We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christina Matthew a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Christina, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
About a decade ago, my pastor delivered a sermon series on discovering purpose. He urged us to ask: “What keeps you up at night?” I thought about it for weeks, examining issues such as world hunger, health, homelessness, education, children’s welfare, and disaster relief. While all these causes pulled on my heart, they didn’t keep me from sleeping.
Fast forward a few months, my husband and I attended a six-week marriage seminar, excited to invest in our relationship. We were given a workbook to guide the sessions. From the start, I noticed that this workbook needed more work in order to have an impact and serve as a marriage support tool. It lacked definitions, key explanations, objectives & goal setting.
Every night after the sessions, I found myself editing the workbook, writing down feedback into the early hours. One night at 2AM, my husband asked me to sleep, but I couldn’t tear myself away. Why couldn’t I sleep? It dawned on me that I saw the workbook was falling short of its purpose.
This realization led me to look at other areas of my life—work, relationships, projects. The recurring theme was clear: purpose fulfillment always kept me up at night. Whether consulting with entrepreneurs, evaluating brand marketing or encouraging people, my drive for that was consistent.
Today, it’s no surprise that I partner with leaders and visionaries to elevate the purpose and vision in their lives, ministries, and businesses.
It’s amazing what one question can lead to.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I believe discovering your purpose is only half the joy; the other half lies in unfolding your vision.
I partner with Christian leaders and visionaries in the marketplace, non-profits, and ministries to elevate the purpose and vision for their lives, ministries, and businesses. I achieve this through my Elevator Coaching & Consulting Programs and Holy Spirit Retreats.
People often ask why my focus is on leaders and visionaries. Simply put, that’s who I’m called to. I’ve worked across the marketplace, including corporate and the local church, where I’ve supported and worked directly with leaders, gaining insights into the demands of leadership. I’ve seen leaders strive to uphold their visions while managing crises, pouring into others, and battling burnout. They’re always giving. What’s often missing is support for leaders to be replenished, encouraged, and equipped for their purpose and vision journeys. Many lack the space to do this. I create environments where leaders and visionaries can refill their own cups, enabling them to lead and serve with rejuvenation and clarity. It’s a beautiful thing.
Outside of purpose and vision, I emphasize intentional rest. It’s vital for all leaders. Constantly leading and executing without replenishment can lead to burnout. Simply taking time off isn’t enough. Intentional rest involves physical, mental, social, and spiritual rejuvenation, which is why I lead Holy Spirit Retreats.
I offer two types of retreats: The Oasis, a one-on-one exclusive and customizable retreat available year-round, and Resting In Your Purpose, a group retreat with the last scheduling for 2024 during December 8-12, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Visit ChristinaMatthew.com for more information.
If you’re a leader or visionary, I urge you to incorporate intentional rest in your schedule. It’s key for your leadership development.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Faith: I didn’t create myself. Believing in having a purpose and trusting that God would lead me was vital. My faith pushes me to walk in obedience and purpose.
Strategy: I knew the “why” and had the vision, but not the “how”. What objectives and goals direct me towards achieving this vision? Strategic planning is crucial for this. It examines purpose and vision, then makes a plan! Without knowing your “why” and your destination, you can’t create a strategic plan.
Communication: I do a lot of talking—both on stage and in private settings. Using my voice is my number one tool for elevating purpose and vision. Words are powerful; they can uplift or destroy. Be intentional with your words as you speak over yourself and others.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
If you have a group of leaders and visionaries in the marketplace, non-profits, or ministries who would benefit from a Holy Spirit retreat experience, or if you need a retreat just for yourself, reach out to [email protected]
Hosting an event and looking for an inspirational speaker who is dynamic and engaging? Feel free to reach out at [email protected]
Website: ChristinaMatthew.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechristinamatthew
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinalmatthew/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://christinamatthew.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechristinamatthew
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinalmatthew/
Image Credits
Personal photo & on-stage speaking photo by @tarrahlights
White shirt photos and desk sitting in blue shirt w/ dark background by @angelcabanphotocinema
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
