Mark Driscoll says "Hey"

In the midst of our action-packed life as of late, I was quite happy for Ken when doors quickly opened for him to attend the Advance 09 conference on short notice. But when I heard about it I wished I were going! I said to Ken the day before he left, "I wonder if you'll get to meet Mark Driscoll?" With 3,000 people expected it didn't seem likely. So I said, "Let's pray that you get to." "Why?" Ken said, "What would I say to him?"

What, indeed. Where should I start?

How about thanking him for making all of his media available, not just his incredible sermons but all of the talks from the Acts 29 church-planting conferences, material that is so applicable to and encouraging for (and yet absent from) pastoral ministry, and that it is all available for FREE? How about thanking him for being "reformed-theology-meets-refreshing practicality-and-applicability, in a no-holds-barred, passionate, authentic, contemporary way"? How about thanking him for being such a huge encouragement, yes, even a lifeline of sorts, to your wife as we serve the church?

Is that enough? Because I can keep going.

I first started listening to Mark Driscoll four years ago in NJ. I enjoyed him immediately, even read his first book, but my listening wasn't what one could call consistent. My life and schedule didn't lend itself well to that. As I was converted to a stay-at-home mom in VA, with afternoons full of home improvement projects while my little guy napped, I've listened to Driscoll podcasts on the iPod, at least weekly and at times daily, for the past 18 months. A steady diet, if you will. I won't go into the gory details of all I have learned about myself in this process. Suffice it to say I have identified and am disposing of (by God's grace) some major idols in my life. And my perspective on being married to a pastor has radically changed.

THANK HIM.

Well, after Ken got to Durham it seemed even more unlikely that he would have a chance to say anything to Driscoll in person. He called yesterday at the end of the first day's talks to report that, as suspected, the speakers did their thing and were gone. Furthermore, Ken is not even staying at the host hotel, but a mile away. Nevertheless that afternoon Ken prayed again, "if it is your will Lord."

A few hours later last night, Ken and the elder who is with him were looking for a dinner spot, walking down a street a few blocks off the main drag. As they walked, who should be coming *directly* their way but Driscoll, walking with a tech guy. Their paths met, Ken stopped them, and after some introductions and pleasantries, gave Driscoll some version of what I had suggested. Told him how much we both really appreciate his preaching. Told him that he (meaning Ken) has a "Yoda-wife," who has been greatly helped.

Driscoll thanked him and as they parted, said, "Say 'Hey' to your wife for me."