We are living in a time when our beliefs are often called into question and put to the test. We need more leaders who are willing to live boldly for Christ.

Bold leaders know what’s at stake. Yet they are willing to forge ahead toward a God-given vision, accepting the risks. What does that look like?

In Through Gates of Splendor, Elisabeth Elliot recounted the remarkable story of five missionaries who gave their lives to share the gospel with the Waodani tribe of Ecuador.

During January 1956, these missionaries, including Elliot’s husband, Jim, flew in to provide supplies and make contact with the Waodani tribe. When the missionaries returned days later, the tribe met them with spears and killed the five men.

After her husband's death, Elliot continued to serve in the country and eventually went to minister to the Waodani tribe, many of whom came to Christ. Her commitment to sharing the gospel was relentless.

Elliot was willing to give her all and risk everything for the sake of the gospel. She wrote, “I have one desire now — to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it.”

Working with college students, I am inspired by their eagerness to take the gospel around the world. Southeastern University sends out hundreds of students every year to dozens of locations.

The Church needs more leaders who have a passion for carrying out the Great Commission. Too often, Christians hold back because of fear or worries about how others may perceive them.

The Church needs more leaders who have a passion for carrying out the Great Commission.

Bold Faith

Bold leaders forge ahead in faith, staying true to their convictions and calling, regardless of opposition.

Consider the biblical example of Daniel. His opponents could find nothing bad to say about him: “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God” (Daniel 6:5).

So they went after Daniel for his faith. But despite the decree against praying to God, and the threat of death in a lions’ den, Daniel never wavered. “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before” (verse 10).

In fact, when Daniel heard about the decree, he went to his upstairs room, where there were open windows. Daniel understood the potential consequences, but he still chose to live boldly for everyone to see. The circumstances Daniel encountered never altered his obedience to God.

How often do we fall into the trap of hiding our faith due to fear about what others may think? Our focus should be on obeying God rather than conforming to culture. God never promised our faith journey would be easy. Rather, He said we would encounter trouble.

When Jesus sent out His disciples in Matthew 10, He said, “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (verse 22). A few verses later, Jesus said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Today, being a bold Christian leader can mean speaking the truth of Scripture, even when it’s unpopular. It can mean taking the gospel to people who need to hear, even when it requires sacrifices or risks. It can mean standing against injustice, speaking up for the vulnerable, and loving like Jesus, even when no one else does.

Bold leaders step out in faith. It’s easy to fit in, go with the flow, and fall in line with cultural expectations. But God calls us to be different and to make His priorities our priorities, no matter the cost.