Overseas Council July 2008 eNewsletter

"Leaders changing the world, one life and community at a time"

OC's Vice President of International Partnerships Jason Ferenczi offers his overview of what OC partner seminaries are doing around the world and the novel ways they train leaders.

Jason Ferenczi,
OC Vice President of International Partnerships

It is exciting to see so many ministries dedicated to sharing God's love and peace with people all around the world. All around us, we see advertisements for ministries that are helping street children, feeding the hungry and bringing much-needed educational programs. I rejoice to see such efforts flourishing. As I travel around the world on behalf of OC, I can see that some of these programs are really making a difference.

At the same time, I think about the ways that my own local church is helping to spread God's love in the city of Indianapolis, reaching out in so many ways to the urban core. At the heart of all of these efforts are leaders who love God passionately and seek to share that love with those around them.

This is what excites me about the ministry of Overseas Council. OC does not feed hungry children; it does not provide potable drinking water in rural Africa; it does not reach out to the needy in Indianapolis, Mumbai or Moscow. Yet it does help to train the leaders who do these things. The seminaries with which OC partners around the globe are not merely academic training centers; they are places where leaders are formed and nurtured to use their heads, hearts and hands together to do the work of the Gospel. These are the kinds of leaders who are changing the world, one life and community at a time.

It is exciting to see our partner seminaries developing novel and effective ways to train even more leaders. Our partner seminary in Medellín, Colombia, is in its third year of overseeing a "Network of Bible Institutes." This network allows the resources of a government-accredited seminary with physical, library, information technology and faculty resources to serve over 25 lower-level institutions throughout the country. The network provides not only help in curriculum planning but also institutional support to help these Bible schools to do an even better job of training grassroots leaders. Similar projects are taking place in Peru, the Philippines, Francophone Africa and Central America [see "Worldwide collaboration projects" below for details]. These types of multi-faceted, far-reaching projects represent the future of Christian leadership training and the future of our ministry. OC looks forward to continuing to stimulate and support such creative leaders, who are in turn strengthening those carrying out frontline ministries in Jesus' name all around the world.

Worldwide collaboration projects: The Kingdom is blessed by partners in training

OC partner schools are collaborating to expand the Kingdom.

Evangelical Seminary of Lima (ESL), Peru, takes what they learn each year at The Institute for Excellence in Christian Leadership Development and holds their own entirely self-supported Institute for other theological colleges in Peru, strengthening the schools and their leaders. The most recent ESL Institute brought together 30 schools.

Group Asia Graduate School of Theology (AGST), Philippines, is a consortium of eight evangelical seminaries working together to offer joint Master of Theology and doctoral programs. It is a model of cooperation among evangelical groups encouraging the sharing of resources, including finances, personnel, library and facilities.

Group meeting South American Theological Seminary (SATS), Brazil, is working together with Mozambicans (Mozambique Graduate School of Theology, MGST) to offer a holistic mission Master's degree for Africa's church leaders. OC donated library and computer resources for the 23 students and encourages these kinds of collaborative projects between institutions.

Central American Theological Seminary (CATS), Guatemala, shares resources with other schools in their region. Recently, the seminary held a training seminar on communication and fundraising for Seminario Biblico de Guatemala (SBG) in Chimaltenango. CATS' Director of Communication and Fundraising also traveled to Mexico to help the presidents of several seminaries develop their fundraising vision.

"Thought leaders" who influence people and shape communities

OC's President and CEO David A. Baer, PhD, offers his overview on "thought leaders" at OC's partner seminaries.

David A. Baer, PhD,
OC President and CEO

Overseas Council is about advancing Christian leaders. We are particularly invested in the lives of those leaders who will teach the teachers, mentor the mentors and influence the influencers of their countries and regions over a lifetime.

We sometimes use the term "thought leadership" to describe the kind of formative influence such people have on their environment. They don't merely accomplish things. They shape the way people and communities live together. They shape how people think.

One such "thought leader": A tribute to a former school president

Dr. Debela Birri,
Former Director, Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST)

Dr. Debela Birri recently retired as the Director of Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST) after serving for eight years. Under Dr. Birri's steady, godly leadership, EGST has a strong legacy of vibrant programs (most notably the internationally recognized Master's program devoted to HIV/AIDS) tailored to meet the needs of the Ethiopian Church. More than 80 graduates completed their studies during his tenure. "If each of their lives reflects the Christ-like humility and servanthood that Dr. Birri consistently modeled, the impact will be inestimable," says Dr. Steve Bryan, EGST Head of Strategic Development and OC Liaison.

Dr. Birri says, "In my youth, I was a shepherd. I guess I still have a shepherd's heart...It is my great joy not only to shepherd God's people but to do for scores of Ethiopian men and women what so many others did for me: to invest in those who will become skillful shepherds for the Lord's sheep." Dr. Birri's active retirement will be devoted to writing and teaching part-time at EGST.

Regional prayer requests

Please commit to pray with OC over the following worldwide prayer requests:

For wisdom for OC, as we consider future opportunities for ministry
For a continued spirit of united vision among OC's international team
For spiritual strength and stamina for school leaders, as they deal with the demands of the job and societal challenges
For each school to produce servant leaders who honor God and order their lives in all things according to His will
For the leadership of each school to have wisdom, unity and passion to facilitate the mission of "Advancing Christian Leaders"

How can you be involved with OC?

Pray for the ministry and how God may be calling you to partner with us
Student scholarships make a difference
Current funding needs