What makes a great leader?
Personal appeal? A dynamic personality? Social influence? The ability to speak well in front of large crowds?
Isn't it interesting that when God chose leaders, as referenced in the Bible, He selected ones with a speech impediment (Moses), uneducated fishermen (the Disciples), and those of common birth and circumstances (Jesus himself).
It just goes to show that God can take the most ordinary of people and use them in the most extraordinary of ways.
The key is being willing.
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At Wellspring Group retreats the majority of the faces you see teaching and facilitating are volunteers. Most would not claim to be experts, but they share a common experience - their lives are being changed as they see and win the Battle for their own hearts and they long to see others changed as well.
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Alice Lewallen
Wellspring Group Facilitator, Speaker & Volunteer
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Every year volunteers invest approximately 7,000-8,000 hours preparing for and volunteering at retreats. Some, like WG veteran teacher and facilitator Alice Lewallen, volunteer at multiple retreats a year, including overseas!
One of the most rewarding experiences in being a Battle for Women's Hearts teacher and facilitator, says Alice, has been
"hearing long after the retreat that a new retreat facilitator looks back to my teaching as significant to her transformation process."
For those interested in becoming a retreat facilitator or speaker Wellspring Group has a Leadership Equipping Track which involves equipping - both in person and virtual, practice opportunities and real-time feedback.
"The biggest challenge we see with new facilitators," according to WG's Equipping Coordinator, Anisa Sumlar, "is building confidence that they have what it takes to lead in this capacity." For that reason part of the equipping process involves shadowing a more experienced facilitator by serving as an assistant facilitator their first time volunteering.
Reflecting on her first time facilitating Alice shared, "Facilitating, asking engaging questions felt like I was learning to drive on the other side of the road... I understood the concept, the questions seemed reasonable, but the execution felt totally foreign and I truly wondered if I would EVER know how to 'do it right.'"
For those who are considering becoming a retreat facilitator or teacher Alice says the benefits extend far beyond the retreat itself.
"One of the most significant experiences in teaching every single time is what God does for ME as I prepare," she said. And regarding facilitating - "The skills of engaging are essentially the skills of relationship. The role changes from being a facilitator to a wife or mom or friend...but everyone loves being seen and pursued and the skills are the same. The skills become an extension of your heart."
For more information on WG's Leadership Equipping Track see the article below.
