KRIS SEALE | PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FELLOW SHAREHOLDERS The historical account of Nehemiah is my favorite story from the Bible! For years, I wondered why the
around it; he prayed, and God guided him to act.
•
When faced with opposition, you have to take
book of Nehemiah was included in the Bible at all.
a stand and rely on God’s direction. Nehemiah
Then, one day, it hit me, “It’s in the Bible for people
suffered opposition from enemies of the
like me!” Ordinary people to whom God presents an
Jewish people and from the Jewish inhabitants
opportunity and that opportunity touches the heart in
themselves, but he stood up to them and said
a way that a person must respond and act!
consistently, “I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down.”
Here is a quick summary of what Nehemiah has taught
•
As a leader, you have to stand up for what is right. Nehemiah was righteous and just, while
me about leadership:
previous governors of Jerusalem were corrupt
•
No matter who you are or where you are, you can lead. Nehemiah was a Jewish exile and was the cupbearer to the King of Persia, Artaxerxes,
and oppressive.
•
Leaders have to honor God and give Him the glory. Nehemiah did just that!
in the 5th century B.C. (The cupbearer was
•
1
responsible for ensuring that the king’s food and
What really stands out to me about Nehemiah is the
beverages were not spoiled or poisoned – not an
fact that even when God gives us a task and clear
auspicious position.)
direction, we have an enemy (Satan) who wants to
When God places something on your heart, you
stop us. Our enemy wants us to fail. He wants us to
have to act and respond. Nehemiah was burdened
give up, to do anything other than what God wants us
to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the wall
to do, to get distracted. Here is how the enemy has
A NNUA L RE POR T 2 0 2 1
