From 14 September to 12 October 2024, the Sower Institute for Biblical Discipleship (SIBD) conducted its Transformational Coaching programme, designed to equip Christians with the skills to guide and mentor the next generation. Spread across two sessions, the programme aimed to build the capacity of participants not only as coaches but also as intentional disciplers, who could draw from their own life experiences to encourage, challenge, and inspire young people in today’s fast-changing world. The sessions were facilitated by Dr Asia Williamson, co-founder of One Rock International, an organisation dedicated to training and mentoring emerging leaders globally.
The programme highlighted the distinctive nature of transformational coaching, which goes beyond offering advice or problem-solving. Instead, it focuses on cultivating deep listening, asking powerful questions, and creating a safe space where mentees can reflect, grow, and take ownership of their decisions. Dr Williamson emphasised that true coaching is not about providing all the answers, but about guiding individuals to discover God’s purposes in their own lives. Participants were encouraged to reflect on their personal stories of faith, struggles, and resilience, and to consider how these could be meaningfully shared with youths who often wrestle with questions of identity, purpose, and belonging.
Through a mix of teaching, role-play exercises, and small group discussions, participants gained practical tools that could be immediately applied in mentoring contexts within their churches, workplaces, and communities. Many found the sessions to be both challenging and empowering, as they were reminded that coaching is ultimately a ministry of presence, walking alongside others with humility, compassion, and faith. As the programme concluded, attendees expressed a renewed sense of calling to invest in the next generation, not merely as advisers, but as Christ-centred mentors who point others towards transformation in Him.
Streams of Life is a media partner of The Bible Society of Singapore.
