Patti Richter writes:
Operation World (2010) reports that the church in Nepal flourishes as a "remarkable indigenous movement" within a strongly Hindu culture. From the first Christian church formed in 1952, Nepal's believers grew to 200,000 by 1990, during times of persecution, and to some 850,000 Christ-followers by last year. Thus: "Leadership training is possibly the most urgent need in the Church."
"Nepal has 10,000 churches, but most of them have no resources," says Alan Ginn, Project Director for East Asia with Leadership Resources International (LRI).
LRI workers encourage church leaders by using a "TNT" strategy — training national trainers. They mentor and teach a group who will then train a "second generation." This model of multiplication is inspired by 2 Timothy 2:2, "The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."
A Like-Minded Partnership
Bill Walsh, Director of International Outreach for Desiring God, heard about Alan Ginn while attending a conference in Sacramento four years ago. He became excited about establishing a partnership with Ginn's like-minded ministry of investing in the lives of indigenous church leaders.
Ginn welcomes the needed resources and says, "The teachings of John Piper, with his shepherding heart, have helped in a significant way. Books like Don't Waste Your Life and Brothers, We Are Not Professionals resonate with the hearts of indigenous pastors. The issues are not just North American issues."
Read the rest of this article to learn more about what God is doing through Desiring God's partnership with LRI in Nepal, and for ideas on how you might be able to join us in work like this.
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