The Power of the Invitation to Lead
Mike Flenz didn’t set out to become a GriefShare leader. He wasn’t actively looking for a ministry opportunity. He didn’t even see himself as a natural leader.
Someone else did.
After completing two full cycles of GriefShare as a participant, Mike received an unexpected email: an invitation to consider facilitating. It caught him off guard.
“I asked myself, ‘Why me?’ With 30 people in the group, what did they see in me?”
Still unsure, Mike shared the invitation with a longtime friend over breakfast. What happened next would change the trajectory of his life—and his ministry.
At the right time
During that breakfast, Mike laid out his doubts. He didn’t feel especially equipped. He wasn’t the outgoing one; his wife, Anita, had always been the extrovert. She had the natural gift of connecting with people.
Then his friend paused, looked him in the eye, and said:
“Mike, what better way to honor Anita and her legacy of loving God than to now become a facilitator in GriefShare?”
That single statement proved to be the confirmation Mike needed. “I dropped my fork,” he recalls. “That was the nudge from God. I’ve never looked back.”
One invitation can change everything
Mike didn’t step into leadership because he had it all figured out. He stepped in because someone else saw potential in him—and cared enough to call it out.
And that invitation didn’t just launch a role. It unlocked a ministry.
Since saying yes, Mike has led several GriefShare groups. He’s walked with people through loss, watched lives change, and experienced his own ongoing healing in the process.
“I’m so glad I said yes,” he says. “This has become one of the most meaningful parts of my life.”
Watch Mike share his story on how GriefShare has blessed his life.
Future leaders are sitting in your circle
Mike’s story is a powerful reminder that many of the best leaders aren’t the ones who step forward, they’re the ones who need an invitation.
It’s easy to assume that someone else will lead; someone more confident, outgoing, and “qualified” will likely say yes.
What if the next faithful GriefShare leader is already sitting in your circle—wondering if they have what it takes? What if they’re just waiting for a mentor to see them?
Depending on where people are on their healing journey, some may be ready to volunteer now. Our readiness assessment tool makes it easier to find out who’s ready.
“Sometimes people just need someone to say, ‘I believe in you,’” Mike says.
Are you wondering if you’re ready?
You might relate to Mike’s story. Maybe you’re grieving. Maybe you’re quiet. Perhaps you’ve never thought of yourself as a leader. If someone has tapped you on the shoulder, or if God stirs something in your heart, you might be more ready than you realize.
Before you step in, take time to reflect on where you are emotionally and spiritually. If you’re not sure, start with the Comfort in Grief Self-Assessment. This free tool can help you prayerfully consider whether now is the right time for you to lead or if you need more time for personal healing first. Your yes could change lives.
