A goal is not a strategy, asserts Pastor Patrick Winfield on day two of the Christian Embassy Winter Conference. He furthers this by stating, “You have to be able to do more with less.” From here, he shifts into the significance of movement—how it requires strategy, faith, and adaptability.

He introduces the Ark of the Covenant—a sacred chest built by the Israelites to house the Ten Commandments, symbolizing God’s presence and guidance. Winfield highlights how the Ark’s position shifted during Israel’s journey. It began in the middle, then moved to the front. Why?

It’s my personal testimony that God often starts in the middle—in the midst of chaos—not at the beginning. Just as Pastor Winfield asserts, this correlates to the Ark’s placement. (In Joshua 3, the Ark stood in the middle of the Jordan River, and only when the priests carrying it stepped in did the waters part.)

Pastor Winfield goes on to say, “You cannot cross over if you cannot shift.” Movement requires discernment, and discernment means flowing with God—even in chaos. He challenges us: “Don’t run from chaos—run toward it.” Why? Because order must be made in the midst of chaos.

This perplexed me. How can there be order in chaos? As I wrestled with this, he paralleled it with Matthew’s account of Jesus feeding the multitude. Jesus didn’t need the miracle for Himself—the miracle was for the disciples. The people had no idea a miracle was happening; they simply knew they were being fed.

Faith in the Middle

What is Pastor Winfield saying here? He’s saying that faith must increase—because in the middle of chaos is where we tend to lose it. Just like with the Ark—when the Israelites stood in the middle of the Jordan, likely wondering how they’d get across—this is where faith is required.

Pastor Winfield emphasizes, “You cannot lead without faith.” And this is especially fitting for a leadership conference.

This was new insight for me. I’ve often run from chaos, but now I see that God is calling me—and other leaders—to run toward it and create order. Jesus shows us how. The disciples just kept making sandwiches—not meager ones either—and somehow, it was enough. Why? Because the faith of Jesus made His presence manifest the miracle.

And this is my call, once again, to stop running and increase my faith. Reader, I invite you to do the same. Consider this your reminder to answer the phone call you’ve been avoiding.

The Power of Mantles

Winfield then transitions into transformative thinking, introducing the concept of mantles. In biblical times, a mantle wasn’t just a physical cloak—it represented a calling, anointing, and spiritual authority. When one leader passed their mantle to another, it symbolized the transfer of purpose, power, and responsibility.

Winfield paints this imagery with the statement: “The reality is, I did not become this by myself. I saw this in Jesus, and so I became this.”

That statement struck something in me. Because this, too, is my reality—I just hadn’t realized until now that Jesus had been showing me all along.

To further illustrate, Winfield brings up Elijah and Elisha. He reminds us that Elijah was fatigued—so exhausted that he wished for death. But then he challenges us to see fatigue as fear.

Fear drove Elijah into isolation.
Isolation led to depression.
Depression led to a deep sleep.

And Elijah slept for three days. Yet, God only woke him to eat.

Winfield calls our attention to the power in this moment:

“If God can nourish your body, He can nourish your mind.”

But notice—God doesn’t allow Elijah to sit in his depression. Instead, He appoints Elisha to him. Why? Because Elijah needed someone to pour into.

Man is not meant to be alone.

Winfield then takes us further:

“God gives us a mission—just as He gave Elijah a mission. Because God doesn’t want us to die in isolation.”

This word hit me because before this conference, I had been in isolation for months. Why? Because I couldn’t trust man. Flesh had deceived me too many times, so I trusted only myself. So, I withdrew.

But what did God do in the midst of my isolation?

He gave me back what the enemy stole from me.

Now, instead of pouring into my depression, my lack of trust, and my fear, I am pouring into Elizabeth—just as Elijah poured into Elisha.

Reader, I ask you: Who is the Elisha in your life?

Stepping into the Double Portion

Before Elijah was taken up, God took him through different places. There is a correlation between everywhere God took Elijah and my own journey. I reflect—God has taken me all over the world. I have felt every emotion, endured every trial, and been through everything.

And now, I decree and declare:

This is my year of inheritance. My Jubilee.

Winfield asserts that receiving mantles requires following leadership to the end. And he challenges us with this:

“How can you take care of a family with no resources?”

And here, I pause. Because isn’t this the very thing I’ve been wrestling with?

Winfield then shifts to the double portion, using Joshua 1:9—“Have I not commanded you?”—to drive his message home.

He challenges us again: How can you take care of a family with no resources?

This is where the double portion comes in.

It’s not just a blessing—it’s an inheritance, a responsibility, and a call to leadership. Elisha didn’t just want Elijah’s mantle—he asked for more.

More strength.
More power.
More of what he needed to walk fully in his purpose.

And this is where Joshua 1:9 comes alive. Just as Elijah passed his mantle to Elisha, Moses passed leadership to Joshua.

God commands us to be strong and courageous because stepping into a double portion requires faith.

You cannot inherit what God has for you if fear keeps you from stepping forward.

The Becoming

Winfield ends with The Becoming. But it was Sarah Jakes Roberts who taught me that before you can become, you must first undo.

Pastor Winfield expands on this, saying:

“The becoming is about the word BE. You cannot BE the action until you first be the thing itself.”

What does this mean? Transformation starts from within.

Before we do, we must be.

Pastor Winfield pushes further: “You cannot become until you BE.”

And to truly become, we need relationships, connection, and community.

He leaves us with this image:

“We are lions, but right now, we’re coming out as lambs.”

In other words, we’re still in the process—still stepping into our full strength.

The Final Call

This teaches us that we are becoming something greater—because we are called to BE.

A commandment is a mandate.

We are being prepared by God to be the change we’ve been praying for.

The question is—will you step into it?