“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Leading a nonprofit is never easy—especially if you’re stepping into a new role or trying to breathe life into a weary organization. You may feel the weight of expectations from your board, the needs of your staff, and the urgency of fundraising all at once. It can feel like there’s no margin to rest, no time to pause, and no room for mistakes.
But revitalization doesn’t happen by accident. It comes when leaders choose to lean on God, care for their people, and prepare their communities with courage and hope.
Here are three moves every nonprofit leader can make to step forward with renewed strength:
1. Pray: Ask God for Generosity and Vision
Prayer is not just a discipline—it’s the fuel of leadership. Every executive director needs more than strategies; they need a source of wisdom that never runs dry. Pray for God to open doors, to supply the generosity of donors, and to renew vision for your mission.
When you pray, you acknowledge that you are not carrying the burden of leadership alone. As Paul reminds us:
“The Lord will provide all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Make prayer your first move, not your last resort.
2. Protect: Guard and Invest in Your Staff
Your staff is the engine of your organization. Without their energy, alignment, and passion, your mission stalls. Protecting them means more than shielding them from burnout; it means creating an environment where they feel valued, supported, and equipped to thrive.
Pray for them by name. Celebrate their victories. Provide them with clarity when confusion arises. A protected team is a powerful team—and they will multiply your ability to serve your community.
3. Prepare: Equip Your Community for Change
Revitalization requires courage—not only from you, but from your community. Whether you are raising new funds, launching new programs, or shifting old systems, you must prepare your community to walk through change with you.
Cast a vision of what’s possible. Invite donors, board members, and volunteers to take steps of faith alongside you. Remind them that there will be battles to fight, but there will also be joy at both the beginning and the end of the journey.
The Power of a “Settled Saturday”
My wife and I moved more than five times in three years. Each move was exhausting—boxes piled high, long days of work, and no sense of stability. But after every move, when we’d finally reach the finish line, we celebrated with what we call “Settled Saturday.”
Settled Saturday was the day the main fight and fatigue were behind us. We had made it through the tough stuff: boxes were moved in, unpacked, and our belongings were put in place. We celebrated the milestone by cooking a big sit-down breakfast and relaxing together the rest of the day. The house wasn’t perfect, but we had a place to call home. We were together. We had arrived.
That picture has stayed with me as a leader. Revitalization has its battles. But God has promised us rest in Him along the way:
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
There will be joy at the beginning when you take bold steps of faith in leadership. There will be a refreshment from God when you celebrate at the end. And in the middle, when the work feels overwhelming, you can lead with hope knowing a Settled Saturday is coming.
Move Forward Boldly
Nonprofit leaders—you don’t have to carry it all on your shoulders. When you pray for God’s provision, protect your people, and prepare your community, you position your organization for true revitalization.
And remember: rest is not a luxury—it’s a promise. Trust God that He will bring you safely through to Settled Saturday.