Joy as leadership group marks new milestone

Living Leadership, a charity that supports Christian leaders and their spouses to live joyfully in Christ and serve faithfully, recently celebrated a new milestone in its ministry as it hosted its inaugural Team Gathering.

The Team Gathering saw 28 of their staff, associates, volunteers, trustees and guests assemble at High Leigh Conference Centre in Hertfordshire for two days of fellowship, encouragement, and dreaming about future opportunities.

The last 18 months have been a time of great growth for Living Leadership, particularly with the launch of its Associates Network in June 2020. Associates are Christians of proven character who are gifted at helping leaders thrive, through provision of mentoring, training, support and resources. The Network now has grown to 21 Associates from across the UK and Ireland, enabling Living Leadership to multiply its support for Christian leaders and the spouses of leaders.

‘It was a real joy to be joined by so many of the team in person at High Leigh,’ comments Marcus Honeysett, Executive Director of Living Leadership. ‘We have met by Zoom during Covid, but it was fantastic to gather in person. It’s a group of wonderful leaders who all share a passion for supporting those in ministry.’

The time was spent thinking about new and existing ways the team can support leaders in their local regions, as well as discussing possibilities for traditionally underserved groups such as women in ministry and ministry spouses. There was also plenty of time to share how the Lord has been at work in their own stories and getting to know each other over a cup of tea in the beautiful surroundings of High Leigh, which will also be the new home of Pastoral Refreshment Conference Central from 2022 (31 January – 2 February).

‘These two days were a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what the Lord has been doing through Living Leadership, to dream and pray about new ministries and ways of supporting leaders and churches, and to seek the Lord’s face together,’ continues Marcus. ‘Wouldn’t it be great to raise up an army of “fathers” and “mothers” of leaders, dedicated to equipping and sustaining spiritually healthy leaders for spiritually healthy churches? I can’t wait so see all that the Lord will do with this Network in the coming year and would encourage any leader or spouse of a leader looking for support to get in touch.’