It’s a fascinating question because it pulls you backward in time — not just to a different year, but into someone else’s life. When I think about what my parents were doing in 1998 — when they were roughly my age now — I get a vivid snapshot not just of what they were doing, but who they were becoming.
My Step-Dad: Leading With Purpose
In 1998, my step-father was still serving as President of ACTS 29 Ministries. He traveled the country speaking, leading conferences, and communicating the Gospel with resolve and passion. I was working with him as his Vice President of Communications, learning first-hand what it means to lead with clarity and conviction.
That part of his life — balancing responsibilities, inspiring volunteers and congregations, and shaping a spiritual mission — left an imprint on me. He knew how to take a message and make it matter to people. That’s something I still try to learn from.
My Mom: The Heart of the Family
In 1998, my mom was freely giving of herself — writing songs, performing worship music, and making people feel seen and appreciated. She wasn’t doing things small; she was doing things that connected people.
She had a unique way of making people feel loving, important, and valued in her presence. While I know I’ll never do that exactly like she did, I still try to keep that spirit alive — in my conversations, my teaching, and how I approach the people I care about.
My Dad: Publisher, People-Man, and Balancer
Meanwhile, my father was still the publisher of the Northwest Florida Daily News — a role he held for decades. He managed both the business side of a newspaper and the human side: keeping staff motivated, readers engaged, and quality high in an industry that never stops changing.
He could switch from serious boardroom decisions to being the life of a party, and there’s something about that blend of grit and charisma I admire. It reminds me that leadership isn’t just about strategy — it’s about people.
Where My Life Differs — And Where It Connects
At this same age, I’m doing different things — teaching, writing, and reflecting more deliberately on what matters most. I’m not traveling auditoriums or running a newspaper, but I’m trying to live a life that reflects the best parts of who they were:
- From my step-dad: leading with honesty and heartfelt purpose
- From my mom: making people feel valued and important
- From my dad: balancing work with warmth, strategy with humanity
Looking at their lives makes me realize we don’t have to repeat their paths to honor them. We just have to absorb what mattered most — the way they approached life, work, and the people around them.
That’s a legacy I’m still unpacking, still learning from — and still grateful for.
Copyright © 2026 Doug DeBolt.
