Rick L. Stephens
Pinnacle Peak, Scottsdale, Arizona
Pinnacle Forum
Pinnacle Forum was inspired by Dr. Bill Bright, Founder of Campus Crusade for Christ International. Dr. Bright challenged a handful of leaders in Phoenix, Arizona saying, “I believe the only way we can change our culture is to find a way to network our high influence leaders and inspire them to use their influence for God.” Three of these leaders later hiked up Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale, Arizona. They prayed that God would raise up leaders who would respond to this challenge and steward their influence accordingly. Their prayers were answered, which led to an official launch of Pinnacle Forum.
Pinnacle Forum was formed to build a national network of high-impact Christian leaders committed to growing in Christ and faithfully stewarding the influence, responsibility, and opportunities God has entrusted to them to impact culture for Christ. Through confidential Forums and a national network, Pinnacle Forum encourages and equips leaders to grow personally and spiritually, engage their God-given calling, and lead with courage in ways that bring transformation to their families, organizations, communities, and spheres of influence.
I was invited to join Pinnacle Forum in 2003 by a good friend, Roger Roberson. At the time, Pinnacle Forum was growing rapidly in Scottsdale, Arizona, and beginning to expand nationally. Roger, Greg Lykins (another good friend) and I saw an opportunity to bring the ministry to Central Illinois. We invited Ken Blanchard, author of The One Minute Manager and Lead Like Jesus and co-founder of the Lead Like Jesus ministry, to Champaign to speak with a group of influential Christian leaders about Pinnacle Forum. From that gathering, Pinnacle Forum took root in Central Illinois.
Today, more than 50 Partners participate in Pinnacle Forum throughout Central Illinois. Forums consist of 5 - 10 Partners who meet weekly or bi-weekly to share with their peers about career, family, and faith. Monthly breakfasts bring everyone together for fellowship, personal sharing, and encouragement.
Since 2020 the National Pinnacle Forum office has taken what's happened in Illinois "on the road" by bringing Christian leaders from across the nation together using Zoom Forums regularly with in-person retreats at least once per year. Wherever one resides, there is a group of peers they can join in a Forum. Today hundreds are taking advantage of this convenient way to grow personally and spiritually.
Pinnacle Forum was a natural fit for me because I had experienced firsthand the value of peer Forums through many years in YPO and CEO, where I met regularly with business owners and CEO's from across downstate Illinois. Those Forums encouraged, challenged, and equipped me in a way few other experiences could. Pinnacle Forum takes the power of that trusted peer community and centers it on something much greater: helping Christian leaders grow in Christ and incorporate their faith in all facets of life.
I have participated in local Forums, national Zoom Forums, and even a national couples Forum. In every setting, the heart of the experience remains the same: Christian leaders building authentic, trusted relationships; praying for, encouraging, challenging, and sharpening one another; and helping each other faithfully live out what God has called them to do.