6 ESSENTIAL LESSONS LEARNED WHILE LEADING A MOVEMENT

The science of leading a movement can be reproduced anywhere, but the experience of leading a movement is unique. It leaves a lasting impression on you as you reflect upon it. I have learned more about myself and God in the past 4 years than ever before in my life. I want to share 6 lessons I learned about myself and God while leading a movement to reach South Asian-American college students in Texas and Oklahoma.

UT-Austin OneWay InterVarsity Founders in 2001

Lesson #1: Do Not Despise Small Beginnings

If you had told me when I was a sophomore in college that I would be one the founders of a South Asian student movement that would spread across Texas and Oklahoma, I would have laughed at you. Me and my rag-tag group of friends? We’re nothing compared to our talented, bright, and influential peers.

What I learned is that God is not afraid to start small. He is faithful with small beginnings. Don’t lose hope if you are starting with a few resources and personnel. Keep at it. God will come through. Zechariah 4:6-10.

Lesson #2: Overcome the Grip of Status Quo

Soon after we started the first South Asian fellowship, a second campus was planted the very next year! Wow, we went from nothing to two campuses in a year. That’s awesome. However, our movement got comfortable with this progress. We remained at two fellowships for over 10 years. The movement fizzled out.

What I learned is that God wants to reach the unreached. He is not lulled to sleep by comfort and satisfaction. God empowers you to overcome status quo. You must ask the question, “Who is not at the table yet?”. Go, find them. Luke 19:1-10.

Lesson #3: Walk through Every Open Door

I wanted to overcome status quo, so I wrote emails, made phone calls, followed up on leads, and hosted meet-ups… eventually doors opened! I took a risk and we launched a planting meeting at a third campus, and 35 students showed up! The next year at the 4th campus, 40 students showed up to plant! The next year, another, and another, and … well you get the idea… it was exponential growth!

What I learned is that God is already at work. You had to find out where and how to get involved. No open door should be treated lightly or feel beneath you. When God allows connections to happen, you follow His lead! God has a plan!! Acts 16:6-10.

Texas A&M Planting Meeting in 2011

Lesson #4: Recruit and Make Room for New Leaders

As the momentum increased, God brought leaders! I was blessed to see two South Asian students that I discipled join my staff team. Then another student joined my staff team from the chapter I planted as a student… haha, poetic! Then non-South Asian staff joined our efforts to support the growing South Asian movement. God was providing amazing people from everywhere! I did my best to recruit and make room for them.

What I learned is God does not want you to hoard power. God wants you to empower and mobilize others to do greater work! It’s a humbling experience to relinquish control and trust others, but it is very rewarding! Matthew 20:20-28.

Lesson #5: Allow Strategies to Evolve with the Movement

Strategy never trumps the Spirit of God, but strategy comes to life by the Spirit of God! The plans and strategies that were sustaining the work years ago had to evolve and be recharged. I took a South Asian student conference that was canceled years ago and recharged it with a missional mindset. Then the following year, we evolved that conference into a leadership-only gathering and trained student leaders to take the movement to the next level.

What I learned is God is not tied to our simple strategies. God is more than capable of designing a new strategy to shape the future. Do not be tied to methods that worked years ago, but trust God as He leads you to new methods! 2 Samuel 5:17-25.

Student-Leaders from 7 South Asian Chapters in 2013

Lesson #6: Never Give Up on the Vision

There were numerous times that I wanted to quit. One discouraging email. One difficult conversation. One disheartening rumor. One plus one plus one… and it got too heavy for me. Sleepless nights. Constant brainstorming. I didn’t have the strength or the wisdom to make it all work, but God reminded me to trust Him. He will do the heavy-lifting, not me. He is sufficient to bring about the vision that He showed to me. All of it is His — from inception to completion.

What I learned is that God is strong and faithful. Nothing is bigger than God. Though He seems delayed, He has not denied you! In reality, He is never late, but always on time. He is faithful to complete every good thing that He has started in you. Habakkuk 2:2-3

Crazy, huh? I set out to do something great for God, but it turns out, He set out to do something great in me! God is amazing! He never uses you as a means to an end. You are the precious end He has in mind. God will be with you as you lead a movement of world changers — every step of the way, guiding you, shaping you, and making you into His likeness.

I encourage you to remember these 6 lessons I learned about God while leading a movement. Go and do something incredible with God. He will sustain you, and you will get front-row seats to a life-changing adventure. You get the opportunity to make Kingdom impact! It is a win-win experience.

You are an Everyday World Changer. Start today!

Do you have any other lessons that you want to add? Do you have story of leading a movement? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please comment below.