For more than 10 years, Liam and Rachel Glover played a pivotal role in shaping Arrow Leadership Australia. Liam served as Executive Director for 12 years, while Rachel supported the ministry behind the scenes across almost every area of the organisation. Together, they helped grow Arrow’s reach and impact, bringing different strengths, but a shared commitment to forming leaders who follow Jesus.
Global beginnings, local impact
Before taking the reins in Australia, Liam participated in the North American Executive Leaders Program; a prerequisite for joining the international Arrow community.
To deepen his understanding of Arrow’s global DNA, Liam took part in the North American Executive Leaders Program in 2013, an experience that shaped his early years with Arrow Leadership Australia.
“I started with Arrow Leadership Australia in March 2012,” he explains. “At the time, there was an informal understanding that those who led Arrow would also participate in an Arrow program. So in 2013, I joined the North American stream. It gave me a real sense of what’s common across Arrow globally, and also highlighted the distinctives.”
The 15-month experience included three residential intensives in Phoenix, North Carolina, and Vancouver. It left a lasting impression.
“That central thing of being led more by Jesus to lead more like Jesus to lead more to Jesus, that was very strong, palpable even,” Liam recalls. “It helped me reflect on how we do things in Australia. There are differences, but I appreciated both the richness of the commonality and the value of local expression.”
Building Arrow in Australia
Back in Australia, Liam stepped into the Executive Director role with a clear sense of purpose and direction.
“The Board was clear that they really wanted to see sustainable growth for Arrow come to pass,” he says.
“There wasn’t one moment, but over time we saw great people come in and strengthen the work, like Cath Tallack and Peter Stone leading the Emerging and Executive programs, and Kylie Butler joining us to develop the coaching space. That broadened who we were and deepened our ability to help leaders flourish.”
Rachel’s unexpected contribution
Rachel’s journey with Arrow began after a period of recovery from major spinal surgery. What started as a one-day-a-week admin support role became a decade-long contribution across finances, recruitment, communications, and team culture.
“We are different,” Rachel acknowledges, “but together we make things work. Liam’s strengths are relationships, vision, helping people see a new future. Mine are structure, detail, and connecting all the dots to make that future possible.”
Their partnership at Arrow was marked by a healthy balance. While Liam cast vision and cultivated relationships, Rachel, drawing on her background in accounting and systems, kept the work grounded and running smoothly. They were intentional about maintaining clear boundaries between work and home, which helped shape a respectful, team-oriented culture.
A remarkable team
“Probably my greatest reflection on my time at Arrow was the team,” Rachel shares. “I marvel at how different we all were, and yet how deeply we respected each other. I’ve never seen that before, and I may never see it again. Everyone knew what they contributed, and we all knew we needed each other.”
Even though the team was largely remote, meeting in person just a few times a year, they remained deeply connected.
“Liam’s leadership has always been collaborative,” Rachel adds. “There was no king in the castle. Everyone was empowered and encouraged.”
Rediscovering identity and calling
Rachel says her time at Arrow helped her recover more than just her health.
“I rediscovered myself,” she reflects. After years spent as an accountant, a church planter with Liam, a mum, and a patient undergoing multiple surgeries, Arrow helped her remember who she was and what she had to offer.
Liam experienced growth, too. “You mature as a leader,” he says. “I learned more about who I am and who I’m not. I came to focus more intentionally on what I bring best, apostolic thinking, ideation, helping people see new possibilities. And I grew confident in releasing others to bring their strengths to the table.”
A thousand leaders, and counting
Arrow is celebrating two major milestones in 2025: 30 years of ministry and its 1,000th participant.
“There’s longevity in the ministry,” Liam observes. “It hasn’t risen and fallen on one person. Arrow’s influence is strategic, because when you grow a Jesus-centred leader, you change churches, organisations and as a result, communities.”
Rachel agrees. “It’s a significant number, 1,000 leaders. Some may not still be in formal leadership, but they’ve been shaped. And many were recommended by those who came before them. That shared experience creates a community across the country.”
Both Liam and Rachel see ongoing need for the kind of leadership development Arrow offers.
“We need focused leaders,” Rachel says. “There’s so much noise and distraction. We need people who know what God is calling them to do, and who stay the course.”
For Liam, the goal remains unchanged: “If we have leaders who are led more by Jesus, who lead more like Jesus, and who lead more to Jesus—then that’s a good thing for the Church.”
Recent Comments