Although serving in ministry is nothing new for Cher Paulson of Living Bible Explorers, it wasn't until she was 19 years old that God changed her life forever. "That was when I actually put my faith in Jesus, repented of my sin, made Jesus the Lord of my life, and then moved to Winnipeg with my family. I spent a year here, then went off to Bible school. I spent 20 years serving in churches." New journey in ministry Now, for the last two years, Paulson has been the executive director of a parachurch ministry, taking what she learned at Calvary Temple to lead the staff at Living Bible Explorers. "It really was the last 18 months that I was at Calvary Temple, I got to work with a leader who showed me how to lead and how to lead collaboratively. He was a missionary so he had that fundraising experience. He taught delegation, teamwork, and collaboration. I was really thrilled to have that experience because when you are on a team, it's different than leading a team. It's a different set of skills you bring." Leading others well As Paulson has led the staff, she gives credit to her team, making it easier. "I love people. I do not have an administrative bone in my body. So I have an administrator who helps me; if she did not help me, I would be in the fetal position most days. So I try to focus on my strengths and just collaborate as a team. I want people to feel permission to lead in their giftings." Paulson has seen the staff thrive under the strategy. "Instead of trying to make staff fit into programs, I really love making programs fit around the staff. Looking at what staff we have, what are their giftings, what are their callings? The discipleship program that's coming up, that's because one of our staff members is passionate about discipleship. The family ministry, because one of our staff is passionate about families." RELATED STORIES: God’s timing: Living Bible Explorers expands to new facility across the street ️ 'I want to follow in step with the Holy Spirit': Pastor Cher Paulson from Calvary Temple to LBE Her Voice: Blue Bombers wives find community through Bible study Her Voice: Pansy Chapel founder continues to impact lives through service and faith Getting to pour into the staff is one of the biggest blessings for Paulson. "I am going to be 50 this year, and almost everybody on staff is half my age. So being able to lead and model for people what it's like to be on a team, to be a champion, an encourager for young leaders coming up, and just giving them a platform to go do it. That's the most exciting part." As Paulson leads the team, she says it is important to model what she teaches. "I always say to them, I never ask you guys to do anything I wouldn't do myself. So I want them to see me serving and doing whatever needs to be done, knowing that we're a team and whatever is needed, I'm on board to help get it done. We're collaborating, and it's a joy." New role brings new surprises Despite several years of ministry experience, there was one factor that was new for Paulson. "The biggest surprise is the fundraising, which I had the least experience with. I was just thinking of the pastoral side. I was like, 'Okay, Lord, we got this.' And then when I was sitting in the chair, thinking I'm solely responsible for this entire budget yearly. And now we've bought a building. So I've got an operational budget and a capital budget." Paulson says that a hard moment in her personal life has strengthened her faith. "I went through a hard time in my personal life a few years ago and came out of that. God did an amazing miracle. And I said to Him, 'Lord, I do not want to forget or lose that intimacy that I have with the Holy Spirit through this really hard time.' "About three months into this job, I had my head on the desk crying, going, 'Lord, I don't know if I can do this.' I felt the Holy Spirit say, 'Remember when you said you don't want to lose intimacy with Me? Well, this is how you're going to keep close.' So this position keeps me on my knees. And God has promised me that I just present the need and I'm obedient to Him. I do my best and He'll do the rest." New traditions at LBE Paulson says that the LBE team has started a new tradition to get to know the community. "We started doing prayer walks on Wednesdays. I always try to say hi, no matter where I am, if I'm walking and passing somebody, I always try to look them in the eye and say hi." Paulson says those interactions would lead to thinking deeper. "I've thought, 'Lord, what is going on in their life?' And praying into, God, just draw them to Yourself. If they don't already know You, draw them to Yourself, draw them to somebody who will share the love of Jesus with them. And may they see it on my face." Inspiration from other women Thinking of other women in her life, Paulson is blessed to have strong mentors around her. "My mom is such a giving person, and she was a pastor's wife for 50 years. And just to see her lead in her own way, and lead women and prop up women and just be a voice to the vulnerable, her own testimony, and just to be used however God wants to use her. "There are other female pastors in our fellowship, just to see their faith, their prayer, to hear the hardships of what has gone on in their life, and they never give up. I want to be that for someone else." Lasting legacy When Paulson finishes her career in ministry, she hopes that others had seen her love for people. "I hope that people really know that people are what matters. We can't take anything to Heaven, but we can influence somebody for Jesus. We can see people into Heaven because of Jesus. When all is said and done, I really want people to say, 'Cher really pointed people to Jesus.'" For any woman who has been called to ministry, Paulson says it is important to spend time with God. "Be in the Word of God, spend time with Him every day, be vulnerable, be humble, and intentionally have mature, godly women around you who can speak into your life. Seek them out, spend time with them, do life together. Sometimes it's not formal. Sometimes it's just coffee or inviting people into our lives."