Fear, Faith, and the Missing Leaders Among Us — Loving Like Jesus in Action

Why do so few people step into leadership and disciple-making in the Church today? Many believers sense a desire to make an impact, yet remain on the sidelines. At the heart of this tension is a misunderstanding of what leadership truly is and perhaps even a misunderstanding of what it means to love like Jesus.

As John C. Maxwell puts it, leadership is influence. That means every believer is already leading in some way, through words, attitudes, and daily choices. Scripture affirms this in Proverbs 18:21, reminding us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. Leadership, then, is not about titles or platforms, but about the quiet, consistent influence we carry in everyday relationships.

And this is where our theme comes alive: to love like Jesus is to use our influence intentionally for others. Jesus did not love from a distance, He stepped into people’s lives, walked with them, taught them, corrected them, and formed them. His love was not passive; it was deeply relational and transformative.

Jesus reinforces this in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20, where He calls every believer to make disciples. This calling is not reserved for a few, it is an invitation to all. To make disciples is to love like Jesus: to walk intentionally with others, to help them grow, to model Christlike character, and to point them toward truth in both word and action.

Yet despite this clear calling, many hesitate. The reason is often fear. It shows up in subtle ways, self-doubt, hesitation, and questions like, “What if I don’t know enough?” or “What if I fail?” At its core, fear turns our focus inward. But loving like Jesus calls us outward, toward people.

In Matthew 8:23–27, the disciples find themselves in a storm, overwhelmed with fear even though Jesus is with them. Before calming the storm, He asks, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” This moment reflects a familiar struggle: we believe in Jesus, yet fear still shapes our response.

And often, fear keeps us from loving boldly.

Because love that looks like Jesus is not always comfortable. It requires stepping in, showing up, and taking responsibility for others. Not perfectly, but faithfully. Fear keeps us in comfort; love compels us into action.

Faith, then, becomes the bridge. Faith does not mean having all the answers; it means trusting God enough to take the next step. It means saying, I may not feel ready, but I am willing to love someone enough to walk with them.

The need for disciple-makers has never changed. People are searching for hope, truth, and direction—often waiting for someone to walk alongside them. The gap is not in opportunity, but in response.

Leadership in the Church, then, is simply this: loving like Jesus with intentionality. It begins with recognizing our influence, confronting our fears, and choosing obedience. It often starts small, walking with one person, listening, praying, and being present.

In the end, leadership is not about prominence, but faithfulness. And sometimes loving like Jesus is not about reaching many, it is about faithfully walking with one.

Because when love becomes our motivation, fear loses its grip. And we begin to realize something powerful:You don’t need to lead many to make a difference. You just need to faithfully lead one.

Erouane Okenkali
Volunteer Growth Teams
Gabon