God has used The Leadership Institute to open the souls and lives of many ministers of Christ to the fullness of what God is doing and wishes to do in our generation. I encourage those who find themselves stifled and frustrated with their work for the Lord to enter this ongoing fellowship of Christian disciples who are learning the power of the Kingdom of Heaven in contemporary reality. (Dallas Willard (1935-2013), Former Professor of Philosophy USC, Author of The Divine Conspiracy)
“In a day when the frantic lifestyle of ministry is unfriendly to the cultivation of the spiritual life, The Leadership Institute calls persons to satisfy their longings for fulfillment and focus their effort on the one thing which is essential to survival and joy in life. I have seen pastors, seminarians, and congregational leaders find renewed purpose, experience enthusiastic recommitment and exuberant energy in their ‘mid-life spiritual crisis’ and embrace life-changing patterns that have led to dramatic conversion of person and ministry.” (Dr. Julie Gorman, Former Professor of Christian Formation and Discipleship, Fuller Theological Seminary)
The Leadership Institutes Retreats with Alan & Gem Fadling have provided a sacred space to pull away and step into a facilitated solitude of unhurried time to listen and reflect in God’s presence with a blank agenda. I inevitably emerge with a refreshed soul, a gladness of heart, deeper love for the One who invites us to ever deeper intimacy, and often surprisingly – a clarity of vision for what I need to do next in providing leadership in my place of vocational calling. (Carol Taylor, President of Evangel University)
“I love this program. It integrates our spiritual journey with the greatest input available on discipleship and leadership development. This is education at its best.” (Jim Burns, President of HomeWord)
[About Paul Jensen’s book, Subversive Spirituality] “Far too many Christians live in little compartments: prayer over here, mission over there, Bible study somewhere else, even Jesus himself somewhere else again, and all squashed up because of the apparent relentlessness of today’s fast-track lifestyle. What happens if we open up the little compartments to one another, and allow the bigger picture that emerges to challenges not only the way we think and live as Christians but the very framework of lifestyle which today’s culture imposes on us? This wide-ranging and groundbreaking book provides an answer which will open eyes, minds, and hearts to an integrated vision of Christian discipleship, spirituality and mission. Jensen’s work is rooted in history but open to God’s future, grounded in prayer and devotion while grappling with hard-edged practical questions. This is a book all of us in Christian leadership need to learn from if we are to be equipped for God’s mission in tomorrow’s world.” (N.T. Wright, Chair of New Testament and Early Christianity, School of Divinity, University of St. Andrews)
[About Alan Fadling’s award winning book, An Unhurried Life] “Every once in a while there is a book that I can honestly say, ‘That book changed my life!’An Unhurried Life has been added to my very short list. Alan Fadling has helped me see in a practical, convicting and motivating manner that there is a depth waiting for me when I slow down and walk with Jesus. I knew it all along . . . but Alan has helped me long for it. In an overcommitted and under-connected culture, people need this message. I did!” (Doug Fields, coauthor of Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry and executive director of Homeword Center for Youth/Family)
[About Alan Fadling’s award winning book, An Unhurried Life] “Can we gain inner peace and strength in our high-pressured, fast-paced lives? With insights and stories, Fadling, a spiritual director, demonstrates what it takes to experience empowered lives despite life’s inevitable crises and urgent demands.” (Harold Myra, former CEO, Christianity Today)
JOURNEY PARTICIPANTS
I have personally witnessed many leaders in ministry crash and burn. I now realize that what often leads to these outcomes is lack of personal, spiritual soul care. The Leadership Institute exists to provide quality teaching, ample space, and Scriptural context to help all of us learn how to follow Jesus in the way He invites us; to where our load is easy, our burden is light, and our JOY overflows. Participating in the Journey, I was stepping into a lifeboat that God supplied for me. It was the transforming experience I needed to restore my soul, learn how to keep it healthy, and breathe ongoing life into it to love and serve God fully for all the days I have left!(Grace Cabalka, Spiritual Director)
The Journey is one of the most rewarding learning experiences I have had in my 26 years of ministry. The teaching environment allowed me not only to know about God in an academic sense, but also to experience Him in a very real way, blending beautifully my cognitive and affective understanding of the Divine. It came at a most crucial moment in my life when I was going through difficult transitions, and it proved to be a timely lifeline that God provided to meet my needs. I recommend it to all honest seekers of God who desire to go deeper in Him. (Vince Arnaldo, Pastor)
The Leadership Institute faculty taught and modeled healthy Christian formation in a truly ecumenical setting. The mentors sought to align my particular needs and expectations with the curriculum, thereby providing me with a safe space to grow and explore. I am grateful for the gifts that The Leadership Institute offered me through personal spiritual mentoring, the connection with others in ministry, and the space to flourish in God’s presence. (Paula Taylor, Pastor)
In my two years in the Journey one of the main things I learned was that my main priority is my relationship with Jesus. The mentors of the Journey have shared with me their lives. This was, for me, the most important. I have degrees in theology, philosophy and psychology, but they are not close to what I was given at the Journey. (Roman Popov, Russian Pastor)
The Journey was a gift straight from God. The most precious gifts for me personally were: Learning to listen in silence and solitude and developing healthy rhythms of life. These were critical to prepare me for the next ministry steps I would take. These practices met me right where I was and allowed me to encounter Jesus in the places where He wanted to do deep healing and to give me an EXPERIENCE of God. Im teaching others to Listen, Follow Jesus Rhythms of Work and Rest, and Lead from Overflow as God gives me opportunity. It gives me extreme pleasure to share truths that have been so life-giving for so many.(Nancy Lopez, Spiritual Director)
The spiritual mentors of The Journey were ordinary people with extraordinary clarity on what truly matters. Pace was chosen, relationships became enriched, and priorities were realigned as spirituality came to life. Ironically, as a pastor, I experienced the most authentic and meaningful church family ever, all in this group of newfound friends who were only together three times a year. This is not to say the bond was perfect; but it was genuine. We discovered profound insights into the Christian walk and were taught ways to stroll with Jesus. We learned to listen to God and also to be comfortable when His still, small voice was silent. We found power in prayer, wisdom from the ancients, camaraderie in the darkness, hope in the subtleties, and harmonies in each others music. (Todd Rosspencer, Pastor)
The Journey was one of those rare milestone experiences that has profoundly affected my life. The heart and soul of the Journey is to help men and women learn to live and lead from the overflow of their intimate, personal relationship with the Lord. This seemingly simple concept, is deeply rooted at the heart of scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. Yet in our culture of busyness and achievement it is something most of us aren’t too adept at. The truth is we all need to S-L-O-W down and learn to lean in and listen to the Lord Whose very Name is Emmanuel, God with us. Giving ourselves quality time with the Lord is what helps us rest and recover from the challenges of day to day life. The Journey provided the time, the space and the freedom I needed to explore and experience the life giving practices that help me follow Jesus more closely. I learned that paying attention to my relationship with the Lord needs to be my number one priority, daily. The Journey was a true gift which not only benefited my life but the lives of those around me. I can’t recommend it more highly to anyone who desires to grow from the inside out, in their relationship with the Lord. (Karen Wycoff Watson, Spiritual Director)
One of the eternal gifts God gave me on that first retreat with the Journey was the experience of God giving a blessing to me, that He intends to grow and use to bless others. The amazing miraculous blessings of God’s care and love for each of us are always made greater when we share them to be a blessing in the lives of others. My time invested in the Journey transformed my fatigue into a fountain of His living water that can never be quenched by any tribulation or distress. I recommend the Journey to all disciples of Jesus. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you in ways you can’t imagine! (Steve Curran, Pastor)
The Journey has changed my spiritual walk in so many ways. Before I attended the Journey I had mastered doing for the Lord, but the Journey faculty encouraged me to learn the importance of being with Jesus. My walk with Jesus is now so much more personal. I have learned to let my serving Him flow out of my being with Him. I love my extended time of solitude each month. It is the most spiritually refreshing experience I have ever had. I am so thankful that the staff at the Journey leads by example. We were never asked to do something that they themselves don’t practice. I am so thankful for the gift of The Journey. It was worth every penny and so much more. (Lynn Battey, Life Coach)
Through the Journey I learned to sit with [others] and help them walk through their life. In the midst of their story, they could find the bigger story of God working and breaking in. That was challenging, as well as great ministry. When we return to India we are going to work with church leaders who want to develop intimacy with Jesus and be a part of a leadership development process. We desire to have an expression of The Journey there in India. (James Mathew, Chaplain)
