We continue our series from our international gathering in Thailand.



What will take us out of the race as leaders in movements? Over the next two podcasts, we’ll be hearing  from four practitioning leaders share from their perspective of what helps them go the distance as disciple makers and leaders. In this episode, we hear two powerful insights from two experienced practitioners about the inner life of a disciple and leader—the part of us that shapes everything we do. Be encouraged by the walk of others as we look at our own lives as disciples and leaders. 



Part 1: Roger (New Zealand) – Personality and Leadership



“Often we underestimate how much our personalities can influence our leadership.” 



Roger shares how our soul or personalities and tendencies can both strengthen and slow us down as leaders. If we’re not aware, our personality can even take us out of the race.



Looking at the lives of Jesus’ disciples, Roger highlights how their different temperaments shaped their strengths—and their struggles: 



• Peter – impulsive, bold and ambitious. 



• James & John – ambitious, strong leadership, destructive (controlling and angry) at times, but full of zeal (can lead to burnout for some). 



• Thomas – skeptical, analytical, cautious (wise but can be paralysed by doubt and overthinking) yet also deeply loyal (slow to trust). 



• Philip – practical, analytical, sometimes too pragmatic. 



• Andrew – quiet and relational (but can be people pleasing and compromise with shallow connections rather than speaking the truth and lifting one another up).  



• Judas – calculated, controlling, desiring power (the prestige of Jesus’ movement), and ultimately led astray.



Roger challenges us with Romans 12: are we functioning out of our true spiritual gifts—or just our personality? Many leaders let their personality take over, but God calls us to live and lead from the Spirit alongside others in community and teams. 



Part 2: Gabi (Ukraine) – Testing: God Working in the Dark



“The lack of trusting is actually the lack of love.” 



Gabi speaks vulnerably about walking through valley seasons as a leader. Instead of asking “why me?” she encourages us to ask: “God, what are You doing in this situation?”



Drawing from her journey, including seasons of suffering and difficulty, Gabi reminds us of Psalm 23. God meets us in the valley - in the dark. And he leads us through and encourages us to grow as people.



She encourages leaders not to give in to bitterness or fear, but to embrace the Spirit of love, power, and a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7). Even in the darkest moments, God is at work shaping our hearts and preparing us to lead with greater depth.



Takeaway



Your inner life is the most important part of who you are as a leader. Be encouraged by Roger and Gabi’s words to:



• Pay attention to your personality and how it influences your leadership.



• Allow God to meet you in the valleys, shaping your spirit rather than letting fear or bitterness take hold.



This episode will help you grow deeper as a disciple and leader who leads from the inside out.