Classes are structured according to the best practices of leadership development taught in any secular environment: team building, peace building, conflict resolution, trust building, personal growth, and servant leadership. Personnel who instruct the courses build on this foundation to explain their biblical worldview. The difference in what the instructors believe and how they live provides the credibility that students need to see before they open their hearts to the truth of Christ. Once relationships are developed, instructors can take the gospel much deeper. The master plan is to make disciples who embed the gospel deep into their culture. Students from every people group are welcomed to attend the leadership development classes so the gospel can spread along tribal lines.
Your gift will fund leadership development classes for educated professionals who want to change the character of leadership in their country. You can also join the work as a volunteer, sharing your time, leadership skills, and faith. Your witness will guide the next generation of leaders to follow Christ in their personal lives, families, and professions.
Changing Times. In the past year and a half, massive political shifts have occurred in the part of the world where our leadership development project takes place. For about a year, the business that runs these leadership development courses was dormant, as the international expatriate staff was out of the country due to Covid. But, praise God, beginning in May 2022, one member of the international expatriate staff returned to the country to survey the situation and was able to get the business up and running again. We hired a national partner, a former project manager, to help with the process.
Reestablishing the business involved several trips into the country and multiple visits to the business registration department, as well as working with the local tax office to get things approved. In November 2022, our expatriate worker and his wife moved back into the country on yearlong, multiple-entry visas through the business. We have rented a new office and are in the process of furnishing it.
New, Inaugural Class. We recently held our first leadership development course since 2020. We brought back the founder and director of the leadership courses to teach this first seminar. Eight students attended and we got off to a strong start in these new relationships. The plan as we advance is to hold a series of leadership development seminars, building on the network of connections from this first class to generate interest in a future 10-month course. We will offer two semesters and then host a graduation ceremony. The attendance at this first seminar indicates genuine interest in having this longer leadership development course. These new relationships and renewed relationships with former graduates make us hopeful for opportunities to bring Christ’s light into this dark place.
Prayer Requests.
From the mountain peaks of the Caucasus to the steppes of Kazakhstan, the heartland of Asia is a place of mystery, having been mostly off-limits to travelers for the last 2000 years. With its blue-domed cities, frenetic bazaars, and remote yurts, Central Asia captures the romance of the Silk Road. Ancient traditions, loyal relationships, and generous hospitality make up the foundation of Central Asian values. Once home to the early church, Islam is now the predominant religion of Central Asia. Architecture, dress, and cultural expectations are all marked by it's influence.
Political, religious, and cultural divisions have fractured Central Asia's governments and global relations. This instability has left people seeking an anchor for hope and peace. Jesus is their peace, but most of Central Asia's 365 million people have no knowledge of the gospel.Pray that as Central Asians will meet the life-giver and Prince of Peace so they can experience the abundant joy that Jesus offers.