Each month, the current Year of Equipping cohort meets to develop and enrich their relationships with each other, to receive instruction and host conversations about the movement of God in the world and how we participate, and to deepen their preparation for the future of the NAB. Most of this takes place through Zoom, but they meet in person three times during the cohort. The first in-person meeting took place just this past month. The following reflection was written by Heaven Harrington, associate worship director at Cross of Hope Church in Parma Heights, Ohio.
A year ago, I was called to serve as an associate worship director at Cross of Hope Church. Soon after, Wayne Stapleton, the VP of Emerging Leader Engagement, and Pastor Shane Prewitt, the lead pastor of Cross of Hope, recommended I participate in the Year of Equipping. Being fairly new to serving in an administrative position, I felt a strong urge to use this as an opportunity to connect with fellow leaders in the NAB.
After three months of connecting through emails and Zoom calls—diving into and reflecting upon the material we were given to study—we had our first in-person meeting on October 2025. Coming from various parts of North America, we gathered in Vancouver, British Columbia, for an enriching time of wholesome community and dwelling in the presence of the Lord.
Each morning, we gathered and spent time practicing lectio divina—listening to God’s Word, allowing it to speak to us, and sharing what it revealed in our hearts. From the very beginning, it was clear this wasn’t merely a time of equipping but a time of renewal and revelation. The words spoken through the lessons and the experiences of each day deeply resonated with our understanding of what it means to operate as part of the Kingdom of God.
Belonging to the Kingdom of God extends beyond our personal salvation—it involves recognizing what the Lord is actively doing in our communities and spiritual lives. It calls us to live in a way that sanctifies our hearts, transforming us from being mere consumers into conduits of God’s light and love to those around us. This experience challenged us to expand our awareness of how we can effectively share the Gospel in ways that truly reach and impact the hearts of people in our communities.
Needless to say, this experience has left me reflecting deeply on the dwelling place of my heart—the ongoing need to let the Word of God speak to who I am and shape who I am becoming. I highly recommend this cohort for any leader who is looking to develop an understanding of what it means to serve as a part of the “Kingdom of God.” Wayne Stapleton, Cam Roxburgh, Deb Judas, and David Williams did a phenomenal job cultivating an inviting and Spirit-filled space for us younger leaders to be aware how the Lord is actively moving in our lives. We are being equipped with an enlightening perspective that challenges and develops us as leaders moving forward.