At Equipping Leaders International, our mission is to train and equip leaders around the world to strengthen the church and impact their communities. One of our key partners, the O family, recently returned from their latest trip to an undisclosed nation, where they led transformative marriage conferences, distributed essential resources to women, and participated in a groundbreaking fundraising training. We are excited to share this update on how God is moving through their ministry.
Transforming Marriages, Strengthening Families
Marriage is a foundational institution in any society, but many pastors and their wives in this undisclosed nation have never received formal teaching on how to nurture and strengthen their relationships. During this trip, Eric and Elaine O had the privilege of leading two marriage conferences, where they witnessed firsthand how biblical teachings on marriage can bring freedom and renewal to couples.
The impact was immediate and profound. Pastors and their wives shared how the teaching transformed their understanding of their roles within marriage:
- “I was not looking forward to this week because I thought I knew most everything about marriage, but after this conference, I realize how wrong I was. I have so much that I now want to put into practice.” — Pastor
- “We’ve been married 17 years, and this is the best three days of our marriage!” — Pastor’s wife
- “My husband has learned so much, and he now understands that I am a person with opinions.” — Pastor’s wife
- “I’ve been in ministry for 40 years, and this is the first time we’ve heard these things!” — Pastor’s wife
- “We were living like we were in bondage. We did ministry together, but caring for my wife didn’t enter my mind. After we attended the marriage conference, it was like I got released from my bondage. I have realized now that I have a special person living in my house – my wife!” – Husband “I never knew that this conference would change my life!” -Wife, spoken with tears in her eyes
One of the most striking testimonies came from a pastor who realized that “leave and cleave” means standing up for his wife in the face of family criticism. Another pastor spoke of a newfound understanding of marital intimacy, recognizing the importance of bringing joy to his wife rather than seeking only his own pleasure.
As the conferences progressed, couples who had never prayed together or held hands in public did so for the first time. By the final session, they were eager to apply what they had learned, equipped with biblical principles to strengthen their marriages and, in turn, their ministries.
Bringing Practical Freedom to Women
While Eric led the pastoral training, Elaine spearheaded an initiative that brought both education and practical resources to women. One of the highlights of this trip was distributing 100 reusable feminine hygiene kits to pastors’ wives and women working in a children’s home. These kits, along with essential education about their use, provided life-changing freedom to women who previously had to remain home during their menstrual cycles due to a lack of resources.
The impact of this initiative was best captured in the response of one woman who asked, “Does this mean I can go to church while I am on my cycle now?” The answer was a resounding “Yes!” The freedom these women experienced was not only physical but deeply spiritual, breaking cultural and economic barriers that had hindered them from fully participating in worship and community life.
The marriage conferences had already provided relational freedom for many of these women, but this initiative gave them another form of independence—one that allows them to fully engage in their faith and daily lives without unnecessary restrictions.
Training National Leaders in Financial Independence
Another significant aspect of this trip was attending a fundraising “Bootcamp” led by the ministry Via Generosity, which equips national leaders to raise financial support within their own countries. Eric and his national partners joined 16 other leaders in learning to transition from Western dependence to local sustainability.
A key speaker at the event shared how he had successfully become 100% supported by local believers. His story inspired those in attendance, including another pastor whose name will remain disclosed, who boldly declared, “This conference will teach us to raise our own support, and my hope is that we will soon heed this advice and begin sending missionaries from our nation to the rest of the world!”
This shift towards self-sustaining ministry is a vital step in equipping leaders for long-term impact, and we are excited to see how these national partners will implement what they’ve learned in their own ministries.
A Heart for the Next Generation
The O’s daughter also experienced the beauty of this nation firsthand, particularly through time spent at a children’s home. She quickly formed bonds with the children, sharing stories about life in the U.S. and learning about their culture in return. The girls at the home taught her and her friend (who also traveled overseas on this trip) traditional dances, while the Americans introduced the native girls to “Church Clap,” creating joyful cross-cultural exchanges.
One of the most emotional moments came during their final evening at the home. As they said their goodbyes, the girls from the children’s home wept, overwhelmed with emotion at the relationships formed in such a short time. Even the boys, who had initially been shy, enthusiastically waved and jumped with excitement as the team departed.
During their stay, the team also led nightly devotionals for the children. Each evening ended with over 180 children reciting the Lord’s Prayer together—a powerful reminder of the seeds being planted in the next generation.
Looking Ahead
The O’s journey in this undisclosed nation was filled with moments of transformation, both for those they ministered to and for their own family. From strengthening marriages to providing essential resources for women and equipping leaders for self-sustaining ministry, the impact of this trip was far-reaching.
Please join us in prayer:
- For the pastors and their wives to apply what they have learned and continue to strengthen their marriages.
- For the women who received hygiene kits- may this newfound freedom empower them to fully participate in their communities and local churches.
- For national leaders to implement sustainable fundraising strategies and move towards self-supporting ministries.
- For the children at the home, that they would continue to grow in faith and be a light in their communities.
At Equipping Leaders International, we are deeply grateful for the faithful work of faculty like the Os. Their dedication and passion reflect our mission to equip leaders worldwide, and we look forward to seeing the fruit of their labor in the years to come.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers for this vital work!
