Val's story
12th Feb 2006 - Val's story – the development of the Transformational Leadership Centre and ministry, and the changes which have been taking place in Val's life.
Phil 3 v 4b-12 (not having confidence in the flesh but in God)
2001 The beginning
TLC began in 2001 as a 6 month leadership development school at Highfield Oval. It was mainly Charlotte Cass' vision, born out of the need and challenge faced in the training of Christian leaders. The 6 month school had 45 leaders from 16 nations, it created a safe place for restoration and input. A key theme was that each would know who they are in Christ, and from that they could be sent out to the nations eg 4 people joined Carmelita in Albania.
This experience provided a foretaste of what Val wanted to be doing, after 20 years in YWAM. Hence the TLC was birthed.
2002 Foundations
In 2002 Val had a sabbatical in Atlanta, exploring 'grace' during which she gained clarity over the TLC, and it was formed as a limited company and charity. She left YWAM in the summer, and investigated setting up a base in a property called West Watch, a property in trust being used by a missionary organisation.
During this time, Val's personal foundations were being exposed and her cracks revealed. God was telling her in Atlanta to rely more on him instead of herself, she reached a greater honesty with herself and God.
Gal 2 v 20 (we have been crucified with Christ, Christ lives through me). Val got a greater personal encounter with this verse. And finally understood that she is loved by God.
2003 Training
In 2003 Val & Charlotte went back to Atlanta to work in the place where she had been before. In the autumn various conferences and retreats were running, which they helped wth. This privded good training, and the exposure of Val's foundations continued.
She learned that she had only been partly living in God's resources, and had been partly relying on her own resources. She had to surrender this, realising that she couldn't live a life pleasing to God by making her own choices, they had to be God's choices.
2004 'Wait'
In 2004 the word from God was 'wait'. God was wooing her. She needed to go to the 'funeral of her own independence'. She learned about waiting on God, needed patience.
During this time she and Charlotte were networking and still setting up the company, and meeting with the people who managed West Watch, waiting for them to decide whether to allow the TLC to use the building. They learned about trusting in God, for he is Good. Even when things are unclear and things seem to be going wrong, or nothing seems to be happening. A deeper level of honesty. Her desire for intimacy with the Father was being met, in the midst of the uncertainty, doubt and pain.
Val also felt isolation, as some supporters didn't understand the journey she was on.
2005 'Trust'
2005 the word was 'trust'. The West Watch trust said no. There were major changes in the TLC team, 2 team members relocated, and the 2 who wanted to join were conditional on getting the property. Then Charlotte felt God telling her to go to the USA. Val's financial support dropped and her mother was unwell. It seemed like the death of a vision. Lots of self doubt, had she got the vision wrong.
Could Val trust God in the midst of failure. Is God enough? Leaders need to know that God is enough when everything else disappears. Val was tested in this foundational area.
She knew this wasn't the end of the story. But could she do it on her own? She felt the confirmation of the call of God on her life, and confirmation of God's character.
2006 'Faith'
2006 'Faith'. Val felt that she needed to move to Sussex, even though the property had said no. She put up her house for sale, and it's still on the market.
But a chance encounter then opened the door to the use of West Watch. They have been given permission to use the property, for only the cost of running the facilities. TLC can do monthly events. Can invite missionaries from the field, and can visit them in situ. Can minister to churches and have them visit.
Pete & Sue Elwin are seeking to join Val – it seems the team is extending again.
The realisation for Val that she can do nothing apart from Christ who strengthens her.
The theme of this sermon would be 'what are you changing from and to'. God's story is a love story, he dies for us out of love, he woos us out of love, we are the beloved. Our story is not about us, it's about God and his glory. Val's story has changed so it's not about her but God.
It's about changing from doubt in God's character to trust in his character being Good.
From relying on tangible securities and other people, to God being enough.
From insecurities about her own value to knowing that she is the beloved of God
From self sufficiency to dependency on God
The journey continues.
What's our story? | 
