When I was growing up, I had many men and women invest in me. They were people from church, school, the neighborhood, family members and the like. I am grateful for the growth they brought about in me. Some of the most powerful learnings came when the teaching was attached to things that were already in my world and focus. Jeff Cameron is a perfect example of how this worked.
Jeff Cameron and Neil McBride were college students in our church. They became summer interns when I was in Junior High School. Together, they created events and activities for the youth of the church. Along the way, Jeff (and Neil) spent individual time with me as well. Jeff was the one who originally got me into X-Men and comics. While I had an interest in these things, having someone to share the love of all things Nerd was so great! Jeff and I (and Ryan Tompkins, another friend in the church) spent hours talking about the X-Men and comics and imaginary worlds. It drew me into a relationship with Jeff that strategically and intentionally changed my life forever.
Jeff used our common interest in comics to grow me spiritually. He showed me how reading comics was fun but reading the Bible and applying it was life changing. He used illustrations from the lives of comic heroes and villains to parallel truth in the real world. Jeff has continued to this day to disciple teens through his X-Men “program”. He has groups of teens all over the world that are continuing to live a life dedicated to Biblical truths due to their time in one of his X Teams. It’s interesting that “X” is the greek symbol for Jesus.
The life on life contact and Jeff’s purposeful actions to invest in my life, illustrate exactly how so much of our life change happens. When we invest in people through relationships and live our lives together, we learn far more than we do by listening to lectures and pontifications (not that those don’t have their place!).
I have carried Jeff’s example over to many relationships in my life. I have worked intentionally and creatively to duplicate the investments of Jeff and others in me. My largest and most important investment has been in Karen, Dakota, Kadin and Kasey. We have our own family X Team, and we each have a character from the X-Men that we feel resembles us.
The X-Series is my attempt to publicly honor my family and the growth I see in them. Yup, I’m a nerd and dragged them all kicking and screaming into my geeky world. (They actually haven’t done too much protesting over the years, surprisingly). I shared this at the Tribal DMx after Thanksgiving dinner. Along with the words I shared, each family member got two pieces of art to keep. Tom and Clayton from The Collector’s Outpost helped me put them together in a huge way. Thanks Tom and Clayton!
I will post the X-Series each day over the next few days.
Looking forward to it!
Such an awesome and powerful testimony, Wes!
Thank you for sharing.
I do know that you have invested in my life and I am such a stronger man of God for that!! Again, thank you.
You have taught me so much! I am forever grateful. And love the X-men connection!!
Love you all!
This quickly brings to mind what you did with several of the youth (including our son) at the EEFC church in Steinbach. You would organize multiple times a network gaming session in a big room, and I think have just as much fun as the youth in whatever the game was. I remember assisting some times in bringing in network gear, cabling, etc, setting up a bit, and then sitting back, glad at the wondrous look on the faces, especially my son. You had fun too, but it was clear you were intentional in what you wanted to accomplish. Thank you !
Thank You! Looking Forward To Your Teaching! (Not kicking & screaming, either 😊)
Wow, what an amazing thing to read this first day of 2021! I love the X-team idea and X-men program. Excited to read the rest of your posts! Thanks so much for taking the time to share with us. We are so blessed to have the Coddington Tribe in our lives. Praying 2021 is a year full of God’s Miracles!! We love y’all and miss you like crazy!!
So very fantastic, Wes! Can’t wait to hear more x file posts!
Without sounding like I’m taking this lightly; will there be a spandex outfit in any future photos of you, by chance?
Asking for a friend…
Thank you, Wes. I’m looking forward in reading it. I grew up with X-men too, and never payed attention to its biblical elements.
You’re the coolest nerds I’ve ever met ❤️
We barely knew each other growing up.
I’ve become aware of your situation from these incredibly positive Facebook posts.
Having witnessed my brother enduring cancer growing up, my heart goes out to you and your family.
I pray for a miracle, but if it doesn’t at least you are making the most of this.
PS: I was a closet nerd that collected X-men books as well. I always wanted to be wolverine. Although the claws were cool, I was more impressed with the healing power. Power like that could cure any disease, including cancer