ND’s Participation in the IFES Raising New Leaders Initiative, Thailand
Anchored in the vision to raise a new generation of resilient global leaders for IFES and beyond, the Raising New Leaders Initiative (RNL) is long overdue. My participation in the maiden RNL in Chaing Mai, Thailand was a rare opportunity. I am eternally grateful to Bro. Zelalem Abebe IFES-EPSA Regional Secretary for the kind recommendation to join nineteen others globally in the Raising New Leaders (RNL) Initiative
Leadership formation is a lifelong journey, not a one-time event. Authentic leadership transformation unfolds progressively as God shapes our character (heart), head (convictions), and hands (capacity) through intentional processes and lived experiences. The need for community mentoring for leaders cannot be over emphasized. Leaders feel lonely – loneliness in decision-making, responsibility and accountability, limited peer-relationship, loneliness during emotional burdens, in handling confidential information, the expectation to appear strong, confident and composed, loneliness in spiritual and moral pressure, loneliness during transitions and change and and loneliness in carrying vision that others do not understand.
A key insight from the RNL sessions was that “ministry calling” alone is not enough. Even when God calls a person to His work, intentional equipping and Community mentoring remain extremely essential. I could not agree more with these statement… “Ministry” requires spiritual depth, emotional maturity, leadership skills, and cultural intelligence. Calling provides direction, but equipping provides effectiveness and sustainability. The repeated slogan of “Safe Place, Safe People, Safe Conversations” was especially useful in making me cogitate on the intention to raise and nurture new leaders.
God bless all the brains behind this initiative and all who have contributed financially to set the maiden RNL in motion. To our facilitators and mentors, we are indebted to you. To my dear friends (participants at RNL), my prayer is that as we go through the one-year mentoring phase, may the LORD, through the vision and purpose of the RNL, rekindle and shape our hearts toward Him, enhance our ministry calling by focusing on spiritual formation, cross-cultural learning, and leadership development within the global Christian community. May we (mentees) be solid ambassadors championing safe conversations, embodying safe people, and ensuring safe place for others to find God and His plans for their lives. Amen!
