This November, the World Day of Prayer International Committee will host the 2026 Young Women’s Leadership Institute in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Out of 200 global applicants, I was selected as one of 35 women to participate in this international retreat. This opportunity is incredibly meaningful, as the World Day of Prayer has guided both my own spiritual growth and my family’s faith journey. Through our shared participation in the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada and World Day of Prayer initiatives, this movement has quietly yet powerfully shaped our faith and deepened our understanding of what it means to live a Christ-like life.
As a lifelong Christian, I have found my purpose in honoring God’s creation by participating in environmental and social justice initiatives, caring for the planet, and my service to the church. I have served as a worship leader, led children’s Bible camps, and guided youth events. Through these experiences, I have learned that our spiritual conviction is inseparable from how we care for one another and protect the world we share. This foundation of faith has shaped my approach to leadership and global stewardship.
When I was introduced to the World Day of Prayer, it expanded my understanding of Christ-like leadership and taught me to look at ministry through a truly global lens. Coordinated by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada, this movement has shown me that leading as a Christian means actively breaking down barriers to connect with all people, particularly women, children, and communities that have been historically overlooked. At the heart of my leadership now is the core conviction of World Day of Prayer: that personal transformation must call us into “Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action.” By uniting prayer with tangible justice, we can uplift vulnerable peoples, heal our planet, and live out a faith that is both deeply spiritual and actively engaged in the world.
In preparation for the institute in Thailand, the World Day of Prayer International Committee has challenged participants to look ahead at the future of the movement and our leadership role:
What kind of leader do you want to become? I hope to be a servant-leader who translates spiritual conviction into practical stewardship, using active listening and cultural humility to ensure every voice is authentically heard.
How do you hope to support women and the global WDP family in the years ahead? I hope to use the cross-cultural communication tools gained at the institute to examine any gaps in our outreach strategies, acting as a bridge to local congregations across Toronto, where I live, to connect with women in their 20s and 30s.
While these are my personal reflections, I know that truly representing Canada means carrying more than just my own perspective; I want to carry your voices and stories with me. Therefore, I invite you, the readers of the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada We-Connect, to join this conversation. Please write to me directly at kaylasginter@gmail.com to share your thoughts on the following questions:
- What are your hopes for the future of the World Day of Prayer movement?
- What kind of leadership does our global family need most right now?
- What are the social issues or communities you care about strengthening the most?
I look forward to hearing your perspectives so that we can work together to ensure this movement remains a steady force for connection and shared vision for another 100 years to come.