Hannah signed up for my summer Bible study group. I didn’t know many of the women in my small group, but when they arrived on the first day, I noticed a tangible difference between Hannah and the others. Let’s just say most of them fell into a “more mature” demographic, while Hannah was barely out of college, looked like a real-life Barbie, and had an unmistakable Southern accent.
She introduced herself, participated in the discussion, and quickly endeared herself to the group. After we dismissed, I pulled her aside and sheepishly apologized for the vast age difference. I was afraid the group didn’t meet her expectations, and I worried she might never come back.
Instead of retreating, Hannah stepped up. She told me how much she loved being around older women and how excited she was to meet others in our church. Over the summer as I got to know her better, I realized she had a deep hunger to grow in God’s Word and to become more connected in our church.
On the last day of our study, I asked if she wanted to go to lunch. Once again, she eagerly asked questions and shared her heart. Over the next couple of months, I continued to observe Hannah, and I even surprised myself when I hit “send” on an email asking if she would like to join our women’s ministry team. Within a couple of hours, she called. She excitedly explained, “I was praying this morning for an opportunity to serve our church, and then I got your invitation. I definitely want to be part of the team!”
Identifying new leaders doesn’t always involve a significant generational gap. However, when I give ministry leaders the opportunity to ask questions about their struggles, two themes consistently emerge—connecting generations and identifying future leaders. This isn’t a new dilemma, but it is one every leader should thoughtfully consider.
One of my favorite biblical illustrations for enlisting and mentoring new leaders is found in the relationship between Moses and Joshua. If you grew up in church, you’re likely familiar with Joshua’s story as one of the spies sent to scout out Canaan. You may also know of his leadership after Moses died, when God appointed him to lead nearly two million people across the Jordan River.
But how did God prepare Joshua for leadership? How did God use Moses to train him? And most importantly, what can you learn from their relationship? Here are three lessons I believe you can take from their story.
First, leadership formation often happens through proximity, not position.
That might sound like a mouthful, but the idea is simple: leadership development often happens naturally through relationships. Before Joshua ever held a position of leadership, he quietly followed, listened, and served in Moses’ shadow.
The first mention of Joshua appears in Exodus 17 during the battle against the Amalekites. You may remember how Aaron and Hur supported Moses’s raised hands during the fight—an image often highlighted in leadership conversations. But it was Joshua who led the military effort. And the Lord made sure Joshua didn’t walk away believing the victory belonged to him. Look closely at Exodus 17:14: “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.'” Did you catch that? Moses was instructed to write it down and recite it to Joshua!
Joshua’s proximity to Moses continues. The next time we see them together is in Exodus 33. Joshua’s position was Moses’s assistant—not his equal. It would take years of walking with Moses, learning from him, and growing spiritually before Joshua eventually led Israel into the Promised Land.
If you’re investing in a future leader, look for ways they can spend time with you. If you are the younger leader, learn the sacred discipline of watching someone who has gone before you. Observe how she prays, how she discerns God’s voice, how she handles conflict, and how she treats others. The old saying that more is caught than taught is a reminder that actions are often more powerful than words.
Second, leadership formation often happens in obscurity.
We live in a celebrity-driven culture where recognition and visibility are often celebrated. But when you examine Joshua’s life, you see years of serving in a supporting role—one that was likely overlooked and underappreciated. Scripture doesn’t give us many details, but we can reasonably assume there were countless years of faithfulness, showing up, and remaining teachable.
I still remember a time when I was helping at a women’s retreat. I sensed God’s calling into ministry but felt frustrated that He didn’t seem to be moving fast enough or providing more visible opportunities. As I quietly placed the speaker’s printed handouts on tables during a break, my pastor’s wife approached me and gently said, “I know God is calling you to this, but what you’re doing right now is just as important as being on stage.”
That was more than twenty years ago, yet her words still live in my heart. As a ministry leader today, I still remind myself that I am not above cleaning toilets, picking up trash in the church hallway, or carefully folding a tablecloth and placing it back where I found it. I may have completed a seminary doctoral program, but I still take notes each Sunday when I listen to the sermon because I know God is still teaching me and molding me into His image.
If you’re developing a future leader, look for women who are consistent. Look for those who love serving others more than being served—women who cheer others on instead of complaining from the sidelines. Faithfulness and a genuine desire to see others succeed are strong indicators of future leadership.
Finally, leadership formation happens when you trust God’s timing, not your own.
I can’t help but smile when younger leaders want to take on a major ministry assignment after only a few years of education or training. Joshua likely waited at least forty years before Moses died and he stepped into his calling. Joshua understood his calling came from God, and he never confused calling with entitlement.
You might feel like you’ve “earned” the right to lead, but wisdom is found in trusting God’s timing rather than pushing your own agenda. Submission and patience are not weaknesses; they are marks of spiritual maturity.
The next time you’re passed over for a leadership role, ask yourself this question: Do I want to do what they do, or do I want to do what they’ve done? In other words, are you willing to invest weeks, months, or even years trusting God’s timing instead of forcing advancement? The faithfulness you practice today will shape the leader you become tomorrow.
The Sacred Transfer of Leadership
Mentoring and identifying younger leaders is not just relational—it’s spiritual. It’s about preparing someone else to carry responsibility with faithfulness and courage.
As I grow older, I’m intentionally looking for more Hannahs in my life. I want to invest in future leaders, spend time with them, and affirm God’s calling on their lives. So ask yourself two questions: Who are you learning from? And who are you intentionally preparing?
Together, the sacred transfer from one leader to another strengthens the work God has entrusted to us.
To learn more about Joshua, check out the Joshua Bible study by Jen Wilkin.
About Kelly D. King
Kelly D. King is the women’s minister at Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. She is the author of Ministry to Women: The Essential Guide to Leading Women in the Local Church and was the former women’s ministry specialist for Lifeway Christian Resources. You can find her at kellydking.org and subscribe to her free monthly newsletter.
