As we’ve shared, on February 7 at the No Regrets Conference, Steve Sonderman will officially hand off leadership to our new Executive Director, Albo Esilaba. Steve will remain in a full-time capacity through early March to ensure a smooth transition, and will then continue serving No Regrets part-time—focusing on writing, teaching, and equipping leaders.
At the final Board Meeting and No Regrets Conference meeting that Steve led this week, he left us with principles he has lived, taught, and modeled throughout his years of leadership:
- It is worth it. What we are doing matters: We have put a dent in eternity. Lives transformed. Addictions broken. Marriages healed. Freedom found. Relationships restored. Men living with purpose, significance, and freedom—unleashed to do good in the world. An army of disciple-makers. What we are doing changes a man’s trajectory for eternity.
- Become friends and change the world together: Christianity is not a solo sport. There is nothing better than being on a team that wants to make a difference—one man at a time. The relationships built over the past decades are among the most significant of Steve’s life. Talent may win games, but teams win championships.
- Think small with a big vision: Jesus was never enamored with numbers, but with the few. Ministry to men is life-on-life. Our very existence proves that Jesus’ strategy worked. Find a few men and invest deeply. Discipleship is why we exist. Draft and develop. More time with fewer people leads to greater impact for Christ.
- Prayer is the frontline of the battle: The walls around men’s hearts are high and thick. They will not fall through better strategy, social posts, or slick websites—but through prayer. Ministry only moves forward as it moves forward on its knees.
- Lead with humility, listening, and service: We come alongside the local church, listening first, serving second.
- Be the example: The greatest gift you can give your family, work, and ministry is your personal holiness. Let your life speak so loudly they don’t hear your words. Character matters.
- Let God break your heart: Pray for vision and passion. You’ll never lighten the load until you feel the weight. Jesus wept. Nehemiah wept. Vision is born in burden.
- Use the Word: Scripture is our playbook—for comfort, encouragement, teaching, and counsel. God’s Word will never return void.
We thank Steve for decades of faithful leadership, humility, and vision, especially as he continues to serve No Regrets.
No Regrets has always been about stories—lives changed through faith, friendship, and discipleship. If No Regrets, and particularly Steve’s leadership, has impacted your life, we’d love to hear your story and celebrate what God has done. Share your story here.
