HISTORICAL LEADERS’ ASSIGNMENT
In my current leadership position, I am a licensed and ordained elder in ministry. I
am currently serving with The Master’s Plan Worship Center. As I take this journey I desire to
go deeper on the study of women in ministry. I am under the leadership of a female pastor who
was installed as an overseer last year. I was a part of that ceremony; it was the most spectacular
experience in the world. My aspirations and desires for this vocation are to walk out the
instructions that God has given me to follow and in my next level of elevation. I find myself in
several ministries, but I want one main focal point. I have grown spiritually and have much
humility for the ministry. I have preached and conducted services. Continuing to do the work of
the Lord is my goal, and eventually getting to the finish line. I desire to be able to communicate
well the spiritual aspect of my walk with God and to be able to help change the lives of those that
I meet through the word of God. I am passionate about the lives of God’s people and only hope
that one day I will exceed the expectations that God has set before me. Leading God’s people
with vision, passion, and power, while doing missionary work is my goal, as you see time and
time again how life has taken a toll on those in need. Being able to pour back into people what
God has given me allows me to build character and positivity in myself as well as those I am
there to assist. I have watched leaders in different ministries walk away or fall from grace
because they tend to think of themselves rather than the individuals they are sent to serve. I
desire that I will fulfill my calling and not let pride of any kind take over. As a leader in ministry,
I do not want to be afraid or live in fear. One leader in history who gave her life entire to serve
those less fortunate is Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa’s disciplines were service, fellowship, and
serving.
Mother Teresa
Young (2017), in this summary, shows that:
HISTORICAL LEADERS’ ASSIGNMENT
[ Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her work in bringing
help to suffering humanity. Known to minister to those others wouldn’t even consider, she
became one of the most famous missionaries ever. Six years after her death, in 2003, she was
beatified by the Catholic Church] (p.1). Crosswalk writer Ben Young writes this
about Mother Teresa's faith and widely known doubts, "Most people know Mother Teresa as an
an iconic figure of piety, self-sacrifice, and faith. What most people don’t know is that
throughout her life she felt plagued by the pain of doubt” (Young, 2017, p. 2). She wrote: “I feel
just that terrible pain of loss, of God not wanting me, of God not being God, of God not
existing.” In another personal letter, she struggled with accepting the love of Jesus: “Jesus has a
very special love for you. As for me, the silence and the emptiness are so great that I look and do
not see, listen, and do not hear” (Young,2017, p.2). “Prayer is an important part of Mother
Teresa's rich spirituality; it was the bedrock that allowed her to undertake her challenging works
of mercy”, (Crosswalk Editorial Staff, 2023b). Even still, her doubt did not decrease her trust in
God. “Those who struggle with doubts too can turn to her example and know that they don't
doubt alone” (Polk, 2018, p. 3). As I continue to review the life and history of Mother Teresa, I
find myself in the same situation as she was. Often, I doubt myself regarding the capability of
what I can and cannot do. I know that every good and perfect gift comes from God. Staying
positive, focused, and driven will allow me to overcome any doubt that comes.
Struggling with accepting God’s love and whether He truly loves me has been a weight for me as
well for years. Coming out of my shell and evolving into a leader and a servant has taken work,
but I have endured just as Mother Teresa has. Mother Teresa’s dedication to the poor had a huge
impact on those she served. I believe this was her start to spiritual leadership and the journey set
before her. “Mother Teresa was an exceptional Missionary who opened schools, orphanages,
medical clinics, and homes for the elderly. Mother Teresa founded Missionaries of Charity
which ran over 500 missions throughout the world. Mother Teresa promoted peace and
HISTORICAL LEADERS’ ASSIGNMENT
forgiveness” (Verdin, 2022b, p. 1). As I continue my research, I see that theologically Mother
Teresa was focused on ministry. Through her dedication and life mission, her leadership was
formed in a way that would change the world and ministry as we see it today. Her spiritual
discipline formed her leadership style as she grew to trust God even more and encouraged those
who followed even when she doubted tremendously. “She had incredible organizational skills
along with her compassion and love for humanity” (Mother Teresa Biography for Kids, 2020b,
p. 1). Mother Teresa believed that she received a divine calling from God to serve the poorest of
the poor. “She considered this calling as a direct response to the voice of Jesus, who she believed
called her to live among and care for the most vulnerable in society” (Verdin, 2022, p.
2). Mother Teresa had a message, quoting that “those who serve the poor are following God”.
Mother Teresa ministered to those whom no one else would consider. Her spiritual leadership
was formed from her continued faith in God and her mission to serve those who were less
fortunate. Mother Teresa was truly a transformational leader. She combinedHcharismatic
leadership, inspirational leadership, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration.
Spiritually, I believe her goal was to make others happy. “Driven by compassion and a strong
sense of duty, Mother Teresa began to teach those she encountered how to care for themselves
and others during illness” (Verdin, 2022, p. 9). Another key point that I drew from Mother
Teresa’s life is “her compassionate spiritual life and her love for the poor and less fortunate. She
willed to love Jesus as he had never been loved before” (Mother Teresa: A Dark Spiritual Life
and Love of the Poor | Benedictine College, n.d., p. 1). Mother Teresa dedicated her life to
serving other people.
HISTORICAL LEADERS’ ASSIGNMENT
References
Crosswalk Editorial Staff. (2023, November 15). Who is Jesus? Crosswalk.com.
https://www.crosswalk.com/who-is-jesus.html
Mother Teresa: A Dark Spiritual Life and Love of the Poor | Benedictine College. (n.d.).
Benedictine College. https://www.benedictine.edu/student-
life/activities/organizations/hunger- coalition/spiritual life
Mother Teresa biography for kids. (2020b, October 26). Lottie Dolls US.
https://www.lottie.com/blogs/strong-women/mother-teresa
HISTORICAL LEADERS’ ASSIGNMENT
Polk, L. (2018, January 9). 20 Christian women who shaped history. Crosswalk.com.
https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/20-christian-women-who-shaped-history.html
Young, B. (2017, September 4). What You Can Learn about Doubt from Mother Teresa.
https://www.ibelieve.com/slideshows/20-christian-women-who-shaped-history.html
Verdin, J. (2022a, February 28). Mother Teresa Facts, biography, and inspiration. Father Joe’s
Villages. https://my.neighbor.org/mother-
Teresa/#Mother_Teresa_Facts_Biography_and_Inspiration
