Years of ministry have taught Kayla Jeffers that purpose is rarely discovered in a single defining moment. It is cultivated through faithful obedience, everyday relationships, and a willingness to follow where God leads. That conviction has become the foundation of 11one Ministries, an organization dedicated to helping people discover their God-given identity, follow Jesus wholeheartedly, and encourage others to do the same.
Jeffers brings nearly two decades of ministry experience to her work, serving in churches, schools, camps, and leadership organizations while establishing herself as a speaker and writer whose work has appeared through Lifeway, YM360, Christ in Youth, Young Life, and numerous churches and educational institutions. She recently expanded that mission by joining the Maxwell Leadership Team, allowing her to incorporate proven leadership principles alongside biblical teaching as she develops future leaders.
The vision for 11one Ministries emerged from an unexpected moment. While leading a student Bible study, one young woman expressed her desire to become “a youth leader like Miss Kayla.” The comment brought Jeffers back to 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ,” a verse she had once dismissed as unattainable. Rather than demanding perfection, she came to understand it as an invitation to faithful discipleship. That realization reshaped her understanding of leadership and eventually inspired the ministry’s name and mission.
“I want people to discover the gifts God has already placed inside them and have the confidence to use them for His purpose,” Jeffers says. “When they understand who they are in Christ, they begin impacting the people around them in ways they never imagined.”
That philosophy extends across every aspect of 11one Ministries. The organization disciples students, equips ministry leaders, develops teaching resources, creates devotional studies, and offers speaking engagements that encourage audiences to grow in their faith while recognizing their own influence. Prayer experiences, Bible studies, leadership resources, and student devotionals all reflect the same central belief that lasting transformation begins with identity rooted in Christ.
Her published devotionals, Belonging and Battle Ready, reflect that emphasis. Written primarily for students, the books address issues that shape adolescence, including friendship, identity, spiritual resilience, and navigating life’s challenges through Scripture rather than cultural expectations.
While student discipleship remains a central focus, Jeffers has found herself increasingly passionate about another audience: young women discerning their calling.
Her own journey as a woman in ministry has included encouragement from mentors as well as moments of uncertainty. Those experiences convinced her that many aspiring female leaders spend too much time trying to navigate their calling in isolation. Rather than entering debates over where women should or should not serve, Jeffers has chosen a different approach, helping women faithfully pursue the opportunities God places before them.
“I don’t want women to feel like they’re walking this journey alone,” she explains. “I want them to be supported by women who understand the calling they’re exploring and can encourage them as they faithfully walk through the doors God opens.”
That commitment is shaping the next phase of 11one Ministries through the launch of an online community designed specifically for women exploring ministry and leadership. The initiative will provide mentorship, leadership development, practical encouragement, and meaningful relationships for women seeking to grow in both their faith and professional influence.
The expansion aligns naturally with Jeffers’ broader philosophy of leadership. Her teaching consistently emphasizes stewardship over status, encouraging leaders to focus less on recognition and more on faithful service. Whether addressing students at camps, leading leadership workshops, or speaking at conferences, she returns repeatedly to the idea that influence begins long before anyone steps onto a platform.
That perspective also carries into the recently launched ONE NAME PODCAST, a collaboration between 11one Ministries and NAMED. Through conversations about faith, leadership, identity, and culture, Jeffers and co-host Lillie Xing encourage listeners to discover their purpose while resisting comparison and embracing collaboration within Christian leadership.
Every initiative points back to the same mission that inspired 11one Ministries from the beginning: helping ordinary people recognize that God often works through imperfect individuals who are willing to respond faithfully. Rather than measuring leadership by titles or visibility, Jeffers believes influence grows through consistent obedience, authentic relationships, and a commitment to investing in others.
As 11one Ministries continues to expand, Jeffers remains focused on multiplying leaders rather than simply growing an organization. For her, success is measured by students discovering their identity, mentors developing future leaders, and young women stepping confidently into the callings they believe God has placed on their lives. Through that work, she is building something designed to outlast any single ministry: communities of people equipped to lead with conviction, humility, and purpose.
