Religion

BY PATRICK BUTLER
Religion Editor

The Rev. Rick Warren is a "humble man, full of integrity" and "does not establish relationships with a hook," said Don Stephens, founder and CEO of Mercy Ships. The Garden Valley global charity operates the world's largest nongovernmental hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, now docked in Liberia, Africa.

"The world is full of individuals that will do something for you," Stephens said, "but there is a hook and that's opposite of the model of Jesus. Rick is one of the most humble, teachable people that I know. He does not establish relationships with a hook. In my experience, he's open, transparent and above the board."

Warren is the visionary pastor, best-selling author and facilitator of a comprehensive global vision that includes Africa, where Stephens has placed the bulk of his ministry's resources. The Africa Mercy is a $68-million state-of-the-art floating facility that offers free medical care to the "worlds' forgotten poor," regardless of race, religion or political persuasion.

Mercy Ships taps into an international medical community that volunteers its skill and services, for both short-term and long-term projects. After 30 years of working in so-called third-world countries, Mercy Ships has performed 1.7 million services in 70 countries, impacting an estimated 1.9 million people as direct beneficiaries, said Pauline Rick, U.S. press liaison for Mercy Ships.

From his vantage point, Warren is right on track with his ambitious PEACE plan, said Stephens. The acronym stands for "promote reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick and educate the next generation."

"For one, the (Saddleback Church) did not go into a number of nations in Africa and spread themselves thin," Stephens said. "They concentrated on one nation, Rwanda."

Other Warren strengths are diplomacy and presence, he said.

"He's on the ground in Africa and he listens to anyone and everyone, and I find that admirable," said Stephens. "He's smart, articulate and is skilled in bringing together, not just heads of Republicans and Democrats, but the heads of state internationally. Perhaps (U2 rock star) Bono could do something similar, but there are only a handful of people that could do what Rick is doing."

Warren uses the "greatest distribution network in the world" to promote the PEACE plan, said Stephens.

"That's the local church," he said. "Everything they (Saddleback Church) are doing in the PEACE plan flows through the local church. The church has a greater distribution network than Coca-Cola. It doesn't matter where you go in the world, there are rare exceptions where there is not a local church."

Stephens said "scheduling conflicts" have prevented Warren from visiting the work of the Africa Mercy in Liberia.

"We've talked about him coming, he wants to come," said Stephens. "There will come a day when they (Saddleback Church) want to broaden the PEACE plan from Rwanda, and we could be a partner."

And if Warren's effort fails?

"In the worst-case scenario where they fail, they've already made a difference," Stephens said. "But if I were to put my money on a horse, it would be Rick Warren."

Though Stephens cautions that "the only person who will never disappoint me or you is Jesus," he sees no red flags that would prevent full acceptance of Warren and what he is doing.

"I would trust Rick Warren with my wife and my wallet. He's not about seeking power. I have more to learn from him, than he does from me," Stephens said. "Rick is like you and me, but in my experience, he is humble enough to admit his mistakes, ask forgiveness and move on."