One Life at a Time

In 2021, the Power of One vision for Shepherds College® (SC) was developed and introduced. This vision is a declaration of our aspiration to impact more lives across the nation and the world over ten years. SC’s Power of One is a God-sized vision that cannot be accomplished without Him. It is a vision born out of a number of factors, including:

1) the extensive need for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be equipped and empowered to pursue their God-given potential,

2) the evidence of life-change in SC’s 242 graduates which compels us to do more, and

3) the extremely competent staff that God has brought to SC, people committed to investing their time and talents into the lives of our students.

God is first and foremost the One in SC’s Power of One vision. We fully recognize that it is God who has sustained this ministry for decades. We regularly see evidence of His provision for and protection of SC. It is through His leading that staff, students, and supporting partners find their place in the SC community.

Secondarily, the “one” in the Power of One also refers to each of us in the SC community in the sense that God can use a single individual to accomplish significant things. Consider the biblical examples of Joseph, Esther, Paul, and so many others, each of whom God used to accomplish incredible things that impacted multitudes of people.

A third perspective of the “one” in SC’s Power of One vision is to consider the power and the benefit of focusing our efforts to affect one life at a time. This impact is realized through consistent connection, relationship building, and the demonstration of Christ-like love. As we set out to intentionally impact one specific person, our influence on that individual has the potential to be quite meaningful. And as that person influences another life and that person yet another, the ripple effect produces an exponential result. In time, the “one life at a time” approach has the ability to impact a significant number of people.

The closing statement of SC’s Power of One vision suggests that the vision for Shepherds College will advance as a result of us each impacting one life every day.

Set out today to impact one life at a time and watch God bless and multiply your efforts one person at a time to eventually create widespread change throughout your family, church, workplace, and community.