Most people know that the real estate mantra is location, location, location. For men the mantra seems to be vocation, vocation, vocation. Rightly or wrongly, we gain much of our self-identity from our work productivity. This is one reason why I love Nathan’s career path.
A few years ago, Nathan Lenz left a good paying management position at a billion-dollar company to take a staff position at the home office of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in Madison, Wisconsin. Ironically, Nathan originally left IVCF to take the position at the larger company and to raise his family in a smaller town. He started in the web department and was eventually promoted to lead the department and several employees. This is when his family found our church and they have been active in our body ever since.
The work demands at the large company continued to pull Nathan away from his family time and piled on the stress. When the opportunity to return to InterVarsity (while mostly telecommunicating from Viroqua) presented itself, Nathan and his wife Kelli prayed through their options. I wasn’t surprised when they decided to return to InterVarsity. This ministry has seeped into their DNA. After all, this is where Nathan and Kelli first met!
Nathan’s position at InterVarsity is Senior Web Developer, which means he spends most of his day creating complex codes, which absolutely boggles my mind. I also got a glimpse at the detailed collaboration that happens between a multitude of developers. It’s never enough just to do your own slice of the technology pie. A well-oiled web presence requires a healthy team approach to web creation and problem solving.
And problem solving is Nathan’s forte. One of the first times I observed Nathan’s creativity was when he replaced his roof several years ago. Of course he did all the work himself, but he also built his own ladder and hand carried every shingle up his homemade device. Nathan once told me that his hobby is collecting hobbies. He seemed a little embarrassed by this but it demonstrates his wide variety of interests and expertise. He attacks problems or hobbies with a tenacity and perseverance that is admirable. If he doesn’t know the answer, he will find it, solve it or create a (usually) homemade solution. The result might be gourmet coffee, artisan pizza or a new kitchen. This is the kind of grit that Nathan takes to the office each day. In my opinion, InterVarsity is blessed to have him on their team.
Nathan, Kelli, Eli, Solomon and Clara also make a great team. Nathan serves the Lord by giving outstanding web service to this vital campus ministry. His vocation is itself a Christian ministry, which can be the best of both worlds. But in so doing, he also serves and cares for his family. For a guy, these are delicate balances to achieve but I appreciate the sacrifices that Nathan has made to strive for this balance and love his family and his God.
A few years ago, Nathan Lenz left a good paying management position at a billion-dollar company to take a staff position at the home office of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in Madison, Wisconsin. Ironically, Nathan originally left IVCF to take the position at the larger company and to raise his family in a smaller town. He started in the web department and was eventually promoted to lead the department and several employees. This is when his family found our church and they have been active in our body ever since.
The work demands at the large company continued to pull Nathan away from his family time and piled on the stress. When the opportunity to return to InterVarsity (while mostly telecommunicating from Viroqua) presented itself, Nathan and his wife Kelli prayed through their options. I wasn’t surprised when they decided to return to InterVarsity. This ministry has seeped into their DNA. After all, this is where Nathan and Kelli first met!
Nathan’s position at InterVarsity is Senior Web Developer, which means he spends most of his day creating complex codes, which absolutely boggles my mind. I also got a glimpse at the detailed collaboration that happens between a multitude of developers. It’s never enough just to do your own slice of the technology pie. A well-oiled web presence requires a healthy team approach to web creation and problem solving.
And problem solving is Nathan’s forte. One of the first times I observed Nathan’s creativity was when he replaced his roof several years ago. Of course he did all the work himself, but he also built his own ladder and hand carried every shingle up his homemade device. Nathan once told me that his hobby is collecting hobbies. He seemed a little embarrassed by this but it demonstrates his wide variety of interests and expertise. He attacks problems or hobbies with a tenacity and perseverance that is admirable. If he doesn’t know the answer, he will find it, solve it or create a (usually) homemade solution. The result might be gourmet coffee, artisan pizza or a new kitchen. This is the kind of grit that Nathan takes to the office each day. In my opinion, InterVarsity is blessed to have him on their team.
Nathan, Kelli, Eli, Solomon and Clara also make a great team. Nathan serves the Lord by giving outstanding web service to this vital campus ministry. His vocation is itself a Christian ministry, which can be the best of both worlds. But in so doing, he also serves and cares for his family. For a guy, these are delicate balances to achieve but I appreciate the sacrifices that Nathan has made to strive for this balance and love his family and his God.
RSS Feed
