As someone who has attended every Callahan Conference since 1995, I admit that it was because of Dr. Callahan's vision and passion for mission that changed my life and ministry. I was "most excellent" as a marathoner of a maintenance parish. After attending the conferences and reading his many insightful and resource-giving books, I have been able to move to MISSION, MISSION, MISSION. Our parish is now one of the fastest growing parishes in the Florida-Bahamas Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church, and will soon be breaking ground for our new 25 acres mission center. Thank you Dr. Callahan for "educating, inspiring, and equipping" me to be the pastor that I am now!