By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma
The Word of Reconciliation Mission in collaboration with the Enduring Faith Assembly, USA, has on Saturday 9th November , ended a two- day leadership summit at the Word of Reconciliation Mission church in Freetown.
Speaking at the opening of the two- day leadership Summit on Friday, the general overseer of the Word of Reconciliation Mission Rev. Dr. Adrian Borbor, welcomed participants to the leadership summit, outlining the importance of learning about leadership whilst urging everyone to listen, write and learn from the event.
‘’This gathering has specifically brought together many leaders and potential leaders serving in God’s kingdom so that it will help us to do a better job for God and be the example that Jesus Christ has set for us,’’ he told participants.
Rev Dr. Adrian Borbor said that the aim of the leadership summit is to facilitate and bonding of kingdom leaders into a united team that he said will accomplish the goal of the true church of God as well as facilitate connection and bonding of kingdom leaders.
‘’We want to bring some crucial leadership issues and develop solutions based on God’s word that is why the two- day conference and summit was organized,’’ Rev. Dr. Adrian Borbor said.
Rev. Dr. Adrian Borbor added that the summit is a platform to acquire knowledge and skills which he said will help build greater confidence in serving and in the service of God’s kingdom.
In his statement, the CEO of the Enduring Faith Assembly Mission (EFA) USA, Bishop Paige Jones, underscored the importance of leadership development and spoke about servant leadership citing that as a servant leader, you eat last, adding, they should be the ones who are willing to give up something of themselves for who are in need.
‘’ They don’t get to the table first. They are willing to give up something for those who are in need, their time, their energy, their money. And may even be the pull off of their plate,’’ he said.
He said servant leadership requires one to make the choice of the leader adding that being a leader is choosing to eat last for the good of the outcome of those who they lead.
‘’ You see leadership and being a servant leader requires you to not think about yourself but to think about the ones that you lead,’’ Bishop Paige Jones added.
Bishop Paige Jones, however, underscored that the leadership summit is to bring up servant leaders and how they can become a servant leader stating that as soon as one become a servant leader he or she shouldn’t be selfish.
‘’ When you become a servant leader your time is no longer your time. There are times when you all may be at home , when the pastor’s will be here in this church , thinking about how the next sermon is going to go, thinking about what can he do next for church,’’ Bishop Jones lamented.
Bishop Jones went on to state that a servant leader must be willing to die , and to live adding that a servant leader is a leader who gets up every day prays to God and thank God for the opportunity that they’re being faced with daily.
Rev Raymond K. Mani, Co – founder of EFA during his presentation on conflict resolution highlighted that conflict is a natural part of life and relationships but said what matters most is not the conflict itself but how we respond to it as human.
‘’ When we handle conflicts well, we not only resolve the immediate issue but can also deepen our understanding, strengthen our relationships, and grow as individuals,’’ he said, whilst sharing some insights and strategies for resolving conflicts constructively.
He underscored the importance of understanding conflict stating that conflict itself is not inherently negative but said it is a signal that something isn’t working smoothly and needed our attention.
‘’Whether the conflict is with a family member, a friend, a co-worker, or a partner, it often points to unmet needs or unresolved issues that, when addressed, can lead to a healthier and more fulfilling relationship,’’ Rev. Mani added.
Rev. Mani further said that in the heat of conflict, it’s easy to view the other person as “the problem” but said conflict resolution begins with empathy, as well as recognizing that the other person may be acting out of their own needs, fears, or frustrations which can help us shift from a defensive or combative stance to one that’s more open to understanding.
‘’ Thank you for being here today and for your willingness to learn more about conflict resolution. I hope you take away some tools and insights that will help you navigate conflicts with confidence and compassion,’’
One of the participants, Pastor Abraham, thanked the organizers for the leadership summit stating that he learned a lot during the two day programme.
The summit attracted over one hundred participants including pastors and other members of the church.
EFA is a non- profit organization based in the USA dedicated to promoting wellness and empowering underserved communities worldwide.
