As a Director of the Missionary Society, one of the most fulfilling aspects of my work is investing in leaders – leaders who will shepherd God’s people, advance the mission of the Church, and impact the world for Christ. Investing in others is not just a task; it is a calling. When we take time, energy, and resources to guide, mentor, and empower leaders, we help shape the future of God’s mission.
What makes this investment especially meaningful is that it is mutual. As I walk alongside these leaders, I am constantly learning from their experiences, gaining new perspectives, and being challenged to grow in my own faith and leadership. The relationship is not one-sided – it is a network of trust, accountability, and shared vision where we invest in one another for the sake of God’s work.
I also see it as a profound responsibility. Just as others have invested in me – through mentorship, encouragement, and guidance – I have a duty to pass on that investment to the next generation of leaders. It is a cycle of faithfulness: nurturing others so they can lead effectively, while continuing to learn and be strengthened through their gifts and insights.
Two key ways I focus this investment are through traveling with leaders and through the Missions Mobilization Network, both of which provide opportunities to equip, inspire, and empower leaders to fulfill God’s calling in their own contexts.
Traveling Together: Building Faith, Care, and Compassion
Last year, I had the privilege of traveling alongside a pastor from Burundi and another from Malawi. These trips were more than a shared itinerary; they were a space to develop deep relationships rooted in faithfulness, care, and compassion.
As we engaged with communities abroad, I intentionally focused on prayer, mentorship, and nurturing spiritual growth. Each day became an opportunity to pray together – not just for our work, but for one another’s personal journeys as leaders, for our congregations, and for the communities we served.
The investment in these relationships goes far beyond ministry skills. It is about modeling faithfulness in leadership, demonstrating compassion in action, and creating a safe space where emerging leaders can ask questions, wrestle with challenges, and grow in spiritual maturity. By traveling together, praying together, and serving alongside one another, we lay a foundation of trust and spiritual support that strengthens their ability to lead faithfully in their own contexts. These partnerships do not end when the trips conclude – they continue through regular, informal check-in sessions, which we all look forward to as opportunities for sharing, encouragement, and mutual growth.
Missions Mobilization Network: Training, Guidance, and Vision
Another key way I invest in leaders is through the Missions Mobilization Network, a program of the Missionary Society designed to help SDB Conferences develop a more intentional focus on missions and to build partnerships that advance God’s work worldwide. Recently, I had the privilege of working with the Brazilian Conference leaders, guiding them as they established a missions-focused auxiliary in their country – a step that equips local leaders, mobilizes resources, and strengthens their capacity to reach the world for Christ.
This work involves providing practical training, ongoing guidance, and encouragement, as well as painting a clear picture of what a connected, empowered global missions network can look like. It is about equipping leaders to understand the purpose and function of missions, giving them tools to mobilize others, and inspiring a vision that goes beyond immediate tasks to long-term impact.
Through this process, leaders are not merely following instructions – they are being empowered to take ownership, lead effectively, and recognize the broader impact of their work within the global mission. My role is to walk alongside them, provide guidance, answer questions, offer support, and foster the confidence that God can use them to make a lasting difference. As a result, we have built a strong relationship and are now developing plans for their Missions Auxiliary to connect and collaborate with the Missionary Society of the USA and Canada, and, in time, with other mission organizations globally.
Conclusion
Investing in leaders is about more than training or travel – it is about walking alongside them in faith, nurturing relationships of care and compassion, and equipping them to fulfill God’s calling with vision and confidence. Whether through shared experiences abroad or through structured networks for mission mobilization, the goal is the same: to raise up leaders who are spiritually grounded, practically equipped, and ready to lead God’s people into a greater mission.
