We were training in the Middle East / North Africa (MENA) region last year and working with first-generation pastors and leaders. They were so encouraged by our faculty and mentors saying they had never experienced such rich, deep communal experiences like these.
One pastor said, before this cohort, I only knew a few of the others. Now through A3, I have several new friends.
As we were training about mentoring and the need for three generations of mentors (Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy types), one leader shared,
“I feel alone!”
They have no one older and/or more mature than them to invest in their lives. It reminded me of a pastor who years ago told me,
“Joe, please send us seasoned, veteran pastors. We have no spiritual fathers!”
As we continued the process, one leader shared how A3 has become a mentor to her. She had few friends before A3 but today she has a set of friendships and potential mentors to help her on her journey of life and ministry.
Praise God. Because of your support, prayers and partnership, leaders like these are growing and gaining newfound, lifelong friends.
Taking things further, during one of our sessions, three of the churches decided to band together, unite, and help each other. Two had no registration in their country but after meeting one of the other cohort pastors, they decided to work together and now these three churches are unified in mission, coming under the banner of one registered entity.
Equipping & Unifying Visionary, Christ-centered Leaders
Amazing! Our mission is to equip and unify visionary Christ-centered leaders and we are seeing it happen. Even in the first few years of working in the MENA region.
Thank you for partnering with us to see lives transformed like this. The kingdom is advancing because you are walking alongside, encouraging, and equipping leaders like these through A3.
Please pray for leaders like these who feel so alone. May the Lord strengthen them and may mentors rise up to encourage them along the way.
Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D.
@jwhandley
@jwhandley
