Dear Friends,

This fall, from September to December, I will be taking a study leave. I’ll be leveraging this time to reflect, realign, and reimagine—discerning strategic priorities and sustainable models that deepen Missio Alliance’s mission amid shifting cultural and ecclesial landscapes.

A little more specifically, here’s what that looks like:

Reflect

I need space to slow down, to listen to God, to engage in practices that re-center me in belovedness. For the first month, I’ll fully disconnect from work and focus on listening and reflection. Leaders can only give what they have received, and effective leadership is rooted not in output, but in abiding. This month will serve as a reorientation—away from urgency and into deeper spiritual listening.

Reimagine

The middle months will center on listening—listening to voices within Missio Alliance and to the wider church. My focus will be on surfacing shared questions, pressing needs, and emerging opportunities that can guide us into a more fruitful expression of our mission. I will also spend time learning from catalytic organizations that, like Missio Alliance, are navigating growth and cultural change through both digital and in-person presence.

Realign

In December I will begin the gentle work of re-entry—sharing insights with my team, inviting feedback, and discerning together what alignment, sustainability, and strategic focus might look like for us in the season ahead. This will not be a rush back to activity but a collaborative process of translating reflection and imagination into faithful next steps.

I’m grateful that this time is possible thanks in part to the generous structures of the
Baptist General Association of Virginia ([link removed]) , our parent organization. Also, we have been selected to receive a Reflective Leadership Grant from Leadership Education at Duke Divinity ([link removed]) . These grants of up to $15,000 support an opportunity for structured reflection for leaders of Christian organizations that are advancing their mission in the midst of today's rapidly changing context. Thirty-nine Christian leaders from a variety of faith-based organizations are funded in this fifth year of the Reflective Leadership Grant program.

What this means for you
* Programs continue. Our team will keep core initiatives moving. You’ll still see Brave Spaces, Writing Collective articles, webinars, and planning for upcoming events.
* Availability. I will not be responding to day to day emails during study leave but you can route your requests to our team.
* How to reach us. For general inquiries, contact our team at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=&body=) . For events and operations inquiries email [email protected] (?subject=&body=) . For writing inquiries contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=&body=) .

Why this matters now
Leaders everywhere are navigating fatigue, polarization, and change. Taking a measured pause is an act of trust—trust that God is at work, that rest leads to wisdom, and that a slower season can seed long-term fruit for the church. I’m stepping back to return with clearer priorities, stronger partnerships, and practical resources that serve you and your communities.

Your prayers & partnership
When you pray, please pray for attentiveness to the Spirit, and creativity and insight for the work ahead. Pray for my family and some additional dedicated time together, and for our Missio Alliance team as they carry extra weight. If you’d like to support this work, you can make a gift to Missio Alliance or introduce us to churches and networks hungry for this kind of integrative work.

Thank you for walking with us. I’m grateful—for the grant, for this time, and for you.

With hope,

Lisa Rodriguez-Watson

National Director, Missio Alliance

[link removed]
[link removed]

View email in browser ([link removed])
update your preferences ([link removed]) or unsubscribe ([link removed])