At the conclusion of Glenn Schroder’s book, Never Trust a Leader Without a Limp, he summarized some of John Wimber’s greatest qualities.

He understood the nature of influence. He would take advantage of every opportunity to encourage another person.

John Wesley said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

Believing in people was another quality that John had that carries with it profound mentoring and leadership implications. 

A third quality John exhibited that has mentoring implications was his transparency. ”I’m just a fat man trying to get to heaven.” John would frequently say.

A willingness to yield to the Holy Spirit was another of the key components in John’s mentoring and leadership ministry. He preached about Jesus “only doing what I see the Father doing” and encouraged others to follow suit.

John’s keen sense of vision was another characteristic that had a major influence on me and many others.

He modeled an approach that was not only reproducible but attainable and sustainable as well. As I mentioned earlier, it’s my humble opinion John’s greatest contribution was to put ministry back into the hands of the people.

Sharing their faith, feeding the poor, praying for the sick, and delivering the oppressed because John gave them the freedom to and told them that they could. So thousands of people are doing this around the world.

1 Timothy 6:6 (NKJV): “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Matthew 6:20-21 (NIV): “‘But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’”

Proverbs 13:22 (NKJV): “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children . . .”

So let’s go for it! It’s worth it to do the things that last and influence whoever we can with the things of God’s Kingdom.