September 2026 Impact Report: Christian Leaders Growing Together in Huntsville
Dear friends,
September was a month of follow-through. Many of the leaders who met Vantage at our August events took their next step this month: they filled out forum applications, joined groups and said yes to leading. As we close the third quarter, we want to share what God has been doing through your prayers and generosity.
Where it started: the Leadership Lunch with James Wessel
On August 27, about 200 leaders joined us for the Leadership Lunch with James Wessel. Many of the new faces in our forums this fall first heard about Vantage that day.
James spoke with honesty about what leadership has asked of him and what God has taught him along the way. A few of the messages that stayed with us:
“There’s really ultimately only one scoreboard, and that’s kept by the Lord.”
Calling doesn’t always mean easy
James described letting go of his “theology of ease,” the idea that if God calls you to something, the path will open and everything will fall into place. His reminder: “God can call you to do something and not make it easy.”
Fully known, not impressive
He felt pressure to look the way he thought a CEO should: calm, polished and always in control. Leadership doesn’t require pretending to have it all together. “It is okay to choose to be fully known rather than impressive.”
Whose scoreboard matters?
Business measures success by revenue, growth and headcount. James pointed to a different measure: “What God says about you is more important than what the financial scoreboard says.”
Dependence over self-reliance
Early on, he could solve problems by working harder: one more call, one more truck sold, one more late night. As the company grew, so did the problems. “I can’t outwork a problem anymore.” That has pushed him toward deeper dependence on God, and a simple prayer: “I don’t know what to do, and my eyes are on You.”
These messages fit Vantage’s mission closely. The lunch closed with a conversation about why leaders need Christ-centered community: a place to be honest, supported, challenged, prayed for, and continually pointed back to Christ. That is what a Professional Forum is.
Forums for Christian leaders growing across Huntsville
Professional Forums are small groups of Christian leaders who meet weekly for one hour to grow in faith and leadership together, and they are always free to participants.
15 active Professional Forums, on the way to our 2026 goal of 25
82 leaders meeting each week in Christ-centered community, on the way to 150
14 forum leaders leading and multiplying groups
New forums launching in early October, with seats already filling
New leaders stepping up
A new group of facilitators gathered in September to prepare to launch forums of their own. Several current forum members told us they are ready to lead, and we are exploring a virtual forum so more leaders can take part wherever their work takes them.
Reaching the marketplace
This month Vantage was invited into new workplaces and partnerships. A local firm asked us to meet its team about bringing more of its people into forums. We connected with workplace chaplains serving local companies, and a local church expressed interest in hosting forums for its members. We believe that when you transform leaders, you transform culture.
Kingdom Partners Lunch
On September 22nd, 23 ministry partners gathered to pray, share stories and look ahead. We have a new prayer team, and several new leaders wanting to become facilitators for new forums in Huntsville!
A story from the forums: Naomi McClain
Naomi McClain, a vice president in enterprise risk management, joined a Vantage women’s forum in late 2025. Like many leaders, she carries full demands at work, at home and in ministry. The forum gave her a weekly place to stop and listen.
“I’ve found the forum to be a space for me to pause from the demands of work, home and ministry so I can sit in God’s word and reflect on how He can use me in a way that others see Him through my daily leadership.”
For Naomi, studying Scripture with other women leaders also brings accountability. “The time together studying God’s word imposes accountability for me as a believer to look at my testimony through a professional lens and how I carry the gospel with me, in my next meeting, business decision and engagement with others.”
Naomi has since applied to become a forum facilitator, so more women can find that same place to pause, grow and lead.
Your generosity at work
Vantage is a 501(c)(3) ministry funded entirely by our community. Every forum is free because individuals, churches and businesses choose to give.
More than 75 individuals, churches and businesses have given to Vantage this year.
32 partners gave in September, our highest number in three months.
Monthly partners are the foundation of our budget. We are praying for 100 monthly partners and have 25 today.
Year to date, giving covers about three-quarters of what it takes to run the ministry. Year-end gifts will help us finish 2026 strong and keep every forum free.
If you would like to become a Kingdom Partner through giving, get more information HERE.
The road to 2029
Our vision is 100 free Professional Forums equipping 600 Christian leaders in Huntsville and the surrounding area by 2029.
Coming up
How you can help
Pray for our facilitators, for new forums, and for leaders who are carrying their faith into their workplaces.
Give monthly. A recurring gift of any size helps keep forums free and lets us plan ahead. Learn more about giving HERE.
Introduce us to a leader, a church or a business that should know about Vantage.
Thank you for being part of what God is doing through Vantage. We are grateful to be on this road with you.
With gratitude, The Vantage Team Vantage Leadership Initiative
Figures as of September 30, 2026.
Comments