Cowley County

(5) Philadelphian leader:
The man speaking in this picture is Pastor Wes Tink. A man who not only was able to inspire me that day in Philadelphia but many within the Stenton Park neighborhood. Wes is the director and sole staff member at Front Step, an organization recently revived by Wes to help clean up one of Philadelphia’s worst neighborhoods. The Leadership team met Wes during our service day at Front Step. A service day that was almost canceled due to a recent death in Wes’s family. However, Wes’s dedication to this community surpasses anything I have ever witnessed or been a part of. Wes first greeted us with a kind welcome sign along with juice and muffins to start the day. He gave us a tour of the facility that is used to provide programs for children in the neighborhood and the church sanctuary where he preaches. He would not have wasted precious service time if it were not for the extreme pride he felt for Front Step. Wes here in this picture is discussing the need for leaders to be adaptable. During our service day the chainsaw did not end up working and some bags he was going to have us move had already been taken care of. Yet, Wes certainly utilized our presence within the neighborhood. Wes is truly a servant leader. While walking up and down the streets of the neighborhood I had the opportunity to speak with many different people. When asked what I was doing I consistently said that I was working for Front Step and Wes Tink. Everyone I spoke with knew Wes’s name, knew what he had been doing for their community. I spoke with several people, and for them all to know Wes means that he must be actively involved in the lives of everyone in that neighborhood. Each member of the community I spoke with was exceedingly grateful for our help, though no one was as appreciative as Wes (he even sent out thank you emails to all of us afterward). Most importantly as Wes’s follower that day, he made me truly feel valued.Read more