Oct 8 • Lessons Learned
Mission in Motion: Faithful Presence in the Face of Doubt
In 2004, we took a risk.
Our organization opened a new residence for men and women struggling with mental health challenges. It wasn’t glamorous, and it wasn’t popular. We faced resistance on every side.
The local community wasn’t sure they wanted “those people” living nearby. Even some mental health professionals doubted it could work. After all, we were taking in individuals directly from the hospital — people others had written off as “too difficult” or “too risky.”
Still, we pressed forward. We believed if people were given safe housing, genuine community, and consistent support, healing could happen. Not overnight. Not in headlines. But over time.
Those early days were hard. Staff worked long hours, neighbors complained, and there were moments we wondered if we had misheard the call. But we stayed. We kept showing up, one day at a time.
And slowly — faithfully — transformation took root.
Today, that same residence is still full. It’s now a fully funded supportive living home for men and women living with mental illness. The model has been replicated by other agencies across the city.
What began as a fragile experiment became a blueprint for restoration.
Leadership Lessons Learned
✅ 1. Resistance often confirms calling. If everyone applauds what you’re doing, it’s probably not bold enough. God’s assignments usually start where comfort ends.
✅ 2. Faithful presence beats quick fixes. Transformation doesn’t come from intensity — it comes from consistency. Show up. Stay when it’s hard. Watch what God does with your staying power.
✅ 3. Fruit takes time to grow. You might not see results for years. But when you plant with faith and water with persistence, harvest always comes — sometimes long after others stopped watching.
Reflection & Discussion Prompts
- Have you ever faced skepticism when stepping out in faith? How did you push through it?
- What’s one situation in your work right now that might simply require faithful presence?
- If transformation in your mission isn’t instant — how do you stay encouraged in the waiting?
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Mission in Motion: Faithful Presence in the Face of Doubt
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