Are you struggling to rally others around the vision God has placed on your heart?

In this powerful episode, we sit down to explore the essential keys to building and sustaining spiritually mature, hungry, and purpose-driven teams.

Leadership expert Dan Slagle reveals the framework for building teams with genuine ownership and responsibility. After 20+ years in Christian leadership contexts, Dan knows firsthand that most vision-bearers struggle with the same challenge: getting others to care as much as they do.

The conversation unpacks three essential pillars for fostering ownership. First, a culture of trust forms the non-negotiable foundation where team members feel secure enough to take risks without fear of unfair consequences. Second, the critical importance of hiring emotionally mature people who naturally take responsibility rather than "delegating up." And finally, the courage to give meaningful responsibility and stand beside people through both success and failure.

Ready to transform your leadership approach? Listen now to discover how trust, maturity, and meaningful delegation create the environment where ownership naturally flourishes.

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Join a community of leaders who are ready to change history and make an impact in this world. When you take part in ILI training, you will discover how ILI's Eight Core Values will help you transform your leadership. Discover more at ILITeam.org/discover.

Strategic planning isn't merely an annual exercise marked on the calendar—it's a spiritual discipline requiring discernment, collaboration, and intentionality. This illuminating conversation with leadership expert Dan Slagle unpacks how effective organizations balance daily operations with future-focused vision casting.

In this powerful episode of the History Makers Leadership Podcast, we sit down with seasoned church leader Dan Slagle to explore the heart and discipline of strategic leadership. Whether you’re leading a church, a nonprofit, or a team in the marketplace, this conversation offers practical frameworks and spiritual wisdom you won’t want to miss.

Dan shares candid lessons from over two decades of leadership at FaithBridge Church, including how clear communication, prayerful discernment, and intentional systems created a culture of mission-alignment and strategic focus.

You’ll discover:

• When and how to initiate strategic planning in your leadership context
• The difference between tactical vs. strategic meetings
• How to discern and respond to Kairos moments — those divine windows of opportunity
• Real-life stories of navigating major gifts, leadership transitions, and organizational pivots
•  How to empower your team and prepare the next generation of leaders

What does it really take to lead with clarity, purpose, and Kingdom impact? If you're ready to lead more intentionally, make better decisions, and serve your team faithfully — this conversation is for you.

Ready to transform your approach to strategic planning? Subscribe now and explore additional leadership resources at iliteam.org, including our guide to the eight core values of the most effective Christian leaders

Explore more resources and leadership tools at: https://iliteam.org.

Support the show

Join a community of leaders who are ready to change history and make an impact in this world. When you take part in ILI training, you will discover how ILI's Eight Core Values will help you transform your leadership. Discover more at ILITeam.org/discover.

What happens when your past is marked by trauma, your present is shattered by tragedy, and the future seems impossible? In this powerful episode of the History Makers Leadership Podcast, we sit down with Pastor Kayla Countryman, a woman who embodies resilience and a profound sense of purpose.

From a childhood marked by learning disabilities and a broken home to surviving a devastating accident that nearly took her life, Kayla's story is nothing short of miraculous. After being told she would never walk, speak clearly, or live independently again, Kayla defied every expectation—relearning how to walk, talk, and lead with courage.

With raw vulnerability, humor, and bold faith, Kayla shares how God used her greatest weaknesses to reveal His strength. This episode is a beacon of hope for anyone who’s faced insurmountable odds and wondered if there’s still a purpose on the other side of pain.

What you’ll hear in this episode:
- The early struggles Kayla faced growing up with dyslexia and abuse
- The miraculous survival from a near-fatal car accident
- Her journey of healing and rediscovery at the nation's leading rehabilitation center
- A look into how she leads today as a pastor and mentor

Whether you’re a leader, a ministry builder, or someone simply navigating life’s toughest seasons, Kayla’s testimony will leave you inspired to trust the process—and the One who carries you through it

Support the show

Join a community of leaders who are ready to change history and make an impact in this world. When you take part in ILI training, you will discover how ILI's Eight Core Values will help you transform your leadership. Discover more at ILITeam.org/discover.

In this powerful episode, we revisit Pentecost and dive deep into the historical and spiritual legacy of this pivotal moment in Christian history. Nearly 2000 years after the birth of the Church, ILI’s Daniel Drewski and Norival Trindade reflect on how Pentecost continues to shape leadership, worship, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives today.

Join Daniel and Norival as they navigate how cultural differences dramatically shape our expectations of the Holy Spirit's movement. This episode will explore:

➡️ Why Pentecost is more than just a celebration
➡️ The challenge of embracing the Holy Spirit in modern church life
➡️ The tension between spiritual authenticity and the pursuit of excellence
➡️ Practical insights for church leaders seeking Spirit-led direction

Many church cultures celebrate spontaneity—sometimes viewing technical glitches as evidence of divine authenticity—while most Western churches often meticulously plan services to the second. For leaders who are feeling spiritually dry or wondering, "Spirit, where are you?", the answer often lies in simply stepping out in obedience to join God's mission already in progress.

Whether you're a church leader, a believer seeking deeper understanding, or simply curious about Pentecost, this heartfelt and thought-provoking discussion will inspire, challenge, and invite you to wait, listen, and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as you let God direct the best-laid plans with His perfect presence.

#Pentecost #HolySpirit #ChurchLeadership #HistoryMakersLeadershipPodcast #ILITeam

Support the show

Join a community of leaders who are ready to change history and make an impact in this world. When you take part in ILI training, you will discover how ILI's Eight Core Values will help you transform your leadership. Discover more at ILITeam.org/discover.

Why Godly Fathers Matter More Than Ever

In today’s world, anxiety, depression, and identity confusion are on the rise, and children growing up without fathers are among the most deeply affected. As we approach Father’s Day, we explore one of the most overlooked root causes of today’s mental health crisis: the absence of a loving, present father.

This episode reveals the profound and lasting impact of fatherlessness, from academic and emotional struggles to future relationships and generational cycles of pain. Girls without fathers often face higher rates of teen pregnancy, while boys tend to struggle with discipline and identity. But amid the brokenness, there's real hope.

Jesus consistently referred to God as "Abba"—Daddy—a tender and intimate expression of fatherhood that invites us into deep security, identity, and belonging. Scripture speaks often of God's heart for orphans and widows—those without fathers—as a model for how the Church should respond.

You’ll hear:

• The statistics that reveal how vital fatherhood is to a child’s emotional and spiritual well-being
• How Christian leadership and family values can disrupt the mental health crisis
• Biblical wisdom on fatherhood, identity, and legacy
• Stories of how church communities step in to become surrogate families
• Practical guidance for leaders, mentors, and fathers on how to “stand in the gap”

Join us as we unpack this vital topic and discover how caring men can demonstrate Christ's love by stepping into the father gap, becoming living examples of our Heavenly Father's perfect love.

Support the show

Join a community of leaders who are ready to change history and make an impact in this world. When you take part in ILI training, you will discover how ILI's Eight Core Values will help you transform your leadership. Discover more at ILITeam.org/discover.

In this powerful episode of the History Makers Leadership Podcast, host Daniel Drewski sits down with David Daniels to unpack one of the most critical challenges facing organizations and movements today. Finding, developing, and empowering the next generation of leaders might be the most significant challenge facing today's Christian leaders. Without a clear framework for identifying potential and a process for nurturing growth, organizations risk stagnation and missed kingdom opportunities.

In this transformative conversation, seasoned marketplace leader David Daniels shares his proven "Five C's" framework for identifying and developing emerging leaders. With over 35 years of leadership experience at Chick-fil-A, overseeing hundreds of team members, David brings practical wisdom that works across any leadership context—whether business, ministry, or community service.

David also unpacks the four questions every team member silently asks: Do you see me? Do you hear me? Do you believe in me? Do I belong here? Leaders who answer these questions create environments where emerging leaders can flourish.

Whether you're building a business, leading a ministry, or developing a community, these insights will help you create a culture that champions growth, accountability, and legacy. Grab your notebook and get ready for a rich, value-packed conversation that will challenge your assumptions, sharpen your leadership vision, and inspire you to take action.

Support the show

Join a community of leaders who are ready to change history and make an impact in this world. When you take part in ILI training, you will discover how ILI's Eight Core Values will help you transform your leadership. Discover more at ILITeam.org/discover.

The modern church stands at a critical crossroads between consumer Christianity and authentic discipleship. As Barna research reveals, there's a striking disconnect—while believers desire churches engaged in social justice and community transformation, many struggle to personally embrace their role as evangelists and disciple-makers.

ILI's Daniel Drewski and Norival Trindade share how this shift toward relational, participatory faith shapes ministry: "We bought that coffee machine and we kind of laughed because it was not inexpensive, but it feels like one of the more meaningful ministry investments my family has made." Simple hospitality creates natural opportunities for the authentic community where faith conversations happen organically without a facade.

"We outsourced the mission and became consumers of the faith," Norval shares, highlighting how believers often attend church to receive rather than participate. This passive approach drastically differs from Jesus' model of discipleship. The full invitation of the gospel isn't merely to be saved or personally transformed, but to become agents of transformation for others.

What's fascinating is how younger generations, particularly Gen Z, are rejecting this spectator Christianity. They crave authenticity and meaningful participation—they don't want religious performance but genuine community where faith manifests in tangible action. This generation demonstrates deep distrust of institutions while simultaneously showing remarkable zeal for authentic expressions of Christianity.

Perhaps most provocative is the Western church's need to learn from believers in persecuted regions who demonstrate remarkable spiritual vitality despite minimal resources. Their house churches remind us that the power of Christian community has never been in its programming or facilities but in Spirit-transformed relationships multiplying discipleship through authentic connections.

Ready to move beyond spectator Christianity? Subscribe to join our exploration of leadership principles that are revitalizing the church across the globe. Together, let's rediscover how ordinary believers living extraordinarily committed lives become the catalyst for genuine community transformation.

Support the show

Join a community of leaders who are ready to change history and make an impact in this world. When you take part in ILI training, you will discover how ILI's Eight Core Values will help you transform your leadership. Discover more at ILITeam.org/discover.

Join hosts Daniel Drewski and Norival Trindade as they explore a profound shift in the global missions landscape—one where Latin America is no longer just a mission field, but a mission force. In this inspiring episode, discover how leaders from the Global South are rising to the challenge of reaching the least-reached with renewed passion, strategic focus, and cultural insight. Through conversations on leadership, collaboration, and the changing face of missions, this episode calls listeners to embrace a new era of partnership in the Great Commission.

A profound shift is reshaping the landscape of global missions, and Latin America stands at the forefront of this transformation. Once predominantly a mission field, this vibrant region has become a powerful mission force, sending thousands of passionate Christ-followers to the least-reached corners of our world.

The numbers tell a remarkable story. A century ago, evangelical Christians represented a mere 2% of Latin America's population. Today, that figure has soared to 25%, with some Central American nations approaching an equal balance between Catholic and Protestant believers. Brazil alone—representing half of South America geographically and demographically—sends approximately 40,000 cross-cultural missionaries globally, making it the third-largest missionary-sending nation behind only the United States and South Korea.

For mission organizations and church leaders, this new reality requires what might be called "radical, uncommon kingdom collaboration"—a willingness to sit at the table as equals with those who were once the recipients of mission efforts. It means recognizing that powerful theological insights and missiological innovations are emerging from the Global South. Most importantly, it reminds us that fulfilling the Great Commission demands character-driven leadership that mobilizes believers across cultural boundaries.

Resources: 
Comibam - https://comibam.org/es

Support the show

Join a community of leaders who are ready to change history and make an impact in this world. When you take part in ILI training, you will discover how ILI's Eight Core Values will help you transform your leadership. Discover more at ILITeam.org/discover.

In this deeply insightful conversation about authentic evangelism, Dr. Dan Slagle and Daniel Drewski unpack the unnecessary barriers we create when sharing our faith. Rather than approaching evangelism as a sales pitch or theological debate, we discover how vulnerability, honesty, and genuine relationships form the foundation of powerful witness.

The conversation reveals two essentials every believer needs: a basic understanding of Christian faith and the ability to share your personal testimony through three simple parts – life before Christ, how you met Christ, and how life has changed since. This straightforward framework removes the intimidation factor while preserving the transformative power of personal witness.

They remind us that God is already working in people's hearts before we enter the conversation. This shifts our perspective from pressure-filled performance to faithful participation in God's ongoing work. Whether planting seeds, watering what's been planted, or witnessing the harvest, each role holds equal value in God's economy.

Ready to move beyond fear and into the joy of authentic witness? Listen now and discover how embracing your story – imperfections and all – might be exactly what someone needs to encounter Christ.

Support the show

Join a community of leaders who are ready to change history and make an impact in this world. When you take part in ILI training, you will discover how ILI's Eight Core Values will help you transform your leadership. Discover more at ILITeam.org/discover.

Ever wonder why we keep going it alone when the call to unity is so clear throughout Scripture? This thought-provoking discussion dives deep the leadership trap no one talks about - isolation. In this episode, Daniel Drewski and Dan Slagle navigate into the persistent tension between individualism and collaboration in Christian leadership.

The conversation unpacks several drivers behind our isolation tendencies—from cultural individualism and the human need for identity to competition and short-sighted selfishness. But there's a crucial distinction between healthy distinctiveness (serving an unmet need) and unhealthy isolation (serving ego). 

The discussion tackles a frequently misunderstood leadership principle: "do what only you can do." While some interpret this as permission to micromanage everything, mature leaders recognize their unique responsibilities while still inviting others into the process. As leadership expert Dale Galloway wisely observed, "A leader does not do the work of 10 people. A leader gets 10 people to do the work of 10 people."

For the overwhelmed leader currently carrying too much alone, this shift in perspective doesn't add another burden—it finally offers relief through doing the right things. While initial adjustment takes time, the return on investment becomes exponentially greater when we embrace God's design for unity and multiplication in leadership.

Ready to break the isolation cycle? Discover resources, including our eight core values of effective Christian leadership and the History Makers Journey tool, at iliteam.org to help equip both yourself and others in your sphere of influence.

Support the show

Join a community of leaders who are ready to change history and make an impact in this world. When you take part in ILI training, you will discover how ILI's Eight Core Values will help you transform your leadership. Discover more at ILITeam.org/discover.