Transformative leadership often begins not with certainty, but with vulnerability. In this reflection, Khalif Smith shares how arriving at a struggling church in Las Vegas became the starting point of renewal for himself, the congregation, and the community—revealing how faith, relationship, and adaptive leadership can spark lasting transformation.
The summer of 2014 was a summer of transformation, for me personally and for the community that I was blessed to be appointed to in Las Vegas, Nevada. When I arrived, I carried more emotions than I could easily name. I felt fear, hope, exhaustion, doubt, and determination all at once. I was stepping into Trinity United Methodist Church, a congregation that had been wounded by economic hardship and pastoral burnout, while I myself was searching for renewal after difficult seasons in my own spiritual and professional journey. I did not arrive feeling confident or prepared. I arrived praying that God would meet me in my weakness and show me how to begin again. I arrived seeking transformation.
Transformation begins with relationship.
Trinity was located in the heart of Las Vegas, surrounded by poverty, instability, and widespread homelessness. Every day, I encountered people struggling to survive. Families lacked consistent shelter, individuals carried deep emotional pain, and many neighbors felt invisible. Seeing this reality was overwhelming. I often wondered how such a small church with limited resources could make any meaningful difference. Yet, I believed that God had placed me there for a purpose, even when that purpose was not yet clear. The rate of homelessness in the area highlighted both the need for resources and the challenges of transformative ministry in the community.
Before I arrived, the church operated a small food pantry out of a trailer serving about 50 families each month. Most volunteers preferred to keep it small. Expansion felt risky and uncertain. It meant more responsibility, more expenses, and more stress. Many feared that growth would stretch the congregation beyond its limits. However, as I prayed and reflected, I sensed that God was calling us to trust him more fully. I believed we were being invited to step beyond comfort and into faithful obedience.
At Trinity, transformation would begin with relationship and discipleship with those who served in the food ministry, and those who would be served by this ministry.
Transformation requires method and process.
To effectively and sustainably transform the church, community, and myself, I believed that I would need a process that could help to create a model for measuring growth and tracking progress. We adopted an asset-based approach to ministry, focusing on the strengths and gifts already present in the community. Instead of concentrating on what was missing, we learned to see what God had already provided. Every person mattered. Every contribution was valuable. Partnerships formed with local organizations, food banks, and social service agencies. Relationships deepened. Trust grew. What once seemed impossible slowly became achievable.
The food pantry moved into a permanent building and expanded far beyond its original scope. Over time, it grew to serve more than 3,000 individuals and families each month. Yet, the greatest success was not measured in numbers alone. It was seen in restored dignity, renewed hope, and strengthened faith. People were no longer treated as problems to be solved, but as neighbors to be loved and respected. The church became a place of compassion, safety, and encouragement. As United Methodist, our theology and practice of ministry are based in collaboration and connection. By grounding leadership in Wesleyan spirituality, we maintain continuity with our heritage while adapting to contemporary needs.
Slowly, transformation began, first within me, and then within the congregation. I learned that leadership was not about control or perfection; it was about humility, service, and faith. I learned to listen more carefully, to lead more patiently, and to rely more fully on God’s guidance. Through prayer, Scripture, worship, and fellowship, the church began to rediscover its identity and purpose.
Transformation involves uncertainty.
There were moments when I almost gave up. Not because I lacked passion, but because I felt tired and unsure. Some nights, I sat alone questioning whether I was making the right decisions. Finances were tight. Progress was slow. Resistance surfaced. At times, I wondered if my efforts were truly making a difference. During those moments, I turned to prayer. I brought my doubts, fears, and frustrations to God. Through prayer, I found renewed strength and reassurance that God was still at work, even when results were not immediately visible.
In the book Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Leading (Harvard Business Review Press, 2017), Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky argue that leaders must distinguish between technical problems and adaptive challenges to guide congregations through uncertainty. Sometimes, this requires new learning, changed values, or transformed behaviors. Adaptive leadership theory is particularly relevant here and in the transformation at Trinity. Transformative leaders also attend to emotional and spiritual well-being. They model resilience, humility, and hope, helping congregations remain grounded in God’s faithfulness rather than fear of the future.
Transformation builds resilience.
Throughout this journey, God remained the greatest influence in my life. In moments of uncertainty, God gave me peace. In moments of weakness, God gave me strength. In moments of confusion, God gave me direction. I learned that true leadership flows from dependence on God. Without God’s presence and guidance, none of this transformation would have been possible.
From 2014 to the present, the greatest change in me has been my understanding of transformative leadership. I now know that real transformation is always possible, no matter how broken a situation may appear. It does not happen quickly or easily. It requires patience, consistency, faith, and courage. It requires leading by example and trusting that God is working, even when progress is hidden.
After my time at Trinity, I continued serving in other ministry appointments, including First Mesa United Methodist Church and later as Director of Connectional Ministries. I now serve at Zion United Methodist Church in North Las Vegas, where we operate an urban farm supported by federal grants to address food insecurity. Each new chapter has built upon the lessons learned in 2014. Each experience has reinforced my belief that ministry is a lifelong journey of growth, learning, and surrender.
Looking back, I see how God used my fears, doubts, and exhaustion as tools for growth. God shaped me into a more compassionate, resilient, and faithful servant. What began as a search for personal renewal became a testimony of collective transformation. Through faith, perseverance, and obedience, a struggling congregation became a center of hope and service.
My experience at Trinity reminds me that when leaders walk in humility, prayer, and trust, God multiplies their efforts. God turns uncertainty into purpose and weakness into strength. This journey continues today, guided by faith and sustained by hope, as I remain committed to serving others for the glory of God.
Related Resources
- Harnessing Social Capital for Community-Centered Ministry featuring Angie Williams and Audrey Smith — Watch the Leading Ideas Talks podcast video | Listen to the podcast audio version | Read the transcript
- Doing Community Ministry in the Small Church, a free Lewis Center resource
- New Possibilities are All around You by Joe Daniels and Christie Latona
- Asset Based Community Development from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Organizational and Leadership Development Program
- Taking Church to the Community, a Lewis Center video tool kit resource
- Reimagining Church as a Ministry Center featuring Beth Neil and Nelson Neil — Watch the Leading Ideas Talks podcast video | Listen to the podcast audio version | Read the transcript
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