So, what if I don’t like cooking?
Inside the Vision of an Outstanding Advocate
Family Advocacy Ministries are only as effective as the volunteer Advocates who lead them. Thankfully, the Lord equips those whom He calls.
Becky Robey never wanted to foster. Despite having a heart for children from hard places, she knew that she was not called to be a foster mom. Then she was introduced to the Family Advocacy Ministry at her church Grace Orlando.
Becky’s vision for leading Grace’s FAM reflects the way in which she herself became a leader. Upon first learning about the ministry, Becky fell in love with the model and wanted to serve. However, she knew that cooking meals is a key aspect of caring for foster families, and there was a problem: Becky hates to cook. It was clear that her leadership and organizational skills would be better suited for a different role. When Becky learned that there was a consistently high demand for Advocates and Team Leaders, she stepped up. Her desire to serve in a role that was well suited to her developed into a hallmark of her effective leadership style; it motivated her to implement clearly defined roles and structure.
Becky became an Advocate (Ministry Leader) because she is gifted in organizational skills and has a natural aptitude for leadership. She wanted to serve where she could best utilize her abilities, so she volunteered to lead. It is safe to say that her decision was a good one; Becky has been doing excellent work as an advocate for two and a half years! Describing her success in leadership, she explained that effective work becomes the natural result when team members are able to serve in a role that is suited to their individual skill sets.
Her outstanding ability to provide structure, support and community, has now led her to oversee the FAM at each of the three Grace campuses.
The crucial observations that Becky made when she first learned about the ministry now inform the way that she leads them. Becky realized that ministering becomes easier and teams run more efficiently when the roles are clearly defined, so she outlines roles within her FAM almost like job descriptions. Becky emphasized the effect this structure has on the overall tone of the ministry. She said that specific roles and clear time commitments for each volunteer role is really valuable, because it lessens the stress that comes with being uncertain about the time commitment and the nature of the task.
Becky views all of these strategies behind her leadership as the ways that she can best support FAM volunteers. She strives to provide structure and organization so that her team leaders and volunteers are cared for well and are set up to serve effectively. Her love and care for her teams manifests also in the way she communicates with them. Becky leads in person monthly Saturday meetings in order to increase unity within the team by providing the space to build relationships and foster community. Becky’s outstanding work as an Advocate is all driven by her heart for serving vulnerable children and the families loving them. She finds joy in providing structure and support to get the work done.
When asked what she would say to someone who is hesitant or apprehensive about becoming an Advocate or Team Leader, Becky explained that she thinks the role is actually an “easy sell.” From her point of view, being an Advocate is actually easier than being a team member. She pointed out that the hardest part of the job is getting it started, but from then on, the role of the Advocate is mainly to communicate well and provide responsible oversight.
When Becky Robey learned about FAMs, she was not yet the capable and outstanding Advocate that she is today, but the Lord always equips those whom He calls. Through serving for two and a half years, Becky has impacted countless lives through her leadership. Her journey as an Advocate began because she identified the role as one that was well suited to her skill set, and she carried that thought process through into her leadership style.
Becky is an excellent leader because she strives to support her team members and establish structure by creating clearly defined roles.
Becky’s story illustrates the Lord’s faithfulness to those who seek to serve. Where there are willing hearts, He provides important work to be done– even for those who hate to cook.