John Deacon lives in Durham, England with his wife of 23 years, Debbie, and their two teenage children. He runs a finance company based in the UK. John has most recently served for nine years on the Sunderland Stake Presidency and is currently serving on the British Pageant Presidency, a unique and unexpected calling. Highlights 02:30 John’s background and previous callings 11:00 After getting released from the Stake Presidency, John was called to lead in the Pageant Presidency 16:45 What is the purpose and mission of having pageants? The pageant is a vehicle to bring people to Christ. 20:20 Is this something that is going to be transformational? What can we do to make pageants, church meetings, and activities transformational experiences? 22:40 John summarizes what the British pageant is about. The story is taken from the journals of 2 to 3 families. 25:00 John gives behind the scenes details. The cast members apply and are set apart to participate, similarly to a calling. 30:00 Allow people to fulfill their calling without getting in the way. John describes his calling as empowering others to do their part and use their talents. 38:15 About 900 volunteers are involved in making the pageant happen plus other departments of the Church 39:30 John isn’t involved in the creative planning or acting in the pageant. His role is to provide spiritual leadership. He is there to help create a spiritual experience for the cast and the people attending. 44:00 John explains more on the casting. It’s a very competitive process. 47:00 Working together as a pageant presidency is reflective of a Stake Presidency 49:00 This isn’t just a show; it’s a vehicle to greater things 49:00 A key part of any leadership calling is not letting your own feelings and opinions get in the way of hearing the spirit and doing what God wants you to do 50:30 The next pageant is in August 2023 52:50 Protestors at the pageant 54:20 John shares final thoughts and how being a leader has made him a better follower of Jesus Christ Links British Pageant Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Gathering Saints: leadingsaints.org/gathering The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.