In many circles, leadership is defined by a position on an organizational chart or a specific title on a business card. But at OneLife, we believe leadership is something far more profound. It is about vision, values, and the influence we have on those around us.
As we guide our students through the “launching” phase of their journey, we focus on two foundational pillars: Identity and Integration.
The Sequence of Identity: Belong, Become, Bear Fruit
One of the most vital lessons we teach is that leadership does not begin with “doing.” In a high-pressure world, students often feel they must follow a performance-based path: Do → Become → Belong.
We challenge that narrative with a Biblical sequence:
- Belong: Our journey starts with the realization of “Christ in you” (Colossians 3:3). We belong to Him before we ever “do” anything for Him.
- Become: This sense of belonging forms our identity (1 Peter 2:9). We are not what we do; we are who He says we are.
- Bear Fruit: Influence and leadership are the natural “fruit” of a life rooted in Christ (Luke 6:43-46). When we get the sequence right, leadership becomes an overflow rather than a burden.
The Three Pillars of Influence
To help students navigate their future callings, we break down “leadership” into three distinct but overlapping categories. We want our students to leave here knowing how to navigate each:
- Management: How to structure and faithfully steward the resources, time, and talents God has entrusted to us.
- Leadership: How to discern direction and cast a vision in the spaces where we already have influence.
- Ministry: How to shepherd and serve the people who are already watching our lives.
Faith Intersecting with Culture
Finally, we believe a servant leader must be equipped to engage the world around them. Our curriculum explores the intersection of human nature, social institutions, and a Biblical worldview.
Our goal is not to teach students to withdraw from culture, but to engage it with curiosity and compassion. By developing cultural intelligence and global awareness, they learn to stand firm in Biblical Truth without compromise, while still loving their neighbors with the heart of Christ.
Thinking with the End in Mind
Everything we do—from classroom “teach weeks” to community rhythms—is designed with the end in mind. We aren’t just giving students a gap year experience; we are launching servant leaders who are ready to live out their faith in every area of life.
Whether they are heading into a college dorm, a job site, or a mission field, they carry with them the realization that they belong to Christ, they are becoming like Him, and they are ready to bear fruit for His Kingdom.