A few weeks ago, I shared about the four pillars of purpose coaching — message, audience, impact, and function.
Each of these pillars plays a vital role in discovering clarity and confidence in your God-given purpose. Like the pieces of a divine jigsaw, they fit together to help you make sense of both your past and your future.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been walking with several leaders, helping them to identify their audiences — the people they are uniquely called to reach and influence. What has emerged has been both surprising and deeply inspiring. It’s a journey that not only clarifies vision but also awakens something inside — a recognition of why we’re here.
Why Audience Matters
Without clarity about who your audience is — what they look like, what they need, and what they’re searching for — it’s difficult to create a meaningful vision for your purpose.
Our desire to make an impact is almost always connected to a need we’ve seen or felt. Maybe you’ve stumbled across an injustice that breaks your heart. Maybe you’ve noticed a gap that makes life harder for others. Or perhaps you feel deeply stirred when you see a particular struggle in the world.
These are not random reactions. They are clues.
They point toward both your purpose and the people you are called to serve.
In Ephesians 2:10, we are reminded:
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”
The people you are meant to reach are part of those “good things.” They are part of your divine assignment.
Surprise Audiences
Here’s something I’ve learned over and over again:
God loves surprising us.
Just when you think you have your life’s direction all mapped out, He will often bring an unexpected opportunity or an entirely new audience your way. It might feel “left field,” something you hadn’t even considered before — but that’s often exactly where God’s invitation lies.
Just think of Moses’s story. He was brought up in a palace as a prince, but his destiny, his calling was to lead the jews out of slavery and out of the kingdom of Egypt. Was this what he was thinking as he grew up? The answer is no! He’s real identity and purpose was a complete surprise to him.
Also, think about how many other Biblical characters changed course in their vocation and ended up being something completely different to where they started. Joseph, from youngest brother, to slave to second in command in Egypt. Paul, the apostle, from killing the ‘Christians’ to joining them and becoming a spiritual father to many of them and even us today!
This is a common pattern even today. Often God shifts us to a completely different realm, serving different people. Think about how many pastors were previously in business, or the police, or very different jobs.
One of the beautiful aspects of coaching is helping people uncover these surprises hidden deep in their hearts. When we take time to listen to our inner desires — the ones God has placed there — new possibilities begin to surface.
I remember coaching a mature woman who had faithfully served a certain audience for years. When I invited her to imagine her future and dream about new possibilities, she suddenly pictured herself speaking to youth — a large room full of young people. It startled her; she had never imagined doing that before.
Within a month, an invitation arrived for her to speak at a youth event. She said “yes,” and it opened a whole new door of purpose for her.
That’s the way God works. He doesn’t waste anything.
He simply expands the story.
Diverse Audiences
Throughout your life, you will touch many kinds of people. Some will be long-term audiences — the ones who have always resonated with your message. Others will be seasonal — people God places on your path for a specific time or assignment.
Contrary to what many believe, you won’t have just one audience. You may be called to influence several, often in ways that seem unrelated.
And that’s okay.
God is a God of diversity.
He created us in His image — each multifaceted, creative, and capable of reaching different corners of His world.
When I coach people through the “audience” pillar, we often uncover layers they hadn’t noticed before.
For example:
- A business leader discovers a calling to help homeless people.
- A retired pastor feels drawn to artists and creatives.
- A single person wants to help married couples.
Our audiences can be totally unrelated AND we don’t necessarily need direct experience with that audience for God to decide we are qualified.
The pattern is rarely linear. But the fruit is always the same: joy, fulfilment, and a deep sense of alignment.
Connection and Engagement
Gaining exposure to people that are in your audience helps you to know that they are your audience as well as what you are called to contribute here.
So how do you recognize your audience in daily life?
Start by noticing where your heart comes alive.
Who do you feel drawn to help?
What kind of situations stir your compassion or creativity?
When you meet people — at work, in ministry, in volunteering, or even casually — your spirit will often ignite in response to a certain kind of need. That’s your anointing being activated. You naturally start filling the gap, bringing encouragement, wisdom, or practical help.
Pay attention to those moments. They reveal not only your strengths but also your audience.
And interestingly, it works both ways. Those who need what you carry will be drawn to you, even without realizing why.
Who often comes to you for insight, advice, or prayer?
What kind of people feel safe in your presence?
These are clues to the field God has entrusted to you.
If you want to grow in purpose, intentionally engage with these audiences. Volunteer. Speak. Mentor. Listen. As you step into new spaces, you’ll sense which connections bring you the deepest satisfaction.
Purpose always flourishes where compassion meets opportunity.
Recognizing Misalignment
Sometimes, people live close to their purpose — but not quite in it.
They might be using their gifts in a space that doesn’t fit their true audience.
For example, I’ve coached many teachers who have powerful teaching gifts but feel drained in the classroom. They assume they’ve lost their passion or doubt their teaching gift. But often, the issue isn’t their gift — it’s their audience.
A shift to teaching adults, leaders, or creatives, re-ignites them.
Alignment brings energy.
Misalignment brings confusion.
When you’re working with the wrong audience, even your strongest skills can feel heavy. But when you’re with the right people, everything flows. You feel alive, creative, and purposeful.
As Jesus said,
“My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” – Matthew 11:30
That’s what alignment feels like — ease, not striving.
Discovering Your Own Audience
So, how do you begin to discover who you’re called to serve?
Here are a few reflective questions you can pray or journal through:
- What kinds of people have I naturally connected with or helped throughout my life?
- Whose stories move me most deeply?
- What injustices or needs stir me to action?
- Who has God brought into my life repeatedly, even in unexpected ways?
- Who do I feel a burden or passion to see transformed?
As you answer these, patterns will begin to emerge.
You’ll notice recurring themes — a certain type of person, a shared struggle, a particular season of life.
That’s your audience.
It may evolve over time, but it’s always woven into the story God is writing through your life.
Closing Reflections
Whether you see yourself as a “people person” or not, knowing who you are called to impact is a vital part of living your purpose.
When you align your life with the people God has designed you to serve, something profound happens. Fulfilment grows. Hope expands. Creativity is unlocked.
You begin to live not out of obligation, but out of overflow.
Of course, we’re called to love and serve everyone — but purpose is about intentional focus. It’s about recognizing where your greatest joy meets the world’s deepest need.
So take time to notice. Listen to your heart. Ask God to show you the faces of your audience — both the familiar and the surprising ones.
There’s more available to you than you realize.
And as you step into it, you’ll find that the path of purpose becomes clearer with every person you’re called to serve.
Want to go deeper?
If you’d like to learn to coach these four pillars and help others discover their divine calling, explore our Online Coach Training School.
Or if you’re ready to be personally coached through these pillars — message, audience, impact, and function — to gain clarity in your own purpose, check out Destiny Activator or 1-to-1 Purpose Coaching.
You’re not alone on this journey.
Let’s discover together who you’re truly called to reach.