There Has Got To Be More!

John Leland was born and raised on the East Coast, but completed his formal education at Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City. There he received BBAs in Business/Pre-Law and in Vocational Ministry graduating in December of 1999. During his collegiate experience he was smitten with his beautiful bride Kimberly and married her on January 10, 2001.

Out of college, John took a sales position with a national company and began moving rapidly up the corporate ladder—making very good money for his age, but finding the pursuit of wealth and position to be quite unfulfilling and spiritually dry. Two months prior to his marriage the Spirit planted a seed of discontent in his heart and after praying for resolution it became clear that God was calling him to the West Coast of the United States. Two weeks after John and Kim were married they packed up the little they had in the back of an F-350 and moved across country, honeymooning in between service stations and breakdowns. Despite the headaches, it was a great and memorable time the two of them had together, traveling from coast to coast.

Finally settling in Spokane, Washington, John was hired as a full-time Youth & Family Minister. He faithfully served in this position for over 3 years. Ministry can be a bitter-sweet time for those involved, but these 3+ years instilled in John a deep love for God’s children and the Church universal.

In 2004, this compassion for others lead John into a real estate career where he now works hand-hand with individuals and families as they make major life decisions. The Lord has blessed John’s endeavors and in return John has transformed his work into a Kingdom Business, one that is honoring to God and enables John to contribute a large portion of his profits to the Lord’s work.

In November 2007, John and Kim traveled with International Assistance Program to Ethiopia to observe a micro-finance project in which this organization is currently involved. Witnessing first-hand the immense impact that micro-finance is having on the people of southern Ethiopia, the Lelands’ hearts were broken and the Spirit was able to speak into their lives in a mighty way. God is faithful and continues to answer the prayer that John prayed prior to his marriage, “Lord there has got to be more to life than this. Show me what you would have me do”. The Lord has opened John’s and Kim’s eyes to the needs of humanity and they are determined to do all in their power and the Lord’s strength to affect the impoverished around the world.

Even as a managing broker of RE/MAX Inland Empire, John has partnered fully with IAP and now serves on the Board of Directors and as the volunteer Director of Development for this organization. His hope is that as others see his passion and commitment to the cause of Christ, they too can begin to seek the Lord’s will for their life—ultimately fulfilling their role in the lives of those who need them most.