What Every myMISSION Leader Needs

Last year, my friend prayed for courage over me as I became a myMISSION leader. Honestly, I didn’t understand what courage had to do with being a leader because I thought courage was something you used when you ran into tough times, something weak people needed, or something positive to overcome negative. 

April showed courage as she planned and led the eXtreme coupon seminar/challenge in order to teach women how to give creatively to local missions

However, as the months went on, I learned that courage isn’t just for trials; it’s foundational for leadership. It’s not for the weak, but for those strong enough to claim it. And, courage rises as we take steps of faith and see God equipping us for every situation (Deuteronomy 31:6).

We saw courage in Kristy as she let God speak through her at myRECIPE SWAP. Her devotional compared friendship and missional living to the ingredients of M&M cookies (Acts 2:42–47).

A myMISSION leader has to have courage. Courage to:

• know who you are and what you believe.
• let go of things keeping you back so you can move forward.
• question, explore, and dream.
• try new things even if it’s uncomfortable.
• seek out mentors to instruct, support, and pray.
• make a decision, stick with it, and then evaluate it.
• receive feedback and improve where necessary.
• stand up for where God is leading your group.
• change directions to line up with God.
• open yourself up to whatever God has no matter how impossible it seems.
• speak to the young women that God places in your path.
• encourage the hurting woman in your group that you don't really know that well.
• pray privately and out loud for your team and each member of your group.
• explore unreached areas in your community and pray about the possibilities.
• call people and organizations that you have never talked to before.
• ask for what you need and want from others whether posting flyers or a financial donation.
• plan activities when you’re not sure who or how many are going to show up.
• keep your mouth shut when you want so badly to share the latest gossip or ministry gripe.
• release your group and entrust it to God.
• trust your team and their ideas and ways of doing things even if it’s not exactly as you would do it.
• say “no” in order to have time for God and for your family.
• live missionally and to be an example of what that means in every area of your life.
• go to the next level with God even into the unknown.

Amy