Andrew McDonald never imagined he'd become a pastor, let alone a church planter. Growing up in eastern Canada, church was something you endured weekly while wearing uncomfortable clothes—a religious obligation completely disconnected from daily life. After pursuing what he thought would bring fulfillment—parties, marriage, career success, and material possessions—he found himself at 22 with everything he'd wanted yet feeling "empty and hollow."

In a moment of spiritual honesty, Andrew prayed what he calls "the worst prayer I ever prayed," asking God to make him need God. Within a month, his life collapsed as his marriage ended, his company went bankrupt, and he lost everything. But instead of becoming bitter, Andrew recognized something profound happening: "While everything in my life was chaos, there was a sense of peace and purpose that I experienced in the midst of the brokenness."

For leaders wondering if they're on the right path, Andrew offers this hard-earned wisdom: "Just because you're a good communicator doesn't mean you're good at communication," and "just because you are a gifted leader doesn't mean that you are leading well." His journey reminds us that authentic leadership isn't about executing our perfect plan, but about recognizing when God is redirecting us toward something better. As he puts it simply: "To us it makes no sense, but God knows better than we do."

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