Understanding the Need
Despite the pervasive challenges many pastors encounter, we still receive questions regarding the need for an organization like ours. The questions we receive are generally twofold. First, is this not the role of the IMB (International Mission Board) or other mission agencies? Second, are there not sufficient training mechanisms such as seminaries or Bible institutes in these places? These and other questions can be answered easily once we understand the various contexts we serve. What remains, however, is this reality: there needs to be thousands of pastor training organizations all over the world.
The following captures the needs of pastors in various contexts:
• Current training options are often inadequate
• Current training options are often inaccessible
Although training leaders is essential in building God’s kingdom, IMB and other agencies are not equipped to meet this need.
IMB is often spread very thin in the areas we serve. Nearly all the pastors we train have never met an IMB missionary. Some of the areas in which we work are remote, and have never had direct contact with any Western missionaries. This is why we have joined with key national and international partners to coordinate pastor training in strategic locations.
Current training options are often inadequate
Seminaries and Bible institutes exist in cities and highly populated areas. Unfortunately, these institutions simply do not have enough resources or manpower to train all the pastors who need training. Consequently, training options rarely exist in remote or outlying areas, yet there are far more churches outside the cities than within the city limits. The vast majority of churches exist where there are no training options available. The existing training options are simply inadequate in terms of numbers and quality to meet the overwhelming need.
Current training options are often not accessible
The reality is that most pastors in the developing world do not have access to training options in their countries. This involves much more than geographic access. Many pastors within travel distance of seminaries and Bible institutes still cannot attend the training because they simply do not have the financial means to do so. Often, pastors are bi-vocational and do not have the time, or they are from a different denomination and are not permitted to attend the training. Unfortunately, many Bible institutes also have poor reputations that cause pastors to hesitate to attend. These illustrations accentuate the need for a biblical, affordable, and accessible training strategy for pastors.
Training leaders is essential in building God’s Kingdom
Other than initial Gospel penetration, there is no more strategic effort in building God’s kingdom than training and shepherding leaders. The Great Commission emphasizes evangelism and discipleship. Both are essential. This leads to an important question: Which is better: for outsiders/missionaries to lead in evangelism, ministry, and church planting, or for nationals to lead in these kingdom efforts?
We believe training nationals to take responsibility for kingdom-building in their country is better. This is not to say there is no place for outsiders to serve—there certainly is! However, our actions should ultimately empower local leaders. We aim to encourage and equip nationals to carry on ministry in their homeland in an Indigenous and autonomous way.
