My 5 Greatest Influencers

by Paul on 9 April 2009

I’m part of the Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers and am about to blog a review on “The Noticer” by Andy Andrews – This will be posted an the same day the book is to be released.

In the meantime Michael Hyatt has introduced The Noticer Project which is a world-wide program to “notice” the five most influential people in your life. Michael’s own post on this subject is here.

I think this a great idea and encourage you all to pass this concept on. I will make entries at The Noticer Project for my 5 but I include them here for good measure too.

1. Raewyn Gardner

My beautiful wife of 28 years. My friend, my lover, my confidante, my encourager and the person who has forgiven me most in my lifetime. Raewyn, I love you and I thank God continuously that He has put us together, both in marriage and in ministry.

2. Norman Gardner

Dad has always been my hero. He grew up in hard times but has always shown me what Christian ethics should always be about. he believes wholeheartedly in hard work and doesn’t believe in cutting corners.

Dad has always given us kids the best present we could ever have by loving our Mum first and foremost.

Dad, I probably haven’t said it often enough, but “I love you and thanks for everything.”

3. Laurie Smith

Laurie was a guy who took me under his wing when I sat next to him in a brass band at church (I was just a young feller). I’m not sure that he intentionally mentored me but he was great, always chatting to me and quietly and calmly pointing me in the right direction.

Laurie has written to me from time to time as I travel the path of ministry and I’m always encouraged and challenged by him. I thank him unreservedly for that part of himself that he has invested in me.

4. Alastair

Alastair was a great boss (from way back) at then Bowring Burgess Marsh & McLennan who taught me about loyalty and accountability.

I’ll never remember how he stood up for me in the face of some of the company hierarchy when I had been accused of an error during a business transaction. (Note – This was the first he heard of it and hadn’t had a chance to check, so he was backing me, a young fellow, simply because he was my boss!) This incident came with two learnings about being a good boss, because immediately afterwards he let me know that he would “Kick my …” if, when we checked, I’d given him false information (I hadn’t thank goodness).

5. Graham Lapslie

At the time Graham was a Salvation Army officer who spent considerable time with me helping me come out of a very low point in my life. Graham pointed me back to God and the transformation that God has made in me couldn’t have occurred (at least at that time) without Graham playing his part. Thank you Graham, I’ll never forget our conversations.