I had barely unpacked. Just moved my young family across the country, fresh into my first role as a pastor. Boxes still sealed, books not even on shelves yet. That’s when a stranger walked up and told me:“You’re doing my wedding.” I blinked. “Excuse me?” He didn’t mean it as a request. He was insistent. And the wedding? It wasn’t at a church. It was at a bar. Here’s what I quickly learned: - He was 44. - She was 24. - And yes, she had once been his high school student. Not exactly the picture-perfect start for a young pastor hoping for a tidy ministry. But what could I do? I said yes. That day taught me two things right away: 1. You don’t get to choose where God asks you to serve. 2. Faithfulness starts before you feel ready. The wedding itself was … unconventional, to put it mildly. I felt in over my head, wondering what I had gotten myself into. But it planted a seed. Over time, I built a relationship with that man. We talked - We debated - We prayed. Slowly, he found his way back to church. Years later, he wasn’t just attending — he became a lay leader. When I look back, I see it clearly:That wedding in a bar was the doorway. The start of a long journey that ended in real transformation. Leaders, here’s the takeaway: 📌 You don’t always choose your assignments — sometimes they choose you. 📌 The most unorthodox doors can lead to the deepest fruit. 📌 Your “first” step of obedience often sets the tone for years of ministry ahead. Reflection for You:What was your first unexpected assignment? The one that didn’t fit the mold but ended up shaping your calling? Drop it in the comments — I’d love to hear your story.

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 1. Have you ever faced skepticism when stepping out in faith? How did you push through it?  2. What’s one situation in your work right now that might simply require faithful presence?  3. If transformation in your mission isn’t instant — how do you stay encouraged in the waiting? 

Back in 2001, we had a program that was thriving by the numbers. Over 100 people were showing up regularly. On paper, it looked like a success story. But when I looked closer, something was off. Some people came every week but never connected. Others slipped away quietly, and no one noticed until they were gone. And though the teaching was solid, the transformation wasn’t matching the attendance. It hit me: people weren’t just showing up for information. They were hungry for connection. So we made a bold change. Instead of keeping everyone at one location, we opened a new location to make it possible to create small groups. Each group had a leader, space for conversation, and time to share life. The result? Transformation skyrocketed. People who had been quiet in the big group suddenly opened up. Needs were noticed and met. Accountability grew naturally. People didn’t just attend — they belonged and the numbers exploded. Looking back, here’s the lesson I learned: - Programs don’t change people. Relationships do. - A big stage can inspire, but it’s small circles that transform. - Real discipleship doesn’t happen in rows — it happens in circles, living rooms, and conversations where people feel seen. Leadership Takeaways: - Growth isn’t about bigger rooms — it’s about deeper connections. - People rarely remember the program, but they always remember who sat with them. - If you want transformation, build spaces where people can’t hide and don’t want to. Question Prompts for You: 1. Have you ever been part of a small group that truly changed you? What made it so powerful? 2. As a leader, what challenges do you face in moving people from “attenders” to “connected”? 3. If you could redesign one program in your organization for deeper relationships, what would you do differently? Leave your lessons learned in the comments.

Leadership in Practice: From Burnout to Joy In the late 1990s, during a period of fast growth, we hit a wall. Staff loved the mission — hearts were fully in it — but exhaustion was everywhere. People were dragging, tempers were short, and turnover was creeping in. Not that the vision was wrong. It was that the pace wasn’t sustainable. Passion alone couldn’t carry us. So we made some intentional changes: 1. We built renewal rhythms into our calendar.Sabbath wasn’t optional — we scheduled downtime, retreats, and breathing space. 2. We rotated duties to share the load.Instead of the same people carrying the heaviest burdens, we spread responsibilities so no one was crushed. 3. We created prayer + encouragement partners.Everyone had someone to check in with, pray with, and remind them they weren’t alone. Over time, the shift was dramatic. The atmosphere changed from “barely surviving” to “serving with joy.” Work didn’t get easier, but it became life-giving again. Leadership Lessons Learned ✅ Mission doesn’t excuse exhaustion. Loving the work doesn’t make burnout holy. Leaders have a responsibility to model rest. ✅ Shared load, shared joy. When everyone carries a piece, no one breaks under the weight. Delegation is discipleship in disguise. ✅ Encouragement is fuel. Systems and strategy matter, but people thrive when they know they’re prayed for and supported. Discussion Prompts for You 1. When you’ve faced a tough leadership season, what helped you push through? 2. What’s one practice or routine that keeps you grounded as a leader? 3. Looking back, what’s the best piece of leadership advice you wish you’d followed sooner? Leave comments below and share your lessons learned during challenging leadership growth.

Back in 1980, we were running a summer youth camp. Hundreds of kids from all kinds of backgrounds showed up — some excited, some nervous, some clearly dragged there by parents. One boy in particular stood out. He arrived withdrawn and angry, arms crossed, refusing to engage. By the first night, he told his counselor he wanted to go home. Not in a quiet, shy way — but loud enough for everyone to know he meant it. So we called his parents. Around 3 a.m., after driving more than 200 miles, they showed up at camp. They were tired. They were upset. And they were ready to take him home. Here’s the twist: when they woke him up and asked, “Do you want to leave?” — he said, “No. I’m having too much fun. I made some new friends.” The look on his parents’ faces said it all. If I hadn’t been standing there, I’m not sure he would’ve been able to sit down for a week. After all, they had just driven four hours through the night, only to be told he wasn’t going anywhere. But here’s the miracle: by the end of that week, everything about him had shifted. Surrounded by unconditional love, positive role models, and the safety of a community, he came alive. Later, we received a handwritten note from his parents. It said the week had made a huge difference in their son. He wasn’t the same boy they had dropped off. That camp taught me a lesson I’ve never forgotten:📌 Never underestimate what one week can plant for a lifetime. For leaders, the takeaway is simple but profound: - You don’t always see transformation in real time. - A short window — even a single week — can be the start of long-term change. - Our mission isn’t to force outcomes, but to create environments where transformation can happen. Reflection for You: 1. Think back — what’s one short experience (a camp, retreat, conversation, or trip) that left a lasting mark on your life? 2. As a leader, have you ever seen someone transformed in a surprisingly short time? What happened? 3. Right now, if you could give someone in your circle just one “week of impact,” what would you want that week to look like?