Vision Building @ UMich

by Ed Lee
GLDI Class of 2007
International Finance at Groupon

Global Leadership Development Institute was a truly different kind of school. Beyond practical skills acquired from GLDI, such as leadership and time management skills, I learned two important lessons that helps me live a purposeful and passionate life for God.

First, I gained a better understanding of my identity in relation to God. GLDI challenged me to strip away all the socially constructed values and beliefs about myself, as a Christian Korean-American, through rigorously studying the Bible. As a result, I came to know and appreciate my most important identity as a child of God. Second, with the understanding of my identity, my perspective on life was radically changed. From delving deeper into God’s unconditional and selfless love, my attitude changed from being self-interested to God-focused. Furthermore, knowing that I am a child of God, I could not help but to see the people in this world as brothers and sisters in Christ and be compassionate towards them unconditionally. Through this new perspective, I had so much love to share.

With this changed perspective inside and out, I was able to impact my university campus upon my return. With all these learned lessons and skills, I saw my old self in a lot of my brothers and sisters in Christ on campus when I went back, aimless and self-interested. The strangest thing was I could not just watch them live this way; I could not be satisfied with just my own spiritual welfare. I had to share the truth and love that God has shown me through GLDI. And this was when God gave me a vision and a chance to impact my community.

In order to help other students live purposeful and passionate lives, I created a student-run think tank at the University of Michigan called Vision Building Workshop. Initially I shared this God-given vision with a couple of students, but later on it multiplied into 12 passionate Christian Asian-American students in leading this think tank together on campus. Furthermore, God helped me to mobilize resources, such as financial, spiritual, and academic support, by collaborating with a psychology professor, a business professor, a local church, and an entrepreneur.

As a result, this think tank was launched in the spring of 2008 with a set curriculum and activities founded on Christian principles. This think tank strived to shape perspectives and build visions for God’s Kingdom and for the participating students’ lives. Moreover throughout the think tank, the participating students, as a group, gathered together to pray for campus revival in knowledge powerhouses across the nation. This is an on-going program that is only at its beginning stage, but many supporters have already shown appreciation of the think tank’s vision by telling the leaders that they saw the hope of the future generation through this program.

No hope would have been inspired in my community if God did not mold my identity and perspective through GLDI. Therefore, all the glory is given to God. I am really thankful that I had a chance to participate in a powerful leadership program like GLDI, which helped me to live out God’s calling. GLDI is a one-of-a-kind experience that shapes and grows future leaders under the wings of God.