Onelife School of Leadership
Onelife School of Leadership: A Transformative Week
In August 2025, I had the privilege of attending the Onelife School of Leadership at The Poplars in Ledbury, surrounded by the peaceful Gloucestershire countryside. I arrived carrying tiredness and leftover adrenaline after volunteering at Big Church Festival the day before, yet somehow I left with more energy, clarity and passion than I ever expected. What I did not realise when I stepped onto the site was how profoundly this week would shape my spiritual formation, character and understanding of leadership.
Arrival and Atmosphere
I arrived during an unusually warm sunset and was immediately welcomed with refreshing drinks, coffee, snacks and smiling helpers who insisted on carrying my heavy bags. There was a gentleness in the way they cared for me; a feeling of being seen, welcomed and looked after.
After dropping my luggage, I was guided to a friendly game of rounders behind the venue. The mountain views, the quiet landscape and the scent of woodland made it feel as though I had stepped into a different world with a new pace, ambience and warmth. The nervousness I had brought with me dissolved instantly. Everyone was friendly, supportive and joyfully present.
The moment I sensed the week would be different came just before worship began. The final few attendees from Switzerland slipped in right on time, completing the circle. In that quiet, expectant pause, it felt like the perfect beginning.
Worship as the Anchor
The worship sessions quickly became the heartbeat of the entire retreat. The extended times of singing and prayer were some of the most powerful I have ever experienced. There was a genuine freedom to encounter Jesus deeply, without rush or distraction.
Each morning, the prayer meetings created a stillness that slowed our pace and helped us approach God intentionally. These were not simply items on a schedule. They became anchors that steadied everything else.
Identity, Success and Internal Formation
The session that marked me most came during teaching on identity and success. The words cut through assumptions I had not realised I was carrying. Having recently left Cambridge, a world where achievement feels ever-present, I realised how easily success can begin to shape your identity.
But, the reminder that identity in Christ is the true foundation of leadership and success landed with a clarity that felt almost physical. It was as though God dismantled the subtle pressures of performance and rebuilt something far healthier within me.
This emphasis on identity led naturally into some of the most transformative character work I have ever done. Sessions such as Knowing Yourself and Others and Identity and Leadership invited us to be honest about our motivations, strengths, weaknesses and blind spots. Hearing others share so openly made the environment feel grounded and safe.
I realised that character outweighs talent, gifts and even values. Without a healthy character, leadership can quietly unravel. These lessons felt as though they were being etched into me.
Practical Leadership and Communication
The practical leadership sessions were equally stretching. Stew’s communication training stands out particularly clearly. Through exercises that pushed us far outside our comfort zones, I became more aware of how I listen, how I influence a room and how I present myself. One simple listening technique stayed with me: body language and tone often communicate more strongly than the words we choose.
I also recognised communication weaknesses I had not seen before, including moments where I was not as clear as I believed or where I listened without truly hearing. Since returning home, I have been intentionally practising these tools, and something beautiful has happened. People stay in conversations longer and leave looking genuinely happier. Communication has shifted from something I do to something I steward and enjoy.
Community and Joy
Beyond the sessions, the community was one of the greatest blessings of the week. Over home-cooked meals, outdoor activities and deep conversations, friendships formed so naturally that it felt effortless. Fun was woven throughout the week. Silent discos, bonfires, fireworks and chaotic challenges were balanced with slip-and-slide sessions, football, volleyball and many unexpected surprises. The childlike joy of these moments complemented the depth of the teaching.
Some favourite memories came around the firepit during late-night conversations about our future steps, callings and hopes for the year ahead. During a special dinner, I had the chance to speak with Chris about his upbringing and the story behind Onelife. It grounded me and deepened my appreciation for the project.
A particularly hilarious moment came during small theatre exercises designed to grow our confidence. Watching people throw themselves into improvised mini-performances was unforgettable. Yet even in the fun, I was moved by the resilience of the people in the room. Many had faced significant challenges, yet they were some of the happiest and most gracious individuals I have ever met.
Liz, one of our speakers, encouraged me deeply through her teachings and her life story. Every piece of her advice was firmly grounded in Scripture. She modelled humble, passionate, Christlike leadership in a way that felt both inspiring and accessible.
Lessons I Carry Forward
By the end of the week, I found myself carrying a collection of tools, examples and truths that will stay with me for years to come, including:
how to lead with Christlike character
why honesty, integrity and spiritual maturity matter
how to fight distraction in a noisy world
why character matters more than talent
how abiding in Christ (John 15) is the foundation of everything
how to prepare in peaceful seasons for future challenges
The final days held special moments that I will not spoil, but I walked away both humbled and equipped. I would not yet call myself a good leader, but I can now say confidently that I have the tools and foundation to grow into one. I entered the retreat a bit like Martha, busy and rushing, barely aware of my pace. However, at the end, I left more like Mary, sitting at Jesus’ feet, but also ready to step forward with more confidence, tools and passion to lead in all the areas of my life.
A Recommendation
I wholeheartedly recommend the Onelife School of Leadership to any young Christian aged 18 to 25 who is seeking growth in character, practical leadership and spiritual formation. Whether you arrive from a busy season or a quiet one, Onelife will stretch, challenge and equip you in unexpected and life-giving ways that you need.
Onelife helped me slow down, listen, reflect and step into leadership with a clearer sense of identity, direction and more leadership advice than I was expecting. I am profoundly grateful for this week, and I know its impact will remain with me for years to come.
“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”
Proverbs 12:15 (NIV)
As told by David Gutierrez, Fruitful Work summer Intern 2025
Signup to the OneLife school of leadership here - https://onelifeleaders.com/event/school-of-leadership-2026
