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Azusa Pacific University

Women’s Resource Center

BRAVE

Women in Leadership

Resource Guide

BRAVE: Women in Leadership Resource Guide 2

This book is dedicated to you.

To Women.

Women in Leadership.

Women who want to be leaders, but don' t know how.

Women who have been told that they can' t lead.

This book is for the women who have mentored and inspired me,

and you.

It is for the women.

This is their story.

My story.

Our stories


Contributors:

Karen Rouggly, MA

Starla Anderson, MA, JDL

Jeanette Garces

M. Elaine Walton, Psy. D

Kaley Lindquist, MS

Gidget Wood, RN, MSN, FNP-

C

Dr. Jennifer E. Walsh

Jenny Elsey, MEd

Dr. Laurie Schreiner

Kate Wallace, MS

Kristin Ritzau, MA

Dr. Karen Strand Winslow

Lilli Chavez, MA

Stacie Champine, MA

Khristi Adams, MDiv

Shino Simons, ABD

Deana Porterfield, EdD

Dr. Jamie Noling- Auth

Melissa Stava, MA

Sarina Coutin, MS

Lori Lacey, Psy. D

Michelle Cross

Sarah Rose Lochelt, MA

Victoria Gephart

Rachel Hastings, MA

Sarah Visser, M. Ed

Jeanine Smith, MDiv

Kelly Johnson

Lisa Nena

Rachel Lincoln

Jillian Gilbert, DSL

Susie Black, MDiv

Sandy Hough, Med

Chaili Brittain Trentham

April Reed- Hoy, MS


Dr. Jamie Noling- Auth, Associate

Campus Pastor

B.A. Communication, Pepperdine University;

M.A. Theology (with M.Div. equivalency), Fuller Theological

Seminary;

Doctor of Ministry, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Number of Years at APU: 9

Strengths: Strategic, Futuristic, Relator, Developer, Positivity,

Input, Ideation

If you could say one thing to women in leadership, what would it be?

Sometimes as a woman in leadership you have to be able to imagine something that you,

yourself, have never seen modeled before. This takes courage and can lead to self-doubt, but

you must remember who God has created you to be and what God has called you to, and press on

anyway.

When I came to APU nine years ago, I was the first female who APU had ever hired for a

pastoral job. Our lead pastor, Woody Morwood, was also new to the community and together

we were trying to figure out how to navigate the spiritual needs and culture of this community. I

had just turned 28, and felt very young to be in such a big position on the campus. And, though I

had been in a number of ministry positions before then, none of them had been so directly

pastoral. I had also never seen a woman lead communion, or officiate a baptism or a wedding,

and I had only heard a handful of women preachers. I had to learn how to use my voice and

discover my pastoral self while on the job. The first sermon I ever (repeat: ever) preached was in

Wednesday evening chapel to 1200 students. My second sermon was preached in morning

chapel to over 2000 students. Such big audiences for first sermons! (…And truthfully, neither of

them were very good, but that’s okay. Every leader will grow over time.)

At that time in APU’s history, there were only a handful of women in leadership, and so I found

myself regularly in a “token” role (e.g., the only woman on a panel, the only woman on a


committee, etc.). APU envisioned women and men in leadership together, and needed me to

help by sometimes being the only woman in the room or on the stage, and I was happy to serve

in this way until the culture changed. And, change, it did!—Now I can’t recall the last time I

was in a token situation on this campus.

Another dynamic of those early days was that so many of our students had come from

theologically conservative contexts, and so I frequently encountered these conversations with

students: one, “Haven’t you read 1 Timothy 2?—Women aren’t supposed to be pastors.” Or, two

(from many female students), “Can I tell you a secret?—I think I’m called to ministry, but I

don’t know what my family or my church will say about that. They say women can’t be

pastors.”

Those early days were intense, but fruitful. I had the joy of being part of a major change

that APU was going through to align practice with APU’s theological commitments. I got to

encourage many students toward their own ministry callings. And, I had the fun of being able to

use my gifts and education for God’s glory. …But, it was definitely scary. I got a lot of critique,

I was watched closely, and there were huge expectations on me.

As a woman in leadership, there may be times when you need to navigate uncharted

territory for women within your field. Do this in the confidence that God has called you, God

knows you, God understands you, and God is with you. And, even if you do something

embarrassing, it’s okay—they will remember that you were there. And, remembering you, will

mean remembering that there was a woman leader in that role, and that will help the next

generation of women leaders to emerge.

What advice would you give leaders of all generations?

One of the most helpful things I have done to grow as a leader is to seek out voices

of great female leaders and immerse myself in their words. At some point after I graduated with

my master’s degree, I realized that almost every book I had been required to read during my

schooling was written by a male, and almost every professor I had during college and graduate

school had been a man. This is changing of course, and the men who have contributed to my

growth have been phenomenal. However, as a pastor, I am in a field that is still largely occupied

by men, and I realized that it was really hard to discover my own voice and style when I only had

male examples. I began being really purposeful about reading books by great women, watching

movies with a strong female lead, finding sermons by women preachers, and spending time in


conversation with great women leaders of all ages. This has enriched my life and leadership

enormously and has offered me tremendous encouragement! It has normalized my experience of

being a woman in leadership.

How have you kept your relationship with Christ strong as you juggle so

many responsibilities?

In my years here at APU, I have tried to be diligent about taking ½ days for prayer and

study. Usually for these, I go somewhere beautiful, like Mater Dolorosa, a passionist retreat

center in Sierra Madre, or to Serra Retreat Center in Malibu, or even to a quiet, lovely library. I

have found that it is important to build regular time into my work for prayer, and so I set aside

these days to sit before the Lord with my work and ask God for direction and His vision for these

agenda items. This time can also be helpful if there are things I need to read, contemplate, or

brainstorm. Building in margins of space for thinking and prayer is really a helpful practice for

keeping my relationship with God at the center of my work.

What advice would you give young women who want a family and a career?

Get your academic work done early, fast, and if possible, before you start a family. I

finished my doctoral work before I turned 30, and though I can honestly say that I loved my

doctoral program, I am tremendously grateful to have completed it before my children were

born, so I can spend time focused on my work and family alone, without one other thing that I

need to attend to.

What are current barriers to women in ministry and how can they be

removed?

Our Christian culture doesn’t often tell the stories of Jesus’ counter-cultural treatment of

women. In every interaction that Jesus has with women, he is overturning cultural norms that

were demeaning or oppressive to women. Jesus empowers women and uses them as important

vessels for communicating the Good News. By telling these stories, God’s heart for women

becomes really evident, and sheds new light on church life. Also, over the centuries, there has

been some really terrible teaching on a few of Paul’s letters and because of these inaccurate


interpretations, women have been oppressed and under-utilized in the Church. We need

contemporary preachers who will tell the stories of Jesus, exegete Paul’s letters well, and reveal

God’s heart for all people.

Melissa Stava, Associate Director,

Communiversity, and Adjunct Professor

M.A. in Ministry Management, APU

BA in Psychology, APU

9 year at APU

One thing to women in leadership...

I would tell women in leadership to be the best version of themselves they can be. We

don't need a bunch of women leading, and trying to be like someone else. If you focus on your

development, and making who God has created you to be, the absolute best you can, that is what

we need. Leading to be like others leads to competition and cattiness; leading from who you are

leads to confidence and inspiration.

What is one characteristic you believe every leader should possess...

Confidence. Not in an arrogant or cocky sense, but in a sense that you know God created

you, loves you and believes in you, so lead in a manner which reflects that. If you lead from a

place of confidence, those following you will feel inspired, secure, and loyal.


What is the best compliment you’ve ever gotten...

On a shallow level, someone told me they reminded them of Jennifer Anniston. On a

deeper level, someone told me they knew they could tell me anything and I wouldn't judge them.

If I could have dinner with one woman living or dead...

I would want to have dinner with two very different women. First, I would want to have

dinner with Margaret Thatcher, the longest serving Prime Minister of great Britain. She endured

and pioneered in ways I can only aspire to. The other woman would be Audrey Hepburn. She is a

truly fascinating figure in pop culture and I would love hear her stories and get some fashion tips.

Lori Lacy, Psy. D, UCC Licensened

Psychologist

BA in Psychology from APU with a Minor in Biblical

Studies

MA in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University

Psy. D. in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific

University

Strengths: Positivity, Woo, Developer

If I could say one thing to women in leadership it would be:

Lead in the way you would like to be lead. Follow what God has placed on your heart

and walk in confidence that when He calls, he will equip!


Favorite verse: “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this

is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1Thess 5:16-18

How does faith impact my leadership?

Faith is at the core of how I strive to live my life. My own little motto is “Live in Love.”

Live in a way that loves God and loves others. Those are the two main goals behind all that I do

in my career and in my personal life as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. I strive to

love and care for others while following God, in all that I do. I find myself praying A LOT!

Characteristics of a Good Leader:

A characteristic which I think all leaders should possess is transparency. I know that when I

mentor women or lead them in any capacity, I find that I connect best with them when I am

transparent, when I appropriately share my own struggles and acknowledge that I don’t have it

all together all the time. Individuals relate best when they have a leader who is knowable,

trustable, and accessible.

Women in Ministry:

I think one of the greatest barriers to being a woman in ministry is the criticism we place upon

ourselves. Sometimes I can be my own worst enemy. When I am able to show myself

compassion and grace, I find that I am less critical of my shortcomings, am more able to

acknowledge when I need help, and more able to help others without being self-conscious. As

women in leadership, we have all been called to a high calling and we have a desire to live our

lives with meaning and purpose. Trusting in the gifting’s that God has given us and allowing

those to be used freely allows us to live and lead freely. Live and lead with confidence and

without criticism.


Michelle Cross, MA ( 2015) ,

Student Service Advisor in One Stop

BA in Liberal Studies w/ Music Emphasis;

Professional Licensed Makeup Artist :)

Number of Years at APU: 15 altogether (5 yrs as an

undergrad student, 10 yrs on Staff)

Strengths: Woo, Communication, Strategic, Positivity,

Includer


Just be exactly who God created you to be. Walk in grace, humility, and strength and

watch the Lord move and use you in ways you've never dreamed or imagined. Don't limit what

our God can do!

Love God, Love People, and repeat!

Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully

made."

Favorite Quotes: "Every significant vision that God births in you is going to put your

courage to the test." - Bill Hybels (Pastor of Willow Creek Church)

"A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the

compassion to listen to the needs of others. He/she does not set out to be a leader, but becomes

one by the equality of his/her actions and the integrity of his/her intent." - Douglas MacArthur

Thoughts on Leadership


I believe it is important to know what your "calling" is and your purpose in Christ. I

created a personal "Vocational/ Leadership Statement" for myself. That statement has driven me

to continue pushing forward in becoming all that the Lord has called me to be. My personal

statement is:

"I was created to show Christ to others by living out my life in a way that speaks louder

than words. I was created to serve, lead, and mentor others in a way that encourages them to

seek God first in their lives. I strive to be a woman of compassion, integrity, humility, and grace,

one who walks in truth. I am called to be a leader who is a lover of people."

The Role of Mentorship

How have your mentors guided and supported you in your journey to where you are

now? My mentors have played a huge role in my life and have definitely helped get me to where

I am today. I have always been a relational person since I was a little girl, but I really valued

older women coming along side of me and praying with me, for me, and holding me accountable

to things in my life.

Sarah Rose Lochelt, MA, Administrative Assistant, Office for

Discipleship Ministries Master of Arts in Counseling Ministry from California

Baptist University,

Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministry from Azusa Pacific

University


Strengths: Communication, Positivity, Discipline, Strategic,

Woo

If you could say one thing to women in leadership, what would it be? You are first a follower of Christ and then a leader of others. I often forget that how I lead

others flows from how I follow God, and not the other way around. If I am not following Christ


closely and pursuing discipleship with Him, then I am able, through His strength, to lead others

into that same pursuit. If I am leading from my need for approval or admiration, then ultimately I

am not only setting myself up for failure and disappointment, but also setting up those who are

looking to me for leadership for that same failure. I always try to remember that, "The great

spiritual task facing me is to so fully trust that I belong to God that I can be free in the world -

free to speak even when my words are not received; free to act even when my actions are

criticized, ridiculed, or considered useless.... I am convinced that I will truly be able to love the

world when I fully believe that I am loved far beyond its boundaries." (Henri Nouwen)

Favorite Quote “Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is

done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when

I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the

door, and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of calmness, when all

around and above is trouble.” (Andrew Murray)

What habits have helped you reach your full potential? One of my favorite spiritual disciplines, and truthfully, one of the ways that I commune

with God the most deeply, is through the practice of Sabbath Rest. It’s so easy to glorify

busyness in our society, and I think this does a great disservice to our spiritual life, and in turn,

the way we serve and lead in every capacity. I really value taking intentional time away to rest,

to read, to spend time outside away from screens, even to just be more present with friends or

family. I think that as the world gets busier and leaders adopt more and more demands on their

time, this practice becomes more and more important as a retreat to be with God in the eye of our

storm of life.


removed? I think that one of the biggest obstacles for women today, whether they find themselves

in leadership positions or not, is the idea that we are supposed to have it all together and be

camera-ready in every aspect of our lives. I think it’s a ridiculous standard that we are held to,

and that we are holding ourselves to. On the one hand, we are responding to the media criticism

of women’s looks in a way that men are rarely, if ever, held to. On the other hand, we are often

as guilty of this as the media and culture is, as we find our own comments about fellow women

revolve around external characteristics rather than internal ones. I think that remedying this

problem begins with us accepting grace from God for all of our insecurities and shortcomings,

and then to offer that grace to each other in our words and our attitudes. I think often of this

quote - "I imagine that God does that to me, puts his hand on my head, on my heart, on my

savage insecurities, and as he does it, he thinks thankful thoughts about me. In my best moments,

when I calm down and listen closely, God says, "I didn't ask you to become new and improved

today. That wasn't the goal. You were broken down and strange yesterday, and you still are

today, and the only one freaked out about it is you." (Shauna Niequist)


What advice do you love giving to students about their future? Mindy Kaling puts it best when she says, “Sometimes you just have to put on lip gloss

and pretend to be psyched.” Amen.

Rachel Hastings, MA, Program

Manger, Honors College

Master's of Arts in Leadership & Organizational Studies, APU

Number of Years at APU: 6 +

Strengths: Harmony, Relator, Consistency, Responsibility, and

Connectedness


Learn how to say, "no". So many of us have the internal need to prove ourselves in our

private & professional lives. There is nothing wrong with saying, "no" and taking time for

ourselves. If we do not invest in ourselves and our mental well-being, we will not be able to be

the best wife, mother, friend, or daughter.

Favorite Bible Verse:

Genesis 2: 1-3

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he

rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it

he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.


This is my favorite because it reminds us that even God took time out for Himself. The passage

tells us twice that God rested.

What is your calling and how did you discover it?

My calling is to further the kingdom of Heaven. Right now it is making a positive impact

on the lives of the students I serve. I would love to continue fulfilling this calling in the capacity

I have been for the past several years, but I am open to the option of change.

Thoughts on Leadership

Lead by example not by words.


Work/life balance can be difficult. It is important to learn what needs to be completed

before going to bed, and what can wait for the next day. Your home does not need to be

spotlessly clean. The laundry does not always need to be put away. It is more important to play

with your children and enjoy them while they still wish to be around you. If you are constantly

pushing them away, eventually they will push you away as well. Oh, and learn how to use a

crockpot. It will become your new best friend.


Sarah Visser, PhD ( 2014) , Chair and

Assistant Professor, Department of

Leadership and Organizational Psychology

Calvin College (BA),

Azusa Pacific University (M.Ed.),

Claremont Graduate University (PhD)

Number of Years at APU: 4.5

Communication, Achiever, Empathy, Developer, Learner


I think there is too much emphasis on trying to lead a balanced life. I find myself

reluctant to embrace that metaphor. Instead, I like to put my energy into attempting to live an

integrated life. I believe that God has uniquely positioned me in the midst of many life roles,

relationships, and responsibilities. My calling isn't to do each of them perfectly....rather, my

calling is to surrender to being fully present wherever the Lord has placed me, finding ways to

see the divine linkages between all of these roles. This leads me to seek connections between my

roles as wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, professor, researcher, student, volunteer, mentor,

etc. It also reminds me that none of these roles are reliant on my own abilities or

sufficiency. The very best place I can be is in a posture of humble surrender...time and again, the

Lord has demonstrated His faithfulness and provision in my life.


Isaiah 26:3

"You will keep in perfect peace those who minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."

Favorite Quote:


First of all, I have WAY too many favorite quotes. Here are just a few:

“I would like to beg you, dear Sir, as well as I can, to have patience

with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the

questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written

in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could

not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them.

And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps

then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even

noticing it, live your way into the answer…” (Rainer Maria Rilke, 1903)

"Love is the goal, but faith is the laborious journey toward it." (Richard Rohr)

“The deeper our faith, the more doubt we must endure; the deeper our hope, the more prone we

are to despair; the deeper our love, the more pain its loss will bring: these are a few of the

paradoxes we must hold as human beings. If we refuse to hold them in the hopes of living

without doubt, despair, and pain, we also find ourselves living without faith, hope, and love.”

(Parker Palmer)

What do you believe makes an excellent leader?

It's hard to capture my philosophy of leadership excellence in a succinct way (especially

because so much of my time is spent teaching and researching the field of leadership!). If I had

to boil it down, I'd focus on developing the inner life of the leader. I think we live in a society

that is obsessed with the external outcomes of leadership...how charismatic, task-oriented,

successful, strategic, visionary, and relational a leader is. What I've learned from my personal

journey is that my identity as a leader is rooted in my willingness to pay attention to what's

happening at the soul level. I need to strive to listen to all of my life and learn "to respond to

each of its dimensions wholly and with integrity" (Chittister, 1990). For this reason,

transparency, vulnerability, and fallability are all huge parts of how I make sense of

leadership. We don't have to have it all together. We do have to be willing to admit that we

don't have it all together. And even more importantly, we have to be willing to keep walking

forward in the midst of that realization, trusting that God's power and plan for our lives far


outweighs our limited understandings and aspirations. When we can live in this sweet spot,

transformation happens...personally, relationally, systemically...it's living evidence of God's

reconciling power.

How have your mentors guided and supported you in your journey to where

you are now?

I can't say enough about the value of mentorship. One of the things I'd wished I'd known

earlier in life is that many of the most powerful mentoring relationships are initiated by the

mentee. This is true in my life...some of my dearest mentors are people that I pursued

relationship with. I've learned that the people I admire and want to emulate are the types of

people that I need speaking into my life. And often, the areas of my life that feel the most

vulnerable are areas that other folks have navigated and continue to navigate (e.g.- am I doing

this "mom" thing right? do I really have what it takes to teach and lead? am I truly seeking

deepened relationship with God or just going through the motions?). There is profound power in

sharing our narratives with others...I believe that we were created to live in community and that

mentoring is one way that authentic community thrives. My mentors allow me to explore my

fears, to own my mistakes, to ask the tough questions, and to wholeheartedly step into the risk of

being truly known. It's a transformative process...

Why is it important to have women leaders?

In recent years, there's been a lot of research focused on women in leadership. In

particular, there has been an increased interest in exploring things like relational competencies

and women's ways of knowing and leading. I think this is an important consideration, but I think

the best contribution of this scholarship is that it's shining light on the complexity of human

experience and the need for leaders who are willing to embrace this complexity and lead in

courageous and authentic ways. To me, this is at the center of God's heart for justice. I see more

and more leaders beginning to frame their roles as opportunities to pursue just relationships, just

practices, just values, and just change (whether personal change or systemic change). Thus, there

is an increasing tendency to see leadership as a collective rather than individual endeavor. What


I don't want to do is suggest that this approach is essentialized to women (and, unfortunately,

plenty of writing does this). Instead, I want to celebrate the contributions of women and men to

the pursuit of justice. I think that increasing the presence and voice of women (and other

historically marginalized groups) in leadership is not just symbolic of justice, it is indicative of

God's design and an affirmation of our collective human purpose.

Jeanine Smith, M. Div, Spiritual

Mentoring Coordinator

Education: M.Div from Fuller Theological Seminary

Number of Years at APU: 5+


A good leader prepares herself first. Be a good girl scout and always be prepared. Give

the time and energy necessary to making sure you personally have what you need before you

equip others. Are you leading a trip? Don’t spend so much time preparing for the group that you

neglect the time necessary to pack your own bag well. Are you leading a small group? Don’t

spend so much time on gathering RSVPs and making treats that you have not first taken in the

lesson for yourself. You will never be a very good leader if you show up hungry, tired, and

frazzled. Take care of yourself.


What woman inspires you and why?

My 7 year daughter and her friends are an inspiration to me. Ask a room of second

graders, “Who can sing? Who can run?” Thirty little hands will go up. But ask a room of adults,

“Who can sing? Who can run?” and you might get one hand up for each. What happened on the

way to adulthood?

Where is that childlike spirit that I had? We all pretty much had it. Think about all the

failure and obstacles that exist to go from a sweet infant who just learned to roll over to a

walking little toddler. Bumps and bruises and falls happen again and again, but we don’t know

failure as a permanent reality. We only know desire as a driving force to be and to do more.

What made us cease to believe we could do more?

It’s that ruler we use to measure ourselves against others. We have compared ourselves,

and found another person better. We have pulled back and left all the work to “professionals.”

We have sidelined ourselves. We are competing against each other and the rivalry leaves us

timid. We’ve done an assessment and we’ve decided we don’t belong. We are copying others,

rather than be the best original version of ourselves we can be.

You were meant for more and you know it. God dreamt something better for you.

Sure, failure is all AROUND you, anchoring you to “this is as good as it gets.” But if

Christ is IN you and God is FOR, what are we waiting for? What are your big dreams? What

might breathe life into you? Where is your heart happy? God knit that into the fabric of you.

Let the fear of failure diminish. Let God move you. No more copying. No more

competing. No more comparing. Where is God urging you to lean in and jump off?

Right now my daughter is dancing and running. But the clock is ticking, and she is

growing. I pray she keeps her fears small and her dreams grand. I pray the applause of others will

fall on deaf ears in comparison to the “Well done” from the LORD. I pray the weapon of the

ruler will break in the face of Jesus’ welcoming embrace.


The clock is ticking and she is growing. There will be a time and space when her dreams

and joys will turn into her calling. We can’t leave that to the “professionals.” She can’t be

comfortable with the sidelines when God has her position on the field. And neither can we.

She was meant for more and she knows it. You were meant for more and I pray you don’t let up

until you lay hold of it.

How can women be spiritual leaders on this campus, in their communities,

and in this world?

You cannot lead where you have not gone. If you are going to be a spiritual leader, you

need to be led by the Spirit. You must commit yourself daily to lean in to the LORD. Your

genuine service to our Savior will draw others to you.

John the Baptists’ words ring true, Jesus “must become greater; I must become less” (John

3:30). Do not worry about being a leader, having followers, or receiving applause. Focus on

where God is leading you and who you are following and you will receive clarity and wisdom

about your role and calling in our world.

Rachel Lincoln,

Residence Director of Trinity Hall

Bachelor's in Communication & Biblical Studies

Pursuing MA in Leadership & Organizational Studies

Woo, Communication, Developer, Relator, Achiever


I would tell women in leadership that your voice is important, your voice is valuable, and

your voice needs to be heard. Too often we are the first ones to second guess ourselves and our


own value in leadership positions, but in fact we are very much needed at the core of where

decisions are being made. We need to support women, advocate for women and women's needs,

and be a bold voice to promote healthy change and vision in order for women to feel valued. It is

okay to question the way things have always gone because change is good and healthy. Promote

your own voice and be bold with sharing your vision.


I firmly believe my calling is to advocate for college student leaders and assist in their

growth and development as they navigate one of the trickiest and richest seasons of their lives. I

want to challenge them in their thinking, provide them with opportunities to see a world outside

of their own frame of reference, I want to inspire them with stories that show them they can be

anything they want to be despite what societal standards would say. I want to empower them to

serve their fellow college students with grace and humility and specific vision. I feel especially

called to developing young women as they navigate what it means to be a female leader. Too

often, outspoken young women are told to be quiet, instead of being told they have great

leadership potential and I would like to be a voice in women's lives that tells them to speak up, to

use their words, and to feel affirmed in their leadership skills. I want to advocate for women who

are learning how to reconcile their faith and femininity, and I want to be a voice of truth that

shows them ways to know Jesus in a way that makes them see their own value and worth.

What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?

I know who my people are and I keep them close to me. I surround myself with people

who bring forth my best and make me want to be better. I seek out personal and professional

mentors who will challenge me to do better and keep me focused and motivated. I also surround

myself with people that are different than me because I want to be challenged in my thinking. I

want to learn to be more open-minded because I fully recognize that my way is not always the

best or only way. I seek out people that I can take to coffee and soak up their wisdom and I am

bold with asking people for advice when I see that they have accomplished things I would like to

one day accomplish. I look for ongoing training opportunities through HR or other offices so that


I can always keep my mind sharp. I ask the hard questions to my own mentors and friends in

order to learn what it is I can improve on and I take their advice to heart. I make tangible changes

in my every day life and I do not discredit small moments because that is how I change.

What advice do you love giving to students about their future?

My favorite season to walk through students with is their graduation time. I love

brainstorming ideas about the future and filling out reference forms and giving them hope for the

future because it is an exciting time in life and it should be enjoyed to its fullest. I always like to

remind students that, though it may feel like I'm lying, whatever you decide to do after college is

not the most crucial decision of your life. It is okay to have a fully detailed plan, and it's also

okay not to. It's okay to take some time off from school and it's okay to dive right into an MBA.

Each person's story is completely different and learning to accept our own path as God's best for

our life is the best way to navigate such a tricky season.

Jillian Gilbert, DSL,

Assistant Professor, School of

Business and Management

BA. Communication,

MA Organizational Leadership,

Doctor Strategic Leadership


Strategic, Futuristic, Activator, Relater,

Communication



I have a favorite quote: " The people who receive praise from the Lord Jesus will not in

every case be the people who hold leadership in this life. There will be many persons who were

sticks of wood that stayed close to God and were quiet before Him, and were used in power by

Him in a place which looks small to men. Each Christian is to be a rod of God in the place of

God for him. We must remember throughout our lives that in God's sight there are no little

people and no little places. (Francis Schaeffer)

What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

When I was in junior high my mother had a chat with me before school started and she

said. " Jillian, you know who you are. When you know who you are, others will not know what

to do with that confidence. They will try to find ways to question who you are and tear you

down. In those moments, remember... you know who you are and you know who God is. Those

are the two most important things." I think about this advice everyday and everyday I live, it

has proven to be so true. The battle is real, be true to who you are- not what others are telling you

to be.

Your personal leadership philosophy:

I am a leader and a follower. In any given day I both lead and follow. Because of this, I

must not be so tied to the "position" of a leader. Leadership happens at all levels regardless of

title. My followership (how I follow God and others) impacts every facet of my leadership. My

leadership impacts every facet of how I follow. I must be willing and ready for whatever

capacity God has for me. Because of this, leadership is not just a position, it is not just a process,

it is not just influence, it is also a condition of the heart and a state of mind. It requires me to be

in relationship with people as God desires. It requires me to lift others up while I follow and it

requires a posture of Agapao Love (moral love) that says people are important and how I lead,

give tasks, receive tasks, discipline, complain, and give critique are all within the framework of

God's model for relationships. To do this, I must be actively leading myself and seeking


personal wholeness/awareness of how I am in engaging and relating with people in the

workplace. Calvin Miller states, " you will do God no favors by forging into the world with no

sense of who you are. Choosing to ignore self is a self-imposed limitation of your leadership

potential."

What is the impact or role of mentorship in higher education:

Mentorship is crucial. We need people to bounce ideas off of. We also need advocates-

people who are our cheerleaders, looking out for us. I have had both personal and professional

mentors all of whom have had significant impact on what I thought was possible. They

encouraged me, prayed with me through the struggles of life, as well as guide me in what it

means to be a woman of strength.

Susie Black, MDiv,

Assistant Campus Pastor

BS Health Science from SFSU

MA Counseling

MDiv Pastoral Care


Strategic, Ideation, Communication, Empathy and

Adaptability


As women in leadership, many of us are pioneers and that is not typically a comfortable

or easy place to be. Craving security, stability, (and dare I say validation?) we often look for the

broad, wide path to success in life and ministry. A very wise mentor recently asked me, “Do you


have the courage to be called without a template?” It reminded me of the words of Jesus when

he taught, “…narrow (is) the road that leads to life, and few will find it” (Mt. 7:14). In a culture

that worships notoriety and gives kudos for conformity, remember the narrow road.

Be careful not to be swallowed up in the machinery of the institutions and systems of this

world and/or the church. Jesus did not design you, a uniquely gifted woman created in his

image, to become a cog in a wheel. Invest in and cultivate a listening ear to discern the voice and

heart of God, and the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life. Let God be your anchor and

compass. Place your security in HIM alone, even if he leads you to uncharted waters or sends

you out into the wilderness.

If you are seeking to heal the wounds of your heart, fill the holes in your soul and answer

the deep questions regarding your purpose and worth by ministry or career success, you will one

day wake up and realize the hollowness and futility of that pursuit. Never settle for less than

what God has for you. Always seek Him and His kingdom first, rather than attempting to build

your own kingdom in Jesus’ name. You do not be the girl who comes to Jesus one day saying,

“Lord, lord, haven’t I accomplished wonderful things in your name?” In Matthew 7:23, Jesus

replies with the saddest words I can imagine a person receiving from him, “I never knew you…”

Favorite Quotes: You have the life you want.

Where did you grow up and how has that impacted your journey?

I grew up in Mountain View, California. As the youngest sibling in a family that did not

attend church, my introduction to and pursuit of Christ has been somewhat of an anomaly. Mtn.

View was a great place to live. I have dear lifelong friends from the neighborhood I grew up

in. It is a highly educated area full of successful Silicon Valley professionals, many of whom do

not feel the need to go to church or pursue a relationship with God. While a general sense of

spirituality is prized, the name of Jesus and those who claim to be his followers often are not

well received. The SFO Bay Area is largely considered a post-Christian culture where people are

aware of the existence of Jesus and the church, but are not interested in pursuing them. Growing

up in this environment and completing my undergraduate degree at San Francisco State forced

me to grapple at an early age with the tough questions of my faith as well as the historical

mistakes and injuries caused by Christians and the church. I knew, even as an adolescent that if I


were to choose the way of Christ, I would be in the minority. Discipleship to Christ then became

a conscious decision of the will that immediately set me against the cultural norms of my family,

friends and society. This forged in me a strength and conviction that I might not otherwise have

achieved until much later in life had I been raised in a Christian family or more conservative

religious culture.

Is there an interesting fact most people wouldn’t know about you?

I have bungee jumped in New Zealand, golfed in Scotland and skied the Swiss Alps. I

am a huge kid at heart and I love to play.

What is the best compliment you’ve ever gotten?

A respected friend and mentor that I dearly love and look up to once told me that I help

her see Jesus more clearly. I was floored. I can think of no higher compliment.


I have a dual calling to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body

of Christ (Eph. 4:12) and to bind up the brokenhearted, fostering healing among God’s people

(Is. 61). The two aspects of my calling intersect, overlap and work together. I initially sensed a

calling to pastoral ministry as a teenager when I began discipling middle school girls.

Unfortunately, when I responded to a ministry altar call at church, I was informed that I could

not be called to pastoral ministry because I am a female, but I could certainly become a pastor’s

wife. That was the first of many confusing and invalidating experiences surrounding my gender

and calling. Graciously, the Lord has helped me come to a place of peace and healing in this

regard. He has imparted to me a strong internal sense of who I am and what he has called me to

do. It was God who called me “minister, healer, pastor” long before any person recognized or

publically gave me position or title. Several years ago, God gave me what I consider my mission


statement that guides the work I do. I am to Stand Before those who are seeking, Stand Beside

those who are hurting and Stand Behind those who are stepping out in faith.

What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

If every leader possessed knowledge of the good, developed the character to embody it,

and possessed the courage to accomplish it, the world would be a vastly different place.

Who are your heroes?

Dallas and Jane Willard. Much of the way I conceptualize and experience the Kingdom

of God comes from Dallas’ teachings, and I value Jane’s work as a therapist. Most of all, I am

inspired by the people I have known them to be. My husband wrote his PhD Dissertation on the

theology of Dallas Willard, so any conversation you have with either of us will be saturated with

Willardian ideology and the pursuit of the God-infused life. I encourage you to read all of

Dallas’ works beginning with Divine Conspiracy, and of course, Gary Black’s book: “The

Theology of Dallas Willard: Discovering Protoevangelical Faith.”

The Role of Mentorship:

My mentors have been vital to my growth and personal development for decades. I did

not grow up in a Christian home and this has forced me to intentionally pursue wise mentors in

every season of my life. When I move to a new area, I begin to ask God to reveal who he would

have mentor me in the current season. Then I look around for people who exude the peace, joy,

and love that come from knowing God and walking closely with him. At this time, I have a

mentor in her 50’s, one in her 60’s, one in her 70’s and one in her 80’s. I am so blessed to walk

with and glean from such amazing women!


(Matthew 6:33. 7:7-12) Seek first and foremost God and his kingdom. Everything else

will fall into place. As I said in question #1, “Invest in and cultivate a listening ear to discern the


voice and heart of God, and the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life.” He is a good father and I

trust his ability to lead you in all aspects of life and living, if you want him to.

Sandy Hough, M. Ed

Westmont College BA,

Azusa Pacific University MEd. College Student Affairs

PhD Higher Education (APU, Expected Dec. 2015)

Number of Years at APU: 19, since 1995

Achiever, Individualization, Belief, Learner, Developer


Be you. SO cliche but true. You will find greatest satisfaction when you are living out the life

God has called you to.


"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in

weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's

power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9


Grew up in Redlands California. Was the middle kid of three. My older sister was born

with a form of cerebral palsy. Growing up with her changed my life. I see things differently

and through a lens of grace.



I was in a youth circus for 7 years


My calling is to passionately serve students. I love walking along side students through

all stages of their life.


Resilency: The ability to bounce back after crappy stuff

What is the biggest challenge facing leaders today?

Integrity.

Who are some APU women that everyone should know?

Shino Simons, Stephanie Orona, Ginny Dadain

Describe your faith journey?

Raised in a Christian home but didn't know have a "true relationship" until college. My

faith has been stretched and challenge through many personal circumstances, specifically the loss

of my sister and through extensive time and experiences in Kenya.

What do you feel women contribute to leadership?

Women often have a different way of seeing things. Not necessarily better, just different.

How do you balance your personal life and your work life? Moment by moment. It is a constant

shift of priorities. I firmly believe in living in the moment and as I have gotten older, realize I

cannot do everything. Surprise, Surprise :-)


Chaili Brittain Trentham, Residence

Director

MA in Leadership, APU (In Progress);

BA in Communication Studies from APU

Number of Years at APU: 3 (+4 in undergrad)

Strengths: Developer, Relator, Activator, Includer,

Empathy


Abide in the true, authentic, and genuine spirit of who you are when journeying in your

leadership position. Be confident and walk forward in love, knowing that your passion and heart

for your calling are valued, worthy, and will absolutely make a difference. And always, always

be kind.

How do you encourage creative thinking in your staff and students?

I encourage students to dream big and collaborate. Don't settle into comfortable, but

strive for the best. If you can't make those specific ideas happen, then bring in those around you

who do have the gifts and talents to contribute. Everything can be better with collaboration in the

creative process, but can only happen when there is a culture of shared ideas for the opportunity

to curate something beautiful together.


Karen Rouggly, M. A

Associate Director for Mobilization,

Center for Student Action

MA. in Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary

Education: Azusa Pacific and Fuller Theological Seminary

Number of Years at APU: 3.5 years

Woo, Positivity, Activator, Adaptability, Communication,

Input, Ideation


Don't be afraid to take risks! Don't be afraid to put yourself out there because you really

will never know unless you try. And living with a failure or two is a lot easier than living with a

lifetime of regret.


I love all of Psalm 139. It reminds me that God really did know me before I knew myself

or my own calling. My mother didn't take care of herself, or me, while she was pregnant, and so

the idea that God knit me together in my mothers womb (139: 13) reminds me that God has a

plan for me, despite what the world around me says or does. God has created me for a specific

purpose and ultimately, I cannot escape that, and nor do I want to. It's also a good reminder when

I get down on myself or my reflection in the mirror, that the Lord knows me more intimately

than anyone else, and God sees where I am and I am that darkness of what I'm feeling or seeing

cannot overcome me.



Some of the best advice I have ever received was to not rush into grad school. My

undergrad degree is in Theatre, which I loved doing, but it's nowhere near what I am doing now.

Granted, I believe my theatre degree helps me in my current position, but I needed time to

discover who I was and what I wanted to do. So I took 4 years off between school and it was

probably some of the most vocational formative years I've had. I needed the chance to really

understand that my passion for ministry work was more than just a passion, but it could be a

calling and a vocation. So I took risks, I challenged myself to explore different things, and when

I found the program I enrolled in at Fuller, because of the opportunities I had, during that 4

years, I was really able to get so much more out of it. I was also able to unify my learning in the

classroom seamlessly with my experience at the time working as a full-time missionary. It all

came full-circle too. After completing my Masters Degree, I really wanted to jump right into a

Doctorate. And I reminded myself that the most formative time for my academic and vocational

calling was that in-between. So I'm not rushing into a terminal degree anytime soon. What advice

would you give young women who want a family and a career? I think the two do not need to be

mutually exclusive. I think you can have them both and thrive in both. Sure, there are times

where having a family and a career are difficult, and I think anyone who tells you it's easy is just

lying. But I think having a career makes me a better mom, and I think being a mom, makes me a

better career person. I also think it's easy to vilify the other side. For instance, I think it's easy for

mothers with careers outside the home to judge those who find their career at home, and vice

versa. I'm tired of spending my days judging and being judged for my parenting and career

choices. I think as women, I'd rather us just acknowledge that motherhood and and career-hood

is hard, and loving and respecting each other takes a lot less work than judging and one-upping

each other.


I always want my students to think outside the box. I push them by asking "Has this been

done before?" and if so, I want a good reason why it's worthy of replicating again. I think women

and men are made in the image of God and our God is CREATIVE! We should be seeking to be

creative in all that we do! I also try and remind them that creativity looks different for different


people. Your creativity might not be in typical ways, like arts, or photography, but it might be in

words of encouragement, or the way you dress.

Starla Anderson, MA, JD

Assistant Professor of Communication Studies

Bachelor's degrees in Communication and Music Education with a Political Science Minor

Master's Degree in Broadcast Journalism

Juris Doctorate in Law

Master's of Laws in Dispute Resolution

14 years at APU

Input, Restorative, Achiever, Learner, Activator

Leadership Advice:

Calmness is the cradle of power. Be the calm in the room, use objective criteria to

support recommendations/proposals, and pray for wisdom with regard to your timing. Diligence

and patience will pay off.

Be an individual who has a tough mind and tender heart.


I have been called to be a Peacemaker. It began in Kindergarten advocating for those

who were not being treated fairly, was fostered as the youngest of three children who

consistently tried to broker treaties between my bickering siblings, and continued to grow as I

saw the pain present in our court system even after a favorable verdict was rendered. My passion

for peacemaking culminated during my coursework at Pepperdine University's Straus Institute

for Dispute Resolution. There I found tools that produced personal growth and equipped me to

guide my students along their own journeys to understand their past to make choices that will

provide them with a brighter future. I see my role as equipping students to handle conflicts


constructively to prevent the likelihood of them ever becoming a litigant in a courtroom

procedure where the tangible and emotional costs are high.

Faith and Education:

I never knew throughout my entire academic career where the funds would come from to

pay my tuition. God worked in mysterious ways to provide for me through the generosity of

others, early entrepreneurship, car accidents and burglaries to provide in ways I would never

have anticipated. I frequently stepped forward in faith that He would provide the resources I

needed. When God has a calling on your life, He will work out the details necessary to prepare

you for work He wants you to complete.

Jeanette Garces, Administrative

Assistant, Student Life

12 years

Belief, Positivity, Adaptability, Relator, Developer


Be confident in the Woman that God called YOU to be; because, YOU were

extraordinarily and uniquely created; there is only ONE of YOU!! Be the best but most honest

version of yourself!



Today it's: "for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose"

Phil 2:13

Favorite Quotes:

At the end of the day, you are not what you do; your duties do not define you as a

person. You are defined by who you are in Christ!

(can't remember who I heard this from, but it always stuck) :)


Most recently I received this advice: The reminder that success is about my relationship

with Jesus!

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Saying yes to Jesus; saying yes to marrying my husband; saying yes to having my

girls. (in that order) :)

Who are your role models and why do you admire them?

My mom... She is a simple yet strong woman who loves Jesus and will do anything for

His glory and the family He has given her!!

What is your favorite thing about working with students?

The "A-ha" moment :) Also, watching the growth of less dependance on themselves and

full dependency in Christ!


M. Elaine Walton, Psy. D

Director of the Women’s Resource Center

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology


Strengths: Maximizer, Include, Input, Learner, Competition


Be yourself! God has intentionally created you just as you are to do just what He needs.

Be your wonderful, marvelous self!!

Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 19:14

Favorite Quotes: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” Eleanor

Roosevelt


Indianapolis, Indiana. Growing up in the Midwest has shaped every aspect of my

journey; spiritually, morally, culturally


My best compliment was that I was a great mother.



“Remove can’t from your vocabulary. You can do anything”… my mother


My biggest accomplishments have been accepting Christ for myself and being the mother

of 3 incredibly, awesome adults.


Lead as though there is no one else.


I believe an excellent leader has the ability to connect with people, individually and

collectively, to convey the vision and the plan for success.

What habits have helped you reach your full potential?

Prayer, persistence and forgiveness

How do you become a better leader?

Evaluation and assessment.


I believe every leader should be honest. The ability and desire to be honest shapes most

other decisions.



My greatest role model has always been and will always be my mother, Ermil Thompson.


Shino Simons, Sarah Visser, every woman in leadership.


you are now?

Many incredible women have mentored, guided and supported me on this journey. My

mother, grandmothers and aunts were my earliest mentors and those who are alive remain my

most ardent supporters. Along the way women of faith, educators and psychologists have all

taken time to share their stories, guide my decisions and support me, not just my

successes. Without each woman being a presence in my live, I may well have chosen a less

arduous, less rewarding path.

How does your faith impact your leadership?

My relationship with Christ shapes everything I think, say or do. I believe I cannot be an

effective leader without a solid, vital relationship based on faith.


Kaley Lindquist, MS

Graduate Assistant, Women’s Resource

Center 12- 14

Coordinator for Campus Life, Erskine College, SC, 2014

M.S. College Counseling and Student Development

B.A. Communication Studies, Media Studies

Responsibility, Belief, Harmony, Developer, Learner

Thoughts on Leadership:

Live out the love of God. When you breathe God in, you breathe out love. Don’t be afraid

to be who God made you to be. Figure about what you want your life to be about (what you

dream about, what you value, what you love, whom you admire) and go after it whole-heartedly!

Give 110% and then ask for help when you need it. This might mean being willing to give some

other things up that are less important to you (and that doesn’t mean less important to your mom

or friend or co-worker). You don’t have to do everything, truly. Ask great questions and soak up

the wisdom of others. Be confident in who you are and who your God is. Be strong and

courageous!


Joshua 1:9. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or

discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go


Favorite Quotes:

This is it. This is life in all its glory, swirling and unfolding around us, disguised as

pedantic, pedestrian non-events. But pull of the mask and you will find your life, waiting to be

made, chosen, woven, crafted.

Your life, right now, today, is exploding with energy and power and detail and

dimension, better than the best movie you have ever seen. You and your family and your friends

and your house and your dinner table and your garage have all the makings of a life of epic

proportions, a story for the ages. Because they all are. Every life is.

You have stories worth telling, memories worth remembering, dreams worth working

toward, a body worth feeding, a soul worth tending, and beyond that, the God of the universe

dwells within you, the true culmination of super and natural.

You are more than dust and bones. You are spirit and power and image of God. And you

have been given Today.”

― Shauna Niequist,


I grew up across the pond in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. This always blows people’s mind

because I look like the quintessential California girl. Now, my life wasn’t what you may expect.

My parents were teachers and I went to public school. I lived in a house and had a car, just like

people who grew up in the United States. I was born in Saudi Arabia and lived there until the day

after my fourteenth birthday. There wasn’t a high school for Americans so the option was to

move back to the states or go to boarding school. My vote was boarding school, but my mom

was intent on keeping our family together. Living in the Middle East changed me forever.

Actually, it didn’t change me as much as it shaped me from the beginning. It is my home. I had

the true blessing of living in a culture that was not my own. I met people who were different than

I was in so many ways. I traveled the world. I went on my first airplane at two-weeks old and

have visited 29 countries since (Switerzland and Sri Lanka being my favorites!). I know what it

is like to be the minority, the outcast, picked on, and persecuted. I’m not saying that I am a

victim or that I understand the minority experience in America; but, I do know that you can

never judge someone by what you see on the outside. God created us all to be intentionally

unique, with our own stories and gifts and talents and passions. How beautiful is that! God uses

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/425914.Shauna_Niequist


your story whether you are from Puerto Rico or Paris, Chicago or Congo, Dhahran or Duarte.

Your past is important. Your story is important. You are important!


When I preached in Senior Chapel last year, I was blown away by the support and

encouragement from my friends, mentors, and students who attended. A dream that I had always

had to be a speaker (but I kept secret and hidden from fear of failure and rejection) had finally

come true and I was on top of the world. Jamie Noling-Auth, one of my all-time favorite women

in the world told me that I spoke the way that Shauna Niequist wrote. Now, if you know me,

you know that I am a HUGE Shauna fan. So this was basically the kindest thing and deeply

affirming thing anyone could say. I want to speak and live in a way that connects with people,

the way that I feel connected to Shauna through her books.

What was your dream job as a kid and why?

My dream job as a kid was to be a movie-star or a princess. Now, when I say “kid,” what I really

mean is that my whole life I have wanted to be a movie-star or a real-life princess. I used to try to

convince people that I was Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s long lost triplet. I would still like to

be a princess, but with a real job too, and without the pressure.

How have you forged a path to success?

Find the things that you love. Investigate the things that you value and that fulfill you. Give those

things 110% and look for opportunities to get involved in anyway that you can (even if it means

doing it for free for a time). Find women, or men, you look up to who are doing those things that

you want to do and ask them lots of questions. Ask for help, do your research, and be creative.


Do not be afraid to take big risks! Apply to a job across the country or in a new city. Be open to

the possibilities that God has for you and he will ALWAYS be faithful.

Effective Leadership:

Be a leader who inspires others to lead well. Treat others the way you want to be treated;

it’s the golden rule. Lead by example and you will have greater impact on those who are looking

to you. Be a creative leader; be innovative and inspired by those you are serving and the issues

you see in your community. A good leader can see the iceberg before it hits; make a commitment

to knowing what is going on around you and in you. Value your community extravagantly.

Value your own self-worth extravagantly. Value your God-given gifts and strengths. Above all,

value your God and his sovereign extravagantly.

What is the impact or role of mentorship in higher education?

Mentorship is so special to me. I feel like I have the best people in the world around me

everyday at APU. I am always amazed at the wisdom that surrounds us that we may not even

think to tap into (That’s why I created this book!). I think that having people in your life who

will speak into you honestly and point God out to you in your circumstances when you can’t see

Him working yourself is totally invaluable. I call these people my Board of Trustees. Some

people call it a Home Team, A-Team, President’s Cabinet. Whatever you call it, just find it! I

think Shauna Niequist says it best: “Everybody has a home team: It’s the people you call when

you get a flat tire or when something terrible happens. It’s the people who, near or far, know

everything that’s wrong with you and love you anyways. These are the ones who tell you their

secrets, who get themselves a glass of water without asking when they’re at your house. These

are the people who cry when you cry. These are your people, your middle-of-the-night, no-

matter-what people.” For me these people have been APU women: Jamie Noling-Auth, Elaine

Walton, Sarah Lochelt, Jeanine Smith, Khristi Adams, and Karen Lang. They speak words of

love and affirmation over me. They guide me and support me in my academics, love, friendship,

ministry, and all of the ups-and-downs of life.


Women in Ministry:

Women are important because God made woman (duh!). God made us with a purpose.

We are not side-kick, B-Team, second-thought. We are women, ezer, helpmate. Women are half

of the image of God and they have important things to say about His world, His word, and His

character. I think that women need to hear more about their strength, and their power, and their

value, and less about arguments about place, position, and title. I think we need to hear more

about options and different perspectives and worldviews, because not everyone lives just like us.

I think that when we are surrounded by women (our Board of Trustees) who empower us to live

big, dream big, adventure big, we will live out our calling in new and meaningful ways: whether

that be in the home, in a school, in a business, or across the globe. God has a beautiful story and

women are a part of that. Praise God! I know so many bright, beautiful, inspiring women who

are passionate about loving Jesus with every fiber of their being and who are doing amazing

things in the world. I’d like to focus on those women; let’s celebrate those women!

Gidget Wood, RN, MSN, FNP- C

Nurse Practitioner

Health Center Director

Graduated from Azusa Pacific University 1986 BSN and 2004

MSN

9 years at APU

Strengths: Empathy, Achiever, Responsibility, Relator,

Communication

Thoughts on Leadership:

Leadership is about the team! Build a strong team!


Favorite Quotes:

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget

how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

“Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of someone else.”

Judy Garland

Women in Ministry:

Greatest blessing experienced from my personal ministry work

I prayed many years for a daughter; God gave me three wonderful sons. It wasn’t long after I

came to work in the APU Student Health Center that I realized God brought many girls into my

life. I have been blessed with walking the journey with many amazing young women struggling

in relationships, health issues (some as the result of relationships), and eating disorders.

Empowering young women blesses me!

Advice to students about their future:

As women, it is vital that you learn self-care. Just like the instructions on an airplane, if the

oxygen masks drop down, put your mask on first before you offer help to others…even if it is a

child. You must take care of yourself and fill your own tank if you want to be effective in caring

for others!

Jennifer E. Walsh, Ph. D Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and

Professor of Political Science

B.A., University of California, Riverside (Political Science);

M.A., Claremont Graduate University (Politics);

Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University (Political Science)


Achiever, Ideation, Intellection, Learner, Strategic



Don't be afraid to lead -- and don't apologize for leading! God has given you an

opportunity to influence people and programs, so make the most of it. If God is for you, who can

be against you?


Two things: The first is: "Always keep your c.v. current", which is advice that I took to

heart as a new faculty member, and it has been a huge blessing. For those who are not in

academia, it basically means "don't rest on past accomplishments, and continue to look for new

opportunities that keep your skills fresh and your connections current." The second is: "It's much

easier to tear down, but much harder to build up. Do the hard thing: Build up!" This sound,

biblical advice was offered gently to me when I was exhibiting a critical spirit during my first

year at APU. My wiser, senior colleague was kind to admonish me, and I have treasured this

advice and returned to it over and over. It has helped me to stay positive, even when I encounter

things that are frustrating and illogical -- but rather than criticizing, I look for ways in which I

can help to make things better.


My calling is to make a positive impact on the kingdom through my teaching and

leadership in higher education, and my understanding of this calling has evolved slowly over

time. Initially, I felt called to study and then to teach at the collegiate level, and this was

confirmed by the success I experienced and the great joy that I had in doing my job. Later, I felt

prompted by the Spirit to volunteer to lead a small academic conference -- and again, had great

success and satisfaction in that experience. This pattern has repeated itself enough through the

years, and has been confirmed by others around me, that I feel comfortable in identifying higher

education teaching and administration as my God-given vocation.


What is a time you felt challenged and learned to overcome that challenge?

What few people realize is that tackling huge challenges, such as writing a book,

rebuilding the Common Day of Learning program, or launching a major initiative, terrifies me!

Yet, I have learned to listen for God's prompting, and when I know that He is in something, it

gives me the courage to press ahead. Practically, I have learned that hard work is a key

ingredient of success, as is talking with others and listening to their ideas. I am not too proud to

accept correction or advice, for I know that in listening to wise counsel and soliciting to the

feedback of my students and colleagues, I can improve on my own instincts in order to make the

next project even better.


Do even greater things! (John 14:12)


A good leader is someone who is dedicated -- willing to pour oneself out for others and to

do the hard work to see that the job is well done. A good leader is also humble and able to admit

when she has made a mistake. Think about this for a moment: Our politicians play the passive

blame game ("A mistake was made") instead of admitting fault and pledging to try to correct the

mistake. Others in authority -- pastors, supervisors, parents -- do the same. A great leader is one

who willing to sacrifice her pride in order to restore confidence and trust in her judgment.


At this stage in my life, I am looking to surround myself with others who can offer honest

feedback and sound counsel about my strengths and weaknesses as a leader. While I recognize

the value of playing to one's strengths, I am also personally interested in mitigating my

weaknesses. I've read too many tales about leaders who have failed in the latter half of their life

because they never attained victory over that sin or that weakness that tripped them up time and


time again. Those who know me know that I very much want to finish this race strong; I want to

hear the Lord say "Well done, good and faithful servant!"


Personally, my husband -- his work ethic is second-to-none! But, professionally, I have

had a few key personal "champions" who have recommended me for opportunities, but very few

role models as we might traditionally define them. One of my favorite undergraduate faculty

members was Dr. Barbara Sinclair, who was a famous Congressional scholar and wrote a

number of key treatises on congressional procedure. In doing her job, she showed me how one

could be a great teacher and scholar, and still remain feminine in a man's world. I wouldn't call

her a role model because we never had a private conversation, but I watched her acutely in class

and was encouraged to think that I might be able to something like that one day. Another role

model (and "champion") was J. Keith Oddson, Associate Dean at the UC Riverside College of

Engineering. I started working as his administrative assistant fresh out of college while taking

graduate school classes at night -- and he was actually a great role model for my current position.

He worked tirelessly, had a messy desk (like me), and took a chance on me, allowing me to

contribute to the new College of Engineering in meaningful ways. During the 7 years that I

worked for him and with him, we developed a great friendship, and somehow our many

differences (age, gender, nationality - he was Canadian-, academic interests, etc.) didn't matter at

all.

Who are your greatest heroes?

I don't really have any. I learned early on in that all people were flawed and, therefore, I

could rely on God alone. This has actually been a great benefit because instead of waiting for a

hero or heroine to rescue me, I've learned to rely on God, and, in a sense, rescue myself. After

years of being self-reliant, I am confident that with God's help, I can overcome anything.



Although I never had close, personal relationships with faculty members as an

undergraduate or graduate student, later on, I've developed a close collegial partnership with one

of my Ph.D. faculty members, Dr. Joe Bessette at Claremont McKenna College, and it has been a

huge blessing to me. Now that I have an opportunity to be a role model to others, I try to be

careful to set a good example for those who are watching from a distance, and to champion the

students who I get to know in a personal way.


My life verse that God gave me early in my relationship with Him is Psalm 127:1:

"Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." In my work, God is central: I do

not want to do anything unless He is in it. Practically, I rely on my instinct and common sense,

but I make sure to pray carefully about important decisions, to remain in the Scriptures daily, and

to listen for the check of the Spirit before speaking or taking action.

(Faith in education) is vitally important. While I was educated in a secular environment, I

have come to appreciate the important role that faith-based institutions play in our system of

higher education. We need colleges and universities where people can openly declare their faith

in God and to pursue important questions from a faith-based perspective without fearing

rejection or persecution.

What has been your greatest victory as a woman in leadership? And what has

been your greatest opposition?

It is hard to identify one single thing, but I think standing up for what I think is right,

even when it means being unpopular, has been my greatest victory as a woman in leadership. It's

not easy to do -- but if I really believe that I should fear only God, not people, I must be willing

to stand firm for my convictions, even if it means others are unhappy.



God created both men and women in His image, and He has given both men and women

dominion over the earth. Women have been talented and gifted by God, just as men are, so woe

to any organization or any organization, any society, or any nation who intentionally excludes

them from serving and leading. Excluding people from leadership simply because their

reproductive organs are different makes no sense to me. Do not women have a brain in which to

think? A mouth in which to speak? Hands and feet with which to serve? If so, they have much to

contribute, so let's give them opportunities to work, grow, and lead. We'll be the better for it!

Because of my academic discipline, I follow politics closely -- and the women who have

emerged on the national political scene, such as Hilary Clinton, Sarah Palin, Condi Rice, and

others, inspire me greatly. I don't always agree with their political views or the way that they

exercise leadership, but I know how difficult, how vicious, how toxic, the political waters of

Washington can be, so I am inspired by any person -- male or female -- who is willing to dive in.

We need virtuous, capable leaders to serve in government, and when I see smart, talented women

engaging in that domain, I am hopeful for the future.

Women can be spiritual leaders by fully using their spiritual gifts. Too many women, I

fear, are "burying" their God-given talents because it is counter-cultural, or because it is difficult,

or because there may be costs involved. I frequently tell my students: "God gave you a big brain,

so I think He wants you to use it!" And, when my daughter was younger, I would encourage her

to pursue her passions and not to be limited by cultural stereotypes or societal

pressures/expectations. Life is so brief -- don't neglect your spiritual gifts just because something

is different or difficult. Use your gifts and abilities to His glory!


removed?

Women are in a "double-bind" when it comes to ministry because many churches prevent

women from fully exercising their gifts in some areas (like preaching/teaching), and they

pressure women to stay entrenched in areas in which they may not be gifted (like hospitality-

based ministries). This is hurting the church and hurting our society because we are not allowing


God's people to fully exercise the gifts that He gave them. Part of the problem is rooted in

ignorance about what the Scriptures are really teaching, and, the other part is rooted in the

reluctance of those in power to consider that they might be wrong, and/or reluctance to share

power and authority. Ignorance, pride, and selfishness are rooted in sin, and it will take a work of

the Spirit to get churches to change.

For those who feel led to stay, they can lobby for change through an intentional and

prayerful engagement within their home church. For others who feel led to leave their church,

my advice would be to start your own church! God is an equal opportunity employer; there's

nothing to keep you from beginning a ministry that builds on your talents and strengths. It's not

heretical -- it's biblical. After all, all of the churches mentioned in the Bible began as home-

grown initiatives. If you teach the Word faithfully and exercise spiritual gifts according to the

leading of the Spirit, there's no limit on what God can do. I believe that this will be the key to

spiritual revival; when God's people stop limiting the work of His Spirit, I think we will see the

church in America, and in Europe, and all around the world, thrive once more.


I often ask the question, "If you were Queen/King for a day, how would you restructure

this program/initiative, etc." Or, when interviewing a faculty member, "If you could design your

own 'dream course,' what would it include?" Or, for a student or colleague, "If you could design

your dream job, what would it look like?" Too often, I think we constrain our thinking to only

what is expedient or practical, and we forget that God is the God of the impossible; nothing is

too hard for Him! Inviting people to dream is risky, but without dreams, our future will look

dreary, dismal, and dull.


Don't limit what God can do. Don't try to plan out everything in advance. He will not

withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11), and it is His desire to

give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32). As long as you are faithful to do the work, He will guide

you each step of the way. I had no idea that I would be doing what I am doing when I first


entered college more than 25 years ago. But, what an amazing journey it has been! Even when

there have been challenges, doors have opened and closed that I would have thought

inconceivable. We serve an amazing God, and I am not special -- He will do the same for you!

Jenny Elsey, M. Ed

Director for Mobilization, Center for

Student Action

Education: M.Ed. in College Student Affairs,

B.A. in Communication Studies

Number of Years at APU: 10 years (full-time)

, 6 years as an undergrad and grad student prior

Futuristic, Individualization, Strategic, Maximizer,

Developer


You are enough. Be confident in the gifts and strengths that God has given you. Be

authentic because no one is perfect. You are enough.


I believe that we are all called to love God and to love our neighbors. This leads me to

strive to be in right relationship with others. So, in my leadership, how we do things is equally as

important as the things/goals we are trying to accomplish. Not only do I care about the programs

that I direct, but I care even more so about whether or not the people under my leadership feel

valued and cared for in the process.


What is the role of faith in higher education?

To many, higher education represents a path towards upward mobility. Our faith tradition

and the life of Christ, however, is full of images of servanthood and downward mobility. So, how

do you reconcile the two? I believe that higher education (and more specifically a four-year

liberal arts education) serves two large roles in society: 1. it trains adults in how to think

critically and 2. it gives people the tools to go into their chosen profession. The role that faith

plays is that it challenges us to ask the question "to what ends?" So, if you are preparing to enter

into the business world, faith asks you "to what ends are you pursuing business?" If we truly

want to see the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven, then how will you use your business

training to achieve this end rather than any other end the world may be telling you to achieve?

Faith integration then teaches us to critically think about how are we preparing for our chosen

profession and then to go one step further and critically think about how we will be using our

profession to advance the work of God in the world.

How do you balance your personal life and your work life?

I learned from a dear friend once that it is incredibly difficult to achieve true balance in

your personal life and work life. It is like the image of a performer trying to keep 10 plates all

spinning on different poles from dropping (which makes me really stressed out just thinking

about it!). Instead she taught me see these two pieces of my life moving in a rhythm. I learned to

understand that my life goes through different seasons and to become aware of my rhythm. So,

when a busy season at work comes along (as it does just about every August!) I can put my

energy into my work without feelings of guilt because I have prepared for this time and was

intentional about carving out space for my family beforehand and afterwards. On the flip-side,

having two young boys also means that during this season investing in my family will have an

impact on my work. Being aware of the rhythm of my life allows me to move from one season to

another as well as helps me anticipate and intentionally prepare for the next season rather than

frantically making sure that none of my plates drop and break.



I love students' energy and creativity. I love how they are willing to take risks. I love how

passionate they are about making the world a better place. I love that they are in a place of life

where they are figuring out what faith means to them and I hope that they know that God is big

enough to handle all their questions. I seriously just love students and love working with them!

Laurie A. Shreiner, Ph. D.

Professor and Chair of the Department

of Higher Education

B.A. from Milligan College in Psychology;

Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee


Strengths: Ideation, Strategic, Learner, Achiever, Futuristic


Step up! The passage in Esther that says, “who knows but that you have come to your

royal position for such a time as this?” reminds me that we often don’t see our position in life as

making a difference, but that God has placed us in the right place at the right time. If we keep

our eyes open to how God is working in the world and in our lives, we can realize what he needs

us to do in taking a leadership role.


Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own

understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”


Favorite Quotes:

Frederick Buechner: “That place that God calls you to is the place where your deep

gladness and the world’s deep hunger meets.”


The full image of God is reflected when both men and women are partnering together in

leadership. For any part of the kingdom to be missing from the table is to miss out on the gifts of

God. Women in leadership signal to the world that we take seriously bringing the kingdom of

God to fruition here on earth.


Both men and women often desire a family and a career; this issue is not exclusively a

women’s issue! As men and women co-parent their children, both can also enjoy their careers

and step into leadership roles as God calls them. It is when men join women in taking

responsibility for raising a family that we will begin to see a difference in the workplace in

women taking leadership responsibilities. My advice is to partner with a great person who will

help you raise your family and support you as you strive to fulfill God’s calling on your life!

Kate Wallace, MS Political Theory

Co- Founder of The Junia Project,

Adjunct Professor, Operations Manager

for the Wesleyan Holiness Consortium

APU & London School of Economics

Number of Years at APU: It's hard to say...

Strategic, Context, Input, Connectedness, Belief



God has placed you right where you need to be. Trust in God, don't be shy about your

accomplishments, and don't be afraid to succeed.

Favorite Bible Verse: Job 1:21

Favorite Quotes:

"If you cannot feed 100, feed 1." -Mother Theresa

"The issue of women in leadership is not a minor or marginal one. It profoundly affects

the sense of identity and worth on both sides of the gender line; and, if wrongly grasped, it

restricts the resources for blessing, through the Church, upon an appallingly needy world."

- Dallas Willard


I love theatre and was very involved in it from Jr. High through college.


People often tell me how much like my parents I am. I think that's a great compliment!


I think finishing graduate school is my biggest accomplishment. It required a lot of hard

work and late nights. I grew a lot during my time there.



I started discovering my calling in eighth grade, the first year I attended a private

Christian school. It was there that I was first introduced to the ideas of male headship and gender

roles, things that were foreign to my journey of faith and my egalitarian Christian family. That

year I embarked on what would become a 5 year long study of egalitarian, complementarian, and

patriarchal theology. I came out of that time with a firm belief that scripture, correctly

interpreted, teaches the equality of men and women and advocates for female leadership at all

levels of the Church. Through that time, however, I had faced a lot of adversity for not "fitting

the mold" in the patriarchal circle I was in. As a Christian woman with leadership gifts, I have

faced that discrimination many times throughout my life. Kate Harris says that "God often uses

our own wounds to heal the world". I think that is true for me. I know that God has called me to

bring freedom to women. I'm not quite sure what that will look like throughout my life, but it is a

calling that I am passionate about, and it makes me grateful for the wounds that I have.

What do you love to tell students?

I think success is finding a job or vocation that allows you to utilize your unique skills,

challenges you to grow, and gives you freedom to fulfill your calling. This might look different

than the tradition view of a successful life. It might mean working 3 part-time jobs you love, or

working one that allows you time to do ministry on the side. Success might look like 2 little ones

at home, or a finished manuscript, or a swanky corner office. Real success is going to look

different for everyone, and we need to be open-minded about what God might do in our lives.

For me, it has looked like turning down some "responsible" opportunities in favor of vocational

ones. I am not sure what God will have me do in the next chapter of my life, but I will continue

seeking out the opportunities that bring me joy, even if they go against the world's definition of

success.


Kristin Ritzau, MA

Adjunct Professor in Leadership and

Organizational Psychology

Westmont College BA in Communication Studies;

Fuller Theological Seminary MA in Christian Leadership;

Claremont School of Theology PhD in Practical Theology

and Spiritual Formation (In Progress)

Number of Years at APU: 5 in student life; 3 teaching

Communication, Input, Maximizer, Achiever, Activator


You are a leader. Never forget that you belong at the table. Your voice is

valuable. Also, find women a few steps ahead of you and glean knowledge from their

experiences. They have found a way to sit at the table - ask them how? Ask them what lessons

they have learned? Sit at their feet and one day, you can do that for others, too.

Why is it important to have women leaders? Because without our voices, we are

marginalized. We are equal; God sees us as equal, and we need to be included and valued - not

put up with.


Anita Henck has been of great influence in my life. She is a strong woman who knows

herself, her faith, and the value of her giftings. She knows how to do what is right vs. what is

easy. She believes in mentoring other women, too -- not just gaining wisdom but passing it on.


I recognize that there are seasons of chaos and seasons of peace. Recognizing that I am

in one and it allowing it to be what it is has taught me that life is not a ladder to climb, but a river

to float down. Rapids are inevitable, but so are times of absolute serenity. Therefore, I don't try


to have a life that looks the same every season. There are times when there needs to be more

family time and rest and then there are times when work demands something more of me. But

always, there needs to be a realization of things I won't compromise - putting the phone away,

being present, finding time to spend with friends, and investing in church, these ground me.

Being with my son and husband, going on vacation, finding time for myself - I need these

things. In this life, it's not about balance, it's about discovering the rhythm of my own unique

vocation.

How did you make the decision to start a family and when to do that?

There is never a perfect time. The most important thing to cultivate is a community that

will support you in the decisions you do make. Then, they will stand by you regardless of

"when" you have kids (OR if you have kids - you might choose not, and that is fine!) or what

you decide to do with your job. Support from community is invaluable in being able to develop

a holistic life.


The community piece is vital, as mentioned above. But I would say, you can do it. For

me, sometimes it feels easier to stay home with my son. But I know I am the best mom when I

am being nourished by my job teaching and being a student in grad school. It is important for

him to see that. My son is better off for having others influence his life as well. I should not be

his only caretaker. My husband is a better dad because he helps watch him, too. There has to be

give and take and the "give" part should not be solely the "woman's role." There are ways to

work it out, but it takes creativity and imagination to figure out to how to make it work.

Certainly, if you want to be at home with your kids, then by all means go for it, but if you are

deciding that because you are giving up other dreams, it might be worth asking if there are other

ways you can still pursue what you desire even with children.


Karen Strand- Winslow, Ph. D.

Professor of Biblical Studies

Ph.D. University of Washington 2003


Input, Maximizer, Empathy, Learner, Developer,

Strategy, Self-Assurance


Follow the desires of your heart with confidence that God planted those desires.


For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed,

but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,

and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,

says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted,

I am about to set your stones in antimony,

and lay your foundations with sapphires.

I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of jewels,

and all your wall of precious stones.

All your children shall be taught by the LORD,

and great shall be the prosperity of your children.

In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression,

for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.

If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you

shall fall because of you.

- Isaiah 54:10


Favorite Quotes:

"You weren't born a person of cringe and contraction. You were born as energy, as life,

made of the same stuff as stars, blossoms, breezes." -Anne Lamott


I grew up in Richland, Washington going to church many times a week, knowing that

loving and serving God was the most important calling.

Is there an interesting fact most people wouldn’t know about you? I taught Lamaze childbirth

classes for nine years in colleges and hospitals.


“When you are teaching, we can feel your love.”


From within, I felt that even though I did not have confidence, I could, should, and

would take COURAGE.


3 beautiful children and a Ph.D


To teach the Bible in a university setting; discovered in a Bible class at Seattle Pacific

University


Every day of my nine year Ph.D. program

What is the best and worst decision you've ever made?


To have children, to fail to act in love and forgiveness at all times


Artist—I loved to draw and I was a good artist.


Tenacity and following the direction of God


Just Do It


Compassion and concern for team members


Exercise, study hours, rest


Varied activities throughout each day


Take courage!


Compassion for others


Egotism


Take the next step; one step at a time.



Faithful and disciplined people of both sexes who are warm, loving, and humorous.


Anyone who loves and follows God: Alice Paul, Francis Willard, Dorothy Sayers,

Who are some APU women that everyone should know? Karen Sorensen Lang, Alice Yafeh

Deigh, Kate Johnson

If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and

why?

C. S. Lewis, Dorothy Sayers, Junia, Jesus


If it happens organically, mentoring has major impact


you are now?

My mentors have been authors such as Madeleine L’Engle, Frederick Buechner, Eugene

Peterson, Henri Nouwen


It’s woven in all I do

What is the role of faith in higher education?

It only has a role in the lives of people who act faithfully.

What are you most grateful to God for?

Children, Health and a call to service, God providing and making a way


How has your relationship with Christ unfolded over your years at APU?

Here I’m living out the fruit of long years of studying and preparation, experience with

teaching.



Opening the Scriptures to pray and think helps me hear from God.

What has been your greatest victory as a woman in leadership?

The gift and chance for inspiring students

And what has been your greatest opposition?

Denominational leaders


Because we have women people, gifted as much as men.


Individual gifts and personal strengths and completed tasks are their contributions, same

as men


Listen to my body and soul

How did you make the decision to start a family and when to do that?


I was ready for another adventure.


Don’t expect to have it all at once—don’t feel your plate too full.


and in this world?

Do what God is calling them to do: teach, mentor, study, play


removed?

The way certain people interpret a few verses in the Bible

What are our greatest strengths and weaknesses as women working for the

Kingdom?

They have a mission to love and care just like men

What are the greatest blessings you have experienced from your personal

ministry work?

People turning to God, relying God, feeling God’s presence and calling

What is a lesson that you have learned from your working on a college

campus?

Don’t let the stories, the history hold you back; don’t be afraid


Their vitality, curiosity, passion, questions



Pour out your heart to God for direction and provision; watch God work and open doors

for you.

Lilli Chavez, MA

Program Manager, Dept. of Leadership &

Organizational Psychology

MA in Leadership,

BA in Liberal Studies, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

Number of Years at APU: 6 years

Strengths: Connectedness, Positivity, Belief, Empathy,

Achiever


If I were to say one thing to women in leadership, I would say: Recognize and realize

who you are in Christ, and stand upon that truth. The truth of who Christ is in your life will keep

you grounded; it will carry you through every circumstance, hardship, and difficulty; it will

strengthen you in your calling; it will help guide your every decision; it will keep you focused on

what is truly important; it will make you strong, give you wisdom and insight, and will offer

meaning and purpose in life; and it will give you a heart of gratitude, humility, and love. So

guard your heart, and keep the main thing the main thing.

What is the best advice you've ever gotten?

The best advice I've ever received was, "Never settle for second best (wait for God's

best)" and "Never, never give up!" This advice can apply to whatever stage you find yourself

in. Don't be hasty in making decisions--don't settle for second best; wait for God's best because

He wants the best for you! And learn how to be tough. Determine within yourself to not give


up, especially when it's difficult. Keep your eyes on the prize......the hard work, persistence, and

dedication is worth it!


I came to know Christ at a young age, and the love and joy I experienced was really

overwhelming. I felt this deep sense of gratitude, and I wanted others to know the love of Christ,

too. I think this is when my "calling" first began to stir. Ever since I was a young teen, I have

had a love and a burden for people. I feel called to help and encourage others, especially

women, to realize their potential and to point them to Christ. Over the years, as I became more

and more involved in women's ministry, I experienced great joy in serving others and helping

them grow. Doors opened for greater ministry opportunities. This affirmed my desire and

passion to see women grow and to thrive in their personal and spiritual lives. My calling did not

just "dawn" on me, rather it unfolded and became evident over time.


When my husband and I got married, I was very young--19-years-old. At the time, I

wasn't interested in continuing my education, so I dropped out of college. Years passed, and we

started a family. It was only when our kids started school that I felt the pull to return to

college. My limited time and family responsibilities presented big challenges for me,

though. There were times when I questioned my decision to return to school or if it was even

worth the sacrifice. However, I felt like God was giving me the green light, so I determined to

complete what I had started. I made short-term goals and took only one class at a time in the

beginning. As I continued on, I loved learning and being challenged. College this time around

was quite different than the first time. This time, I was motivated--I found every subject and

every class fascinating! Baby steps grew to bigger steps until I was fully invested in completing

my BA in Liberal Studies and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Learning to face and

even embrace my fears and challenges was empowering for me in so many ways. I now consider

myself a lifelong learner and recently completed a Master of Arts degree in Leadership with an

emphasis in Leadership Development at APU.



In a nutshell, my personal philosophy of leadership is this: Leadership is accepting,

demonstrating, and authentically living a life of service and influence for the welfare of

others. As James Joseph once put it, "Leadership is a way of being."


An excellent leader is one that is others-centered--he/she is more concerned with others

than with him/herself. Robert Greenleaf first coined the term "servant leadership." He said,

"The servant-leader is servant first....It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to

serve....Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. The best test, and difficult to

administer, is: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier,

wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? The servant leader

knows, 'My success is your success.'" So, an excellent leader is one that leads with the welfare

of others in mind.

An excellent leader is one that has a high ethical and moral standard and follows his/her

strong convictions. An excellent leader is transparent and authentic, and has a genuine love and

concern for others. An excellent leader takes opportunities to invest in others--mentoring,

mobilizing, and building them up. An excellent leader has a high emotional intelligence--a good

understanding of people, a strong sense of self, and strong self-control. An excellent leader is

visionary and is able to pass that vision on to others. An excellent leader is able to mobilize

others and to bring them on board. An excellent leader lives and practices what he/she preaches;

an excellent leader is a person of integrity. An excellent leader leads well.


Stacie Champine, MA

Director of Orientation and

Transitions

Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership

BA Liberal Studies, APU

Number of Years at APU: Almost 11 on staff...and 4

before that for my undergraduate degree

Achiever, Arranger, Empathy, Positivity, Relator,

Responsibility


You are enough!!! :)


People are any organization's greatest asset. Value them extravagantly!


There is so much hope! :) Life keeps getting more rich! There will be highs and lows--

keep "good company" in the midst of it all! Investing in your "short list" of friendships is

essential! Celebrate little moments! Tears are beautiful! Laugh deeply! Love loudly! Keep

clinging to the truth of God!


Khristi Adams, MDiv

Associate Campus Pastor for

Preaching & Spiritual Programming

BA, Temple University

Master of Divinity, Princeton Seminary

Reverend (Ordained ABCUSA)



Don’t strive to be anyone else but who you are.


Authenticity, transparency and integrity.


Stay true to myself. Which means loving myself with self-care and healthy boundaries.

Loving myself by continuing to feed my intellect, spirit and body. Loving myself by knowing

when to say “no.” Loving myself by knowing my limitations, strengths and weaknesses.


Shino Simons, ABD

Associate Dean of Students

Belief, Arranger, Maximize, Achiever,

Developer

Advice for Leaders:

Today, because I think it kind of changes depending on the day, I would like for women

starting out in leadership to know that they are created for a purpose. God is calling them, men

and women alike, to live out that purpose; however, leadership positions do not define who they

are because their identity cannot be attached to what they do, but who they belong to. And their

confidence needs to be grounded in who God is in their life and what He will do. It is not tied to

what they will do. But I also want them to dream big, to not be afraid, and to try! Failure is not a

step back. It is a step forward to what God is going to do in and through them. I am excited for

the next generation of women!

Women’s Resource Center:

The Women’s Resource Center is truly important to this campus. It is an integral piece of

student life at Azusa Pacific University. Really the purpose of the WRC isn’t just for women.

The purpose is for the entire campus to understand how to live in community, both men and

women together. Understanding the needs of our women should be important to everyone

because women’s issues are men’s issues too. We all have mothers and sisters and female

friends. Because we are called to live in community and do life with each other, we have to

understand what the experiences of others are. Having this space creates an environment for

women to be brave, to share struggles and concerns, and to celebrate. This is a brave space for

women as well as for men. Like the title says, it is a resource. It isn’t an answer to all the

problems women face. Still, the amount of women coming through the office, meeting with staff,

and wanting to be involved in what is going on here, proves that there is a real need. Seeing the

amount of traffic now and presence that this office is starting to have on campus, affirms the


continued need to have this space available and active in the community. We are not taking

anything away from men’s need. We are just addressing women’s needs.

APU Women Everyone Should Know:

There are so many women on this campus that everyone should know. My top five would

be Kimberly Denu, Annie Tsai, Eileene Hulme, Jan Waggoner, Vicky R. Bowden. But of course

there are Elaine Walton, Director of the Women’s Resource Center, Stephanie Orona, Jenny

Elsey, and Jeannette Garces who everyone should know as well. These are important women,

both faculty and staff.

Deana Porterfield, EdD

Executive Vice President

BA Music Education (APU),

MA Organizational Management (APU),

Ed.D. Organizational Leadership (University of La Verne)


Arranger, Responsibility, Self-Assurance, Belief, Relator,

Woo

New Position: President Roberts Wesleyan College and

Northeastern Seminary, July 1, 2014.


Lean into who God created you to be and lead from that space!

Favorite Quotes:

Everyone wants to be part of a winning team, and significant in their own right.



I grew up in northern California (Watsonville). Watsonville is a small agriculture city

inland between Santa Cruz and Monterey. I attended a Christian Jr and Senior high school in the

area and was heavily involved in my local church. Due to some difficult family situations I spent

much of my time outside the house involved in sports, music, and playing the piano for worship

at church. I truly believe without my community I may have not made it through high

school. The Lord gave me families and communities to be a part of, and it was those families

and communities who helped shape me into who I am. Thankfully they were all grounded in

faith!


I am a first generation college student.


When I have been told that my gifts match the need – that I am making a difference.


No one deserves to be thrown up on…sounds crazy, but as an extraverted (and very

vocal) person without a lot of family nurturing, I didn’t know how to express myself in a way

that was productive. This statement, along with many others, has lived with me my entire

career. I am extremely thankful to the person who said this to me – it has shaped how I lead,

live, and respond.


Raising two daughters who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


I believe God has called me to make a difference in the lives of people. My call right

now is to make a difference in Christian Higher education. I figured this out over the past years


as I have had the opportunity to work with others and see the greater need for Christian

education in the US.


Any time you are dealing with difficult situations related to personnel it is a challenge. I

have learned that I need to make the decision that is best for the institution – that is why I am in

the position I am – no matter how difficult it is. Working at APU you can develop deep

relationship with other, but as the leader you have to make the hard decisions some times.


I have hired really great people! Worst decision – thinking I could do multiple jobs over

an extended period. By doing this both areas were held back from moving ahead in the way they

could.


I wanted to travel around the US with my family and perform as a Christian singing

group. I knew I wanted to be involved in music, and my faith was so important to me, this was

the best thing I could think of. Since my family was not strong I also wanted to be with my

family while traveling.


I believe God’s hand has been on my life and he used others to help me learn along the

way. I have also had significant mentors in my life who saw something in me that I didn’t

always see, and gave me opportunities to test out my leadership.


you are now?

Along my journey I have had multiple people impact my trajectory to leadership. They

have done this by speaking truth to me, by encouraging me to take the next step in my leadership


journey, supporting me in furthering my education, and by giving me access to positions I might

not have thought I was qualified to assume. Those who have mentored me allowed me to ask

questions and be real with my questions, without some of them I would not have had the

opportunities I have had. Most significant to me however is their ability to allow me to ask

questions along the way. I can remember multiple times when I had strong opinions about a

topic and my mentor(s) patiently listened and then helped me reframe my thinking. I would not

be where I am without those who have spoken into my life.

How has your relationship with Christ unfolded over your years at APU?

My life was transformed at APU both as a student and staff member. As I reflect on my

faith journey, I can see God’s hand on every step of my life, specifically at APU. Although I

came to APU with a strong faith, each year my faith was strengthened through my interactions

with others and in my daily work. One of the things I love most about APU is that our faith is

part of our work and because of that each responsibility we have is infused with how we live out

our Christian walk. My faith is stronger today because of my ability to integrate it into my daily

work.


God has gifted you with amazing gifts – seek him to understand what you are called to

do. The decision to work outside the home while raising a family can be part of what God is

calling you to do and can be done with integrity, balance, and grace. It will be challenging at

time so make sure you have those in your life who support you and can be a resource when

things get tough.

What woman inspires you and why?

Dr. Kim Phipps, President at Messiah College. I had the opportunity to shadow Dr.

Phipps in 2008 and was able to see an amazing leader who lead from her gifts. She is an

inspiration!


April Reed- Hoy, MS

Assistant Athletics Director, Head

Athletic Trainer

Master of Science Kinesiology: Sports Injury Studies,

Certified Athletic Trainer, Certified Strength and Condition

Specialist

BA Azusa Pacific University- Psychology,

MS California State University Long Beach


Organization and Administration, Vision, Dependability,

Learner, Connectedness, Responsibility, Adaptability


Be humble servant and a life long learner in your pursuit of God Honoring Excellence.


Being blessed to be a part of turning a small under-staffed, under-supplied Sports

Medicine Program here at APU into a nationally recognized program that provides excellent

state of art care in state of the art facilities to all our student-athletes.


I was a psychology major and student-athlete here at APU who sustained a lot of injuries

playing softball and soccer. I then learned about the field of Athletic Training, and took all the

classes, thinking they would be useful if I coached. I was going to pursue a career in counseling,

and then realized I could pair my love of sports, teams, mentoring, and helping profession all in

one with Athletic Training.



The Lord's favor, blessing, grace, wisdom and discernment, paired with a strong work

ethic, a passion for God Honoring Excellence, a disdain for mediocrity, endless proposal writing,

long hours of work, and the belief there were no limits to what we could accomplish here toward

excellence if we worked hard enough.


I have learned a lot from others throughout the years but what has impacted me the most

is the book "Leadership by the Book". It is a book about Christ's model of leadership in the

Bible. The example of how He lead the Disciples, His people, and how He daily re-calibrated

His heart with time with His Father. Leadership starts in the heart, with a servant heart and sound

Biblical values, putting your own ego aside. Leadership begins with a clear vision: Defining

Purpose, Image, Values and Goals. As a leader you actually serve your employees by setting

expectations, teaching them and then being a performance coach. Performance

Coaching involves: Planing, Day to Day Coaching, and Evaluations. The most important is Day

to Day coaching: 1) tell them what to do 2) show them what to do 3) let them try 4) observe their

performance 5) praise their progress or redirect them. Servant Leadership is NOT about pleasing

everyone. Much of the time doing what is best/right is not what is popular. Servant Leaders

focus on spiritual significance more than earthly success. Servant leaders must devote time to

their spiritual life in order to be effective leaders.


You must work at it. It does not come without investing. Years ago I learned that I

needed mentoring, I started reading books and joined discussion groups on leadership. I have

sought mentorship from my supervisors. I now make all my staff find a mentor.


It is the foundation for my leadership. It is the lens through which I see leadership. Most

leaders are consumed by ego, pride, wealth and power. Christian leadership requires letting go of

all of those things, and constantly making sure those things are not guiding you. Instead you lead


by empowering others, giving glory to God and not yourself, and serving those you lead, while

pursuing excellence.


and in this world?

You can be a leader wherever you are, in your home, your job, socially, and in the

church. You don't need a title or a position to lead. I just went to a funeral for a woman who for

most of her life was a homemaker. But she pursued her Lord with passion, she served her family,

her church, her husbands work setting, and her community. She used the gifts the Lord gave her

to serve all those the Lord put in her path. She diligently sought the Lord through the scriptures,

she even read through the entire Bible in a year, 13 years in a row on behalf of her husband,

children, their spouses and grandchildren. She filled herself up with the Lord to then pour herself

out to His people. She was a leader where she was placed, and to most of the world she would be

seen as a simple homemaker, but she was truly a spiritual leader.


Sharing life with them. Sharing in their highs and lows. Crying with them through the

tough times celebrating with them in the great times, and laughing with them on the regular days.

Mentoring them, helping them work out life and trying to pass on wisdom to them through your

experiences, both successes and failures.


Lisa Nena, MS ( In Progress)

Graduate Assistant, Chapel Programs, 13-14

Graduate Assistant, Women’s Resource Center, 14-15

MS College Counseling and Student Development,

APU Expected 2015

Bachelors of Creative Writing, APU 2013

Individualization, Context, Learner, Input,

Connectedness


Believe in yourself. It is so vital to be able to confidently know what you’re capable

of. You are capable.


You don’t have to have it all figured out! Life has a funny way of changing on you when

you least expect it. I look back on all the times I planned out what my life was going to be like

and God would completely rewrite the story and it turned out it was more than I would have ever

imagined for myself. We have to create space for God to work in.


Kelly Johnson, MS ( In Progress)

Graduate Assistant in Student Life, 13- 14

Assistant Residence Director, 14- 15

B.A. in Psychology from Calvin College

M.S. in College Counseling and Student Development,

Expected 2015

Strengths: Woo, Positivity, Communicator, Includer,

Developer

What’s one thing you would tell women in leadership?

Find a female mentor who has blazed the trail before you and can, essentially, be a road map for

you. The mentors I have in my life are women who showed me that they can balance their work

life and family life and still pursue the God who loves them amidst all of those things. That being

said, I appreciate them because they have been in my shoes and challenge me to think in

different ways, because they have been in my shoes.


I am called to make disciples, but more specifically, to work with college students and help them

find their purpose. This calling was a blessing from the Lord and somewhat fell into my lap. I

was signed up to be an RA and through a conversation with an RD about their education path,

they mentioned that they had their master’s degree in higher education and it stopped me in my

tracks because I didn’t even know that was possible. A light bulb went off that day and I haven’t

stopped running after student development since!


Who are your role models and why?

Ironic as it is, because we’re focusing on women, one of my biggest role models is my

dad. He keeps me sane, is my biggest cheerleader, and has told me from the day I came into this

world that I can do anything I put my mind to. My dad has instilled two distinct traits in me:

positivity and respect. He is a firm believer that we only get one life to live, so why spend it

being angry and worried about things that don’t really matter? Beyond that, I have learned to

show respect to everyone I come into contact with, no matter how they treat me. This has shaped

my leadership style and has opened doors in ways I could never imagine. Finally, my dad models

servant leadership better than anyone I have ever met. He is continually giving of himself and his

skills and does it simply because he loves serving those that the Lord puts in his path.

Victoria Gephart

Administrative Assistant to the

Associate Campus Pastors

Bachelors in Business Administration,

MBA In Progress

Strengths: Achiever, Strategic, Positivity, Learner, Woo


Don’t be afraid of what others think of you, you are in this position for a reason and God

has blessed you with the ability to lead, embrace it!


“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to

renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives

in the present age.” Titus 2:11-12



I hope to work as a special agent in the FBI & people think I am kidding, but I’m not.


Don’t let anybody forget how beautiful your smile is.


Sometimes you just have to say ‘no’


Hold yourself to a higher standard than anyone expects of you.


Ability to answer the call, confidence, strength, wisdom, understanding and you must be

a good listener.


Work hard, use your resources, enjoy empowering others, debrief about your wins and

losses


Be passionate, not arrogant


By having good role models and investing in yourself



Integrity


My mom, she raised me to be confident in who I am, a hard worker and always reminded

me that I am capable of just about anything if I put my mind to it.


My greatest hero is my sister. She has Down Syndrome and has done nothing but bless

my socks off. She has no fear in life, is the most affectionate person I know and has such a free-

spirit. There are times I wish I could trade lives with her.


Everyone should get to know Fritzie Umana, CSA in the Chapel Programs Office. She

has such a servants heart and loves the Lord. I would not be the woman I am on this campus

today without her influence.

If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?

I would want to have dinner with Jesus. Jesus had meals with a lot of people throughout

his time on earth and some incredible discoveries and miracles came out of that. I would love to

ask Jesus a lot of questions and be able to get a profound answer that could only come from the

lips of the true messiah.


you are now?

My mentors were constant reminders that God loves me no matter what season you are

going through and when you are frustrated, annoyed, or even overjoyed to thank God for what he

has done. I wouldn’t be a believer without the influence of my mentors or inspired to give back

in the way that they have helped me.



It makes it both difficult and exciting to lead. With faith as the backbone of your

leadership style you have the ability to change the world and the hearts of those you interact

with. However, it can be just as difficult of a barrier to overcome because those of no faith will

continue to try and knock you down.

What are you most grateful to God for?

I am so thankful for his grace and forgiveness. I have screwed up so many times, trying

to count them would be another full time job but God is always there reaching out his hand and

giving us a chance to be redeemed.



You must acknowledge Christ every day and at all times. Whether that comes through

daily Bible reading, active prayer life, or worship of some form doesn’t matter but remembering

him at all time, especially during the struggles. As both a student and now a staff member as

well, I have struggled with being busyness and the constant need to always say ‘yes’. Having a

lot of things to do is not always the best when you forget to acknowledge your savior, so when

you think you are doing all these “good deeds” to fulfill some checklist you are actually

displeasing God because you are not sitting at his feet waiting for his call.


Women have a different approach than men do and we need that balance to ultimate

make the best decisions. Women also make great role models for younger girls and that helps

young women realize they can achieve their dreams.

What is the value of Women’s Resource Centers? The WRC allows women and men to celebrate

who they are and have a place to connect on certain topics that may be difficult to share in

another setting.



With good food, good friends and the good Lord.


and in this world?

By becoming more and more like the character of Jesus we can give back to this

community, other communities and the world. We have to be unafraid to serve God and unafraid

to share his love with others.

What are the greatest blessings you have experienced from your personal

ministry work?

For me and my ministry, I do a lot of behind the scenes work, cooking for a family in

need, making care packages, etc. so knowing that someone has one less worry in their day when

they are going through a tough time is the biggest blessing for me.

What will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you?

And how can you guide them? I think the trend is women are afraid to step up because

they feel invaluable and I have a feeling that trend will continue. Find a good role model and

remember to be humble while still owning who you are.

What is a lesson that you have learned from your working on a college

campus?

Everyone has a story, you cannot assume anything about any of the students, staff/faculty

on this campus and what they have to share just may change the way you think about things.

What is your favorite thing about working with students? - Particularly in my office, is the

redemption that comes from some of the students who are truly struggling with deeper issues.

God is really working in this place and I love seeing the disciples he is creating. Be willing to

take risks but never forget about God.


Sarina Coutin, MS

Graduate Assistant for Athletic Academic Services

B.S. in Physical Education, minor in Biblical Studies, Biola University;

M.S. in College Counseling and Student Development (Exp. May 2014)


Strengths: Achiever, Discipline, Communication, Woo, and Relator


Don't try and be somebody else. With Jesus as your example, be who God has created

you to be. He has gifted you with unique strengths, gifts, passions, and talents. As far as your

"weaknesses" go, God will take care of you. His power is made perfect in our weakness (2. Cor.

12:9).

Favorite Bible Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all

comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are

in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Favorite Quotes:

"Trust God's love. His perfect love. Don't fear he will discover your past. He already has. Don't

fear disappointing him in the future. He can show you the chapter in which you will. With

perfect knowledge of the past and perfect vision of the future, he loves you perfectly in spite of

both." -Max Lucado


Most recently, Shino Simons reminded me to be "God-confident." This changed my

perspective on a lot of different things. Too often I rely on myself to carry myself through life. In

moments where I start to get anxious or begin losing self confidence, I have grown to have full

confidence in my Savior who will never leave or forsake me.



I would say playing four years of college soccer. Those were some of the best and worst

memories of my life. I never thought I would be able to stick it out all four years. Playing college

soccer to me was so much more than something physical. It required major discipline, mental

toughness, humility and strength. God used soccer in my life to refine me and mold me into the

image of His Son. Two out of four of those years I was team captain while suffering through

some major injuries. It is through this particular time that I learned the value and power of being

a servant.


God has called me to the field of student affairs, so that I can teach, inspire and challenge

young adults. I became a follower of Jesus right after my freshman year of college, which

completely set me on a different path (thank God). Although every decision can have a great

impact on our own lives, I believe the decisions we make in college can significantly change our

futures. I want to help college students who don't know Christ come to know Him, so that they

will be thoroughly equipped to impact this world for Jesus by the time they graduate.


The best decision of my life was to become a follower of Jesus and let God be the author

of my life. The worst decision I ever made was ignoring Him for 19 years.

Leadership Philosophy:

Servant-first. I believe that the most effective and God-honoring leaders are at heart servants

first. I believe that leadership is more than simply persuading an individual or a group of people

to reach a common goal or shared vision. A leader is someone who empowers and develops

followers into servant-leaders themselves, while emphasizing each individual’s unique gifts,

skills and strengths. People often debate whether leaders are born or made, but I believe that

God calls us into certain positions to utilize our strengths to positively impact others and their


development. I strive to utilize the servant-leadership approach to my work with students and

people in general because this type of leadership takes the focus off of the leader and onto the

growth of the follower. Although this type of leadership is contrary to what our world

commonly demonstrates, I commit to being a leader who clothes herself with God’s love and

humility, constantly looking out for the interests of others (as commanded in the book of

Philippines). Even Jesus Christ, the most effective and worthy leader, washed the feet of His

disciples, encouraging us to follow His example (John 13:3-15). I believe the foundational

principles of effective leadership are centered on Christ. My titles in life may change, but at the

core of who I am is a servant, someone who is eager to teach, inspire and challenge people to

embrace who they are in Christ and discover the servants within themselves.


Ask. Ask. Ask. Although we all have some level of self-awareness, what matters is what

those around us are witnessing in and through us. Be willing to ask those around you how you

can better serve them. Be prepared to use this information to refine your leadership style and

abilities.


Humility. Great leaders do not use their position of authority to abuse or control those

around them. Great leaders use their positions of influence to encourage, motivate, develop and

challenge those around them. The focus of an effective leader is not on oneself, but is on the

development and needs of those around him/her.


Pressure to obtain goals. Leaders today are too focused on results and not focused enough

on the process. Effective leaders should be committed to the growth of their followers. More

often than not, we are too focused on outcomes that we forget to cater to the needs of those

around us.



many responsibilities? And what have been times that you have struggled?

The truth is I haven't. Although I have learned to manage all my roles and

responsibilities better now than ever, I have to admit I have a tendency to neglect my relationship

with God in order to keep up with my busy schedule. I have learned over the years that

"busyness" is the devil's tool to keeping us distracted from God. As soon as I heard that phrase in

church, I began getting my priorities straight again. Instead of penciling "God time" into my

schedule, I began inviting God to be a part of every moment of every day. I stopped

compartmentalizing my "God time" and began integrating Him into everything.

WRC 13-14 Staff: Heather Garza, Kelly Owens, Elaine Walton, Kaley Lindquist, Christal Stanley-Eversley

The Women’s Resource Center exists to advocate for the wholistic

development of women through restoration, education, affirmation, and

celebration.

brave women in leadership resource guidekaleylindquist.weebly.com/uploads/2/3/0/8/23085840/... ·...

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