Recognising Amit Mondal

Celebrating 20 Years of Service

This month we would like to congratulate and thank Amit Mondal for his 20 years of service with Global Action! Amit is our Director of South Asia, and brings such excellence, creativity, passion, and Christ-like leadership to our ministry.

Based in Hyderabad, India, Amit first began working with Global Action in an administrative role. His leadership qualities quickly became apparent, and he started taking on more responsibilities, coordinating programmes, and communicating with local pastors and leaders.

“I began to understand and see the bigger picture of Global Action's mission. The first thing I realised and learned is that the church is not just about the size of a building, but it is about the people and the community we serve. Being a mission leader, everything you do should connect the church to the people and lead them in the right direction to expand the kingdom of God.”

Amit says he’s most proud of the work Global Action does in rural areas where he sees needs are the greatest. Seeing strong foundations being built in communities and hearing personal stories of how the gospel is at work in people’s lives reminds him every day that, “We are on the right track.”

Tailor Made

Like most places, India is coming out of two hard years in the pandemic. For many, daily life seems to be resuming, but for the "daily wagers" - or working class - the return to normalcy is much slower. Ongoing unemployment coupled with a decrease in tithes and services has many of our alumni and their families still struggling to put food on the table.

Recognising the need to for an immediate and reliable income stream, Global Action worked to establish a new sewing class that aims to equip pastors' wives with professional skills and financial stability. While the course is primarily focused on helping pastors' wives supplement the loss of income due to decreased tithes following the pandemic, we found the need was also significant for other vulnerable women in the community, like Aruna (pictured above).

Aruna tells us she did her best to make ends meet by working as a housekeeper after her husband died. It was the only job she believed an uneducated widow could do. But when COVID broke out, she lost the job that had been the only source of income for her family.

“Your team has made me realise that I am not born to just be cleaning and washing the dishes. In the right time your God gave me this opportunity to train myself with life sustainable skills so that I can support my family without needing to depend on anyone. I am going to work hard to train myself. Someday, I might be a help to another lady.”

Nearly 20 women are now taking part in the course. The women are in the early stages of learning to sew and soon will be able to mend and make new clothing. There is already a need for more classes in other communities!

With your support, Global Action will work to set up additional centres equipped with sewing machines and instructors to provide more women the opportunity to grow their skills and serve their community.

Looking Beyond the Crisis

I just returned from a trip to Ukraine with one of our board members. What an experience! Wow! We had the privilege of meeting face-to-face with many courageous church leaders in a place that is right in the middle of a war. I continue to be amazed by the strength and dedication of the people of God.

Even as these pastors shepherd their congregations through the hardships of war and economic turmoil, they are filled with vision. They are looking beyond the crisis of the present moment, toward what the church will need after the war.

"How do we help the church thrive in this new context?" This is what is top-of-mind for Ukrainian church leaders, even as war continues to ravage their country.

And what the church will need is more leaders.

Right now, our main focus in Ukraine continues to be providing emergency aid to people in need through our pastoral network there. However, we are also listening to the Ukrainian church as they plan for the future. At their request, we are already making preparations to continue equipping leaders in Ukraine and Eastern Europe—even THIS year.

Thank you for partnering with us to serve the church in Ukraine. Without our supporters, none of these leaders would have been equipped with a solid biblical foundation for facing this crisis. And without our supporters, we would not have been able to partner with these leaders to serve the hurting people in their communities. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We are very grateful to those of you who have given so generously. On behalf of the church, I want to say a big thank you. To those who have been planning to do something for Ukraine, it’s not too late. The war in Ukraine is still a reality for our brothers and sisters in Christ—and we are working hard to help them. Please join us.

A Firm Foundation for South Sudan

Did you know that Global Action is now equipping leaders in the world’s youngest country?

Formed out of a civil war in 2011, South Sudan is a country facing immense challenges and opportunities. In the year 1900, the region that is now South Sudan was considered to be 0% Christian, with only about 100 followers of Jesus (mostly foreigners). By 2020, that number had increased to 8.4 million people, or 62% of the population!

Despite this astronomical growth in the number of Christians, there is only one evangelical seminary in the entire country. This means that the vast majority of South Sudanese churches are led by pastors with no biblical training whatsoever—and sometimes without even a Bible. This is what makes Global Action’s mission in this country so imperative.

In December 2021, we announced that we were preparing to launch our first class in South Sudan. We are pleased to report that this class is now successfully underway, with 60 students and a very dedicated teaching staff. The students read their manuals in English, the Egyptian Evangelical instructors teach in Arabic, and an interpreter translates the class into Dinka, the heart language spoken by most of the students. It truly is a team effort.

Together, we have the opportunity to help lay a firm foundation for the booming South Sudanese church. Thank you for partnering with us.

Spotlight on Zimbabwe: Abigirl's Story

Although Abigirl Changu may seem quiet and reserved when you first meet her, her voice and eyes come alive when she begins talking about her mission. Abigirl is one of 120 students in Global Action’s Foundations leadership training program in Zimbabwe. While her journey is just beginning, her main mission right now is studying the Word and understanding it so she is better equipped to serve the people in her church and wider community.

The youngest in a family of seven, Abigirl was raised in the Roman Catholic church. Reflecting thoughtfully on her childhood, she recounts how she was taught the Bible but never invited to study it for herself. Because of this, Abigirl felt like she never really grasped the Scriptures. Upon marrying her husband Obert, she began attending a Baptist church. She felt called to go deeper in her understanding of Scripture, and this year she enrolled in one of the 22 classes Global Action is offering in Zimbabwe. Finally, the Scriptures are beginning to have real meaning in her life!

Abigirl partners with her husband, who is a pastor, to lead Bible studies and provide discipleship and counselling for church and community members. Their passion is teaching the word of God, especially to young people (including their 3-year-old daughter Nicole) and to young couples.

They carry out this work in the high-density, low-income areas of Mbare and Sunningdale, both located in the capital city of Harare. With a combined population of about 850,000 people, the unemployment rate is at a staggering 90% as families struggle to put food on the table and pay school fees for their children. Many households lack running water, and some are comprised of single mothers or grandparents taking care of children whose parents have died from HIV and AIDS.

Abigirl and Obert are passionate about reaching these communities, eager to teach others how to faithfully understand, share, and live out the Bible. With your support, Global Action is looking to start several more classes in under-served areas such as these.

“We desperately need leaders who will bring the true gospel to these communities,” explains Buhe Mativenga, Global Action’s Director in Africa. “There are many false prophets and teachers in this area, and they are not bringing lasting change to people’s lives. A group of well-trained leaders will have a transformational impact on the community.”

Join us in thanking Abigirl and Obert for their dedication! With your help, Global Action will continue to lift up leaders like them to spread God’s Word and love in Africa.

Abigirl Changu

Abigirl in class

Abigirl & her classmates

Abigirl's daughter, Nicole

Students in the Sunningdale class

The class facilitator displays the ChatterBox

The Chatterbox is a solar-powered wifi router loaded with Global Action’s course materials and other useful resources.

The Sunningdale class

Location of the Sunningdale class

The Sunningdale Class

Ukraine Crisis Update

20 April 2022

I think I missed the seminary class on how to pastor a church in the middle of a war.

In recent weeks I have been turning to the past, trying to learn what I can from the faithfulness of God’s people during global conflicts. I have also been learning from my brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine, who are remaining “steadfast” and “immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” in the middle of war.

Global Action equips leaders in their own countries to serve their churches and cities. Today, the pastors and ministry leaders we have equipped in Ukraine are asking for our help. In the video below, we take you inside one of the many churches that have turned their buildings into centers for displaced people fleeing the war zones. I preached in this particular church a couple of years ago and enjoyed a meal with Pastor Dima. He is serving with joy!

 Our main focus right now is getting pastors like Dima the resources they need to serve in this time of war. They are mobilising their churches to provide food, water, shelter, first aid and essential baby products. They are providing emergency transportation for people who are in cities that are under siege, putting their lives on the line for the most vulnerable. Everywhere they go, they are also providing pastoral care for people who are in need of hope.

We can share with you that some of the pastors in our network have had their churches destroyed by bombs and have had to find shelter in other locations. A small number have been arrested by Russian authorities in the east, and at least one of our pastors has been forcefully deported along with members of his congregation. We are hearing widespread reports of pastors who are serving with courage and confidence in the face of danger. We have been asked to refrain from reporting names at this time—though we are looking forward to sharing those stories with you.

We are thankful for your generous giving to help our brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine. We have been greatly surprised by the generosity of God’s people. If you or someone you know wants to help, please click on the link below. 100% of your gift will go to our Ukraine Emergency Fund. We will also be reporting to our donors, letting you know how your giving is being used. We take it seriously. Lives are at stake—eternal lives—and we are working hard to save as many as possible.  

Pray for Igor Grishajev, our Director in Eastern Europe. He is doing well, and has been travelling throughout large portions of the country. Pray for God to give him wisdom and safety as he leads.

More to come,

Dr Lionel Young
Executive Vice President
Global Action

Ukraine Response

Thank you for your ongoing support of Global Action. As one of our partners, we wanted to give you an update.

Thus far, our team in Ukraine is safe. And even in the midst of the turmoil, they are hard at work. The church is hurting, and we are responding by providing emergency relief for Christians in Ukraine. Our Director of Eastern Europe will be coordinating these efforts with Global Action pastors throughout the country. Thank you for praying for wisdom and protection for these courageous leaders.

We have witnessed the Ukrainian church standing strong through many hardships since we first began working there in 2005, and we continue to be amazed by their bold faith and resilience today.

Please continue lifting the church and all the people of Ukraine before the throne of grace. Our God is faithful, and we place our hope in him. As Psalm 34:18 reminds us, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

For the Gospel,

Rick Thompson
President

Ukraine: Hope in Hardship

The situation in Ukraine is tense and unsettling. But even in the brokenness of the world, our God is still sovereign. This truth gives us hope and a reason to rejoice in the midst of turmoil. In fact, we know from history that God often uses hardship to strengthen his church and to draw people into a saving relationship with himself.

The Ukrainian church is no stranger to hardship, and our team there is boldly moving forward with plans to equip pastors and leaders in Ukraine, Belarus, and Hungary. Now more than ever, church leaders in the region need a solid foundation in the Scriptures so that they can lead their churches through whatever trials lie ahead. We are determined to help these brave leaders shine brightly in their communities.

Join us in praying for wisdom and protection for our Director of Eastern Europe, Igor Grishajev, as he leads our team through this season. Pray especially for our new class in Belarus, which is scheduled to begin next week in a very tense area.

Please pray also for each of the Ukrainian pastors and ministry leaders who have studied with us. Pray that they would stand firm in the gospel and to be filled with the peace of Christ. May they lead well and spread the Good News in our hurting world. 

For the Gospel,

Lionel Young
Executive Vice President

Video - Thank You from India

Good news—we exceeded our end-of-year giving goals in 2021! 

We are praising God, because this will help us toward our objective of equipping over 2,000 ministry leaders in 2022. We are so thankful for everyone who gave in 2021. You have made our mission possible.

We have some big dreams in 2022—including launching our program into hard places like South Sudan, Belarus, and Bangladesh. We can't wait to share all the stories of impact and life change with you throughout the year.
 
We invite you to celebrate God's provision and faithfulness with us! We think you will be encouraged by this short compilation video from our team in India (below). 

Thank you for your partnership in the gospel. It is a joy to be on this journey together.
 
For the Gospel,

F. Lionel Young III
Executive Vice President
Global Action

$200,000 Match Opportunity

Thanks to some of our amazing donors, every gift that comes in from November 10th through December 31st will be MATCHED up to $200,000!

When you give this Christmas season, you can double your impact and ignite change by helping us equip 2,022 leaders in 2022!

That means:
2,022 catalysts unleashed to serve a hurting world.
2,022 communities where the gospel is preached & disciples are multiplied.
2,022 communities where the poor, vulnerable, & broken are cared for.
2,022 communities transformed by the gospel.

Together, we can ignite lasting change.

Congratulations to the First Recipient of the Phil Long Scholarship!

Ignacio Savilla was born into a Costa Rican family that didn't know Christ. But when his uncle led his father to Jesus and invited Ignacio to a Bible study in his home, he encountered the living God. He was born again!

Whatever Ignacio sets his mind to, he goes all in. As soon as he gave his life to Christ he immediately began to hunger and thirst for knowledge, wanting to learn everything he could about the Bible and his Saviour. He also sensed a calling to start a Bible study in his home, which began with a few family members and now includes many people from his community.

When Ignacio had the opportunity to study with Global Action's Foundations programme, he was thrilled! After graduating a few weeks ago, he shared that the programme has had a significant impact on his life and ministry. Not only has he gained essential knowledge, but that knowledge has been bearing fruit. In his own words:

"My relationship with the Lord has been strengthened, I've learned how to better serve my neighbour and show God's love to them, I understand the importance of biblical leadership and the value of sound discipleship in the church. I have also been provided with useful tools that are important for my ministry in teaching the Word of God, helping me to improve not only the way in which I prepare my sermons but also the way in which I deliver them to the people that so faithfully show up every Wednesday night."

As his Bible study continues to grow into a church, Ignacio senses the Lord calling him to become a pastor. He takes the responsibility of pastoring very seriously, and he desires to continue going deeper in his theological studies. When the Global Action team presented him with the Phil Long Scholarship to study at the School of Pastoral Studies (ESEPA) in Costa Rica, he was astounded:

"It is nothing short of amazing for me to see that the Lord has provided me with this opportunity to study at ESEPA Seminary. I'm greatly thankful for those who have supported me through this process, and for each person who has made it possible for Global Action to bless me with this scholarship."

"I have a great burden in my heart to do my part in the Great Commission. This pushes me everyday to do all that I can to be better equipped and prepared to carry it out."

Church-Planting and Partnering in Panama

Did you know that our very first class in Panama is about to graduate? This amazing group of leaders has been meeting in an online format due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions, but they were determined not to let the pandemic keep them from getting the training they needed!

There are a few characteristics that make this class special. First, the online format has allowed these students to benefit from the excellent teaching of faculty members from diverse locations, such as Cuba, Guatemala and the US. While our Cuban faculty members can't travel to teach in other countries, they have an amazing depth of knowledge and ministry experience which they are now getting to share with our Panamanian students—thanks to the pandemic!

Second, this has been the pilot class in a new partnership with Cru's "Multiplying Churches and Communities" (MC2) ministry. In this innovative collaboration, we combined Global Action's Foundations biblical training programme with Cru's church planting training. Once the students had been equipped with a solid understanding of Scripture, doctrines, leadership, and other essential topics, they were ready for Cru's targeted training on how to effectively evangelise and plant churches.

At the end of the training, each student is required to plan an evangelistic event and invite non-Christians from their network. Through these events, they are to establish discipleship groups or missionary communities. Many people are hearing the gospel and being discipled through this collaboration—and this is only the beginning!

Celebrating in Zimbabwe

Our first class in Zimbabwe has graduated! The amazing students in our pilot class persevered through all the challenges of the pandemic, and they radiated pure joy as they celebrated their accomplishment at a graduation ceremony on Sunday. To them, this graduation represents much more than knowlegde gained or a certificate earned. It means a transformed ministry and perspective.

Blessmore, an assistant pastor, shared that before Global Action’s training he had lacked sound doctrine and confidence in preaching. As a result of the Foundations programme, however, he now feels confident and equipped with the truth. “Thank you very much for this programme, and with this sound doctrine I am now going into the world with the solution for what people need in their lives.”

One of the unique aspects of our program is that the impact doesn’t just stay with our students—it touches families, churches, and entire communties.

Pastor Cosmas is a beautiful example of this. The training he received through Global Action touched his heart—and his family. At the graduation, his wife sought out our director to tell her story. She said:

“I really want to thank Harare Theological College and Global Action for this programme, as I have seen how it has changed my husband’s life. He is a different man…I thank the Lord for this change in my husband.”

She went on to share how her husband has now been leading the family in daily Bible reading and prayer, and how he has even begun helping her in the garden.

These might sound like small changes, but in traditional Zimbabwean culture this is a big deal! Many men often feel that the ministry of the home is only for the women, and they have no part in it since they go out and work.The changes in Pastor Cosmas’ relationship with his family reflect a much deeper heart change, with a new orientation to Christ-like love and servant leadership. Just imagine what kind of an impact his own heart change will have on the rest of the families in his congregation!

We are so grateful to all our supporters for helping make these life changes possible. We look forward to sharing with you about the 90+ additional students currently meeting in 12 locations across Zimbabwe. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories of Gospel tranformation!

Bearing Fruit in Ukraine

You might remember hearing about Pastor Maxim Dzhum (’13) from Ukraine when a team from Bethel Church in Indiana served with him in the poor Roma villages of Berezivka and Poplavka in 2019. Through all the challenges of the pandemic, Maxim has persevered in his ministry to the Roma people in these villages, who are usually forgotten or despised by Ukrainian society. And God is blessing him with fruit!

When the Bethel team visited Poplavka in 2019 there was only one believer in the village, and she had been led to Christ by Maxim. Now, there is a small group of believers meeting, and the daughter of the village baron (leader) recently received Christ and was baptized! The Gospel is spreading!

In Berezivka, the team had worked with some of the villagers to lay the foundation for an additional room to the building Maxim was using as his ministry hub. Maxim had only recently started his work in the village, and there remained much work to be done.

Today, that small building is the village church! In fact, a Roma missionary family has recently moved in across the street from the church from another city, specifically to minister in this village. Volodymyr and his family were from a Roma church meeting in Kharkiv, which is pastored by another Global Action graduate. When they heard about Maxim’s ministry in Berezivka, they chose to leave their home to come live in this impoverished village so they could minister on a daily basis. Their living conditions are rough, but they have chosen to live in obedience to God’s calling.

Next year, we plan to offer our Foundations programme in the nearby city of Odessa so that Roma leaders from these and other villages may have the opportunity to receive training that would never be available to them elsewhere. These Roma leaders have the capacity to transform their communities from the inside out. Please join us in praying that God would raise up more Roma missionaries like Volodymyr from among these leaders!

Mobilising the Q’eqchi’

Did you know that even though Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, only 55% of the population speaks Spanish as their heart language? There are actually 22 different languages spoken in Guatemala! Over a half million people are native speakers of the Mayan language, Q’eqchi’ (pronounced kek-chee).

The Q’eqchi’ are generally Catholic, at least in name, but they have also retained many indigenous Mayan religious traditions. Many of them have now mixed their beliefs in the “Tzuultaq’a” (gods of the mountains and valleys) with Catholic beliefs and traditions. Due to deep inequalities and severe government repression, as much as a quarter of the Guatemalan Q’eqchi’ population emigrated to the United States in the 1980’s.

Q’eqchi’ pastor and leader Alejandro Bolóm graduated from Global Action’s Foundations program in 2017. He shared:

“I never would have thought that training would be offered in my location…it has helped me significantly in my ministry as a Christian. It is the foundation we need to be able to take the message to the Q’eqchi’ people around Livingston.” 

And he has been doing just that ever since! He is on a mission to bring our training to more Q’eqchi leaders and churches. He believes that the Word of God is powerful enough to transform the world, and he wants his fellow Q’eqchi’ to have the opportunity to study it. Alejandro now serves as an area coordinator and currently oversees three different locations of Q’eqchi’ classes, with a total of over 75 students!

Although our materials have not yet been formally translated in the Q’eqchi’ language, he teaches the classes in Q’eqchi’ so that the students can hear in their heart language. He also strives to get each student a Bible in their own language.

Our supporters make it possible for passionate leaders like Alejandro to be mobilized and sent out to transform their communities with the Gospel. We are so thankful for each of our partners! If you would like to join with us in connecting leaders with the training they need, click the button below to donate today.

Feeding Fishermen

While the pandemic has continued to make life difficult in India, our team is busier than ever finding creative ways to equip leaders and serve hurting communities. Lately, this has involved feeding fishermen—both literally and figuratively.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have been able to continue providing emergency aid to families who have been devastated by the impacts of the pandemic. Most recently, we were able to supply 88 day-labourers, primarily fishermen, with life-giving food packages for their families. These fishermen and labourers lost the ability to work due to lockdown restrictions and market closures, and their families have been going hungry as a result.

One grateful fisherman shared:

“I have heard that Christians are kind people, and today I witnessed it. Your God is good. Thank you so much for caring for my family.”

What makes these food packages so meaningful is that they are given by local pastors and ministry leaders, who are able to continue caring for the families in the long-term. Global Action student, Pastor Ravi, is pouring into a fisherman named Gopal and his family. Gopal couldn’t believe that a pastor would come to his home with food right in his time of need. Overwhelmed by Pastor Ravi’s kindness, Gopal opened his home to the Gospel. He said:

“I don’t understand why you are giving this to us even though you know that we are not Christians! But we want to thank your God, and we are also very thankful for your kindness.”

Without well-equipped local pastors and ministry leaders like Ravi, these families would still be going hungry. That’s why we focus on “feeding” fishers of men with the Word of God. By helping local leaders gain a strong foundation in understanding, teaching, and living out the Gospel, we are able to touch countless lives through a powerful ripple effect.

Thank you to all our supporters for helping us feed fishermen and fishers of men!

World Christianity and the Unfinished Task

While I was a senior pastor in the upper Midwest of the United States I travelled frequently to the non-Western world to see the work our missionaries were doing. I noticed something. There were churches everywhere—Africa, Asia and Latin America—and many of them were much larger than the rather large congregation I was leading in the United States. 

I was fixated on finding out what in the world was going on. This led to more frequent travel, then living abroad in Africa with my family, and doctoral studies in World Christianity. This finally led to an assignment at a study centre in Cambridge; and in an unexpected twist, I accepted an offer to serve with Global Action, a mission organisation that is devoted to equipping Christian leaders in the developing world.  

I wrote World Christianity and the Unfinished Task for ordinary Christians. Scholars began working overtime in the late 1960s to understand the rapid growth of the church in the non-Western world. We now know that during the twentieth century something remarkable was happening that many people still do not know about. The church was growing rapidly in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and it was growing more rapidly than in North America and Europe.  

Between 1968 and 1980 a Cambridge-educated scientist-turned-missionary named David B. Barrett (1927–2011) moved to Nairobi, Kenya and travelled to every country in the world to count Christians. His work was published by Oxford in 1981 as the World Christian Encyclopedia. It was hailed by Time magazine as “the miracle from Nairobi.”  It revealed, among other things, that the church was growing most rapidly in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 

Other scholars had been noticing the same things—and soon study centers emerged to study these findings. We now know that in the year 1900 some 80 percent of the world’s Christians lived in North America and Europe—while today the majority of the world’s Christians (nearly 70 percent) live in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We also know how this happened—and the work of Western missionaries is only a very small part of the story.  

I wrote this little book to help ordinary Christians understand what scholars are calling the most remarkable transformation (secular and religious) in the world during the twentieth century.  What is even more surprising to me is how many Christians still don’t know about these seismic shifts that have happened (and are continuing) in the world. I’ve seen the surprising work God is doing around the world with my own eyes—and have spent years studying World Christianity at major research centres. 

And because I spent so much of my life as a pastor, my love is taking complex ideas and communicating them so that ordinary people can enjoy them. That is exactly what I do in this book. I talk about what has changed and how it happened.  And in the conclusion, I argue that what we have learned about World Christianity should dramatically change the way we engage in missions in the world today.

Lionel Young
Executive Vice President
Global Action USA

Roma Reaching Roma

Global Action student Viacheslav has been transformed as a leader. He is from a primarily Muslim Roma tribe that is centred in Crimea. They are traditionally very poor, and many lack education. Viacheslav is no exception. He leads a Roma church in Merefa, Ukraine, and when he had the opportunity to enrol in Global Action’s training program he was thrilled!

Since Viacheslav struggles to write, he faced a big challenge in taking the classes. But he was determined to learn for the sake of his church! He recorded all the teachings, and then would study them more thoroughly at home.

Viacheslav’s dedication paid off. Learning to faithfully interpret the Bible completely transformed his ministry. His preaching and evangelism look nothing like they did before, and now he feels that he is able to understand and apply Scripture much more effectively. Praise God!

Viacheslav is serving and reaching people with the Gospel that you and I could never reach. As a Roma himself, he understands the unique challenges facing the people in his community. He is able to speak to people’s hearts in a way that an outsider never could. And now he is equipped to understand, teach, and live out the Gospel faithfully in his context!

Your partnership with Global Action helps make solid biblical training accessible to pastors like Viacheslav, who would otherwise be limited by their socioeconomic status or education level. These leaders are already serving, but they lack the training they need to lead healthy churches.

Will you help us train more leaders like Viacheslav? Right now, you can take advantage of a special opportunity to have your gift MATCHED by a generous donor. Please consider giving sustainable community transformation by equipping ministry leaders in hard places.

Reaching the 90%

At Global Action, one of the great blessings we get to enjoy is partnering with God’s people around the world. Ian Amess from the Harare Theological College in Zimbabwe is one of those blessings.

Ian came to Christ as an adult, and soon afterward he began studying at Harare Theological College (HTC) to learn more about his new faith. Over time, he began working at the college as a lecturer and eventually left his career in the business world in order to serve at the college full-time.

Ian has a passion for equipping leaders with the Word of God. One of the challenges that he faced at HTC was reaching the 90% of pastors and ministry leaders who lack access to the training they need. It is very difficult for many pastors and leaders to leave their area of ministry and travel to Harare for college, and the financial cost would be far too great for the majority of these leaders. While the solution of online training may work in some contexts, it is not viable in the Zimbabwean setting where the cost of data is prohibitive and people learn best in a group setting.

In 2019, God began using Global Action to help meet these needs in Zimbabwe. In partnership with Ian and HTC, we are now able to offer training to the 90% who previously lacked access. HTC offers our training as a certificate-level program through their college, and we already have seven classes meeting in different locations (2 classes outside Harare, 2 in communal areas nearby and 3 in high density areas in Harare) with a total of 82 students.

Ian and HTC have been so excited about getting our training into the hands of leaders that they have they have had the materials translated into the main indigenous language of Zimbabwe, and plans for other translations are in place. These translations will allow us to reach many additional leaders in their heart languages. Praise God!

Partnering with HTC connects us with a strong network of instructors, churches, ministries, and other essential resources for our program. Their local reputation also lends credibility to our classes, which helps us make inroads when we first begin operating in a new country.

“ChatterBoxes”

Zimbabwe is also where we are debuting a new platform for our training. Ian at HTC has developed something called a “ChatterBox” (CHurch Activities, Theological Training & Education Resource Box), which is a solar-powered wifi-router that is preloaded with content that can be accessed by anyone with a wifi-enabled device (such as a smartphone). It doesn’t cost the user anything to access the content!

Ian has set up ChatterBoxes in various locations (usually in a church) and loaded them with our Foundations program. Our Zimbabwe classes meet together weekly in those locations with their facilitator. While together, they use their phones or tablets to access the Global Action training manuals on the ChatterBox and go through the material together. The training is having a big impact already!

In addition to our Foundations materials, the ChatterBoxes also include useful resources like audio Bibles, the Jesus Film in 12 local dialects, Bible Project videos, and a large set of community resources which range from children’s schooling material to health worker manuals to instructional videos on good farming practices. These resources are a blessing to our students and to their local communities!

We couldn’t do any of this without our supporters. Right now the need for well-equipped pastors and ministry leaders is greater than ever—and you can help us reach them!

Through the end of June, any one-time donations will be matched by a generous donor. We invite you to join us in giving sustainable transformation by training leaders in places like Zimbabwe and around the world. Every gift makes a big difference, no matter the size!

New class in Epsworth, Zimbabwe!

DOUBLE Your Impact

From now through the end of June, you have an exciting opportunity to have your gift MATCHED by a generous donor! Doors are opening around the world, and we are receiving urgent requests for us to begin training in new strategic places and languages. From translating our materials into Russian for ministry leaders in Belarus, to launching our training program in the isolated Andaman Islands, the opportunities are great.

But we need your help.

Will you join us in raising $50,000 in matched donations this spring? These funds will provide the critical support we need to expand our reach and respond to the urgent requests for training and COVID-19 assistance. As the world continues to reel from the long-term effects of the pandemic, godly pastors and leaders will be more important than ever in shaping the future. Please help us in this pivotal moment.