Hey Everyone,
When we first launched Many Hands, we had a clear vision but a foggy roadmap. We knew we were called to be Love in Action. What we didn’t fully grasp yet was that scaling would take more than hard work—it would require other people. We needed builders willing to stand in the gap with us.
Here is our 3…2…1 Impact: three points to ponder, two quotes to share, and one story of impact.
1 Story of Impact
Walking down a dirt road just outside of Pignon, Haiti, leadership author Tommy Spaulding turned to me and asked, “How do you tell people about this?”
“We share person-to-person, mostly,” I replied. “We have a local fundraiser, but for the most part, we just talk to people.”
“I’m going to help you,” Tommy said. “We need to do a Business Breakfast, and I’ll be your first keynote. I’ve done them in Denver, and I can help you build this here. We need to tell more people about this because this work is incredible.”
That single conversation gave birth to the Many Hands Business Breakfast—now known as The Impact Summit.
Over the years, we’ve hosted incredible keynotes, ranging from Tommy himself to John O’Leary and Jon Gordon. We’ve watched world-class classical musicians perform Concerts of Hope in Central Iowa’s most marginalized spaces. We’ve seen international speakers from The Bahamas stand side-by-side with local leaders to deliver life-changing content.
And this year will be our best yet.
Over the past three decades, I have dedicated my life to building Many Hands. But I didn’t build it alone. A movement that lasts is forged shoulder-to-shoulder with people who bring entirely different skills to the table. It is finally time to tell our story fully so that other builders can bring love in action into their own spheres of influence.
In January 2027, I will release my second book, Shoulder to Shoulder: The Blueprint, the Battle, and the Beautiful Reality of Building Together. The Impact Summit will be the very first time I step to the mic to share the distinct archetypes required to create and sustain a global movement, illustrated through the real-life stories of what it took to get here.
I promise that you will leave inspired, equipped, and ready to bring the lessons we’ve learned back to your family, your community, your church, or your business.
3 Points to Ponder
- Impact requires visibility. The greatest work in the world stays limited in scope if it stays hidden. Often, we put our heads down and focus solely on the mission, forgetting that inviting others to witness it is exactly how you scale it. How are you currently sharing your story to invite others into your journey?
- A movement is never a solo endeavor. Enduring change is built shoulder-to-shoulder. It requires a collision of diverse skills, temperaments, and archetypes. If everyone at the table has your exact skill set, you are building a silo, not a movement. Who is missing from your table that could help you build something that truly lasts?
- Love in action is a shared reality. The battle of building something meaningful is exhausting, but the beautiful reality of doing it together makes it sustainable. True transformation happens when a community decides that serving the marginalized is a collective responsibility. Where do you need to stop striving alone and start building shoulder-to-shoulder?
2 Quotes to Share
“To build a strong team, you must see someone else’s strength as a complement to your weakness and not a threat to your position or authority.” — Christine Caine
“There is no such thing as a ‘self-made’ man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success.” — George Matthew Adams
As we prepare for October 2, I am filled with gratitude for everyone who has linked arms with us over the years. We were never meant to carry the weight of the world alone. Grab your tickets, invite the builders in your life, and join us on Friday morning in West Des Moines.
Be equipped. Be impacted. Be Love in Action.
Feel free to reply and share; I read every response.
Live with Impact,
Tim
