Grace in 30

There is a lot of talk these days about building businesses that are successful while also creating social value, with organizations like Conscious Capitalism and the Shared Value Initiative leading the way.  A number of business leaders believe this is best accomplished by building what some call “kingdom businesses,” i.e., businesses that honor the Biblical doctrine of work and its higher purpose.  Today we’re joined by Kelly Leonard, the President and CEO of Taylor Leonard Corporation, a local, woman-owned training, business development, and IT consulting business.  She’s also the author of an e-book on networking; the host of the Small Business University TV program airing in Montgomery County; and a representative of Nehemiah Project Ministries, an organization dedicated to building and equipping kingdom businesses.  Kelly joins us to talk about her heart for promoting higher purpose in business and also for helping women and couples in their personal and professional lives. 

The holiday season is upon us, a time not only to give thanks but also to act and share with those in need.  Tonight, we're joined by representatives from the Arlington Street People's Assistance Network, also known as A-SPAN.  Simply put, A-SPAN's mission is to end homelessness in Arlington County.  They provide life-sustaining services and secure permanent housing for their clients through outreach, building trusting/respectful relationships, and a new, first-of-its-kind Homeless Service Center.  Among other things last year, A-SPAN served 50,000 meals, sheltered over 400 people, and enabled 300 medical visits to those in need.  We're pleased to welcome Scott Miller, A-SPAN's Senior Director of Development, and Amanda Holler, A-SPAN's Manager of Volunteer Programs and Special Events. 

About 20 years ago, I (Ed) was adrift in my Christian faith.  I had stopped attending the legalistic church I had been part of for many years, I was chasing the big payday in the high-tech startup world, and I had recently become a father.  All the while, though, something kept gnawing at me, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.  As I wandered through Barnes and Noble, as I often did in those days, I kept passing a book entitled What’s So Amazing About Grace?  At first I thought, that’s a catchy title.  Then I started to think more and more deeply about that question until I finally said to myself, “What is so amazing about grace?!?” So I purchased the book and read it, and it changed my life.  Today, we’re joined by Philip Yancey, the author of that book and 20 others (four written with Dr. Paul Brand), many of them award winning.  Philip’s most recent book is entitled Vanishing Grace, Whatever Happened to the Good News?  In it, he revisits the topic of grace noting that his original question has only grown more urgent in recent years.   

Milton Brown is a longtime DC resident who battled a heroin addiction for 37 years.  In the same year he overcame his addiction, he became homeless and remained so for four years.  Milton never knew his father, and his mother abandoned him and his brother when he was 9 years old.  He’s the father of two sons – one of whom was murdered over 20 years ago on the streets of Washington DC.  Since emerging from homelessness in 2012, Milton has committed himself to raising awareness of the plight of the homeless and addicted, and to sharing the source of power that helped him emerge from a life of anguish.

Millions of people visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery each year to pay their respects to those who have given their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy in this country.  It’s a place where the full diversity and fabric of America is on display, and where division and hostility seem to naturally fade away as people come together to honor the fallen.  We’re privileged to be joined by Richard Azzaro, a guard at the Tomb from 1963 to 1965, and a member of the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  Richard talks about the critical need for healing and unity in America, and how the Society hopes to use the centennial of the Tomb as a focal point that fosters unity across our country that transcends political, regional, and religious differences.