Together On Mission
Our story
A BIG problem
In 2009, Freedom to Lead’s Founder Rick Sessoms was approached by a ministry colleague with a big problem. He had been leading a network of Christians in Asia who had led multitudes of people to Christ, and thousands of churches had sprung up with these new believers. Most of the churches were in areas where people learn best and are most influenced by the oral arts – stories, images, drama, dance, and music.
But 40% of the new churches closed or languished.
And most of the reason was directly related to a failure of leadership.
This ministry colleague asked for help.
We began with research. Collaborating with a group of leaders from South Asia taught us that what these leaders most needed was non-formal training — intensive modules and purposeful mentoring — that develop core competencies of Christ-centered leaders.
Stories were an obvious medium for the needed training.
Eighty percent of the world’s people belong to cultures that learn best through story, images, and music. They’re most likely influenced through oral rather than literate means. Yet, more than 90% of Christian workers use literacy-based communication.
Additionally, The Center for the Study of Global Christianity estimates that only 5% of ministry leaders around the world have graduated from a bible college or seminary. Doubling this estimate to account for non-formal training workshops and seminars attended by some, conservative estimates suggest that nine out of ten functioning leaders in the global church have little or no training for ministry.
In February 2011, FTL launched the program, now called The Garden Project, among leaders in Asia.
On its success in Asia, various ministry networks then invited us to launch the project in East Africa and French-speaking Africa. From there, the program took off.
Opportunities for growth open up as requests are received to bring the project to other areas.
The Garden Project now serves more than 24,000 leaders in 60 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific Rim.
And everyone – from the bishop in urban Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to the house church pastor in rural South Asia – expresses the same need for competent Christ-centered leaders to lead healthier churches.
With your help it is possible to develop competent Christ-centered leaders around the world to build up the BODY of Christ, by employing creative, culturally-relevant methods like storytelling to communicate effectively with targeted leaders.
To put it simply, you can help existing Christian leaders to be better leaders.
What We Beleive
We believe in one God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and affirm the Bible as the fully inspired and authoritative Word of God. We trust in Jesus Christ as the only Savior and mediator, and we are committed to proclaiming the gospel through both word and deed. We uphold biblical teachings on marriage, gender, and sexuality, and we seek to grow as disciples, develop leaders, and serve together with the global Church as we await Christ’s return.
Who We Are
Freedom to Lead International® is supported by people like you who want to see the multiplication of healthy churches, that are led by Christ-centered leaders among story-centric communities around the world.
Let's Make a Change Together
