Caption:
Media missionary Hannah Strayer extends a hand to Pastor Samweli Chacha in Tanzania, documenting his story — a story shaped by seminary training and agricultural mentorship that now allows him to shepherd his church and sustain his family. Her presence isn’t to take the spotlight, but to help share the light already shining through his leadership. This image captures exactly what the blog is about: Hannah may not have trained Pastor Samweli herself, but by telling his story, she’s helping others understand the long-term impact of leadership training and why that work matters. His story becomes the open door for others to see — and support — the strategic, quiet work that fuels transformation.
Over the years, I’ve seen a growing pattern among organizations that do phenomenal work in leadership development, training, and coaching. These organizations invest time, talent, and long-term commitment into walking alongside local leaders, not to do the work for them but to empower them to do it better. It’s patient, often quiet work that builds capacity, not headlines.
My sister and brother-in-law have served in Eswatini for years, first on the field and now by leading short-term teams who go to serve and train. Their mission is not to replace, but to come alongside — to help local leaders sharpen their vision, grow in confidence, and reach more people in their communities.
Another organization I work with does something almost identical: they provide leadership coaching and team development overseas, where long-term effectiveness often hinges on the strength of the local leadership.
Yet, both organizations are hesitant to lead with a story they didn’t personally “do.” They shy away from telling the emotional, compelling stories of the transformation happening on the ground—the very stories their partners are living out—because they feel it’s not their story to tell.
Here’s the hard truth: that mindset is holding them back.
The Power of the Story Isn’t Ownership — It’s Connection
When you lead with the local impact story — the woman starting a food business in a village after training, the orphanage that now runs sustainably with regional leadership, the youth center transforming a community — you’re not taking credit. You’re amplifying the fruit of the partnership. You’re showing what’s possible when strong leaders are equipped and supported.
And that’s precisely what you do.
Just because your role happens in a workshop or a strategy session, doesn’t make it less important — but it does mean that you need a bridge to help people emotionally care about that work. That bridge is the story. It sets the context for why your role matters. When the emotional story opens the heart, the explanation of your training opens the mind. People begin to see the complete picture of the ecosystem you’re building.
This is exactly what I talked about in my earlier piece, “Don’t Retire Your Strongest Stories.” Too often, leaders doing high-level, strategic work feel like their job isn’t “story-worthy,” but nothing could be further from the truth. The story needs context, and that starts with opening the door emotionally.
Let’s Talk About the Real Elephant: Storytelling Takes Money
Here’s what’s uncomfortable to admit: compelling, ethical, visually strong storytelling—especially across cultures and borders—costs money. Flights, translators, filmmakers or photographers who know what they’re doing—it’s not cheap. But it’s not optional, either.
In a crowded media world, attention is the new currency. If you’re not telling the story, someone else is — and they’re reaching the hearts of your potential supporters, volunteers, and future donors. When storytelling is done well, it doesn’t just “look nice.” It builds trust. It shows accountability. It puts the face to the cause and the emotion to the mission. And that’s what moves people to action.
In short: investing in storytelling isn’t a luxury. It’s a leadership decision.
If you’re working to grow and equip leaders, your communication should reflect that leadership. Set the example by being transparent, strategic, and emotionally resonant in telling your story. Lead with your partners’ stories—they are your story, too. Trust that the more you communicate the impact, the more doors will open for new teams, partnerships, and sustainable transformation.
Because the work is too important to stay hidden.