About the Agents of Transformation Series
This post is part of our Agents of Transformation blog series—a collection of stories and reflections exploring what it means for Canopy Life students to become Godly, Innovative, Emotionally Healthy, and Relationally Rooted leaders who can transform their communities.Want to explore more stories like this one? [Click here to read the full series.]
To learn more about what it means for our students to become Agents of Transformation in Kenya—[Click here to view our online magazine.]
Shanna Panner’s journey to Canopy Life began with a heart to serve—but what she discovered in Kenya reshaped her understanding of transformational leadership, worship, and spiritual growth. In this reflection, Shanna shares how a week of spiritual obedience and vulnerability left a lifelong impact, not just on the staff she came to encourage, but on her own walk with God.
In my walk with the Lord, I have seldom led adults—my comfort zone is working with kids. But I felt God calling me to be obedient, and I responded willingly, trusting Him to guide me. I learned an unforgettable lesson that week: God keeps His promises. I received more during that week than I could have ever given. I learned to worship freely, love unconditionally, and embrace vulnerability as the door to transformation.
The Foundation of Transformational Leadership
One must understand the mission before transformation can take place. Leaders need to embody the mission through their daily actions. If the ultimate mission is to help children from rural communities become wholistic agents of transformation, then the students must be led by leaders who believe in this overarching idea of change.
Gandhi’s approach reflects this all-encompassing idea: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” In the Spring of 2024, I had the opportunity to travel to Kenya with my husband and 12Stone Missions to visit Canopy Life International. Our goal was to pour relationally into the staff so that they could be filled through the Holy Spirit. Our hope was for the staff to then transfer that love, support, and encouragement back to the students to help them become emotionally rooted as agents of change.
We are reminded in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” We were there to renew our minds. I learned that worship can look different throughout the world, but the heart of God is the same.
“Whoever Refreshes Others Will Be Refreshed”
It was such a blessing to get to know the entire staff at Canopy Life. Right away, I sensed that something truly special was taking place in this environment. We drove up to Canopy Life and heard singing, dancing, and praise music. As we stepped inside, the presence of God became unmistakable. The joy we all felt was infectious! The Holy Spirit was present. No words had to be exchanged—just worshiping in the presence of God drew us together.
Because of our shared foundation in God’s peace and love, we experienced a powerful environment of worship and trust. We thought our purpose was to pour into them spiritually, and immediately I knew that God’s plans were bigger. Proverbs tells us that “whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” My soul was refreshed through the staff’s obvious love for the Lord. Their house was built on a firm foundation. We were in store for a week of transformation.
Obedience Makes Room for Growth
It was a joy to be a part of blessing the staff with an opportunity for training at Lake Naivasha Resort. We all need to be fed spiritually so we can be renewed to give back. We saw the Godly role models and leaders that Canopy Life has on staff and quickly realized how they live live out transformational leadership through their healthy relationship with God. They are relationally rooted and live lives that contribute to the well-being of the communities they serve.
Our small group from 12Stone led daily sessions to grow stronger relationally with God and one another. What we experienced was truly a reciprocal process. Through mutual learning and shared experiences, we grew together in ways that deeply touched my soul. Every time we met, the Canopy Life worship leaders led us in praise and worship. Kenyans worship freely, with such passion. They pray out loud, talk directly to God, and give Him glory without hesitation. It is so beautiful to experience.
In my walk with the Lord, I have seldom led adults—my comfort zone is working with kids. But I felt God calling me to be obedient, and I responded willingly, trusting Him to guide me. I learned an unforgettable lesson that week: God keeps His promises. I received more during that week than I could have ever given. I learned to worship freely, love unconditionally, and embrace vulnerability as the door to transformation.
God is so good…all of the time.
Great Leaders Mold the Next Generation
My husband and I believe in Canopy Life’s mission and vision. We see how the leadership team pours into the staff, how the staff molds the next generation, and how God is working in Kenya. As a result, these students are blessed to be led by leaders who are fully committed to a future where they are encouraged to create solutions and build businesses that lift others out of poverty.
But those who lead can grow weary, and they must be poured into as well. Change and transformation take time, practice, revision, and intentional spaces that encourage students to become creative problem-solvers. Great leaders help mold the next generation, and I want to be a part of supporting the Canopy Life staff as they do exactly that—living out transformational leadership as true agents of transformation.
About the author of this article:
Shanna Panner had the opportunity to travel to Canopy Life with 12 Stone Missions. Her obedience to God’s calling allowed her to experience the transformational work taking place at Canopy Life first hand. By leveraging her experience as a teacher, she was able to share ideas and best practices with the staff which can be utilized with the students. She would be the first to tell you she received much more than she gave in her visit to Kenya.
