Identity & Worship Speak into the Life of a Leader

I was honored to interview worship leader, Gail Song Bantum, of Quest Church in Seattle, Washington.

Reverend Gail Song Bantum is the Worship and Executive Pastor at Quest Church in Seattle, Washington. She is passionate about leadership development and leads seminars in diverse contexts. This is what she had to say when we sat down to talk about leadership:

As women, and particularly Christian women leaders, we talk a lot about identity and living our calling. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a woman and ethnic minority in pastoral leadership, and how have those challenges equipped you as a leader?

I am a second-generation Korean-American woman, grateful for 17 years of journeying this life together in marriage with a biracial man, and grateful for the gift and opportunity to raise three beautifully multiethnic children. I have a passion and prophetic call to pastoral ministry and leadership development particularly, in order that people and communities can live out and embody their true calling in Christ. I received my M.Div. from Duke Divinity School and am an ordained minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church. All of those things have shaped me as a person, Christian, and leader.

I provide that foundation before saying mentoring should never be a question of desire, but a question of obedience in response to Jesus’ command to ‘Go and make disciples.'” As a young woman of color, the path that was set before me as a worship leader and pastor 20 years ago did not afford me many opportunities to find mentors early in my ministry career. Lamentably, if I had waited specifically for a female mentor, I would not have had any mentors to speak of. Therefore, I often felt very isolated as a leader. I know that this is the reality still for many young women and people of color. It’s always hard for me to hear their stories and idly stand by, especially for those whom I know God has specifically called to positions of leadership.

Continue reading at Christianity Today Gifted for Leadership.