Marketplace Leaders on Mission: Faith at Work in Huntsville

Sandy Robinson
1 day ago
3 min read

February 2026 Recap

Strengthening Leaders. Transforming the City.

February reminded us that leadership is not ultimately about position, performance, or platform. It is about identity, purpose, and obedience.

At Vantage Leadership Initiative, we believe the marketplace is one of the greatest mission fields of our time. When leaders are equipped with a biblical framework, engaged in Christ-centered community, and empowered to expand God’s Kingdom in their spheres of influence, cities change.

This month, we saw that happening in real time.

February 15 – Debbi Akers Leadership Luncheon

Our time with Debbi Akers of The CornerStone Intitiative was both encouraging and clarifying. Leaders gathered hungry for wisdom on how to live and lead with conviction in today’s marketplace.

Here are just a few reflections from response cards:

"People are NOT Projects"

“This was exactly what I needed in this season of leadership.”

“Vantage is filling a critical gap for Christian professionals.”

“I walked away encouraged and challenged to lead with greater intentionality.”

These moments matter. The impact of a single luncheon extends far beyond one room. It shapes boardrooms, teams, families, and churches.

And because of faithful donors and partners, these conversations continue.

(You can find more event pictures HERE.)

February Snapshot - Meaningful Momentum

February brought measurable progress toward our Vision 2029:

Continued growth in Professional Forums participation.
Strong event engagement with 170 in attendance and 75 positive response cards submitted, including 6 new people wanting a deeper relationship with Christ!
25 New leaders inquiring about joining and/or leading forums
Ongoing facilitator development with new forums and training starting in March!
Fresh conversations with potential Ambassadors eager to partner with us to send out more Marketplace Missionaries!

Every number represents a leader. Every leader represents influence. Every influence represents Kingdom impact.

Our long-term vision includes growing to 100 active forums equipping 600 marketplace leaders by 2029. February moved us closer.

Professional Forums for Women as Marketplace Leaders

Why We Offer Forums for Free for Marketplace Leaders

At Vantage, our Professional Forums are intentionally subsidized - not because the work lacks value, but because the mission demands access.

Christ-centered leadership formation, spiritual growth, and authentic community are not products we are trying to sell. They are disciplines we are stewarding. When cost becomes the gatekeeper, formation risks becoming transactional, and community risks becoming a commodity.

While many leaders could afford to contribute something, what individuals could reasonably pay would never cover the true cost of providing this ministry well. Charging what it actually costs would limit participation. Charging what people typically expect to pay would not sustain the work.

So instead, we operate through a community-funded model.

Professional Forums for Men as Marketplace Leaders

Our forums remain free because they are made possible by donors who believe leadership formation is a shared responsibility of the Body of Christ. This approach protects the integrity of the space, removes barriers to access, and allows leaders to show up as participants - not customers.

When you support Vantage, you are funding access, formation, and multiplication. You are investing in leaders who will influence families, workplaces, churches, and communities for years to come.

This is how we participate together in what God is doing.

Open Registration: Patrick Morley - April 1, 2026

We are excited to invite you to our next quarterly leadership event:

“There’s More to Life Than This”

A Leadership Conversation on Purpose, Identity, and Faith in the Marketplace

Featuring Best-Selling Author Patrick Morley

The Jackson Center

April 1, 2026 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

This conversation will challenge leaders to examine what truly defines success and how faith integrates into everyday leadership.

Consider bringing:

A colleague
A board member
A business partner
A next-generation leader

Online registration is available. Click HERE to register.

Your Next Step with Vantage

Vantage exists to Equip. Engage. Expand.

Here are meaningful ways to get involved:

Equip

Join a Professional Forum and walk through the Compass framework - Honor, Love, Service, Stewardship - alongside other marketplace leaders.

Engage

Attend quarterly leadership events and build Christ-centered relationships that strengthen your calling.

Expand

Partner financially to help launch new forums, train facilitators, and increase access for leaders across our region.

Whether through prayer, participation, serving, or giving, your involvement advances the mission.

A Closing Reflection

There is more to leadership than performance.

More to influence than titles.

More to life than success alone.

February was a reminder that when leaders gather around truth, supported by a generous community, something lasting is built.

Thank you for being part of it.

Let’s continue guiding leaders, growing together, and glorifying God - one faithful step at a time.

The Vantage Leadership Initiative Team