The Grey Pages with Brave Cities S2 E17 A Pipeline for Unicorns
Apr 18, 2025
Joel Repick, a dedicated community builder from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, shares his insights on cultivating mission-driven leaders—referred to as "unicorns"—in underserved areas. The conversation highlights the complexities of relocating talent into marginalized communities and the importance of nurturing local talent. They confront the real challenges faced in community engagement and personal tragedy, sharing raw stories that underline the need for deep, lasting transformation. The episode also explores the church's evolution as a family, army, and city, emphasizing authentic connections in the mission.
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Build Leadership Pipelines
- Cultivate a pipeline by returning to your roots like Joel did, offering internships to college students.
- Invest in leadership development over money or buildings, because leaders are the hardest but most essential resource.
Heartbreaking Jeremiah Story
- Jon shared a heartbreaking story about Jeremiah, a vulnerable community member they befriended who eventually killed someone and was killed.
- This reveals the complexity and emotional cost of working in marginalized communities despite deep relationships.
Mission Needs Brave Few
- The mission requires a distinct kind of person willing to leave security for hardship, a call not meant for the masses.
- Brave Cities target unencumbered, spiritually stirred leaders ready to push past conventional comforts.