Jeremy Jobling started in his role as National Director of Alpha SA on the 1st March. Meet Jeremy as we interview him to discover a bit more about him and what makes him tick:
1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself and how you came to your current position as Director of Alpha South Africa?
I have felt the call to introduce Jesus to those who don't know him since I was 11 years old. 17 years ago I discovered Alpha when I joined Holy Trinity Brompton as a young bachelor. I made the decision to marry Brenda after hearing the Alpha talk on guidance and two years later ended up working for HTB, taking Alpha into the prisons. That was the start of the past 15 years of full-time ministry in England (and then in South Africa) during which Brenda and I have led Alpha as well as some of the Relationship Central material in prisons, a community centre, schools, homes and churches. We have had so much fun making friends and seeing lives transformed. Some of our closest friends today were ones that we met in prison.
When Alpha SA advertised for a new National Director I thought - 'this is my dream job!' What greater privilege than to partner with and encourage the local churches of my favorite country in reaching the lost and transforming our communities?!
2. What, in your opinion, makes a good leader? What are the characteristics that good leaders share?
A good leader asks the right questions and really listens to the answers, and some of the most revealing answers usually come from where we least expect them. My role models in leadership have prized relationship above performance, and honor over results. I find myself drawn to leaders who exhibit utter dependence on the Holy Spirit and self-discipline in the rest of their lives - people who don't take themselves too seriously but take Jesus very seriously.
I am also drawn to those who's ministry to their own family only takes second place to their own relationship with God.
3. How does your faith influence your leadership style?
God said to Paul: 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' 'Therefore,' says Paul, 'I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.' (2 Cor.12:9) I am so so aware of my own weaknesses and know that I am only any use to Jesus at all when I can recognise this and lean completely on His grace. I try to lead from this place of weakness and vulnerability, trusting that the only type of leader I can be is a Jeremy, not anyone else, for that is how He made me.
4. Which leaders do you draw inspiration from (living or not)?
One of my heroes in leadership is Bishop Sandy Millar (London) who modeled for Brenda and I how generous love, authentic humility, persistent grace and honoring people can be so transformational. Sandy has been a spiritual father who encouraged me when I proposed to Brenda, and who didn't quit challenging my resistance to giving myself to God in full-time ministry.
Duncan McLea (Cape Town) has inspired me in leadership by living a Godly life that I want to follow - one which exhibits love, self-control and the rest of the
Spirits fruit for our lives. He is also humble and not afraid to admit failure - this is so attractive in leadership!
5. What are you most excited about as you step into your new role with Alpha South Africa?
I am so excited to play my part in the biggest vision I know of - for the people of this world to find a relationship with Jesus and be utterly transformed. I believe that God is doing this right across Africa - and I believe that God is doing this across South Africa.
I believe we are on the verge of the most exciting move of God that we have ever seen! God is drawing churches of every denomination together in unity about our passion to make Jesus famous in this world! One Lord. One faith. One baptism. One God and Father of all. (Eph.4:5)
Welcome Jeremy!! We are excited and thrilled to have you on board!!