Embracing Leadership:
Reflections on my Experience as Leader
M10 2024 – Jonny Simons
Reflections on my Experience as Leader
M10 2024 – Jonny Simons
A summer trip to Mexico is appealing, but leading a group of thirty young adults for 10 days is a different challenge! If you're interested in joining a future M10 Missions trip, just go for it! If you're undecided, maybe my experience will convince you.
How I Came to M10 Missions
After a chance meeting with M10’s founder and director, Stephen Riley, I started working with M10 as a volunteer in another capacity. At the time, in 2023, I was deep in thought about how I can contribute and offer my time and experience in a volunteer capacity that benefitted other and also satisfied this urge I had to ‘give back’. Anyway, after meeting Stephen, one thing led to another, and I started quizzing him about the M10 Mission trip I’d read about online. It offered the perfect opportunity - a chance to work positively with young adults, travel, and literally build a home for those in need. It was an invitation I could not resist. There was just the minor detail of leading a group of young adults to the other side of the world and back to their loved ones safe and sound!
Preparation for the Trip
When I commit to something I’m all in and will do whatever it takes to get the job done right. For me, as I don’t really have much contact with teenagers day to day it was important to build connections with the group in advance of the trip by attending as many of the monthly group meetings as possible. If for nothing else, to be a familiar face and presence before the trip – the students won’t remember your name anyway, at least not before the airport!
The Journey
Before long, our group of over 30 students and leaders was prepared to embark on a significant journey. My feelings were mixed; I was excited yet apprehensive about the responsibility and curious about the situations that might arise and how best to address them in the group's interest. I anticipated that this experience would be challenging and expansive, but I could not have foreseen the extent. During our time in Mexico, I observed young individuals stepping out of their comfort zones, serving with courage, and encountering faith in unexpected ways. I witnessed joy amidst adversity, transformation through service, and the profound impact of faith in action. Throughout this journey, I gained invaluable insights into leadership, trust, and faith beyond my expectations.
The Challenge of Leadership: Managing Logistics, Emotions and Expectations
Having never attended a mission trip or led on a trip of a similar nature, the weight of leadership is real. You’re not just thinking about your own experience, this is secondary— you are guiding a team, solving problems, and making sure everyone is physically, emotionally, and spiritually supported.
Luckily, most of the actual logistics are taken care of – the leadership team would meet daily to cover off what exactly was happening each day and when. Our job as leaders was to make sure the students knew what was expected of them and when. I’d say our approach was ‘just in time’ provision of logistical information and details of the missions we were carrying out. It became clear very quickly that the students are used to knowing everything about everything. As a leader it was important to manage the flow of information so the students could live the experiences in real time rather than play it out in their minds pre-emptively.
Everyone is different and as a leader you become attuned to what each student needs, whether it's a bit of reassurance, encouragement or just a distraction to take their minds off any indecision or anxiety they may have. Leadership meant carrying some of the emotional burdens of the students.
One of the things I enjoyed most in Ensenada was the camaraderie built with the other leaders. We were open about the types of leaders we each were, what situations we were most comfortable dealing with, and were able to work together to provide the right style of support to the students when they needed it.
Witnessing Transformation
One of the most rewarding aspects of the trip was observing the growth and transformation in our group. The young adults were not just participants; they were active contributors to the missions. I watched them learn, adapt, and thrive in a new environment, embracing each challenge with resilience and grace. Their willingness to step out of their comfort zones, engage with the local community, and ultimately build a home for a family in need was truly inspiring.
Missions can be overwhelming - the reality of poverty in Ensenada was confronting for some, and stepping out of comfort zones and being introduced to faith and ministry stretched others. During the trip, the students are introduced to so many concepts and life experiences that they simply don’t have to consider or have not been exposed to in their daily lives in the UK. It was a privilege as a leader to observe the transformation of students as they began to think beyond themselves, consider their futures and the kind of people they wish to be. I recognised leadership wasn’t about having all the answers and always being in control —it was simply about being present for the students, being open, honest and supportive. It is about helping the students to process their experiences and the information presented to them as they embark on the next stage of their lives.
A Journey of Mutual Growth
As much as the trip was about guiding and mentoring the young adults, it was equally a journey of personal growth for me. The experiences we shared, the challenges we overcame, and the bonds we forged have left an indelible mark on my life. I learned the importance of patience, the power of encouragement, and the beauty of seeing young minds blossom. If I had doubted the power of the trip (which I didn’t), a few months after returning to the UK I had the pleasure of seeing several of the students again. It was like seeing family again after time apart. It was powerful – the connections you build are everlasting. Even more so, I was encouraged to hear that the group of students have continued to get together from time to time to maintain their shared connection.
In conclusion, my experience as a leader on the 2024 M10 Mission trip to Ensenada, Mexico was a transformative journey. It was a unique blend of challenges and rewards, filled with moments of joy, learning, and profound personal connections. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such a meaningful mission. Would I do it again? Of course...I’m already booked in for M10 2025!
