Every leader faces the challenge of creating meaningful connections—what if you could make each one count?
Recently, we caught up with Georgia Cedras, Youth and Adults Pastor at Sydenham Baptist Church, to hear how SHIFTm2M has transformed how her team engages with young people—making discipleship more intentional, personal, and impactful.
Georgia’s approach to leadership goes beyond simply managing a team—it’s about cultivating deep, intentional relationships with those she leads. “The frameworks I learnt from attending SHIFTn2M helps me be more intentional not just in my conversations but in my prayers too,” she says. By tracking the spiritual progress of individuals on the SHIFTm2M arrow, Georgia can pray strategically for their growth. “It helps me pray into what their next steps are. I’m not just praying for them in the moment, but for opportunities, for breakthroughs, and for moments where we can challenge them in their journey.”
This intentionality has paid off in numerous ways, especially in the leadership development of a young girl in her youth ministry. Initially sitting in Build, she wasn’t engaging deeply with her relationship with Jesus. But by recognising where she was and using the SHIFTm2M framework to tailor her discipleship, Georgia and her team helped her transition into Train—not just in leadership, but in her personal faith.
“We had deep conversations about what it means to follow Jesus sacrificially, not just mimic behaviors,” Georgia explains. This led to a transformation where the young girl, who once struggled with sharing her faith, began to speak openly about her beliefs. “She even had a conversation with a friend about why bad things happen to good people, and wanted to give them a solid answer,” Georgia shares, highlighting how intentional discipleship nurtures confidence in the faith.
This focus on intentionality also had a profound impact on youth baptism. Two years after implementing , Georgia’s youth ministry saw 17 young people baptised. She shares a powerful story of a young man who, with his leader’s encouragement, progressed through the Shift stages and began bringing friends to youth. “He brought at least two new friends every week. His leader coached him, and eventually, he baptised two of his friends,” Georgia recounts.
Through these stories, it’s clear that the SHIFTm2M framework doesn’t just bring structure—it fosters growth, both spiritually and in leadership. By equipping leaders to disciple intentionally and pray for their young people, Georgia has witnessed firsthand how SHIFTm2M can transform lives.
