thing – based his whole identity on his sports career
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But he didn’t. He based it on his relationship with Jesus Christ, and only ever used his sports success to make an impact for Him
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A few years after I met Paul, I became the president of Campus Crusade for Christ, now Power to Change. I had a lot of experience as a business leader but none as a Christian non-profit leader. So I looked around me and tried to find a North Star – another leader I admired, someone I could keep my eyes on and use as a model. Paul Henderson became one of my North Stars because the more I watched him, the more I was impressed
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Three things about Paul really stood out for me. One was his consistency: day in, day out he’s followed his purpose statement – “to be a Godly world change agent” – using his life in a significant way for Christ over decades. Another was how he cares for people. Not a week goes by that Paul doesn’t phone up to pray for me or leave a great message on my voicemail. On a down day, that’s been so encouraging for
me. In fact, that has had such a huge impact on me that now I try do the same thing for the people I lead
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Finally, what I admire most about Paul is his intimate walk with Jesus. I don’t know very many leaders who have maintained such a close relationship with Christ. He’s an incredible model, not just for me, but for all Christian leaders – in ministry and in the marketplace
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