INTRODUCTION

Leadership is born the moment someone says, "someone has got to do something!"

That moment occurred for Leanne McAlister in 2011. As an associate pastor at Living Waters Church in Fort Langley, BC, Leanne saw many capable and gifted women who continually undervalued their gifts and abilities. When approached to lead or try new things, women would back away, thinking they did not have "what it takes."

Leanne began to share her observations with Julie Simeon, a friend, and leader at Living Waters. They together decided to figure out a way to raise female leaders in their community. They put on the tea kettle and invited women to Leanne's home. Leanne and Julie began to write and assemble a curriculum which they believed would help women understand who they were and what they were created for. Immediately, Leanne and Julie knew they were on to something, as they watched women blossom, understanding their identity and growing in confidence to walk out in new things.

Over the next few years, the curriculum continued to be tested across Canada and improved, with many leaders leaning in with their expertise. This course, which is now called IDENTITY, is the result of that collective effort. IDENTITY is being used across Canada, in Central and South Africa and the USA. IDENTITY is available in French and is being expanded to include resources for men.

The curriculum eventually came under the umbrella of ZOE Network, which is an initiative of PAOC International Missions. ZOE Network works to activate women and men into God's mission. We do this through our ZOE courses but also through ZOE Projects, which connect people with significant work with vulnerable women around the globe. We work in four keys areas: health, human trafficking, economic empowerment, and education …all with a heart for spiritual transformation. You can see more at www.zoenetwork.ca

ZOE is a "not for profit" venture. We want quality, affordable development material available for women and men around the world in both English and French. If you would like to invest in the further curriculum being developed, you can donate here: https://paoc.org/missions/donate/zoediscipleship