Sunday, November 8, 2020

Dear Partners, 

We’re so grateful for your ongoing support and partnership in seeing pastors trained and leaders equipped worldwide!  

You may have been wondering, how has COVID-19 impacted our global education efforts and training programs around the world?    

Well, just like so many other aspects of life, ministerial training programs have also had to pivot into new realities. Some trainings have been postponed, some have continued with adjusted methods (e.g. Bible Colleges in Africa), and still others continue without much change (e.g. Wesley Seminary Students Online).  

Here are a couple highlights that I’d love to share with you:  

2 New Pastors in Mizoram, India   

• In the summer of 2020, the Mizoram District Conference of India identified a need for two new pastors to be trained and equipped for ministry. These individuals were chosen and asked to study toward a Bachelor of Divinity from John Robert Theological Seminary in Shillong, India.
• Along with an accredited degree, these two will have the opportunity to fulfill requirements needed to become ordained pastors. Since the Mizoram District has lacked the resources needed to fund their ministerial education, we are excited to partner with them through our Amplified Leaders Initiative. This is possible because of your partnership. 

19 Individuals Make Progress in Cambodia 

• We celebrate that after much hard work and preparation, there are currently seven Cambodian pastors being trained in the Oral Curriculum (OC) Program.  We have an additional 12 students participating in the OC who are very promising lay leaders. 
• The program has continued all throughout COVID, with some students working through lessons faster than planned because they are out of school, jobs or regular ministry involvement. 

28 Students in Ghana Ministerial Training

• Despite the complexities created by COVID-19, Ghana National Superintendent, Rev. Felix Baafi, reports that during 2020, “The current five instructors were fully equipped to deliver at all cost.” 
• All three levels of training (Licensing, Commissioning, and Ordination) were offered at various stages and at various times. 
• Expressing appreciation, Rev. Baafi writes, “Thank you so much for all the efforts in getting Wesleyan theological education established in Ghana.”

As you pray, please remember our pastors around the world who are continuing to be trained as they strive to serve The Wesleyan Church where they live.