Leader's Internship Recap

~ From Doubt to Truth ~

Am I really a leader? Does my life really have an impact? Why did you call me to do this leadership school God?

These were the sort of questions I wrestled with as I jumped right in to do the 3-month leader’s internship course with YWAM Furnace NZ earlier this year.

I remember sitting in class the first day feeling discouraged. I had lies deep down telling me all the reasons I couldn’t be a leader.

Shortly after class started, our school leader asked us to go outside and ask God why He had called us here.

“Why am I here doing this school Lord?” I cried out!

What God spoke comforted my heart and became the word I would stand on throughout the school.

“I want you to see who I’ve made you to be!” Okay Lord!

I then sensed that this season would be a catalyst into what God had ahead for me. That this was a needed stepping stone for the future!

That was all I needed. From there, I resolved in my heart that I was here for a reason and wholeheartedly jumped into everything the Lord had for that season.

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The next few months were full of growth, stepping out of comfort zones, being challenged, trying new things and growing deeper in the truth of the Lord.

A few of the things we got up to were:

• Incredible classes with topics like self-leadership, the heart of a leader, pioneering and planting, how to disciple others, life vision, etc!

• Organising food and running the kitchen

• Leading community prayer times, bible studies, and devotionals

• Evangelism in the city and homeless ministry

• A week-long outreach around the North Island of NZ with ‘The Send’

• Planning and setting up a graduation

• And more!

These 3 months are designed to raise up Christlike leaders and prepare them for ministry, missions, and wherever else the Lord may lead them. It was amazing learning so much in classes and then getting opportunities for practical hands-on experience.

Over the course of the school, God was shifting my heart and breaking down fears and lies I carried.

God began to affirm who I was in Him and the beauty that I carried of Him.

I discovered strengths and giftings God has given me, and realised how being anchored in His presence and simply walking as He made me to be, was truly reflecting His heart and impacting people’s lives.

By the end of the school, I finally believed I was a leader! Every moment I was pushed to step out of my comfort zone helped grow greater confidence for what God's calling me into and areas of gifting He's placed within me. It was a challenging yet equipping season!

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So, as I learnt through these last few months, let your life shine for Jesus! Don’t diminish what God has placed in you or believe lies that your life has no impact.

We carry the very image of God, and we get to reflect Jesus as we confidently walk in the fullness of Him and who He made us to be.

Our lives being beautiful reflections of a beautiful God.

So what's next you might be wondering?

Keep a look out for my next update where I’ll be sharing how God called me into long-term missions with YWAM Furnace and what I'm jumping into next!

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But for now….

Here’s a little extra for you – Some of my fave takeaways from classes:

Iceberg Analogy - People only see the very tip of our lives (The tip of the iceberg above the water VS. the rest of the iceberg under the water). What matters most is the things unseen - our hearts, our character, our integrity and walk with the Lord. Gifting is nothing if your character is not right!

If we can’t lead ourselves first, how can we lead anyone else? (Do we have godly disciplines, are we allowing God to refine and mould us, and are we putting into practice what we speak?)

It’s not about the platform (in leadership). Our greatest place and moments are sitting with Jesus in the secret place. From there, everything else flows out and we obey however He leads us, but it’s always about Him!

Setting the culture: What things have we passively been allowing that aren’t actually good and need to be confronted? (Especially in a team)