This charism is the one in which the Christian acts as God’s agent in sharing a vision of a better future and directs efforts to assist others to bring about positive changes. This charism is not concerned with one’s own safety, or reputation, or "cause", but is directed to the good of others, making life better for the underprivileged, the poor, the unlettered, the homeless, the unemployed.

A catechist in Central America told this story about the martyred Jesuit Father Rutilio Grande who met Jesus at the Golden Gate. Jesus posed the question, "Why are you here so early? You have a lot more work to do." Father Grande replied, "Here are the seventeen bullet holes I got from preaching the kingdom like You said I should." At that Jesus said, "O.K. You’re in." Later as Archbishop Oscar Romero reflected on Father Grande’s martyrdom, he had a change of heart and was opened to be a martyr for his people.

Six Jesuit priests in an El Salvador university, at the risk of their own lives, tried to establish a peaceful environment and good working conditions for their people. Father Segundo Montes directed the institute for human rights; Father Nacho Martin-Baro proposed religion as a force for liberation; Father Juan Ramon Moreno taught the young Jesuits to be non-violent leaders in the fight for justice; Father Armando Lopez served as pastor and teacher preaching human rights; Father Joaquin Lopez y ‘Lopez taught the poor in the country and in cities; and the leader of the group Father Ignacio Ellacuria had been a forceful witness against violations of human rights. Along with them, their cook Julia and her daughter Celina were martyred. The date was November 16, 1989.

These men never considered themselves as ‘saints;’ they were simply following the Gospel in a Leadership role, speaking for the voiceless, the defenseless, the anawim. They knew the risks; they could easily have found safe ministering conditions elsewhere. Instead they chose to live and work even to the point of death among a people suffering poverty and social turmoil. They had received threats, anonymous phone calls, and public criticism. Bombs had exploded 15 times at the university, and residences were machine-gunned on several occasions.

Motivated by the gift of Leadership, they believed that the price for truth was the price they were willing to pay. However, their persecutors identified the Jesuits as committed to the guerrillas, and refused to dialogue with the peace-loving men. Murder was the only solution the enemy knew.

By this murderous event, the university was deprived of very valuable leaders. A Jesuit was asked if the Society of Jesus had a difficult time getting replacements for the six killed. The Jesuit at first answered "No," then he changed his answer and said, "Yes, we did have a hard time with replacements. There were 150 volunteers!"

Does the 21st century also have such leaders, people who are willing to help others make the world a better place? Each person has to answer that question for her/him self. "Is leadership one of my gifts?"