By DAVID DAYALAN
For nearly 25 years, I have had the privilege of journeying alongside A3 in India. Reflecting on these years, I see a clear theme: God has faithfully used this movement to call Christian leaders back to what matters most—our intimacy with Him, our families, and our integrity.
Why Spirituality Matters in Leadership
Most leadership programs emphasize skills and methodology, which have their place, but they often leave a crucial gap.
What drew me—and so many others—to A3 was its unwavering emphasis on spiritual formation.
Ministry, ultimately, should flow out of our walk with God. When that center is neglected, all kinds of problems follow: burnout, moral compromise, and broken families.
In India, we have often celebrated pastors who sacrifice their families for the sake of ministry, as if it were a virtue. But what about their relationship with God? What about their integrity? I have witnessed leaders who seemed strong slowly lose their way by prioritizing doing over being.
A3 has helped us rediscover our roots. Alumni consistently share that the first change they experienced was a renewed intimacy with God. The next was healing and strength in their family life. This is the heart of A3’s message—leadership that overflows from life with God.
The Call to Finish Well
At A3, we frequently speak about finishing well. Too many leaders, after years of service, fall apart because they neglected their spiritual foundations. Finishing well means keeping the end in mind, safeguarding integrity, investing in discipleship, and mentoring others so that both life and ministry remain aligned with God’s call.
That is why every A3 India cohort begins with this theme. It sets the tone: leadership is not about quick success, but about faithful perseverance. Finishing well also means knowing when to pass the baton. At the right time, we step aside from operational leadership to invest in mentoring emerging leaders. This is not loss—it is wisdom.
Leadership for a Diverse Nation
India’s diversity is unmatched. It was unwise for one leader from the South to oversee the entire nation. Therefore, we developed regional leadership teams—North, South, and West, with plans for the East. Each team leads within its own context, and together we support, strengthen, and learn from one another.
This model does more than work—it thrives. It honors diversity and makes space for younger leaders and women to offer their wisdom. True leadership in India cannot be centralized; it must be shared.
Transformation That Multiplies
The impact of A3 in India can be summed up simply: transformed leaders transform communities.
We do not advertise; we do not even have a webpage in India. Leaders are eager to join because they see tangible change in others.
Senior leaders changed by A3 influence their networks, churches, and cities. Spiritual formation and leadership renewal create a ripple effect across regions.
The results are unmistakable—churches are stronger, networks are infused with integrity, and leaders minister from a deeper walk with God.
Why I Invested My Life in A3
For over 20 years, I have given my time to A3 without financial compensation. Why? Because I saw countless lonely, frustrated pastors across India. A3’s vision—to nurture intimacy with God and strengthen leaders—resonated deeply with me. I believed in it then, and I believe in it now more than ever.
Today, I find even greater joy teaching and mentoring in spiritual formation. Too few leaders recognize this essential aspect of discipleship. But when they discover the practices that deepen intimacy with God, the transformation is profound. That transformation changes everything.
A Message to the Global Church
If I could offer one piece of advice to the global church, it would be this: nurture your intimacy with God. Make time for spiritual disciplines that nourish your soul. From this wellspring, ministry flows that is sweet, beautiful, and glorifying to God.
When a leader remains shallow, the church will remain shallow. But when a leader walks deeply with God, the church becomes powerful. That is A3’s heartbeat. After 25 years in India, I can confidently say: transformed leaders transform the world.
— David Dayalan
DAVID DAYALAN has a rich history of mentoring, coaching younger leaders, and helping people with spiritual formation. He is a passionate runner and is married with three beautiful daughters.
Image credits:
Header photo of tree by Brandon Green on Unsplash
Inset photo courtesy of Big G Media on Unsplash
