Why Kingdom Factor Has Been One of the Most Important Investments of My Life

My name is Charles Allen, and I have the incredible privilege of serving as president and CEO of Lakeside Association—known to most people as Lakeside Chautauqua. We are a multi-generational, family-centered vacation destination and a year-round community, and it’s work that I deeply love and feel called to steward.

I’ve been part of Kingdom Factor for as long as it has existed, and I can say without hesitation that it has become something very near and dear to my heart. Not because it’s convenient. Not because it’s easy. But because it has shaped me—personally, spiritually, and professionally—in ways that few other experiences ever have.

Growth That Starts With the Person, Not the Title

One of the greatest gifts Kingdom Factor has given me is personal and spiritual growth.

Before anything else, I am a husband. I am a father. I am a man who desires to live with integrity and to become the man of God I believe God intends me to be. Kingdom Factor has helped me grow in all of those areas.

There is something powerful about sitting around a table each month with people who know you—not the version of you that shows up on a website or a business card, but the real you. The accountability, the relationships, and the shared commitment to walking in integrity have been formative for me.

Being surrounded by people who hold a high standard—and who are willing to hold you to that standard—is not always comfortable, but it is always refining. Kingdom Factor has helped me stay accountable, stay grounded, and stay honest about who I am becoming, not just what I am achieving.

Leadership Growth That Transcends Industry

Kingdom Factor has also played a critical role in my growth as a leader—first as a business leader and now as the leader of a nonprofit organization.

One thing I’ve come to understand very clearly is this: leadership principles are transferable. It doesn’t matter if you’re running a for-profit business, leading a nonprofit, or stewarding a community organization. The core principles of leadership—vision, integrity, humility, courage, and faith—apply across every industry.

When you sit around a table with leaders from different backgrounds, different industries, and different life experiences—but who are all hungry to grow and seeking God for wisdom—you begin to hear ideas and best practices that stretch your thinking. You learn to see challenges differently. You gain perspective you simply can’t get on your own.

Time and time again, I’ve been able to take insights from the group and apply them directly to my leadership, my organization, and the decisions I’m responsible for making.

Community That Carries You Through Every Season

One of the most meaningful aspects of Kingdom Factor is the community.

Leadership can be isolating. And the higher the responsibility, the fewer places there are where you can be fully honest. Kingdom Factor has given me a space where I can be real—where I can walk through tough seasons without pretending, and where I can celebrate wins without feeling self-conscious.

I’ve walked through difficult times with people from my group standing beside me. I’ve also had people there to celebrate victories with me—people who genuinely rejoice when things go well.

And maybe most importantly, I’ve experienced something rare: people who treat you the same whether you’re on top of the mountain or in the valley. They support you. They pray for you. They hold your arms up when leadership feels heavy. That kind of consistency is invaluable.

How I Encourage Others to Evaluate Kingdom Factor

When people ask me about Kingdom Factor, I encourage them not to start with the cost.

Instead, I say: Look at the benefits.

Look at the personal growth.
Look at the spiritual formation.
Look at the leadership development.
Look at the community and relationships.

When you truly evaluate those benefits, you’ll often find they far outweigh the cost.

I also encourage people to talk with the facilitator. Attend an information meeting. Sit in a group. Pay attention to the chemistry, the conversations, and the depth. Look at where you are personally, spiritually, and professionally—and then ask yourself where you want to be.

Then ask the most important question: What vehicle will help get me there?

For me, Kingdom Factor has been that vehicle.

An Investment That Pays Dividends Beyond Business

Kingdom Factor is not just about improving your business—though it absolutely does that. It’s about investing in your whole life.

It’s about investing in your family.
It’s about investing in your faith.
It’s about investing in your leadership.
And it’s about investing in others—bringing the wisdom and experience God has placed in you to help someone else grow.

I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is to sit monthly with peers who share your values, challenge your thinking, pray with you, and walk with you through real life.

From my personal experience, Kingdom Factor has been there in the hard moments and in the joyful ones. It has helped shape who I am becoming, not just what I am building.

And for that, I am deeply grateful.

If you’re considering it, I would encourage you: invest in yourself, invest in your family, invest in your spiritual growth, and invest in the people God has entrusted to you. You won’t regret it. God bless.