‘Being a Leader Had Never Crossed My Mind’ – Helen’s Onelife Story
I had always assumed that leadership wasn’t really for me. It had never even crossed my mind as a possibility that I could be a leader.
But after being persuaded to join the Onelife Learning Community (the precursor to the School of Leadership) I found myself part of a group who had a higher expectation of what God might want to do in and through us. That we didn’t need to wait until we had the position or title to start influencing for the kingdom of God, we could do it right then in our classes and in our families. The lessons I learnt from my time as part of that course are ones that have stuck with me – character-first leadership and the importance of integrity in all areas of a leader’s life are ideas that will stay with me forever.
Obviously, my involvement with Onelife didn’t end with the OLC, I volunteered at the conferences when I was at university in Glasgow, and after I finished my degree I moved to London to intern with the Onelife team for a year. That one year somehow turned into five years as part of the team!
‘Every time I have seen a young person have that moment of realisation that I had, about being called to lead and influence for Jesus, I am blown away by the kindness of God’
It has been a busy few years, with conferences and residentials, starting courses and releasing resources, but it has been an absolute privilege to serve the vision of Onelife. Every time I have seen a young person have that moment of realisation that I had, about being called to lead and influence for Jesus, I am blown away by the kindness of God, that he’s let me play a part in the vision of raising up people who love him to impact and change our society.
It is bittersweet to be leaving the Onelife team.
I will always believe wholeheartedly in the vision of Onelife and I’m immensely grateful that I’ve been able to shape some of what Onelife does. I’m taking so much with me as I step into the next season of my life, and as my husband and I move to Ecuador to volunteer at a foster home. I could write a book on all the things that I’ve learnt in these last five years but a few of my takeaways that I’m bringing into this next season are:
Choosing to communicate intentionally is the only way to build a strong team.
God values obedience and integrity over worldly results.
Real leadership often looks like preparing for the person who comes after you to succeed.
These are lessons that I’ve seen lived out both through the unseen choices in the Onelife team and also through the lives of those we’ve worked with.
‘If it wasn’t for a youth worker who had been inspired by the same vision to raise up young leaders, I might not have been on this adventure’
As I reflect on my journey with Onelife, one of the things that sticks out to me is how important it is that youth workers are equipped to invite their young people on a journey of leadership and discipleship that many would otherwise discount themselves from. If it wasn’t for a youth worker who had been inspired by the same vision to raise up young leaders, I might not have been on this adventure.
I’m so excited to see where God takes Onelife in these next few years and I’m looking forward to taking back my role as a keen volunteer when we return from our travels!