Chloe Singhaseni : My Leadership Pathway

by Chloe Singhaseni

I knew when I was 13 that God was calling me to ministry. I want to give students and kids the experience I grew up with. I want to be part of teaching the next generation about Christ. I had so many awesome leaders in my life, and I want to be that for someone else!

I began volunteering with the Kid Ministry team at Waters Edge Church, leading as a team worship leader and also led a Student small group on Wednesdays. When I wasn’t in the kid’s environments on a Sunday, I was on stage as part of the band leading worship in the main Sunday service.

Today, I am serving with Students and Kids as a NextGen Resident at Water’s Edge Church at Yorktown and Newport News, VA campuses. I believe I’m right on track to be perfectly set up for full-time ministry. I still have a lot of learning to do, but with the guidance of my coach, the staff, and the Leadership Pathway team, I have full confidence that I’ll be ready to pursue ministry at the end of my residency. I now see that the only thing that makes it feel impossible is if you’re trying to do it on your own. There are days when it can feel impossible, and you wonder if you’re really on the right path, but that’s when the necessity of a strong team around you comes into play. I believe, now more than ever, that this is where I’m meant to be, and that’s thanks to God (number one always!) and the team supporting me and reminding me that I GET to do this.

The most difficult thing for me has been knowing that most of the work I do doesn’t get seen or recognized by anyone other than myself and my team. Being very honest, it wasn’t something I expected to struggle with. Most of the things I do directly affect my team’s Sunday and Wednesday experiences, but most members of the church don’t know I’m the one who’s behind it. I always pictured ministry as being the one on stage, leading in a way that was seen by everyone, but I have a much better understanding of ministry now with a great sense of humility. Of course, there are still times where I am the leader on a stage or participating in something that is recognized by the whole church; however, I now experience just as much fulfillment in the tasks that are invisible. The worth of my work isn’t in how many people give me credit; it’s in how many lives I’m part of leading closer to Christ! I get to be used by God to do that, and it’s the best thing I’ve learned so far.

In the months ahead,  I’m hoping to gain strength in conflict resolution, navigating tough conversations with youth, gaining a deeper understanding of what leading all different ages looks like, while continuing to grow a closer relationship with Jesus. 

I’m Chloe Singhaseni, and this is my leadership pathway.