EQUIP's Global Initiative Strives to Build Better Christian Leaders
by Allie Martin
March 24, 2006
(AgapePress) - - An initiative that trains church and ministry leaders is expanding around the globe: Three years ago, Dr. John Maxwell's nonprofit EQUIP ministry began a six-year project to train one million Christians around the world with the skills needed for advancing the Great Commission. So far, more than a million people have been trained as part of the "Million Leaders Mandate." And recently EQUIP announced plans to expand the initiative to even more countries. John Hull, president of the ministry, says the project is all about fulfilling the need for ministries to have competent leadership.
"Here's what we know," Hull explains. "In the Bible, when Israel had good kings, the people were blessed and the nation prospered. When Israel had bad kings, the people were oppressed and the nation suffered."
The belief behind the ministry and the mandate, EQUIP's spokesman notes, is "that good, biblical leaders can make life better for other people and begin to have an impact on their nations to see them transformed by the gospel [and to see them] become God-honoring societies."
Hull points out that Biblical leaders are not made in a day but, rather, such leaders "are made daily." He says EQUIP is gathering evidence supporting the effectiveness of its programs, reported by practitioners around the world.
Much of this data is gleaned from the "stories of men and women who've simply taken the training back into their local cultures, their places of influence," the ministry spokesman explains, "and they're creating a better and more effective leadership culture." And the results of the training are palpable.
"Churches are growing, disciples are being made, and we believe the fame and glory of Jesus is spreading," Hull observes. He believes this demonstrates that EQUIP's vital work of leadership development is paying off in a big way as it helps to produce more effective leaders for churches, ministries and other Christian organizations.
Ultimately, Christ is the best and greatest example of an effective leader, Hull emphasizes. He believes the Million Leaders Mandate, which is already active in more than 60 countries on four continents, is helping the body of Christ by helping its leaders to become better imitators of him.
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
