In October 2024, leaders from around the globe gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa, for our first Global Connected Leaders Collab (CLC). In a world facing so many challenges and uncertainties, we considered how we could lead from a place of faith, not fear? How we could use our vocations as vehicles for ministry? And, how we could practically live out the Divine Creator’s blueprint for our daily work to bring order from chaos and beauty from brokenness for the sake of others?
The resources below are a great recap for those who were able to attend the CLC; however, they are also a great starting point for friends and colleagues who may be wrestling with the same questions in their life and leadership. Check out the 90 second highlights video to take a quick ‘behind the scenes’ look at what transpired at the CLC.
Fearless leadership is not leading in the absence of fear, it's leading in a way that overcomes fear.
The theme of the CLC was Fearless Leadership, and while there are about as many definitions of leadership as there are books that have been written about the topic, we believe that fearless leadership is a function that serves to bring order from chaos and beauty from brokenness, for the sake of others, and is the result of a simple equation (or set of choices):
We discussed how fearless leadership is the result of ordinary men and women discovering a confidence in who they truly are while being motivated by a conviction of why they are here that leads them to move with courage in the direction of their confidence and conviction, despite the opposition (or fear) facing them. The four session recordings provide further insights into how the idea of fearless leadership can be better understood, and ultimately, lived out.
In the first session, we explored how the Divine Creator formed each of us with an original intent and purpose, which is wrapped up in our True Identity. However, many leaders function from a place of Lived Identity. Your lived identity is the identity you have adopted from the world around you. Most lived identities are born out of the place of ‘what I am not’ and are influenced by the culture we’re in and the people we’re with. We learned that when leaders operate out of a lived identity (what I am not), we open the door to doubt and insecurity, which amplifies the voice of FEAR. However, when leaders choose their true identity (who I am), we ground ourselves in love and security, which amplifies the voice of TRUTH.
In the second session, we asked the question, “How does the world go around?” Leaders considered how developing an accurate model to better interpret our reality – called our worldview, we will better understand what is happening around us, plan for the future and make wise decision. We explored how the Old Testament journey of the Israelites, which started with a promise and ends in a city, forms the blueprint for how leaders should live with a Kingdom worldview. We considered how in order to overcome the Spirit of Babylon operating in our current world system of progress, we needed to think with a New Jerusalem mindset. However, while the spirit of Babylon needs to be destroyed, the people we’re with and the cities we’re in needs to be saved – like the example of the Quakers in 18th and 19th century. They were only 0.2% of the population and yet they had a great influence on the developing economy and redeeming society, out of all proportion to their numbers.
The Revealed Identity session on Day 2 followed the Jamie Winship interview, which we recommend you watch before listening to this session (see the video below). We explored two vital questions to help guide us on the journey of living as fearless leaders. Question 1: What is the first thing that comes to mind when we think about God? Question 2: What do you believe the first thing God thinks when He thinks about you? We learned that the process of transformation is simple … CONFESSION +CONVERSATION + REPENTANCE = TRANSFORMATION. This simple process unlocked an incredible time of deep introspection and leaders discovering their true identities – which can only be received, not achieve. We ended the session, embracing the idea that your identity is a gift to your community.
The final session left us with a challenge of living beyond ourselves and being men and women, young and old, who would begin leading fearlessly to bring about justice in the spaces and places of our influence. We heard of two accounts in Scripture where people were instructed to prepare a stew in a pot as a resource for others. The first account told of poison in the pot, which was able to be cleansed. However, in the second account, the pot was corroded and ended up being destroyed. We asked the question of whether or not the culture we live in is corroded. Are people in our cities practicing extortion? Are people oppressing the poor and the needy? Are people extorting from the vulnerable without justice? Having being challenge to embrace the role we have been called to play in our cities and nations, ordinary men and women began to think of solutions of how we could stand in the breach before the Lord on behalf of our land (Ezekiel 22:29-30).
In this insightful interview, Sheldon sits down with Jamie Winship to explore his groundbreaking work on discovering and living in one’s true identity. Jamie emphasizes that many of us derive our sense of identity from one of three sources, which often leads to emotional struggles and inner conflict.
The first source is what we do. When we tie our identity to our achievements or roles, we risk emotional turmoil if we fail or can no longer perform. This approach drives us to constantly self-protect and self-promote, which leads to exhaustion and high stress. The second is what we have. Relying on possessions for identity can foster a scarcity mindset, making us cling tightly to what we own. It limits our ability to be generous and creates an insatiable desire for more, as we equate having more with being more. Lastly, what people say about us influences those who seek validation through others' opinions. When our worth is dependent on external approval, we become vulnerable to fear, guilt, and shame, losing control of our own sense of value. However, Jamie presents a powerful alternative: by understanding and embracing our true identity, we unlock creativity, resilience, and the tools to combat fear and the false beliefs that often hold us back. This conversation dives deep into how knowing who we truly are can lead to a more fulfilling and empowered life.
An essential part of the CLC was connecting leaders into a larger story of hope. We hear from several church and business leaders of how the Lord is using Business Forum around the world to see the Kingdom established. Why not take some time to be encouraged by the four testimonies below.
Five years after a few SummitTrek coaches from San Antonio, Texas, responded to a call to come and sow into the nation of South Africa with the leadership coaching resources of their business, they returned to experience what the Lord has accomplished through their radical generosity. This testimony shows how a simple YES can change so much, and how there are always people on the other side of your obedience.
We often say of Business Forum how people come for the content, stay for the relationships, but are transformed by a revealed identity and renewed worldview. In this testimony, we hear from Josh, a business leader in Dubai, who shares how his experience of a Business Forum breakfast not only changed his international business, it transformed his life.
We have seen the power of going 2-by-2 outworking itself in the Business Forum story, as church and business leaders partner together in practical ways to see businesses as a vehicle for ministry. In this testimony, we hear Brad (a church leader) and David’s (the MD of a multinational organisation) of how the Lord used Business Forum as an entry point to open up an apostolic missions trip to Colombia where multiple churches were ministered to and people came to faith in Jesus.
George’s story testified of how a local church created space for business people to express their giftings through business, and how by not limiting serving in a local church to the traditional ministry functions, doors have been opened for Business Forum to be incorporated as a key part of their international missions programme. We will hear how countries like Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Tanzania, Madagascar, Albania and Angola are now experiencing the life of Kingdom through business.
Ever thought about running a Business Forum but didn't know where to start?
The “Business Forum In A Box” is just what you need! It’s packed with easy-to-follow modules, handy checklists, and clear process flows, making it a breeze to organise your event. We’ve distilled the Business Forum experience into this toolkit so you can hit the ground running and host a top-class event with ease.
We believe that the true reward of Business Forum are the relationships formed.
Therefore, instead of merely providing access to the content resources, we would love to set up a conversation with you to better understand your context, the dreams God has placed in your heart for your community and to consider how we could serve you in your journey. So, please view the Preview Resource to get a feel for what is provided and then complete the In-A-Box inquiry so that we can set up a time to connect with you.
This year's Connected Leaders Collab (CLC) was a milestone in our Business Forum journey. Check out some of the testimonies of those who attended!
This year's Connected Leaders Collab (CLC) was a milestone in our Business Forum journey. Check out some of the testimonies of those who attended!
If your life or leadership was impacted by the CLC, or if you have experienced breakthroughs subsequent to the event, please Share Your Testimony with us by clicking the link below. We would love to continue to stir hope in the hearts of leaders around the world by celebrating what God is doing.