My One Word for 2025: Foundation Continued

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About the Word Foundation

With an exciting year ahead, it seemed time to get “back to the basics”—a phrase originating in the 1970s, referring to the idea that simpler strategies and underlying fundamentals are necessary when trying to attain desired results. The term suggests an approach to living more simply for those whose lives have become complicated.

When I considered this approach, I chose a return to Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God study. I completed the study more than ten years ago and recalled how it gets you “back to the basics” and serves as a “Foundation” for living by the core principles of faith—recognizing and responding to God’s presence and will in our lives.

Experiencing God Study

Experiencing God encourages believers to build their spiritual lives on the fundamental understanding of God’s active involvement and guidance, which is essential to a deeper relationship with Him. The study focuses on the basics of how to truly experience God, making “foundation” a fitting summary of its emphasis on core spiritual truths.

The Bible Study & video series is organized into 12 chapters—neatly fitting my plan for monthly blog posts!

What a way to focus on my “Foundation” for the year! I appreciate this definition of the word Foundation: an underlying basis or principle. Focusing on underlying principles is critical to Christian discipleship.

Goals for 2025

When I consider other goals for the coming year, I return to the five-year plan developed in August 2024 –

Work

At work, I was named Chief HR & Inclusion Officer (pronounced “Cheerio”) three months ago. We recruited a Manager of Crew Engagement & Inclusion, who will join us later this month and crafted a Mission Statement for our HR Department that is depicted by this graphic –

I’m excited about the opportunity to really drive our culture and engagement at Space Center Houston. Space Center Houston’s culture is best defined by these three core values:  

1. We are space enthusiasts, who share our excitement and our unyielding pursuit of excellence to instill a passion for space in others.  
2. We are people-driven. We believe in the inclusive, collaborative power of people. 
3. We are champions of curiosity. We nurture inquisitive minds, as curiosity leads to innovation, inspiration, and achievement.

As you can see, our core values point to driving a culture of inclusion & innovation—just as we did at NASA’s Johnson Space Center ten years ago. I’m excited to see what we can do in 2025.

We’ll also continue to focus on building leaders and growing our internal capacities with upward mobility remaining a big priority for the organization.

Out of This World Leadership

After more than eleven years of running what is largely a self-designed web site, I’m excited to partner with Christian Internet Design on a completely revamped site that includes a new logo –

The site will emphasize both parts of my brand identity—as a Christian Leader and as a Retired NASA Executive.

I am also working with WestBow Press (a subdivision of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan–the top Christian publishers) to publish my first book: “Out of This World Leadership: Living the Fruit of the Spirit to Lead Well”. 

Stay tuned for the book release and web site update in early 2025!

Husband & Father

As noted earlier, I’m writing a book in part to share with my family and future generations, so they will know what I’ve learned about leadership in my NASA career and the critical influences of family in my life.

Deacon at Church

This year, I will continue to support our Pastor, Dr. Will Rushing, and serve University Baptist Church. Jennifer and I serve every other weekend in our Preschool ministry, playing with children aged between one and two years old. It’s a lot of fun, and we know we’re ministering to the parents, who are able to worship or attend a small group Bible study.

Spiritual Foundation

May my life be marked by the Fruit of the Spirit this year, as I continue to focus on the “Foundation” and Experiencing God.

Happy New Year!