Posts by Ronne
Music Ministry // Jonathan Fortenberry
Jonathan Fortenberry The Start Experiment was a lot of things for me. It was a giant can opener on bottled up dreams. It was huge fly swatter against fear. It was the first time at a family reunion where I felt like I’d known everyone my entire life. While slightly disappointed that I needed neither my machete nor my passport, I’m confident that the seeds planted during this time will ultimately lead there. Twenty-four days is really the perfect length of time for this sort of thing. It’s just long enough to accomplish small tasks that lead to a big goal, but not quite long enough to feel like you had enough time. I long for Round1 to still be going so that I can still be brand new at this. However, one of the greatest joys is being in a 2nd round and helping other STARTers find their place. A month ago, I had a small vision of writing worship tunes one day and helping musicians develop themselves. Today I stand confident in my craft, I’ve launched a blog, published a tutorial video, and applied for a position in full time ministry. I owe all to God for inspiring Jon to pull this great community together where I developed true friends that are committed to seeing each other change the...
Read MoreFeature Friday // Josh Hostetler | Blogger
He’s only 29, but he has the sage wit and wisdom of someone twice his age. Perhaps it’s because Josh Hostetler, creator of Amish Hipster, has always looked at things with a different point of view. Josh was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida, but his home life looked more like the Ohio Mennonite community where his parents were raised. “I guess growing up Mennonite would be similar to growing up in most very conservative evangelical homes,” he shares. “We only watched sports on TV. I was homeschooled until I was in sixth grade. I grew up with a strong work ethic. And I loved to read. When we’d visit my grandparents’ farm in Ohio, I would read all their Reader’s Digest magazines. I also loved to write – in cursive. I wasn’t much into journaling then, so I would practice writing by sending contest letters to local radio stations.” As he worked each summer with his father, moving blocks at construction sites, Josh was introduced to a culture that would become a part of his calling and purpose. “Our work teams consisted of two labor groups: Mennonites and Mexicans. I learned Spanish from my coworkers. They taught me about family, made me laugh, – they were like my brothers.” He saw similarities between the Mennonite and Mexican cultures. The men revered craftsmanship, and hard work was valued. “There was such passion in everything they did.” Those summers of moving blocks also motivated Josh to take a nontraditional step in Mennonite culture. “My dad would say ‘you can either learn to work or you can go to college.’” Josh picked the latter, and attended the University of Florida to study Political Science and Spanish. He had visions of becoming Sam McCoy from Law & Order. “I realized pretty quickly that the television character didn’t at all represent what life as a lawyer was like. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew I didn’t want to move blocks. I wanted to do something more.” That something more was teaching. After spending time in Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico working with the destitute poor, Josh found his home in Austin, Texas. “At first, teaching in Latin America was a way for me to live in a foreign land. But when I came back to the US, I was hungry for someone to fight for, something to believe in – to be able to stand in the gap for someone. I moved to Austin to do that.” In Austin, he worked in low-income schools, doing what he could to help his students thrive. He gave his cellphone number to parents, spent time before and after school tutoring and providing encouragement, and walking difficult paths with children who watched their parents struggle to provide for them. “That’s why I chose teaching. I’m passionate about the immigrant population in the United States. I’ve been so blessed by the Latin American culture, and have such a deep appreciation for what I’ve learned about family and work. Even though I’m not teaching this year, I will find a way to invest in caring for that community.” Josh left teaching to reconnect with his childhood passion of writing. A computer replaced pen and paper as Josh introduced us all to Abe, the Amish Hipster. “He is an Amish man who grew up in Ohio. He’s a little irreverent, a little pretentious, and slightly self-deprecating.” Abe lives in Austin, a land full of hipsters. Abe steps into a different world, only to see how similar and different the two cultures really are. Josh doesn’t remember the specific moment Amish Hipster was born. “Honestly, the idea just came to me – probably after seeing hipsters here in Austin who look like they’re Amish- the crazy long beards, and simple dress and attitude. The blog is a way for me to take a satirical view of the town I live in – a town that prides itself on being different – and see the similarities.” Josh doesn’t know...
Read MoreCommunity // Jason Sprague
Jason Sprague Whatever you are expecting to get out of this experiment, you might as well throw it out the window. Because this is infinitely better. You know, it’s funny. In the beginning of all of this I thought I wanted one thing, but I got so much more. The START Experiment let me see myself through the eyes of people who are driving forward in life. I have met people who have helped me better define who I am, and others who have helped me know that I am the perfect version of me. I now have a community of people that believe in me. When I am down, they lift me up. When I am happy, they cheer with me. As I chase my dreams, I know I have people who will help me slay dragons, blaze trails, and celebrate my battles won. If someone asked me if it’s worth your time, the answer is “one bajillion percent yes.” You aren’t going to find a group of people that believe in your dream as much as you do anywhere. There are no haters, no critics, and no honey badgers. (Honey badgers can do a lot of damage. What? The analogy fits.) The things I want out of my future now have an army willing to pray, push, and pull me along the way. Will I chase and catch my dreams? Yes! And I will have a tribe of people there with me to celebrate....
Read MoreStarting a Relationship // Tara Fox
Tara Fox When this experiment started, I was already into my first week of half-Ironman triathlon training and was ready to hit it full steam ahead. What I was unprepared for was the START that God had in mind. I was completely blindsided when God started to show me that the START he wanted me to begin was one of the heart – a 24-day challenge of opening up my life and my heart to a fellow STARTer. On the verge of entering into a second START challenge my journey of my body is still the same but the one of my heart will be taking bigger leaps and bounds. I will be meeting my fellow STARTer who has came into my life in a way that I could never prepare for or expect. My journey is far from over in regards to both goals and honestly… I can’t wait to see what happens. My experience would not of been the same without my awesome partner Joy and the amazing community of fear punchers that I now call...
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