What IF?
This is the very question that the new UPCI Innovation Fellows (IF) program is working to answer. Cohorts of Fellows, who are experts inside our movement are paired with executives at UPCI headquarters to tackle big, hairy problems that have a direct impact on our mission. Fellows leverage key principles of design thinking, experimentation, problem solving, learning through iteration paired with their knowledge and expertise.
Meet Kathryn Bokun, UPCI Innovation Fellow in the past two cohorts. Kathryn graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Major in Finance and Minor in Marketing from Southeastern Louisiana University with a 4.0. She is a research associate in an academic economic research department in St. Louis. She is a current member of New Life St. Louis, Pastor Aaron Batchelor, and grew up in Louisiana at First Pentecostal Church of Denham Springs, with the late Pastor Ray Johnson.
This is what others had to say about Kathryn’s work as a Fellow:
“I enjoyed seeing a dream come to pass — bringing together people smarter than me to
help UPCI ministries further their purpose.” - Stephen Drury, Director of The
Stewardship Group
“I have been working for over 20 years to uncover this data to better serve our cities. She and the team made it happen.” - Scott Sistrunk, Executive Director of North American Missions
“She found things in our loan portfolio that our underwriting team did not even note.”
- Rick Lovall, Assistant Director of The Stewardship Group
Here are questions we asked Kathryn about her experience as a fellow.
Share your experience as an Innovation Fellow.
“In 2020, a mentor at my local church introduced me to the Fellowship where I was selected to work with the Church Loan Fund in The Stewardship Group. At the time, I did not know many of these departments existed even though I had always attended a UPCI church. I was so encouraged to learn how they are growing the church. From this experience, I learned how a department functions, listened to their challenges, and investigated potential solutions. Through this, we were able to answer key questions for UPCI executives.”
What did I gain from the opportunity of being a Fellow?
“I felt an overwhelming sense of fulfillment using my whole heart, body and mind to serve in the Kingdom. In the past, I questioned why my passions were different than my friends in traditional ministry roles. In my heart, I wanted to serve God and love people, but I did not feel called as a worship leader, nurse or teacher. I thought the purpose for my gifts was to be a faithful tithe-paying member to my local church, but this experience showed me how I could live all of my life in service to Christ and solidified my identity in Him.
I also practiced my professional skills by managing large-scale projects, conducting interviews, and presenting recommendations. I used the same skills from my everyday job to help others. I gained a holistic perspective and new confidence in myself. I felt utmost respect with every interaction from the department leaders.
Now I am forever connected to a community of other apostolic professionals who collaborate to brainstorm, create and problem solve together. There is no isolation or competition with another. You have the space to contribute independently but also learn from other Fellows.”
Why should we encourage more professionals to become Fellows?
“Besides professional development, personal fulfilment, and growing a network of apostolics, we were made for this. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10, KJV).
God gives all knowledge and abilities, and He gives more to some than others. Our job is not to be the person with the most talent. Our job is to take what we are given, grow it, and use it to serve Him. Empower our next generation of apostolic leaders inside our congregations by providing a path to expand God’s Kingdom with their unique God-given talents.”
What’s next?
“I have officially resigned from my current position in academic research to work full-time at the UPCI and to answer the call to bring the gospel to the whole world. But this is a story for another day…
Thank you to the team of leaders that have believed in the Fellows program. My life is forever changed because of your vision and encouragement. Special thank you to Stephen Drury and Philip Harding, directors of the UPCI Innovation Fellows, Rick Lovall and The Stewardship Group team, Scott Sistrunk, Kristie Kozbeff and the North American Missions team who all helped me navigate this process.”
If you are interested in learning more about the UPCI Innovation Fellows program, please email fellows@upci.org.