Hi, there!
I’m Austin.
a second generation, urbanite, who is a generous, visionary, networker. I’m committing my life to enabling the Anabaptist people to help to establish urban sustainable communities across America. My experience and passion lies in empowering leadership. My leadership roles have included: director of evangelism, Big Brother program coordinator, VBS and Thursday church director, and Head of School. Learn More
Let’s Connect
Visionary
A World of Good. . .
“I experience this world as overflowing with possibilities for good and realize that alone I can’t live enough lifetimes to accomplish .1% of them”
Dreaming is fun, even if the results are unrealistic because I know:
My unrealisticdreams + realisticcollaborators + impossible-lovingGOD =
A WORLD of GOOD
My late father didn’t believe in friendship evangelism, but he strongly believed and modeled well friendship discipleship.
As I contemplated how to honor his legacy, I came up with the idea of Clayton Shenk Discipleship Institute
Summary:
3 Churches and Ministry organizations from 3 locations enroll a team of disciple-makers, who total 6
Team 1 | 2 single
Team 2 | 1 young couple
Team 3 | 1 couple with children
These teams disciples in their context, but gather all together 4 times over the two years for reunions and a mission trip.
Once they graduate, they repeat in their context. . .until ALL know!
The story behind Katy Perry’s song: Unconditional and the amazingness of God’s unconditional love.
Want to make into a children’s book, have an illustrator, and need to perfect the writing to improve communication.
It’s still in rough draft form, but I don’t mind if you want to. . .
Generous
…We Can Make Happen…
“The hope of the world is the local church and when together we pray, give, and serve, we can make a amazing things happen”
These are good causes worth making happen. . .together!
Pray, Give, Serve
Together a growing number of Anabaptist urban educators are collaborating to make even more happen.
Their goals is:
An Anabaptist School in 30 urban communities in the USA by 2030
In the fall of 2020, LIBERATES were born out of an idea to create a delicious treat from three natural and healthy ingredients. This idea originated from a simple request to God, “What do You want me to do? How do You want me to help others?” From there the idea of combining dates, chocolate, and nuts became a home kitchen hobby and quickly grew into a real business possibility!
A little over a year later LIBERATES were created under the brand new company Redemptive Sweets LLC. From its inception, the foundational priority of employing young women was realized as three high school girls quickly joined the team. The first retail outlets were established at Harvest Lane Farm Market in Lititz, PA and Tidings of Peace Christian School in York, PA.
Together, we fight for a future where no slavery exists. Together, we empower our customers with a delicious treat that is 100% guilt free. Together, we change the world one date at a time.
Networker
…Together
“Humans are made for connection. I love to be a facilitator to connect good people and resources”
Enjoy these People, Resources, and Events that have been a blessing to me.
People
Investment in Me Aaron is amazing, I haven’t ever had to wait longer than 15min for a reply to a WhatsApp message. As fellow leaders in Urban Christian Education in the city of York, PA. It is such a blessing to count this giant of faith and statue, a true friend.
Bio
Promoting the common good as educator, pastor, community member, Dad of 6, and CEO.
Aaron is the CEO at LogosWorks and Logos Academy. He holds an M.Ed in Urban Educational Leadership from Lehigh University, a MA in Religion from Reformed Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Religion degree from Liberty University.
Aaron was the recipient of the Rotary Club of York’s Service Above Self award in 2021, received the Spirit of YoCo Community Service award from the York County Economic Alliance in 2020 for his leadership in facilitating the Chiefs & Clergy Partnership since 2016, is a recipient of Central Penn Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” in 2015, and was awarded York’s Unity Award from Mayor C. Kim Bracey in 2015.
He has served on the boards of the York City Redevelopment Authority, LifePath Christian Ministries, Keystone Kidspace, Prevent Child Abuse Pennsylvania, York County YMCA, York County Children Youth & Family, and Logos Academy.
Originally from Aurora, Illinois, Aaron is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America, and founding Pastor of City Church in York, PA. Aaron and his wife Gail married in 1997 and have six children: Ellis, Emily, Luke, Amelia, David and Wesley.
Investment in Me John was a God-send at a time in life when I really needed a true friend to believe in me and support me, we have prayed, laughed, ate, and sang together all while we were supposed to be writing books together.
Bio John M. Langel Sr. is a life-long learner…who is an entrepreneur at heart. He has been a salesman for over 50 years. John has sold everything from silver and gold to newspaper at 10 years old at 5am. He has owned a restaurant, was a beekeeper with 500 beehives in California and houseparent at a residential facility for the developmentally challenged. John has been involved with Special Olympics for 25 years. John has helped 9 other people write and publish their books. John is a voracious reader who wholeheartedly believes “You’ll be the same person you are today 5 years from now except for 2 things. . .the people you meet and books you read.” He is the father of 3 adult non-gaming children. He can’t wait to meet you.
Resources
My Review Incredibly accessible read. Never knew that such powerful life change could be possible with such common habits. Warning, only read if you are prepared to leave your life of stress behind and want to begin experiencing deep and meaningful relationships with: God, yourself, and others!
Description The Common Rule offers four daily and four weekly habits, designed to help us create new routines and transform frazzled days into lives of love for God and neighbor. Justin Earley provides concrete, doable practices, such as a daily hour of phoneless presence or a weekly conversation with a friend.
My Review What a powerful tool to help me stay focused on God and truth, no matter what else is happening in my life.
Description
One Minute Pause – Reconnect with God
The One Minute Pause App is a simple way to reconnect with God in the midst of your busy day. From John Eldredge, the New York Times Bestselling Author of Wild at Heart and Captivating. Based on the One Minute Pause practice of his book Get Your Life Back and the 30 Days to Resilient program that accompanies his latest book, Resilient, this app invites you into the practice of restoring your union with God and receiving the life that he wants to offer to you, daily.
– 30 Days to Resilient Program
Events
Urban Workers Retreat has existed for over 15 years. We purpose to help youth workers find closer relationship to Jesus during this weekend so that we are able to love others as Christ has loved us. We do this by calling on a veteran in urban ministry every year to come and instruct us. We also hope to enable youth workers with the necessary tools and information that will take their interactions to the next level. UWR is a way to invest in becoming more knowledgeable and prepared for incoming situations and burdens that need to be helped with at home. We do this by calling in workshop leaders to share in smaller sessions throughout the week. The retreat takes place this year on April 14-16th, and registration is open! We would love to see you and 50 of your closest friends.
Leaders committed to stewardship of their purpose, people, and profits.
Modeling Radical Generosity for our families, organizations,
and communities—in pursuit of Kingdom impact!
CORE VALUES
Vision
Organizational Clarity: Purpose, People, and Profit.
Purpose
Provide a platform for peer networking, coaching, and shared life experience that inspires generosity.
Mission
By discovering our created purpose, we will be stewards of our Talents, Time and Treasures, and model excellence to those we serve.
Values
Astonishing Collaboration. Radical Generosity. Kingdom Impact.