In this episode, Christine Caine welcomes Katie Modrau, country manager for A21 South Africa. Katie’s story is one of needing to lead and pilot in areas where she was young and underqualified. “Don’t fake it ‘til you make it,” advises Katie, “but learn where your limitations are.” Christine and Katie encourage us to trust that God has put us in the places he has, while remembering it’s our responsibility to learn, grow, and improve our skills in order to steward those opportunities well. Listen in as Katie shares the sobering reality of A21’s work in South Africa and be reminded that God has you where you are for a reason and that no matter how underqualified you feel, you can learn and grow as you lead.

Show Notes:

Remain flexible

Katie had plans to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy, but her life was irrevocably changed when she heard about human trafficking. Even when you feel underqualified and inexperienced, you can move forward and steward God’s opportunities.

Learn Your Limits

Leaders often have to pioneer new things, which means needing to grow and learn on the job, knowing our limits and being honest about them. God uses life experiences to equip us so we can equip others and be patient as they are learning.

Learn as You Go

Katie encourages us to put in the work to develop skills to steward our opportunities well. Faith doesn’t just mean “winging it.” We need to commit to developing strengths and skills for the tasks God has given us.

Leading a Tired Team

To ensure her workers can go the distance, Katie puts practices in place like vacation time and counseling opportunities, but reminds us that each person is responsible to implement those. We are responsible for implementing our own boundaries in the ebb and flow of life’s challenges.

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Follow Katie on Instagram @KatieModrau. Katie Modrau has her honours in Occupational Therapy (BSc OT) from University of Cape Town and has been working for A21 for the past 13 years as South Africa's Country Manager.

Follow Christine @ChristineCaine

Get your FREE reflection guide for journaling prompts or use it as a discussion guide with your community at PropelWomen.org/Podcast.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode, and don’t forget to leave a review! See you next week on the Propel Women Life & Leadership Podcast.

You can connect with us further at PropelWomen.org or on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Threads @PropelWomen. We can’t wait to hang out with you in your car, during your workout, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

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Propel Women is an initiative of Equip & Empower Ministries founded by Christine Caine.

We EMPOWER women with biblical wisdom and encouragement, EQUIP women with practical training and education, and MOBILIZE women by providing hands-on leadership opportunities.

No matter where a woman has influence – in an office, in her community, at home with her family, or in ministry – Propel is driven by a calling to equip and mobilize women to become effective co-laborers with Christ and make a difference within their unique spheres of influence.

In this episode, our host, Christine Caine, welcomes Rev. Dr. Nicole Martin, Chief Impact Officer with Christianity Today. Nicole shares how God has used her education, experiences (both successes and disappointments), and the direction of the Spirit to equip her to live and lead with discernment at home and in the workplace. It’s not just one part of us that God calls to follow him, rather it’s our whole person. Nicole will encourage you today to bring your whole self into every space and place God leads you.

Show Notes:

God’s Detours

In many of the disappointing “side” routes she has faced, Nicole says God has been actively detouring her so that He could sharpen her skills or show her new things He had for her. What divine detours might God be leading you on?

A Seat at the Table

Nicole recalls, “when you get to the table, it’s your job to speak up for who’s not there.” We all have a role in creating pathways for other leaders and voices that are noticeably not present.

Bring Your Whole Self

“Code-switching” and having to adapt yourself to new environments is exhausting. Nicole shares how discernment is learning to “listen to the Holy Spirit to know when it’s time to pull back or push forward,” not because you’re too much or not enough, “but because you’re waiting for the appointed time.”

Do What Only you can do

Our bodies are one way God signals to us that we have limits. If we’re overwhelmed, Nicole suggests it may be time for us to be discerning about what needs to change. Christine shares that none of us can do it all, and we can practice accepting help from others where it’s available, so that we are able to prioritize the relationships and tasks that only we can do.

Follow Nicole @DrNicoleMMartin and Soulfire International Ministries. She is the author of Made to Lead: Empowering Women for Ministry, and her forthcoming book Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender will be found wherever books are sold.

Follow Christine @ChristineCaine

Get your FREE reflection guide for journaling prompts or use it as a discussion guide with your community at PropelWomen.org/Podcast.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode, and don’t forget to leave a review! See you next week on the Propel Women Life & Leadership Podcast.

You can connect with us further at PropelWomen.org or on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Threads @PropelWomen. We can’t wait to hang out with you in your car, during your workout, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

—

Propel Women is an initiative of Equip & Empower Ministries founded by Christine Caine.

We EMPOWER women with biblical wisdom and encouragement, EQUIP women with practical training and education, and MOBILIZE women by providing hands-on leadership opportunities.

No matter where a woman has influence – in an office, in her community, at home with her family, or in ministry – Propel is driven by a calling to equip and mobilize women to become effective co-laborers with Christ and make a difference within their unique spheres of influence.

Today on the podcast, Lisa Harper is back and, amidst so many laughs – of course, she and Christine Caine give a behind-the-scenes exclusive look at the creation and purpose of their new 4-week Bible Study and video series The Marvel and Miracle of Advent. For many of us, we’ve heard all about Christmas and the birth of Jesus, but not about Advent. As Christine and Lisa share, you will be encouraged to explore Advent and recapture the wonder of Jesus living among us during the approaching holiday season.

SHOW NOTES:

What is Advent?

Advent is the oldest and best story of God’s arrival and its implicit rescue: as J.I. Packer wrote: “Nothing in fiction is more fantastic than the incarnation.”

Why focus on Advent?

Advent rekindles our awe and wonder, and gets us ready to reengage a hurting world with hope. As Christine explains, Advent activates us: “Activation is an inherent part of preparation.”

Hope for a Hurting World

Our world is hurting, and needs those who love Jesus to shepherd people through pain well. As Lisa says, “Jesus doesn’t say he’ll take the pain away; he says He’ll be present with us in it.” The message of Advent grounds us in real hope as we face the future.

Follow Lisa Harper @lisadharper and get your own copy of The Marvel and Miracle of Advent: Recapturing the Wonder of Jesus Living With Us.