KT Executive member Cassius Soares shares about coaching

Dear friends,
At our recent international gathering in Rostrevor, we had an introductory session on ‘coaching’ as well as opportunities to sample ‘coaching’. Our KT Exec believes that this is a very important resource that God is providing us at this time, in order to equip and encourage us, as we seek to serve Him in our various locations.  So, I want to focus this article on ‘coaching’.

Living your destiny, fulfilling God’s purpose

You want to make a difference. You want to transform nations, build the Kingdom, and bring glory to God in your life, your home, your relationships and your work. You want to be faithful to the call God has given you; in the small things, and in the big ones. You want your organization and your leaders to grow.
There are many demands on you and your leaders’ time and energy. There are so many needs! How can you build a ministry and organization that consistently reflects godly values, models Christ-like leadership, and empowers emerging leaders? How can you build a healthy balance between family and ministry? How can you focus on the truly important and eternal in the midst of the urgent? 
Many times in my own journey, I found myself stuck, not knowing how to move forward toward the dream that God had laid on my heart. At other times I have found myself puzzled, confused and overwhelmed by the challenges along the way.

How can leadership coaching help? 

Leadership coaching is a growth-centered relationship that provides the support, accountability, perspective and challenge that you and your leaders need to reach your God-given vision and dreams. A coach will walk alongside you as you identify the goals and action steps you want to work on, and will help you learn through the challenges of life and ministry on the way. 
Leaders who have the kind of growth-producing relationship coaching provides are more successful in ministry, grow faster, and are more likely to fulfill their destiny than those who don’t. In the business world, coaching has demonstrated a 750% return on investment! In one study in the church arena, the single most important indicator of ‘small group’ success was the quality of the coaching the leader received.
Coaching creates a respectful atmosphere in which you can reach your goals in a self-directed way. Rather than tell you what to do, your coach will facilitate the change process while you set the agenda. 

How can I find out more?

If you have specific questions and would like to find out more about ‘coaching’, please feel free to write to me at the e-mail address below.  I was first introduced to ‘coaching’ almost 4 years ago - in November 2007, when 50 leaders in YWAM South Asia were selected for a ‘pilot project’ to receive coaching from CMI, with their trained coaches over Skype. At that time, there were several areas where I would often get stuck or trip up; either because of personality weaknesses/blind spots, not knowing how to apply what I’ve learnt, internal issues, and areas where I need healing or growth - which produced unhealthy habit patterns in my life, and not knowing how to implement some of the vision God has given me. I also needed help with discernment about taking on a major role in YWAM locally. Looking back over the these last 4 years, coaching has been one of the most significant resources for me in growing in my relationship with God, in relationships with my family members and others, and in equipping me to be a better leader.
The online coaching can be related to personal issues, marriage issues, leadership issues, dreams in ministry etc. - you get to choose in what area you have the most pressing need for help. 

How can I sign up for coaching with C.M.I.?

If you are ready to sign up for coaching with CMI, you can do so directly at their web site: http://www.coachingmission.com. Click on “Bridges Program – Coaching for Individual Missionaries” in the left column for more information on the program and in order to apply.
I want to encourage you to take a few moments to think and pray about this and perhaps explore this further. CMI (Coaching Missionaries International) offers the kind of consistent ongoing support that is often needed by leaders and which unfortunately we cannot offer as ‘Kerygma Teams’ at this stage, because of our small number of leaders and our various responsibilities. This might be a provision from God to you, to bridge the gap.

Blessings!
Cassius Soares