As we look back on this past year, we are filled with gratitude for the ways God continues to open doors for ministry around the world. Through Equipping Leaders International, pastors serving in some of the most challenging contexts are being trained, strengthened, and sent out to multiply the Gospel among the nations.
This year, our work among pastors in Muslim contexts has expanded across Africa and into Asia. In March, we gathered two groups of pastors in Ethiopia for in person training. These were powerful times of teaching, encouragement, and fellowship as leaders from different regions came together to deepen their understanding of Scripture and strengthen their ministry skills among muslims.
“Though separated by distance, the Spirit of God worked powerfully“
In April, June, and August, we continued this effort through a series of online courses for pastors in Kenya. Though separated by distance, the Spirit of God worked powerfully as we trained leaders via Zoom. The third installment was a new approach for us, involving workshops designed to help pastors apply the material and methods they had previously learned. Despite the limitations of meeting virtually, the sessions went very well. Our ELI faculty partner on the ground, Daniel, not only translated but also facilitated meaningful discussion and application among the pastors. His leadership and faithfulness have been instrumental in the success of these trainings.
We also refined our training approach for a group of 22 Timothys in Tanzania to accommodate the challenges of local technology. To make the experience more accessible, we pre recorded four hours of training with translation, allowing our national partner to share the material with the pastors at a later time. This method proved both effective and sustainable. It not only allowed for future use of the training videos with other groups but also made it possible for us to join the pastors afterward for a live hour of Q&A and discussion.
These new methods are creating exciting opportunities for the future. Flexibility allows us to continue equipping pastors even across difficult time zones. We now have a growing number of ways to serve pastors in Muslim majority regions, and we praise God for the fruit that is emerging in Malawi, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
“the Lord provided energy and grace to sustain us”
Beyond Africa, the Lord has opened doors in an undisclosed nation as well. Recently, I had the privilege of joining a colleague for a three day training conference conducted over Zoom. We taught two courses to 30 Timothys who are now teaching these same lessons to 500 underground church pastors throughout that nation. Despite the challenge of adjusting to a different time zone, the Lord provided energy and grace to sustain us.
As we reflect on all that God has done this year, we are reminded of the faithfulness of His people. Every training, every connection, and every new method is made possible through prayer and generosity. When you give, you become part of this multiplying work, equipping pastors who will go on to reach hundreds more with the Gospel.
