What People Are Saying
In this early season of church planting, I have often lost my footing and stumbled into despair and hopelessness. Gospel Coaching has been a place where I can find the solid ground of Christ’s steadfastness and care. My coach has cared for me not as a church planter’s wife but as a whole person who often needs to be reminded of the riches of being united to Christ.
There have been many times when all I really needed was someone who wouldn’t be surprised by what I said: that I was angry; that I felt ill-equipped; that I wanted to quit. My coach had a way of welcoming all sorts of feelings into the room and helping me sort through them to get to the root of things. I have felt safe with her, but I have also been encouraged and coached to listen for the voice of the Spirit and to move forward in obedience. She has been at the edge of nearly every cliff with me in these hard and beautiful days. I truly don’t know if I could have kept going without her!
Lauren
Working in ministry is incredibly rewarding, and also uniquely challenging. Being a female leader in ministry adds an extra layer of complication because it is a predominantly male-led industry. Being a single female leader in ministry is a whole different story, as many church employees are married. I found myself in a season where I felt overwhelmed by my calling and vocation as a single female ministry leader when I began Gospel Coaching. The coaching relationship changed my life and renewed me in my identity as a daughter of the loving God.
Debbie
I began meeting with my Gospel Coach just a few months before a major ministry and life shift for my family. She helped me grieve, hope, pray, and grow through this incredibly significant time in my life. She was often the only person I could talk with candidly about what was a very emotional experience for me, and her Gospel-centered questions, as well as her always listening ear, bolstered me during a tumultuous time. I am often repeating back her questions and encouragements to my husband and close friends, grateful for how meaningful they remain in my life even months after we talk. I have come to see that, as the wife of a minister and a woman in ministry myself, having a safe and Christ-focused place to process is essential for spiritual health and longevity on the mission field. I am so thankful for her!
Kathryn
Meeting with my coach has provided not only a friend and mentor, but a refuge: a place where I can really breathe, truly be myself. I often found myself hobbling into our meeting times, in tears —because this is the one safe place in my week where I can be seen and held, and nothing is required of me. I am grateful, beyond grateful, for my coach pointing me to Jesus and scripture, and for her prayers when I have no words, and her promise that we will know more of Jesus in this process (when I asked her why church planting was worth it).
Mindy
I signed up for Gospel Coaching when I accepted a new role on our church staff. I'm accustomed to taking on various leadership roles, but for this season, I sought extra guidance and support, looking for someone outside of our church. My sessions with my coach benefited me immensely. She gave me valuable insights and perspectives on leadership, ministry, and personal struggles. She also provided me with accountability, helping me to stay focused and take consistent action towards my goals. My coach both challenged and encouraged me, and her support and coaching were the tools I needed to excel in my new role.
Nell