Passion & Talent Wall, "Share What Makes You Shine!"

Dr. Layne McDonald
4 days ago
5 min read

Have you ever felt like you had something special to offer but weren't sure how to share it? Or maybe you've wondered what hidden talents exist right here in our Boundless community? Well, we're about to find out together!

Layne McDonald and our entire Boundless family are launching something beautiful, a Passion & Talent Wall where every single person gets to shine. This isn't about comparing ourselves or feeling like we need to be "good enough." It's about celebrating the unique gifts God has woven into each of our hearts and discovering the amazing people right here in our community.

What Exactly Is Our Passion & Talent Wall?

Think of it as your personal spotlight moment, but in the most comfortable, encouraging way possible. Our Passion & Talent Wall is a digital space where you can share:

Your artistic gifts (painting, photography, music, writing, crafts)
Your practical skills (tech help, cooking, gardening, organizing)
Your heart for service (encouragement, prayer, teaching, mentoring)
Your unique hobbies (gaming, sports, collecting, building)
Your professional expertise (business, healthcare, education, trades)

The beauty is that everything counts. Whether you're a professional musician or someone who hums while doing dishes, whether you're a certified teacher or just great at explaining things to kids, your gifts matter to this community.

Why Your Gifts Matter More Than You Think

Here's what we've discovered: when people share their passions and talents, magic happens. Not the fake kind, the real, God-breathed kind where suddenly:

Lonely people find their tribe. That person who loves vintage books connects with someone who shares the same passion.
Problems get solved. Someone needs tech help, and boom, there's a member who loves troubleshooting.
New friendships bloom. Two people discover they both love hiking, cooking, or encouraging others.
Hidden gifts get discovered. You might not even know you're gifted at something until someone asks for exactly what you naturally do.

The truth is, God didn't give you your interests and abilities by accident. Even that "weird" hobby you think no one cares about? Someone in our community might be praying for exactly that connection.

How to Share What Makes You Shine

Ready to jump in? Here's how simple it is:

Step 1: Start Small and Real

You don't need a professional portfolio or years of experience. Share something that genuinely lights you up:

"I love making people laugh with silly memes"
"I'm really good at listening when someone needs to vent"
"I can fix almost any computer problem"
"I make the best chocolate chip cookies in three counties"

Step 2: Be Specific About Your Heart

Don't just list skills, share why you love them:

Instead of "I like music," try "I love how worship music helps people feel God's presence"
Instead of "I'm good with kids," try "I light up when I see a shy kid start to smile and open up"

Step 3: Include How Others Can Connect

Make it easy for people to reach out:

"Message me if you need prayer, I check my phone regularly"
"Tag me if you want to start a hiking group"
"I'd love to teach someone guitar basics over video chat"

Real Examples from Our Community

Here's how some of our Boundless family members are already shining:

Sarah from Texas: "I'm passionate about encouraging new moms who feel overwhelmed. I went through postpartum depression and learned so much about finding hope again. Happy to chat, pray, or just listen."

Marcus in California: "I love creating short videos that make people smile. If anyone needs help with social media content for their business or ministry, I'm your guy!"

Linda from Tennessee: "My superpower is organizing everything. I get excited about helping people declutter their homes or plan events. Weird, I know, but I can't help it!"

Jake, age 16: "I'm really good at gaming and building computers. If any parents want to understand what their kids are playing or need tech help, I can explain it in normal words."

See how real and relatable these are? No pretending, no pressure, just authentic people sharing what makes them come alive.

For Leaders: How to Celebrate and Connect

If you're a small group leader, pastor, or ministry coordinator, here's how to make the most of our Passion & Talent Wall:

Spot the Connectors

Look for people who:

Ask great questions
Naturally encourage others
Love bringing people together
Have a gift for making newcomers feel welcome

These are your hidden community-building stars!

Create Natural Partnerships

When you see complementary gifts, introduce people:

The person who loves cooking + the one who wants to learn
The tech person + someone who needs digital help
The prayer warrior + someone going through a tough time

Celebrate Publicly

Feature talents in your groups and services. Not to embarrass anyone, but to show that every gift matters. When someone sees their neighbor's talent celebrated, they're more likely to share their own.

How This Changes Everything

When our community starts sharing authentically, we become unstoppable. Here's what happens:

Problems Get Solved Faster: Instead of struggling alone, you know exactly who to ask for help.

Loneliness Disappears: You realize there are people who "get" you right here in your church family.

Ministry Multiplies: Suddenly there are more people available to serve, teach, encourage, and lead.

Joy Increases: There's something powerful about doing what you love alongside people who appreciate it.

God Gets Glorified: When we use our gifts to serve each other, it's worship in action.

Your Next Steps (Yes, Right Now!)

Here's how to get started today:

Think of ONE thing that makes you light up or that people often ask you about
Write a simple, honest description of what you love and why
Post it on our Passion & Talent Wall or share it in your life group
Look at what others have shared and reach out to someone whose gift inspires you
Encourage at least one other person to share their shine too

Remember: this isn't about being perfect or professional. It's about being real and discovering the incredible people God has placed in your life.

What If I Don't Think I Have Any Talents?

Stop right there. That's not true, and here's how we know:

Do people come to you when they need someone to listen? That's a gift.
Are you good at remembering details or staying organized? That's a gift.
Do you notice when someone seems sad or left out? That's a gift.
Can you make people laugh or feel comfortable? That's a gift.
Are you reliable when you say you'll do something? That's a gift.

Your gifts might not feel "special" to you because they come naturally, but they're exactly what someone else needs.

Join the Shine

Our Passion & Talent Wall isn't just about listing abilities: it's about building the kind of community where everyone belongs, everyone contributes, and everyone gets celebrated for exactly who God made them to be.

You're never forgotten, never alone, and deeply loved by God. Your gifts: big or small, polished or rough: have a place here.

So what do you say? Ready to let your light shine and discover the amazing gifts all around you? Visit us at www.famemphis.org to connect with our Boundless community and start sharing what makes you uniquely you.

First Assembly Memphis 8650 Walnut Grove Road Cordova, Tennessee 38018 Phone: 901-843-8600 Email: info@famemphis.net