At the recent Christian Businesses Professional Luncheon, Zak Ferry, founder and Executive Director of The Lion Project, spoke about the transformative power of storytelling for personal and business growth. Sharing his personal experiences, Zak emphasized how storytelling can shape our lives and influence others.
Zak’s Lion Story
Zak shared a poignant story from his high school days at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego. At 16, dealing with his mother’s attempted suicide, a teacher showed understanding and support, offering hope and a personal story of sobriety. This act of compassion, Zak notes, mirrored the forgiveness and hope Jesus extends in the story of the woman caught in adultery.
The Power of Storytelling
Zak explained that storytelling is powerful for two main reasons:
Divine Creation: According to John 1:1-4, Jesus created us and used stories to convey profound truths.
Scientific Insights: Neuroscience reveals that storytelling engages multiple brain regions, enhancing memory and emotional connection. Key brain regions and chemicals involved in storytelling include:
Hippocampus: Encodes long-term memory.
Amygdala: Processes emotions and enhances memory.
Prefrontal Cortex: Organizes narratives and maintains attention.
Visual Cortex: Creates vivid mental images.
Temporal Lobes: Comprehends language and auditory information.
Parietal Lobes: Integrates sensory information for detailed memory.
Default Mode Network: Reflects on narratives and relates them to personal experiences.
Chemicals like oxytocin, dopamine, endorphins, cortisol, and serotonin play roles in enhancing memory and emotional connection during storytelling.
Biblical Examples and Business Application
Zak highlighted biblical figures like David, Moses, Gideon, Joseph, Ruth, and Peter, who overcame limiting stories with God’s help. He encouraged business leaders to transform their own limiting stories, leveraging storytelling for personal and professional growth. Stories make businesses 22 times more memorable, fostering a strong brand identity and customer loyalty.
Embracing a New Story in Christ
Christians are new creations with a new story. Zak urged the audience to explore “In Christ” phrases in the New Testament, transforming their narratives to align with God’s bigger story. He offered a simple storytelling structure for businesses: Introduction, Problem, Journey, and Outcome, emphasizing that people care about seeing themselves in your story.
Zak concluded with a heartwarming end to his Lion story. Five years after high school, he presented his mother with a sobriety token, with his supportive teacher leading an AA group. This moment highlighted the interconnectedness of our stories and God’s purpose for them. Zak encouraged everyone to live a bigger story in Christ, becoming a Lion in someone else’s story.
At The Lion Project, one of our missions is to transform lives and communities by building and creating spaces where dreams can come true. This ambitious vision is not something we can achieve alone. It requires the support and collaboration of dedicated business partners who share our passion and commitment. One such invaluable partner is Paint Denver, led by Rob Peterson, whose contributions over the years have been nothing short of transformative.
Paint Denver recently played a crucial role in helping us transform a room at Gust Elementary into a vibrant market where families can access food, clothing, and basic necessities. Together we worked on tturning an ordinary space into a welcoming and functional environment. This market now serves as a vital resource for the community, offering support and hope to families in need. The dedication and craftsmanship of Paint Denver have been instrumental in bringing this project to life, ensuring that it truly meets the needs of those it serves.
Building Together: The Power of Partnership
The work we do at The Lion Project is complex and multifaceted, often involving extensive construction and remodeling projects that demand expertise, resources, and a dedicated team. This is where business partners like Paint Denver come into play. With their exceptional skills in painting, they have consistently helped us turn our visions into reality.
Paint Denver’s commitment goes beyond mere business transactions. Rob Peterson and his team have embraced our mission wholeheartedly, becoming an integral part of our journey. Their expertise ensures that every project is executed with precision and excellence, creating beautiful, functional spaces that inspire and uplift.
The Impact of Paint Denver’s Contributions
Over the years, Paint Denver has been a cornerstone in numerous projects. Their work has ranged from painting and finishing touches to major remodeling efforts, each time bringing a high level of craftsmanship and dedication. The impact of their contributions can be seen in the transformed spaces that now serve as beacons of hope and opportunity for individuals and communities.
One of the most significant aspects of our collaboration with Paint Denver is the shared belief in the power of community. Rob Peterson’s team has often gone above and beyond, contributing not just their skills but also their time and resources to support our cause. This kind of partnership is invaluable, as it amplifies our ability to make a positive difference.
Rob Peterson Paint Denver / Photo by Bahar Samani
A Heartfelt Thank You
We couldn’t achieve what we do without the unwavering support of our business partners. Paint Denver’s role in our success is a testament to the importance of collaboration and the impact it can have. We are deeply grateful for their continued partnership and their dedication to helping us create spaces where dreams can flourish.
As we look to the future, we are excited to continue working alongside Paint Denver and other business partners who share our vision. Together, we will keep building, remodeling, and creating places that transform lives and communities.
To Rob Peterson and the entire Paint Denver team: thank you for being an essential part of The Lion Project. Your contributions have made dreams come true, and we look forward to many more years of partnership and success.
For more information about Paint Denver and their incredible work, please visit their website here.
We celebrate the completion of our service project at Gust Elementary on June 29th! The Lion Project, in partnership with the Family and Community Engagement department, transformed a temporary food and necessities market into a permanent one.
Our dedicated team painted and prepped the room, built shelves and clothing racks, and sorted through food, toiletries, clothing, shoes, and so much more. This new market empowers families by providing easy access to essential items.
Witness the positive impact this initiative has had on the Gust Elementary community, ensuring that families have the vital support they need. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in making this vision a reality!
In a world where stories of hardship often dominate the headlines, tales of compassion and community can shine even brighter. The Lion Project, in collaboration with the Colorado Prayer Luncheon, proudly presents a video that encapsulates the essence of human kindness and resilience. This is the story of a remarkable group of Highland moms who have taken extraordinary steps to support hundreds of Venezuelan immigrants, demonstrating the profound impact that a united community can have in times of crisis.
The Lion Project has always been about showcasing the extraordinary efforts of ordinary people, and this collaboration with the Colorado Prayer Luncheon is no exception. The video captures the inspiring journey of these dedicated Highland moms who have come together to provide essential support to Venezuelan families in need. These women have taken on the mantle of caregivers, advocates, and friends to the immigrants, many of whom have fled their home country seeking safety and a better life. From finding housing to securing resources, the Highland moms have navigated countless challenges to ensure these families are not alone in their time of need.
Meeting Essential Needs with Love
One of the most striking aspects of this story is the sheer determination and love these moms bring to their mission. They have not only managed to find housing for the immigrants but also worked tirelessly to meet their essential needs. Their efforts go beyond mere charity; they are about building a supportive community where everyone can thrive.
The Power of Community
The Highland moms’ efforts are a testament to the power of community and the incredible things that can be achieved when people come together with a common purpose. Their work has created a ripple effect, inspiring others in the community to join the cause, whether through donations, volunteer work, or simply spreading the word. This collective effort amplifies the support available to the Venezuelan families, showing that no act of kindness is too small to make a difference.
We invite you to watch the video and witness firsthand the incredible impact these women are making. Their story is not just about helping immigrants; it’s about the broader message of empathy, unity, and the human spirit’s capacity for goodness. It’s a reminder that in times of crisis, the strength of a community can provide hope and healing.
At The Lion Project, we believe in the power of community and collective action to create positive change. This past Saturday, we had the privilege of diving into a service project at Gust Elementary that left a lasting impact on both the school and the surrounding community. Here’s a glimpse into our journey….
Photo by Mio Sison |||
DONATION DRIVE
Our first step was to initiate a collection drive aimed at gathering essential items for a food and necessities market tailored to support low-income families at Gust Elementary. Through the incredible generosity of our volunteers and the unwavering support of our business partners, we were able to gather a significant array of supplies. From fresh veggies, non-perishable food items to hygiene essentials, every contribution was a beacon of hope for those in need.
Photo by Mio Sison |||
BUILDING OUT THE TEMPORARY FOOD MARKET
With our supplies in hand, we set out to transform Gust Elementary into a hub of support and empowerment. Setting up the temporary market was a labor of love, with volunteers coming together to organize, stock, and arrange the space. Our goal was simple yet profound: to alleviate the burden on low-income families by providing them with access to vital resources in a dignified and respectful manner.
Photo by Mio Sison |||
TEACHER’S LOUNGE MAKEOVER
Recognizing the importance of self-care and mental well-being, we embarked on a transformative project within the school itself. The teachers’ lounge, typically a space for brief respites amid busy schedules, was reimagined as a meditation room. Here, educators could escape the demands of their roles, if only for a moment, and prioritize their mental health. It was a small gesture with significant implications, highlighting our commitment to supporting those who dedicate their lives to nurturing young minds.
Photo by Mio Sison |||
Photo by Mio Sison |||
THANK YOU!
None of these initiatives would have been possible without the incredible support of our volunteers and business partners. We extend our deepest gratitude to each and every individual who lent their time, resources, and expertise to this endeavor. Special thanks are due to Jason McGowan and his dedicated team, as well as Team Denver Homes, for their unwavering commitment to serving the community alongside us.
Our service project at Gust Elementary serves as a testament to the transformative power of collective action and compassion. In coming together as a community, we were able to make a tangible difference in the lives of others all the while, having fun!
Thank you Paint Denver!
