"My life is my message." // Gandhi
My personal mission statement is: to learn how to live in a way that shows other people how to live.
I don't have everything figured out. I'm much more student than master. But I am committed to becoming who God has created me to be and I want to help other people do the same thing.
How I got here
When I was a kid, my dad travelled all over the world more than 40 weeks per year speaking in motivational seminars, schools and churches. He would leave on Sunday and come home Thursday most weeks.
I never felt like he wasn’t present or available. Whenever he was with us, he was fully present. Regardless of the weights he carried. One time I called him during the day to check in with him. He answered and said “hey Josh, what can I do for you? I’m sitting here with President Clinton, is there anything you’d like to say to him?” 🤯 True story. I hung up almost immediately.
My dad would take us with him as much as possible. And it wasn't glamorous traveling. Unless you like roadtripping (we didn't have the money to fly) to places like El Dorado, Kansas, Lake Charles, Louisiana and Cape Girardeau, Missouri. I'm sure these are very nice places. But let's just say they're not at the top of most people's vacation list.
From the time my dad was little, people had prophesied that he would be the next "Billy Graham." And he was doing his best to pursue this calling and raise a family.
Then one day Billy Graham called him. Yes. That Billy Graham. In the mid-90s, Billy was in his late 70's and didn't want to travel as much as he was. His team invited my dad to begin doing crusades with them with the potential goal of becoming the "face" of future crusades. This was the moment.
After a successful trial crusade that exceeded expectations, they wanted him to hit the road with them immediately. However, this required him to be on the road for three months at a time, home only for one month between crusades.
No more bringing our family. No more coming home every week. But the opportunity was almost too good to pass up.
After discussing it with my mom, my dad chose to prioritize family over ministry. In his mind, he was choosing building a legacy over building his dream. He declined the offer.
I didn't hear this story until my 20's. When someone else told me.
Who I am
There's a lot of life that has been lived in the 30 years since then. But Keith Craft's story is also my story. I couldn't tell you if I'm a coach, mentor, speaker, pastor or anything else. What I really am is a result of a legacy.
I'm a lifelong learner who wants to help other people learn what I am learning. Sure, I speak, write, coach, mentor and contribute in many ways. But more than that, I have the tremendous benefit of standing on the shoulders of giants.
There's a reason why we use the term "ancient wisdom" more than we use the term "modern wisdom." Its because wisdom is something that is only proven over a long period of time.
That is what I am most passionate about. My dad has always said "methods are many, principles are few. Methods always change, but principles never do."
My focus is on principles that work. Principles that equip us to live the lives God designed us for. These principles are found in many places. Mostly ancient ones.
Even though truth is ancient. Its application is modern. My goal is to help people bridge the gap between ancient truth and modern, practical application.
It is one of the greatest honors of my life to carry on my dad's legacy professionally. But the most important part of my life is the legacy I'm leaving personally.
Courtnei and I have been married for 10 years and have 3 daughters:
- Charlie Monroe - 7
- Harper Elizabeth - 4
- Daisy Autumn - 1
This is the most well-mannered picture of us I could find.
What I do
Speaking
When we share our thinking, that's what shifts the thinking of others. I can help create paradigm shifts in your team, or organization that align with your vision.
Writing
I write books (sometimes). But more frequently I write shortform content here. And I help my dad write! You can subscribe on this site to get my writing delivered straight to you.