On Friday, 12th September, the CTN Southwest Network gathered at Toby Carvery for a special breakfast meeting with Santi Bonifaz, Campus Pastor of Riverside Church Exmouth, John Maxwell Speaker, and leadership coach.
The morning began in prayer for friends and members of the wider network, before turning to the theme of Santi’s talk: “What’s in Your Hand?” — inspired by God’s question to Moses in Exodus 4.
Asking the big question
Santi opened with a challenge to the room “If you could do anything in the world without failing, what would you do with the rest of your life?”
This powerful icebreaker quickly moved people beyond small talk, helping each person reflect on purpose, passion and calling.
Santi Bonifaz, Campus Pastor of Riverside Church Exmouth, John Maxwell Speaker, and leadership coach.
The message: what’s in your hand? – Santi Bonifaz
Drawing from Exodus 4:2–9, Santi unpacked God’s command to Moses to use what was already in his hand, a simple staff, as a tool for God’s purposes. He highlighted that the Lord often uses what we already carry, whether it’s our skills, testimony, authority or influence.
Santi encouraged the group to see themselves as vessels for God’s power in the everyday spaces of business, ministry and community life.
He outlined five key takeaways:
- You have a testimony – Your story is powerful and worth sharing.
- You have God-given authority – Believers are called to bring healing and hope into the world.
- You have multiple opportunities – God gives fresh chances daily to step out in faith.
- You have a gracious Father – Even when we miss opportunities, God restores and continues to use us.
- You have the Spirit of God – The Holy Spirit equips us with gifts such as wisdom, prophecy, healing and discernment for Kingdom impact.
A challenge
Santi illustrated his message with a striking analogy: just as a police helicopter can detect heat signatures through darkness and obstacles, God sees the ‘spiritual heat’ of our passion for Him. The challenge he left was this: How much spiritual heat are we radiating in our lives, businesses, and communities?
Opportunities to imagine
Before closing, Santi introduced his concept of OTIs (Opportunities To Imagine) — creative, thought-provoking questions that spark deeper conversations and open hearts. These, he suggested, are powerful tools for building meaningful connections in both faith and business settings.
A morning of encouragement
The gathering closed with prayer and fellowship, leaving attendees inspired to look at their own lives and ask: What is in my hand, and how can I use it for God’s purposes?
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