It takes 10 years to Change a Culture
It begins with an invitation…
Men and women of influence are extended an invitation to be part of a 4-year cohort with 25 other like-minded church influencers. These men and women already serve in some capacity as pastors, ministry leaders, evangelists, elders, and in many other spheres in both formal and informal ways. We are less concerned with a “position” of leadership than a heart that leads and influences others and is committed to growth.
Intensive Modules
Participants come together several times a year in cohorts of 20-30. Gatherings take a deep dive into one of eight modules that develop Christ-centered leadership competencies in the areas of character formation and ministry development. These modules, created in collaboration with ministry leaders of the Majority World, are facilitated by combining adult learning with oral-based communication. With a commitment to guard the fidelity of authorial intent of the Scriptures, storycentric devices such as role play, indigenous music, and culturally relevant images are utilized. Biblical, current, and life stories are accompanied with targeted questions so that participants can self-discover the leadership principles within. Full of opportunity for discussion and interaction, participants are provided an opportunity to explore the general meaning of the truth to everyday life. They are encouraged to make an application of the truth with a motivation to develop a plan to implement what has been learned, leading towards a specific life change. This obedience-based learning is a key component as part of a continuous process.
Capacity for Multiplication
The beauty of the program is what happens next. This is when these participants are then encouraged to take what they’ve learned and transfer it to the next generation of leaders at the grassroots level. Equipped with tools to “pass on” these leadership principles to others, these leaders serve as a bridge to take Christ-centered Leadership to communities that otherwise would not have access to these kinds of resources.
Measurement for Impact
After going through this developmental experience, participants return every six months to relate stories that signal change in their thinking, attitudes, and behavior that result in community impact. They also share their experience of transferring the module to others back home in order to influence the next generation of Christ-centered leaders. This gives both an opportunity CELEBRATE what God is doing through personal and community transformation and LEARN from each other in a shared environment.
Intentional Mentoring
Freedom to Lead’s regional leaders have a strong devotion for the people in their care. Being highly relational, they are committed to helping others be all that God would have them be. Ongoing mentoring happens at many different levels to speak into the lives of these leaders as they face unique situations in their contexts. Mentoring also happens as these leaders are challenged to become facilitators of The Garden Project experience themselves. Regional leaders work hard at identifying and developing a select group of people from each cohort who can be part of FTL’s larger Global Team and take part in expanding the reach of the program to people who need it the most.
Certificate
After completing the eight modules of The Garden Project and transferring those modules to others at a second generation, participants will earn a Certificate from Belhaven University, a Christian university in southeastern U.S. For people who have had no prior formal training or did not receive the opportunity to attend a bible school, this certificate is a great incentive. Graduation is a great time of celebration of what God has done.
Graduation
Graduation is not the end, it is merely the beginning. Christ-centered Leadership Development is not a one-and-done training. It takes years of intentionality. This is something that Berhanu in the Horn of Africa is learning now. But he and many others like him are committed to God’s calling of leadership their lives as they seek to create a Christ-centered culture in their communities. Because of people like Berhanu, there is great hope for the global church.