Leadership comes in all forms and sizes, but the results are the same. Leaders influence behavior and make a difference in people’s lives. Profiling leaders reveals a diverse combination of traits, but changing lives is a common theme.

Leader Profile

Tim York, Buffalo, New York

Imagine being in downtown New York City on September 11, 2001. You feel the ground rumble and see people running for safety. You head out into the streets to see what is happening, and all you find is chaos. You rush up to the nearest firefighter to get directions, and you see the urgency on his face. You see his lips moving, but you can’t hear what is being said because you are deaf. Who will communicate with you to give you directions?

In the Buffalo, New York, area 70,000 deaf people need spiritual direction for matters of far greater urgency than any terrorist attack. Tim and Amanda York felt God calling them to start not one but two churches in the Buffalo area—one typical church, and one entirely for deaf people. Amanda is a gifted signer, and together they will begin the first deaf Free Will Baptist church.

Tim, originally from Kentucky and raised by godly parents, felt called to preach at age 12. When asked why he felt God called him, he quickly responded, “Being aware of God’s universal plan for evangelizing the world, recognizing my personal responsibility in achieving the Great Commission, and having established a slave mentality toward Christ created a recipe for God to place His call upon my life.”

Tim holds an M.A.R. in evangelism and church planting and an M.R.E. in discipleship. But his calling and passion to step out in unique ways are what make him a leader. Leaders don’t move in large packs. They launch out ahead of others where they must go, not where people think they should go. Tim York, you are a great leader!

More About Tim

What are the top three books you have read (other than the Bible)?

• The Unexpected Journey by Thom Rainer
  

• The Vanishing Conscience by John F. MacArthur
  

• Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
  

What is your one indulgence?
Starbucks coffee

Describe your quiet time.
Personal Bible study of specific book or topic and the reading of a Psalm and Proverb daily mixed with listening to podcasts of great sermons.

What gifts and talents do you feel God has given you?
American Sign Language (ASL), administration, discipleship, teaching, creative design, and
playing stringed instruments.

Describe an ideal date for you and Amanda.
I love spontaneous dates ranging from putt-putt, to sharing a hotdog at farm-league baseball
team. Once a year we save our money to go to a UK basketball game and cheer until we are
hoarse.

Paper or Plastic Questions

• Mountains or Ocean? Ocean
  

• Music or Talk Radio? Talk Radio
  

• Coke or Pepsi? Coke
  

• Email or Texting? Texting
  

• Mac or PC? Do they still make PCs?