The article you are about to read attempts to delve into the concept that leadership does not emerge in isolation—it is not merely forged by desire alone. Your personal narrative holds the potential to unlock greater possibilities in your life, offering insights into the twists and turns of your journey. Allow me to share my own story with you.
My professional journey commenced when I received an invitation to teach English as a second language at Zaoksky Adventist University in Zaoksky, Russia. I dedicated over 12 years to this institution, and during my tenure there, my roles evolved from an English professor to the dean of English and eventually to the director of the marketing department. However, what truly matters are not the titles I held but the invaluable experiences I acquired through my interactions with numerous individuals, including students, colleagues, friends, and leaders.
Reflecting on my journey at that institution, I recognize that God gradually molded me, presenting challenges that allowed me to refine my skills. Initially, it was my fellow colleagues and students to whom I taught English, followed by navigating teams of professors, designing curricula, and managing workloads. I also sought out talented and committed individuals willing to dedicate their time and efforts, all with the shared goal of imparting Christian education to students in a remote village located two hours south of Moscow, the capital of Russia.
Despite the inevitable challenges, I am grateful for the abundance of colleagues and friends with whom God blessed me. When I was tasked with leading the marketing department, it was the students themselves who proved to be my key mentors. Their creativity, diverse talents, and unique perspectives on the world were invaluable to me. I thoroughly cherished this period, equally relishing the moments spent teaching business English and exploring various facets of the English language philology with my students. As the marketing director for the university in Zaoksky, I spearheaded several impactful projects, such as creating a student radio (which was later broadcast on Adventist World Radio), launching social networking campaigns, and producing various video promotional materials and other memorabilia. Our primary aim was to cultivate awareness and promote a positive image of the university.
During that period, there were notable leaders who imparted valuable lessons to me when I found myself at the precipice of despair. Each of them emphasized the importance of patience in decision-making, maintaining emotional composure, valuing and loving people, and considering multiple perspectives instead of adopting a rigid and narrow approach. Leaders ought to express compassion, empathy, respect, care, and appreciation when communicating with their followers (Men, Qin, & Jin, 2021). Together, we collaborated both in our local church and within the community, and it was there that my journey as a leader truly began to take shape.
Entering a New Professional Chapter
When I received an invitation to join the Euro-Asia Division of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church’s Education Department, it marked a significant transition for me. This step took me beyond the confines of the university campus and the direct interaction with students, instead immersing me in interactions with multiple educators and the development of an educational system spanning the entire division, comprising 13 countries.
When I embarked on my journey in the education department of the Euro-Asia Division, my travels became more frequent. Traveling always breathes fresh life into your perspective, introducing you to new acquaintances and opportunities for learning. To thrive in this role, one needs to exhibit humility, a genuine thirst for new knowledge, and a strong sense of self-organization, which, in turn, fosters discipline in others.
I oversaw the development of English learning centers and various other educational centers, and we actively worked on establishing new primary and secondary schools across the vast territory of the 13 European and Asian countries. It was during this phase of my life journey that I honed my ability to navigate the complexities of leadership, enabling me to effectively achieve goals and to positively impact the lives of others throughout all my future years.
Shortly thereafter, I was presented with the opportunity to take on the role of the office chaplain and was later ordained as a minister in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In this capacity, I began organizing evangelistic campaigns and revival weeks, engaging with individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds, each with their own unique worldviews and philosophies. This presented significant challenges, but it was incredibly fulfilling and rewarding. I can honestly admit that I underwent substantial personal development during these years, broadening my perspectives and evolving as an individual. God unequivocally formed me during these years.
Valuable Lessons Learned
As I reflect on my journey, I can confidently say that the true treasure lies in the priceless experiences that have enriched my life, expanding my horizons, molding my worldview, and shaping my character. In all of this, I discern the guiding hand of God, and the more I contemplate my life, the clearer it becomes that the most concise advice I could offer to someone is to implore God for the wisdom to discern His will at each juncture in life and to find the courage to faithfully follow that path.
I came to understand that the fear of the unknown—the fear of stepping beyond one’s comfort zone—can hinder one’s efficacy in God’s ministry. My personal journey was marked by the challenging task of shifting mindsets in the world region I was responsible for as the director of the education department regarding the role of Christian education in fostering a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Hindsight reveals that without daring to dream of elevating Adventist education and setting the ambitious goal of establishing 50 new schools within a five-year period, we might not have succeeded in opening 47 new schools in that region. Learning to envision possibilities and simultaneously acting, all while seeking guidance through prayer to discern God’s will, was another valuable lesson.
It is important to note that these 47 educational institutions varied in size and scope; some occupied modest spaces within church buildings, while others necessitated substantial investments. In this pursuit, my responsibilities extended beyond persuading pastors and administrators at different levels; I also collaborated closely with sponsors. Developing the tools for ensuring that these schools genuinely embodied the Adventist philosophy of education and were sustainable led to the establishment of the accreditation system within the Euro-Asia Division. The linchpin in this transformative process was played by the education directors at the union level, an organizational layer responsible for a more compact territory. At that juncture, I had the privilege of working alongside a remarkable team of education directors, the majority of whom were seasoned administrators with more experience than myself. That marked another phase of my personal growth, introducing a new layer and dimension. It demanded a combination of wisdom, discernment, and respect, all guided by a clear vision and defined goals that I aimed to achieve.
Additionally, I benefitted significantly from the leadership of the division, the organization at which I worked, and various departmental directors—seasoned pastors with decades of experience. Some of them, through their mentorship, impacted my life philosophy, guiding me to approach life from God’s perspective, instilling a deep trust in Him to take care of us, and encouraging me to focus on doing my best work from the heart without unnecessary worry. This aided in maintaining a mission-focused and mission-driven approach throughout the subsequent years of my journey.
Adversities Looming
The most significant shift, however, began with the unusual events of 2020 during the complete lockdown due to COVID-19. It happened while I was conducting an evangelistic campaign in Irkutsk, one of the Siberian cities in Russia. Despite the call for all my colleagues to return to their headquarters and the imposition of travel bans, I couldn’t simply abandon the individuals who had begun to show interest in the Gospel, as well as the local pastor and his team who had diligently organized and promoted the event. Thus, I decided to stay and complete the series of meetings. This period brought concerns about the potential challenges if I could not return home afterward. What if I fell ill in a town thousands of miles away? It became a time for prayers—seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit to lead the meetings, for people to embrace new insights, and for the general safety of all participants.
Following this peculiar period, lasting almost a year and a half, we experienced the loss of some dear friends due to COVID-19. This hardship compelled me to reevaluate how I perceived life and confronted the challenges that emerged. That was the initial moment when I truly grasped the idea that leadership undergoes a genuine test and gains resilience during periods of adversity. Allender (2005) eloquently encapsulates this concept: “Growth requires a swim in murky, dangerous waters” (p. 17).
Little did I know that the year 2022 would bring even more hardship and tribulations. In February, Russia’s unprovoked and unjust invasion of Ukraine began, leaving me and my family shocked and bewildered. For a few days, we were completely lost, uncertain about how to navigate the challenges posed by the new abnormal reality and unsure of the appropriate steps to take in our ministry. My leadership found itself once again facing a significant test. Our church members and educational institutions—24 schools, a seminary, and a college—were all in Ukraine.
After days of fervent prayer and contemplation, we, as ethnic Ukrainians with our roots and relatives in Ukraine, made the difficult decision to leave Russia. Amidst the restriction on all international flights, we managed to find a two-month refuge in the United Arab Emirates. During this time, in close collaboration with the Education Department of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church and colleagues from other European divisions, we developed the Education Emergency Response Plan. This plan aimed to mobilize higher education institutions within the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist education system to assist students from Ukraine whose lives had been disrupted by the invasion, ensuring they could continue their education. Before long, numerous institutions responded, and one notable response came from Kettering College, my current workplace. They graciously agreed to accommodate 50 students from Ukraine and the surrounding region, covering their tuition, board, accommodation, and all other associated expenses.
This challenging year demanded that I exercise leadership in extreme circumstances. On a personal level, it prompted me to step out of the comfort of the Moscow headquarters office and embrace a new country, new people, and new ministry. I am genuinely delighted to contribute to the well-being of these students currently attending Kettering College. My heartfelt gratitude extends to the leadership of Kettering Health and Kettering College, whose compassionate decision to aid these students has made a profound impact on so many families in the war-torn region. Currently, 35 students are on campus, and while we undoubtedly bring blessings to them, they, in turn, are a great blessing to everyone at the college.
Reviewing Past Learnings
As I reflect on my relatively short life thus far—considering the multitude of projects, accreditation visits, responsibilities of many committees, spiritual meetings, sermons, and encounters with diverse individuals—a singular lesson stands out: the importance of trusting in God and seeking resilience in times of adversity. It is inherently human to shy away from grief, death, and pain, yet our leadership is truly tested during trials.
Leading when times are calm and peaceful is straightforward—maintaining integrity and being a person of character seems natural. However, the real test comes during challenging times. It is in these moments that we truly discover the essence of our faith. Will we stay true to our principles? Will we choose to follow God’s will and serve others? Or will we succumb to blame and despair? The answers to these questions reveal the authenticity of our faith, integrity, and leadership, which are best tested in times of adversity.
I believe it is vitally crucial to live an examined life so we can be wholesome and consistent. We need to be constantly transformed by analyzing, observing, reflecting, and focusing. It is instrumental to keep our confessional beliefs congruent with our convictional ones. We are changed by beholding. That is why we give such a huge emphasis to the story of our lives.
What do I choose to focus on? Is it going to be my career, money, people with position and power, or the Creator and Life-Sustainer with His plan for my life? I choose the latter. Wilkens and Sanford (2009) put it nicely: “When our minds do not undergo continuing transformation through reflection on our entire life, our stories inevitably deviate from God’s plotline” (p. 25).
My journey is ongoing, and while I still find myself questioning God at times, one thing remains certain: if we place our trust in Him and seek the wisdom to discern His will, coupled with the courage to follow that path, we will find contentment and joy. True fulfillment lies not in high-ranking positions but in serving others with a servant leadership approach—prioritizing their well-being, brightening their lives, encouraging them, and helping them realize that life can be better now and in the future, if lived with God. Even if someone does not choose this path, as Christians and followers of Christ, we can still contribute to making their earthly existence brighter, at least for the time they spend here. I personally want to be proactive and radiant in humbly sharing my worldview, which could be boiled down to one sentence: It is Jesus Christ who saves—nobody else and nothing else.
I am thankful to God for nurturing my faith during peaceful times and for sustaining me through the challenges and difficulties that have come my way. At times, one still finds themselves pondering why adversity arises and alters the course of life so profoundly. Allender (2005) hints at a possible answer in his book, writing, “God unfolds the plot in his own time. It is in our months or years of waiting that our story comes to maturity. It is over a life- time of stories that he turns our desire toward him” (p. 47). He expands on this idea in more detail: “God writes our story not just for our own enlightenment and insight, but to enlighten others and to reveal his own story through our story” (Allender, 2005, p. 52).
I anticipate that new challenges will arise in the coming years, and I aspire to equip myself to emerge victorious in those situations. I now recognize that adversity can play a crucial role in shaping character, strengthening faith, and refining leadership. It seems appropriate here to quote 1 Peter 4:12–13:
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (NIV)
I am committed to learning to trust in God, relying on His wisdom. My current goal is to always feel His presence and develop the ability to discern His will, enabling me to serve others in the best possible way. I firmly believe that true fulfillment and happiness are found in serving others.
Leadership Lessons to Apply
As I close, I would like to offer five leadership lessons that I have found applicable in my own leadership experiences. I hope you will find these beneficial, as well.
- Amid challenging leadership situations, resist the urge to panic, give up, get irritated, or hastily decide. Take the time to pray; consult with colleagues, friends, and mentors; and make decisions from a place of calmness. Remember, challenges are opportunities to refine your skills, trust in God, and find resilience in adversity.
- Every situation offers lessons. Even in moments of despair, seek wisdom from God through prayer. Remember that you’re not alone—there are always notable leaders who can provide valuable insights.
- Embrace the unknown with courage when guided by God. He will unveil new horizons and stand by you as you step beyond your comfort zone. Allow God to shape you through diverse experiences and dare to dream with bold vision.
- Cultivate a perpetual hunger for new knowledge, recognizing that a close relationship with God is the richest source of wisdom.
- In all your endeavors, maintain a mission-driven approach. Seek guidance from the Holy Spirit, ensuring that your actions align with God’s purpose for your leadership role.
Ivan Riapolov is a mission-driven administrator, educator, and pastor who has dedicated over 20 years to Adventist education. Currently pursuing his PhD in leadership from Andrews University, Ivan is passionate about serving God and people. He has actively participated in evangelistic programs and implemented various strategies focused on advancing the mission of the church and its constituent organizations. With a 21-year tenure in the Euro-Asia Division, Ivan served in diverse capacities. He is particularly enthusiastic about development work and is presently employed at Kettering College as the special assistant to the president. Ivan and his wife, Larisa, have two beautiful daughters, Elizaveta (19) and Eseniia (7).
References
Allender, D. B. (2005). To be told: God invites you to coauthor your future. Waterbrook Press.
Men, L. R., Qin, Y. S., & Jin, J. (2021). Fostering employee trust via effective supervisory communication during the COVID-19 pandemic: Through the lens of motivating language theory. International Journal of Business Communication, 59(2), 193–218.
Wilkens, S., & Sanford, M. L. (2009). Hidden worldviews: Eight cultural stories that shape our lives. InterVarsity Press.