New DVULI Leadership Embraces Collaborative Model 

We Are One 

By Gerald Bell, Ron Carter, and Shannon Pothoven 

For more than a quarter of a century, the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative (DVULI) has consistently woven into its training content that working in collaboration is the better way to sustain a youth ministry. 

In his book Well Connected, author Phill Butler affirms, “Working together is God’s idea.” He contends, “Our individual potential is only realized, our wholeness only experienced, in relationship with others. God created us to trust and to work with others.” 

“Our individual potential is only realized, our wholeness only experienced, in relationship with others. God created us to trust and to work with others.”

In alignment with this belief, Ron Carter (Birmingham 1999), Gerald Bell (Kansas City 2003), and Shannon Pothoven have assumed leadership of DVULI, now entering its 27th year. 

The triarchy leadership model allows Ron, Gerald, and Shannon to retain leading their departments while partnering on vision, strategy, and execution of the big picture.     

“This is a great opportunity to continue functioning within our strengths,” said Ron, Director of Training and Equipping. “But it’s also a chance to explore innovative ways of growing the initiative collaboratively and not have to do it in isolation.” 

“This is a great opportunity to continue functioning within our strengths but it’s also a chance to explore innovative ways of growing the initiative collaboratively and not have to do it in isolation.”

DVULI’s organizational structure consists of three departments: Training and Equipping, Alumni Support and Communications, and Operations. 

Pointing to the concept of shared vision, Gerald said most programmatic decisions were made as a team during his 20 years with DVULI. “When we were a much smaller staff, the program was being built from the ground up. So, it made sense to share ideas and collaborate with staff who were both alumni and non-alumni team members.” 

Since 1998, more than 1,400 urban youth workers have completed the national training program. At the core of DVULI’s ethos is genuine regard and care for the urban youth worker, something the entire team embodies.   

“Our whole team is pretty excited about the new chapter we’re entering as an organization,” beams Shannon, Director of Operations. “I think it’s terrific that we can model leading this way and live out our calling and passions.”

“I think it’s terrific that we can model leading this way and live out our calling and passions.”               

“Co-leadership is nothing new, and I feel strongly that even better days for DVULI are ahead,” said Gerald, Director of Alumni Support and Communications. “Honestly, I don’t know that we’ve ever had a bad day because God’s Spirit has been on DVULI in a rich way all along.” 

“Co-leadership is nothing new, and I feel strongly that even better days for DVULI are ahead…”

Any immediate DVULI changes will not be felt by alumni and friends of the initiative. However, in 2025, the training schedule and program delivery process will roll out a new system for the incoming five city cohorts.