This blog post was written by Hannah Blackburn.
In this episode of the First Priority podcast, our host Brad Schelling sat down with a longtime friend: Joseph Daley. Joseph has a long history with First Priority, which started with being involved in the club at his school and currently by serving as a board member. Joseph and Brad discussed the many ways First Priority has impacted Joseph’s life and where he has seen God’s hand in the lives of students. Joseph was greatly influenced by his area director Debbie DeBoer (watch her podcast episode here), and she is part of the reason he went from being a First Priority student leader to becoming a board member. Joseph shares several personal stories from his journey through business and First Priority, and several examples of times when he has been able to overcome various obstacles.
Joseph challenges other business leaders to be involved in the First Priority mission. How can one do this? There are many ways, but it starts with identifying the vision of First Priority. Second, one must identify what they have that could contribute to the vision. This could be leadership seminars, speaking at leadership summits, leveraging relationships, or community connections. Joseph reminds us that God has given business leaders both the ability to gain great wealth and the responsibility for gaining great wealth. This means that business leaders are accountable for how and where they choose to spend their resources, since ultimately it all belongs to God. Joseph encourages his fellow business leaders to not only identify what they can do for the mission, but also to follow through with it no matter how small the act may seem.
Joseph reminds us that the mission is difficult, and Satan will try to come stop us. He references the story of Paul from the Bible, who was beaten many times and received the maximum amount of 39 lashes each time. Joseph reminds us that Paul received the 39 lashes due to the ministry he was doing and the change he was making in Jesus’ name, and he challenges us to think about whether our lives would also warrant 39 lashes. Ultimately, it’s a spiritual problem that students are facing, and they’re missing the purpose found through being in God’s will.
Watch this podcast episode to hear more stories from Joseph and Brad as they reflect and celebrate the impact of First Priority in the lives of themselves and others.
