Friends,
When you’ve been in vocational ministry for forty years, you start to evaluate fruit differently. Some years the fruit ripens quietly—deep in the soul—forming character, humility, or godliness that only God can measure. But it’s just a shoot, not discernable to the naked eye. Other years, the fruit ripens right out in the open where even a bi-focaled saint can spot it.
This year at RDH, the fruit has been visible. And I’d love for you to rejoice with me. I would also appreciate it if you could read through the whole newsletter to see the opportunities this fruit is presenting. Specifically, there is a 30K opportunity–maybe you can help.
Writing That Reaches Leaders Around the World
2025 has been an encouraging year for writing and publishing.
• Engagement on the RDH site is up 800% over the last few months.
• The Clay Pot Conspiracy was released in September and recently received The Gospel Coalition Award of Distinction in the “Ministry” Category.
• Claypot has already been translated into Romanian and is currently being considered by publishers for Dutch, German, and Arabic translations. My first book, When Sinners Say I Do, was recently translated into Chinese.
• More than a dozen interviews and podcasts already happened from this year’s book, including a segment on Life Today TV. More are scheduled. Really encouraging stuff.
• We released 24 Tenacious Tuesday devotionals,10 additional leadership articles, and more than a dozen short leadership videos.
One of the sweetest encouragements I received came recently from Romania about the book Am I Called?:
“This year we have about 80 church leaders—pastors, elders, Sunday school teachers, missionaries—reading Am I Called? as part of our training program. Many say it encouraged them deeply. One brother said reading it five years ago kept the light of his calling alive while he waited for God to open a door. Now he’s a full-time pastor, and he’s smiling at how God used the book to guide him. Many bless the Lord for the wisdom He gave you to write it.”
I read that and thought, Praise the Lord. May God continue to use every book, post, and video for the very purpose that sparked the launch of this website: to help leaders last.
Building Tools That Help Leaders
It was a strong year for training and resource development as well.
• As GCC, we completed the Multiplication Kit, where I served as general editor. More to come on that unique resource. We also launched the Plurality Triage Service, including the Plurality Health Assessment and the Plurality Training Tier. These tools exist to serve pastors and elders—to help strengthen elder cultures and help them flourish in their roles. I know of no other online service seeking to serve pastors and leaders in this way.
If you’re interested in training materials from RDH, visit the Courses tab on RDH. There are several free resources plus robust tools like:
• The Church Planter Residency Kit
• The 5 Elder Commitments Course
Check them out, they may be timely for you—or for a leader you know.
Training, Travel, and the Joy of Serving Leaders
Church Planter Training remains a highlight each year.
This year I contributed seven video sessions for a church planting course in the Dominican Republic alongside Miguel Núñez and the Institute for Wisdom and Integrity. I also trained SEND planters twice and worked with GCC planters in Indy and Florida.
Leadership teaching also took me to Liverpool, England, Dallas, Calgary, Lancaster, Hershey (CCEF) and a host of other places. Every time I stand to teach leaders, I’m reminded: No one deserves this privilege. Yet God keeps opening doors.
And marriage ministry? Still a joy. This year included events in Toronto, Raleigh, Charlotte, Iowa, and Indiana.
Two Opportunities Before Us (And a Request)
As 2025 unfolds, two opportunities stand before me—both exciting, both needing prayer, and both requiring financial support.
1. Rewriting and Releasing Rescuing Ambition for the Marketplace
Crossway recently reverted the rights back to me. I’ve wanted for years to redesign and rewrite this book—shaping it for leaders and entrepreneurs in the marketplace. I’ve consulted with business leaders, gathered insight, and begun shaping a version that speaks directly to ambition where it hums the loudest.
The plan is to publish it independently so RDH can become increasingly self-sustaining. The cost for editing, redesign, and publication is about $10,000.
Pray with me. And if the Lord stirs you, please consider giving.
2. A New Website for a Growing Ministry
RDH is expanding—content, courses, products, video resources.
To serve leaders well, we need a site that can:
• Handle training materials
• Host sales and downloads
• Track engagement and metadata
• Deliver a better user experience and move them to customized engagement with me.
A new, redesigned site will cost $20,000.
Again—pray for us. And, if possible, consider helping. Together, these projects make up our Giving Tuesday goal of $30,000.
If you’d like to support the Rescuing Ambition project, the new website, or simply help us reach the overall goal, you can make a contribution here.
Thank You
Thank you for reading, for caring, and for being part of this work.
Thank you for loving leaders—known and unknown—with your prayers, encouragement, and generosity. If you have any questions or would like to discuss these opportunities, just give me call my cell at (610) 804-4112.
With gratitude for your partnership and your prayers,
Dave
