Leadership is a lifestyle
My first year of high school at Westwood High was a rough one. In every area of my personal life there were challenges that felt too big for a 12-year-old to handle. Boarding school seemed like my escape until living with several females with very different personalities and backgrounds left me in an identity crisis. Thankfully, in the first semester of grade eight, I met friends who were active members of ISCF. Soon, my immediate circle became people who challenged me to be better.
One of the highlights of that period of my life was the 2014 Passion & Purity Conference, which my friends implored me to attend. It was a transforming experience. Throughout the day I sat in different fora, engaged with the speakers, and was entertained by the performing arts and fashion shows (which I now realise were also tools of ministry). I was alarmed that such wholeness and fulfillment could be found among youths like me. The best part of this experience occurred during the worship session and gospel concert as I allowed myself to be broken before the Lord and praised in tears while I invited Jesus in my life to lead me.
From that point onwards, I became deliberate about seeking the Lord’s guidance each day and committing my actions to Him. This motivated me to be a disciplined student with integrity, and I also challenged myself academically. The changes I experienced in my personal circumstances and academics were divine, and as I progressed through high school, others began to see too that I was a truly transformed person. As I matured in my faith in God and fellowshipped with other Believers, I realised that my actions were being shaped by Jesus’ example to mankind. Now I reason that when I latched on to my new identity in Christ, my character developed in such a way that my peers and members of staff considered me a good leader.
My last three years at the Westwood High School saw even greater transformation as I transitioned from a prefect (2018) to the deputy Head Girl (2019), and Head Girl (2020). Throughout this period, I became passionate about serving others in a pure and selfless way. Even though the tasks were difficult at times, I found that my belief in God and my desire to be like his son, Jesus, made my leadership journey a faith walk worth taking.
LEADER, WHO IS LEADING YOU?
One primary lesson I have learnt from this walk is that, to be an effective leader, one must be willing to be led. Seeking and accepting guidance from reputable sources are crucial. Apart from my mentor, immediate support group, peers, and teachers, I acknowledge that my most important source of guidance throughout my leadership journey is God. Jesus’ life is the ultimate example of having an intimate relationship with His Father in heaven, from whom He sought guidance while He was on earth.
Luke 5:16 reminds us that “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” As followers of Christ firstly, and then earthly leaders, one must also be willing to hear and heed God’s counsel along the journey.
Another key lesson I learned as a Christian student leader is that leadership is character in action. Luke 12:48 cautions us that, “to whom much is given, much is required.” Each day reminded me that my leadership attracted scrutiny and so my actions had to be consistent with what I expected of my peers. Leading could have been a ‘tough act to follow’ and a crushing one in difficult times. However, I found that my relationship with God convicted me to lead a life of discipline and so student leadership became a natural experience. As followers of Jesus, we must emulate His leadership on earth and note that as an effective leader, He practised all that He preached.
IT TAKES A TEAM
The final lesson I will share is that it takes a team to lead effectively. There is strength in numbers. Ecclesiastes 4:9 teaches us that “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.” When there is a team of leaders who embody the same vision and are passionate about selfless service, the reach is far more impactful. Jesus’ leadership showed the significance of delegation. He first trained His disciples, unified them for one purpose, and entrusted them to continue the work of spreading the gospel.
My relationship with Jesus certainly helped me to navigate my high school experiences and facilitated growth as a student leader. I am most grateful that I invited the Lord to lead my life. I have proven that deliberate pursuit of Him will give you a character that is shaped by His example, guaranteeing effective leadership.
Janielle McKoy is a member of Passion and Purity, a school-based Christian ministry.