Leaders Grow Leaders

Editorial by Shawn Shives

This editorial was published in the Pennsylvania Conference devotional, Back to the Altar. To order a copy, visit paconference.org/devotional-book. 

My first mentor in the Seventh-day Adventist Church was a local church elder named Sherman Holland. Soon after my baptism, Holland made it a point to guide me through becoming a new Adventist Christian. He invited me to join his adult Sabbath School class and kept me involved by asking me to assist him with research on the lesson studies. Once I could handle myself as a Sabbath School teacher, Holland—who was in his 80s—would often intentionally arrive late to class. This was because he had started driving his van around town, picking up the “old folks,” many of whom were much younger than he was. 

About a month after my baptism, the church pastor approached me and asked if I would preach a sermon the following month. “Who, me?” I thought. I told him I wouldn’t know where to begin. Holland reassured me that God would show me what to say to His church. God indeed proved faithful, and I learned a great deal from the experience. 

Over the years, I continued to enjoy Holland’s friendship, sharing time in prayer about my newest challenges or blessings as a pastor. I called him when I planted my first congregation and when I conducted my first evangelistic series. I would call him to talk and share memories. 

I miss my friend, but I know God placed him in my life to help me better serve the people I have pastored over the past three decades. Holland was the one who encouraged me, making me feel that I could help achieve something for God. 

Reflecting on my early days in the church, I am reminded of Paul’s words, “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:9, NKJV). Why not ask God to use you as that small breath of encouragement to someone today? You never know how one simple act of support or kindness may ripple forward, shaping a life, building a leader or planting seeds of faith that bear fruit for years to come. Let God use you—just as He used Holland—to leave a legacy of faith and hope in the lives of others. 

Shawn Shives is the executive secretary of the Pennsylvania Conference.