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The Relationship between Third Lens and Plywood People

Plywood People is a non-profit organization who’s focus is helping improve the world of non-profit work. The organization was founded by Jeff Shinabarger in 2010 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia. “Anybody that's interested in starting something or is part of a startup or organization that's going through growth, I would highly suggest looking into Plywood’s process and joining the community,” said Third Lens Ministries’ executive director Brian O’Neil. In the early years of Third Lens’ operations, O’Neil turned to Plywood’s process to learn better ways to run an organization.  “So I took the online course, Plywood Path, and then the next step after the path is get involved with their retreat,” O’Neil said. “So I went on a two and a half day retreat, and it was very intense, but it was just so eye opening. Kalyan Murray, at the time, was kind of my direct contact, and she was the one that got me set up. Plywood, it brought in a bunch of speakers from different areas from … [Read more...] about The Relationship between Third Lens and Plywood People

The Legacy of Frantzky

A little under 700 miles from Miami, nestled in the islands in the Caribbean Sea, is Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. One small village there is Neply, a village of 2,700 people.  One of those people was Frantzky, a young boy who faced more difficulties in his nearly ten years of life than most will face in a lifetime. Tragically, Frantzky’s life was cut short due to what, in a first world country, would be entirely preventable causes: a virus and dehydration.  Frantzky died four and a half months before he would have turned ten years old. Yet, in less than a decade on this Earth, this young Haitian boy overcame so much and inspired so many. “He's a hero because so many children's lives will be positively impacted because of his memory and his life and that infectious smile,” Brian O’Neil, executive director of Third Lens Ministries, said of Frantzky. Haiti’s culture still has deep ties to voodoo ideals, including the notions that those with … [Read more...] about The Legacy of Frantzky

Meeting Cuba, Face to Face

To bare honesty, I knew nothing of Cuba going into my trip. I had heard of a man named Fidel Castro, and my idea of Cuba was one of skepticism. That is all. I went into this adventure completely blind.  I see this as an offering. The ability to have a completely open and new mind, to learn and gather my own thoughts and opinions. My curiosity and eagerness to ask all the questions and learn as much as possible sat my soul in the hot seat. I was desperate to find out about these people, excited to dive into their world. I wanted to talk to them, walk into their homes, eat their food. I wanted to laugh with them and cry with them and put myself in their shoes, even if just for a tiny moment in time. We did this and so much more. We drank coffee with them, listened to their stories, broke bread with them, watched sunsets together, prayed with them, sat in their homes and simply listened to each other.  The stories to come in the following weeks will tap into each … [Read more...] about Meeting Cuba, Face to Face

The Lens of Scripture

Often I am asked, “Where does the name ‘Third Lens’ come from?” The answer is an ongoing, evolving story of where we, as individuals and a ministry, came from and where we are going. The name “Third Lens” originally comes from the book Epicenter by Joel Rosenberg. In the book, he writes: “While it is fashionable in our times to analyze world events merely by looking through the lenses of politics and economics, it is also a serious mistake, for it prevents one from being able to see in three dimensions. To truly understand the significance of global events and trends, one must analyze them through a third lens as well: the Lens of Scripture. Only then can the full picture become clearer.” Epicenter and this passage spawned the vision for what Third Lens would become: an organization where the worlds of construction and design intersect with ministry. A ministry model where the principles of construction management, planning, engineering, and architecture would overlay and disrupt … [Read more...] about The Lens of Scripture

Fishers of Men

A couple of weeks ago, I was in Haiti visiting our friends at myLIFEspeaks, one of our amazing ministry partners, to work on the design and construction of a new school campus in the village of Neply. I was joined on the trip by my good friend, Tom Rhodes, an accomplished architect, photographer, Third Lens board member and all-around good dude. At the last minute, I thought to throw my fly rod in my bag as Neply is a stone’s throw from the beach. I had heard rumors there was a fishing camp where boats launched twice daily from its sandy shores into the Port-au-Prince Bay. Maybe I could find a break in our schedule to wet a line, even if for just a moment. Tom and I were able to adventure to the beach on our last afternoon in Neply. What we found on the beach was nothing short of spectacular. Boats lined the shore. They were handcrafted decades ago. All adorned masts with sails resembling those of the ancient Greeks navigating the Aegean. No motors to speak … [Read more...] about Fishers of Men