By nature, Chris Danzi, 42, is a cautious man—a methodical, critical-path thinker. He enjoys working diligently behind the scenes, ensuring everything adds up before making commitments. This wiring has served him well as a senior vice president for Bank of America.

But Danzi surprised himself (and others) last summer when he threw caution to the wind and jumped into an uncharted church leadership role to help AIDS orphans in Africa.

What propelled this Halftimer to focus on 14 million African AIDS orphans? Quite simply, Senior Pastor Jim White and Executive Pastor Lloyd Reeb at Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, N.C., who tap the skill sets of marketplace leaders, channeling them toward Kingdom significance. With their free-to-lead approach, they cast a vision large enough to capture Danzi's heart and wide enough to allow him to "give that vision life."

"Jim didn't say 'Here are the skill sets I'm looking for; here's the project I want you to do, and I'll manage you,'" says Danzi. "Instead, at a small meeting with 12 marketplace leaders, Jim said 'Here are some big problems in the world, and we want to be part of the solution. If a particular problem resonates with you, you'll have the freedom to lead it.’”

"Being more accustomed to the business world than the world of ministry, the freedom part was critical for me. Now I feel like I am running a small company with Lloyd and Jim on my board of directors. It's a credit to them and the way they operate."

Making the Connection
For Danzi, the opportunity to use his strategic planning skills to build God's kingdom was both exciting and challenging. And, Danzi's wife, Betty, is thrilled that her husband has found a Halftime calling that’s tailor-made. "Before the Africa project, Chris viewed his financial contributions to the church as his primary kingdom investment, but this has given him an opportunity to use his business skills to make an investment for Christ. He had never before made that connection. For Chris to see his God-given gifts make such an impact has been exciting. It's such a good experience, for him and our entire family, to see what a difference we can make in the world."

A Huge Endeavor but no Small Sacrifice
Of course, the project is huge. By the end of this decade, 25 million Africans will die of AIDS. That's the equivalent of the populations of New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Yet, Danzi, a hands-on “numbers guy,” has given traction to this far-reaching endeavor through strategy, teamwork and a partnership with World Vision, a faith-based organization already established in Africa.

With the support and encouragement of church staff, Danzi and his team of enthusiastic volunteers developed a strategy that focuses on a single village—Kapuluwe, Zambia. Church resources and financial aid reach Kapuluwe through World Vision's direct distribution channels. Danzi and his team made a three-week visit to tackle hands-on projects, and encouraged church members to personally sponsor 500 AIDS orphans from the village.

Such endeavors do not come without sacrifices, however. Danzi still works full time, so his after-hours schedule has required flexibility.

"The timing for all of this has been a bit stressful for me, raising three kids, 14, 13, and 19 months," Betty confesses. "I had to come to terms with how Chris’ Halftime experience was going to impact our family time. And we've been able to work through those concerns. It was a relief to learn that I wasn't the only one with fears and struggles," confesses Betty. "Those farther along talked about how working through issues when it feels like something else is pulling your husband away from the family. But through prayer and communication, it works out.

"As the wife of a Halftimer, I've learned it's important to be patient, to give him the space to make the decisions that are tugging at his heart. God has taught me not to panic, but instead, to be there for Chris, and that has been extremely rewarding."

What Danzi is learning as he guides this massive endeavor is that, unlike the business world, he's not in control of the outcome—a hard lesson for many Halftimers.

"At work, your goal is to control everything that's assigned to you," says Danzi, "but with this huge ministry project, you have to just hang on for the ride. I'll admit there have been days when I've thought what we're doing is just a spit in the bucket compared to the enormity of this problem. But that’s when I have to say to myself, 'This is a God-sized problem, and I'm a part of God's plan. I must accept that, and look to God to help me do what I can to accomplish the difference that I can make. ON matter how small my contribution seems, I must not lose my resolve to guide this thing.'"

The once-cautious Chris Danzi is no longer wading into ministry; he's in the deep end of the pool—buoyed by prayer, the support his wife and the heartfelt belief that he is right where he belongs—using the gifts God has been cultivating in him for years. And this Halftimer wouldn't have it any other way.

back to top