Confidence, Calling, and Casting Vision: A Conversation with Pastor Willie George
from Leadership lifter Talk with Pastor Willie George
In this Leadership Lifter Talk, I had the honor of sitting down with Pastor Willie George, a pioneer in ministry and leadership. Many of you know Pastor George as the founder of Church on the Move in Tulsa, Oklahoma—a thriving ministry with multiple campuses, a Christian school, and an impact that reaches far beyond the walls of the church. Today, he continues to invest in leaders, mentor pastors, and build kingdom initiatives.
Our conversation was rich with wisdom. Pastor George shared lessons that every leader—whether in ministry or the marketplace—needs to hear.
The Challenge of Comparison
When I asked Pastor George what he believes is one of the greatest challenges facing young leaders today, his answer was simple but powerful: comparison.
“Comparison is the thief of joy,” he said, quoting Theodore Roosevelt. With the rise of the internet and social media, pastors can see what others are doing every single week. Sermons, church highlights, and ministry stories are constantly on display, but most of the time what we see is only the highlight reel. What’s missing are the struggles, the failures, and the behind-the-scenes challenges every leader faces.
Pastor George reminded us that comparison is often built on a false picture. The reality is, every great leader he has known—including men like Kenneth Hagin, Lester Sumrall, and Roy Hicks—had their struggles. None of them had it easy. The key is to stay focused on what God has uniquely called you to do.
Confidence and the Anointing
One of the strongest statements Pastor George made was this: “The anointing and confidence go together.” A leader who lacks confidence will struggle to walk in the full measure of God’s anointing.
He shared a personal story about a season of insecurity in his own ministry. Wanting to fit the trend of younger pastors, he tried preaching from a stool with screens behind him. But it wasn’t him. His content suffered. His confidence weakened.
The turning point came when he remembered that God had been using him for years just as he was. He returned to his roots, stood back in the pulpit, and immediately sensed a stronger flow of anointing. The lesson? God called you—not someone else—to your assignment. He doesn’t need you to be a copy of another leader. He needs you to be faithful to the gifts, strengths, and style He placed in you.
Stay in Your Lane
Pastor George pointed us to the story of David facing Goliath. Saul tried to put his armor on David, but David refused. Instead, he chose five smooth stones—the weapon he knew, the tool he was confident with.
“David stayed in his lane,” Pastor George said. “He resisted the pressure to be someone else. He trusted the tools God had already given him.”
The same is true for us. Every leader has a unique sound, a unique personality, and a unique assignment. You will never build lasting confidence by imitating someone else. You build it by embracing the calling and gifts God has given you.
Casting Vision with Focus
We also discussed one of the hardest responsibilities of a leader—casting vision. Drawing from Habakkuk 2, Pastor George explained that vision must be made plain. He compared it to an axe. The reason an axe is effective is because all of its power is concentrated on a sharp edge. Vision works the same way.
“If you try to hit the tree with the whole side of the axe,” he said, “you won’t make progress. But when you focus, when you bring all your energy and clarity into one thing, that’s when you break through.”
Leaders who want others to follow must communicate vision clearly and practically, step by step. Big dreams become reality through a series of smaller, focused acts of obedience.
Building Teams that Last
When I asked how to build a team of high-level leaders, Pastor George gave us a picture from the world of horses. A strong, seasoned horse is always yoked with a younger, less experienced one. The veteran trains the new one by example.
That’s how Jesus did it with Peter, James, and John. That’s how organizations like the New England Patriots developed talent. And that’s how we must approach team building—pairing new leaders with proven ones, passing on not just skills but also culture, vision, and values.
Final Encouragement
Before we closed, Pastor George prayed over young leaders everywhere. He thanked them for saying yes to the call of God, for going where others might not go, and for stepping into difficult places with faith. His prayer was that God would give leaders confidence, courage, and clarity for the next step in their journey.
Friend, let this conversation remind you:
Don’t compare your calling to someone else’s highlight reel.
Confidence and anointing walk hand in hand.
Stay in your lane—use the tools God has given you.
Cast vision with focus and clarity.
Build your team by mentoring and multiplying leaders.
God has called you for such a time as this. Be confident in that calling, and the anointing will follow.
Listen to the full conversation with Pastor Willie George on the Leadership Lifter Podcast on YouTube or on davidblunt.org