Summer Ministry, Preaching, and God's Call to More (w/ Gaia Stanley)
Gia Stanley’s story is a testament to God’s transformative power and His unrelenting love. From encountering Christ in her teenage years to becoming a key leader in the Collegiate Church Network, Gia has spent nearly two decades pointing others to Jesus. Serving as a full-time missionary at New Life Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and as the National LT Director, Gia passionately champions the spiritual and leadership development of college students across the country.
In this episode of the Collegiate Church Network Podcast, host Jay Bennet dives deep with Gia into her journey of faith, her leadership philosophy, and her passion for preaching and summer leadership programs. Gia shares practical insights, theological reflections, and her heart for helping others live missionally.
A Journey of Transformation
Gia’s faith journey began at 17 when she came to Christ after growing up in an atheist/agnostic home. Drawn by creation, she pursued truth, wrestled with doubts, and ultimately surrendered to Jesus when she realized He fully knew and loved her. That realization not only changed her life but also sparked her desire to help others experience the same freedom in Christ.
Gia’s call to ministry was marked by a senior-year encounter with Scripture about using her gifts to build up the body of Christ. Through prayer and the guidance of trusted mentors, she discerned her path and stepped into campus ministry—a journey that has now spanned 19 years.
Leading with Humility
Gia openly shares her early challenges in ministry, including feelings of inadequacy and fear of being thrust into leadership roles too soon. She emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and seeking help when needed, reflecting on moments when she asked for additional coaching or stepped back to recalibrate. Gia recommends the coaching model of progression:
Leader does, apprentice watches.
Leader does, apprentice assists.
Apprentice leads, leader assists.
Apprentice leads, leader watches.
Apprentice takes on a new apprentice.
Her advice to young leaders: “Be willing to try, fail, and learn. Each moment is an opportunity to fall into the arms of Jesus and grow.”
The Power of LT (Leadership Training)
As the National LT Director, Gia oversees two life-changing summer programs in the Rocky Mountains and the Adirondacks. These nine-to-eleven-week experiences immerse students in discipleship, leadership development, and gospel-centered community, all while working jobs at the YMCA.
Gia describes LT as a “greenhouse for growth,” where students learn to:
Serve like Jesus with others.
Develop Christlike character.
Explore spiritual gifts.
Gain a global and missionary mindset.
Thousands of students have participated in LT since its inception, and the program continues to shape lives profoundly. Gia reflects on her own LT experiences, where she first fell in love with God’s Word and caught a vision for living missionally. She encourages students to seek God’s direction for their summer, reminding them that LT is a rare opportunity to focus deeply on spiritual formation.
Preaching with Passion
In addition to her role at LT, Gia is pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry in Preaching and Leadership at Asbury Seminary. She highlights the importance of preaching as proclaiming the good news of Jesus and calls for a return to orality—engaging with culture’s growing preference for learning through listening and storytelling.
Gia’s advice for preachers includes:
Start with how God is forming you through the text.
Embrace a structure that reflects the message of the Scripture.
Preach with humility, using “we” statements to foster unity and mutual growth.
Always point to the gospel—good news must be central to every message.
For those exploring preaching, Gia recommends starting small, seeking feedback, and investing in resources like The Art of Preaching masterclass by Carey Nieuwhof and Mark Clark or Power in the Pulpit by Cleophus LaRue.
Recommended Resources
Gia highlights several impactful resources for spiritual and leadership growth:
Leadership, God’s Agency, and Disruptions by Branson and Roxborough: A transformative book on a theology of leadership.
Power in the Pulpit (Vol. 1 & 2) by Cleophus LaRue: A deep dive into the preparation and power of preaching.
The Art of Preaching masterclass by Carey Nieuwhof and Mark Clark.
The LT Program (more information at collegiate.church/leadershiptraining).
Final Encouragement
“Don’t forget God’s gaze of love upon you,” Gia urges. “Everything else flows from knowing that you are loved by the God of the universe. We only love because He first loved us.”
This episode is a rich exploration of faith, leadership, and the transformative power of discipleship. Gia’s story and insights invite listeners to consider how they, too, might lean into God’s calling and experience His faithfulness in every season.
