How to Stay Grounded | Christine Caine’s Life & Leadership Podcast | DawnChere Wilkerson

Sweet moments created by God far surpass any story we could craft ourselves.

Hello, friends! I’m Christine Caine, and you’re listening to the Life and Leadership Podcast, where we share inspiring conversations with faith-filled leaders from across the globe. God, I have so much gratitude because, even amid suffering, Your presence remains strong. It excites me to see the next generation rising, choosing consecration over deconstruction. I am an ambassador, representing another kingdom.

My prayer is that our weekly time together inspires and activates you to fulfill your God-given purpose and passionately follow Jesus within your unique sphere of influence.

Thank you for joining me this week. Before we dive into today’s episode, please take a moment to subscribe to our podcast. Your support helps amplify our message and empowers more people to realize their God-given potential.

Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to my dear friend, DawnCheré Wilkerson. DawnCheré is an extraordinary leader—one of my daughters’ absolute favorite people, admired deeply by both Katherine and Sophia. As a mother, this fills me with immense gratitude.

Alongside her husband, Rich Wilkerson Jr., DawnCheré leads VU Church in Miami—a vibrant, rapidly growing community. DawnCheré is a preacher’s preacher, an incredible wife, and a devoted mother of four children under seven. You’re absolutely going to love today’s conversation.

Fresh out of the labor ward and joining us here, DawnCheré, have you managed to get any sleep lately?

DawnCheré replies, “I’ve been sleeping in sporadic one-to-three-hour intervals. Even though this is my fourth child, each time feels like the very first. As my son, Wolf, grows, I’m growing right alongside him. It’s a learning curve for both of us. But I’m genuinely happy to be here.”

I am truly honored and thrilled because I deeply love and respect you, DawnCheré, and I can’t wait for our community to get to know you better. Some listeners might wonder why I mentioned the labor ward. It’s because you’ve just welcomed your fourth child! I have to ask about your children’s names—Wyatt, Wild, Wayan, and now Wolfgang (Wolf). What’s the story behind these unique “W” names?

DawnCheré laughs, sharing, “About a year ago, my oldest, Wyatt, asked, ‘Mom, why did you choose such confusing names?’ Wyatt is seven, Wild is five, Wayan is three, and Wolfgang (Wolf) is about six weeks old. Each shares the middle name Wesley, a family name, making their initials WWW—like the World Wide Web! The ‘W’ theme just stuck with us. Our family of six feels complete, each child miraculously prayed into existence.”

I have personally witnessed and wept with joy at each child’s announcement, knowing every one of these precious children is a miracle from heaven. DawnCheré and Rich, you’ve had an extraordinary journey, leading VU Church in Miami. Did you ever imagine you’d pastor a church in Miami?

DawnCheré reflects, “Never! Growing up in Shreveport, Louisiana, with my parents and grandparents as pastors, I couldn’t have predicted it. Yet, after 18 incredible years in Miami, it’s clear that when God calls you somewhere, you can’t imagine yourself anywhere else. I genuinely love this city and am eager to see how God continues to move here in the coming decades. It’s been an incredible journey.”

Indeed, how beautifully God guides our paths from humble beginnings to unexpected destinations.