Leading by Letting Go
- Jun 11
- 3 min read
Celebrating the legacy of the former Exec Team
It wasn’t a dramatic moment that marked the transition. No crisis or fracture, no formal speeches or spotlight. Just three leaders quietly naming what they had long sensed from God: that it was time to step aside so Servant Partners could grow beyond them.
After decades of commitment to the cause, following God’s leading, and dealing with crises on the ground, their last act as Directors was one of humility. Henry Williams*, Derek and Lisa Engdahl laid down their executive roles—not in resignation but in full trust in God.
To understand the weight of this moment, it helps to look back to the early years. Servant Partners began with seven people and a huge vision that people in urban slums all over the world would know Jesus. Early interpersonal conflict and ministry setbacks reduced the team to three.
“They’re very faithful people. From an early age, they made decisions to live sacrificially and humbly to serve those on the margins.”
Henry and Cleo*, his wife, were two who remained and served as original catalysts for what became Servant Partners in the mid-1990s. In the late 90s, Derek, Lisa, and current General Director Kevin Blue joined the movement while it was still young, helping to pioneer the work among the urban poor.
Derek Engdahl and Kevin Blue, InterVarsity Pasadena Urban Program, 1987
Board chair Kevin Rhodes has seen their leadership long before SP existed. “They’re very faithful people,” Rhodes shared. “From an early age, they made decisions to live sacrificially and humbly to serve those on the margins.”
Blue and Rhodes observed how their unique spiritual giftings shaped SP in distinct ways.
Henry carried the gift of faith, seeing hope where others saw obstacles.
Blue described him as “quite hopeful for people and encouraging even in the midst of relatively chaotic situations,” adding that Henry “sees new possibilities for sites, funding, or partners because of his deep faith in God.” Rhodes said, “Henry sees and believes things when they are emerging.”
Lisa brought a pastoral presence and teaching gift. Rhodes shared, “Lisa disciples one-on-one very well, coming alongside people to help them grow in their faith and in deep-rootedness in the Lord Jesus.” Blue echoed this sentiment: “People feel well cared for and listened to by Lisa. The further we go with Jesus, the more we're required to do inner work. The outward journey is service and ministry, with the inward journey being our own health, healing, and wholeness. And Lisa helps people through their inner healing.”
Derek offered steady discernment. “He listens and asks the hard questions,” Blue noted. “He doesn’t get swayed by volatile criticism.” Rhodes mused, “Derek is a very clear organizational thinker with the ability to discern and plant that has served SP well.”
The spiritual giftings they brought were coupled with a striking lack of self-importance. “Remarkably, there was no ego or territorialism,” Rhodes recalled. “They accepted criticism with grace. They took on roles sacrificially that weren’t natural for them because the movement needed it. They never complained.”
“It’s rare in Christian circles for leaders to step aside willingly and stay. Their choice is a beautiful witness to the Kingdom.”
When the transition came, they reflected the same humility. “It’s rare in Christian circles,” Blue observed. “For leaders to step aside willingly and stay. They were my supervisors. Now I’m theirs. Their choice is a beautiful witness to the Kingdom.”
Today, Henry, Derek, and Lisa serve with SP through National Movements and the Global Partnership for Urban Transformation, working with SP’s global partners. Still following God’s call, still offering their lives for the sake of the Kingdom.
Both Blue and Rhodes name the legacy they hope SP carries forward: faithfulness to Jesus, clarity in the gospel, hope, humility, generosity, and trust. “I hope we continue the steady, hopeful leadership they modeled,” Blue said. “Weathering difficulty and taking risks of faith with people and communities.”
Their leadership shaped this movement, their trust marks this transition, and their legacy will carry forward for years to come.
This story was published in the 2025 Annual Report.
*Names changed for security and privacy reasons.
