A note from Elvin Harms, Jr., President of KINDLE’s Board of Directors:

Tucked away at the very center of KINDLE’s nine Core Values is “Excellence: We understand excellence as a dynamic of ‘being’ as well as ‘doing’ and seek to be a learning organization enabling visibly evident innovative development of Christ-like servant leaders.” Oftentimes, and rightfully so, this value gets trumped by the others, notably KINDLE’s mission to “foster and multiply generations of Christ-like servant leaders in their homes, workplaces, congregations, communities, and the world.”

The mission cannot be effectively carried out, however, unless there is an intentional effort to carry out all we do in KINDLE to our very best. I like to think that Excellence being placed squarely in the middle of our core values is more than coincidence – it’s exactly where it should be – the nucleus, together with our gracious God, of how we go about our business of Christ-like servant leadership.

The apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, tells us, “But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31). Up and down the KINDLE organization this exhortation is pursued as KINDLE Associates, and those they directly impact in the congregations they serve, strive to discover how they have been gifted in order to be a blessing to others – to guide the people they encounter to that more excellent way.

The generosity of the many people and congregations whose names you will find in this Annual Report allows KINDLE to pursue excellence in its unique way. Thank you! I’m proud to say that this is not done in a financially extravagant way; our leaders strive to carry out the mission in as frugal a way as possible. The ability to stretch the dollars we are entrusted with is but one example of Excellence in action. This year’s review of KINDLE’s financial activities, together with once again finishing the year with a balanced budget, is another reflection of this value.

KINDLE’s near future is going to be marked by transition as we prepare for a change in leadership in the Operations Director role and undertake a search for the next Executive Director. Keep us in your prayers and be mindful that Excellence will continue to be the hallmark by which KINDLE carries out its mission and the means by which everyone linked to it is expected to live out Christ-like servant leadership.