Leadership training

Learn more about this ministry
Leadership training is any formal or informal process for developing church leadership, building the capacity of servant leaders and preparing them to train others for ministry.

Bible passage
"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.'" - Matthew 4:19

Philosophy
For churches to be missional, engaging people and cultures with the gospel of Jesus Christ, it is imperative that gifted and called leaders be trained as servant-leaders. Such leaders will, in turn, teach future leaders, disciple believers, and train them for ministry within the body of Christ.

Process
Mission Network workers are involved in various leadership-training activities, often operated by the churches in their country of service. These activities include teaching in seminaries and Bible schools; teaching discipleship and Christian growth courses in local churches; mentoring young pastors; and assisting with translation and publication of Anabaptist books, curriculum and study guides. Workers also facilitate guest lecturers from other countries, sometimes sent by the Mission Network, who provide leadership-training seminars. The Anabaptist centers in a number of countries offer programs and resources for leadership development from an Anabaptist perspective. Mission Network funding helps support leadership-development programs of international partners.

Workers engaging in this ministry

Amanda and Gamaliel Falla

Amanda and Gamaliel began working in Barranquilla, Colombia, in 2002 to develop a new congregation and to consolidate the emerging Caribbean Coast region of the Colombia Mennonite Church.

Anna and Joseph Liechty Sawatzky

Anna and Joe work with Bethany Bible School, an itinerant teaching ministry for leaders of African-Initiated Churches in Eastern Cape Province.

Brian and Kelly McPhail

Kelly and Brian McPhail are called to serve in China as teachers and administrators under Mennonite Partners in China. They seek to live out and share Christian values and calling in the fast-changing environment that is urban China today.

Bruce Yoder and Nancy Frey

Bruce and Nancy teach and support local ministry in a variety of settings within Burkina Faso and West Africa.

César Moya and Patricia Urueña

César Moya and Patricia Urueña of Iglesia Cristiana Menonita de Colombia serve through the Ecuador Partnership with the Colombian church, Central Plains Mennonite Conference, and Mission Network.

Dale and Bethsaba Nafziger

Dale and Bethsaba serve in a variety of economic development positions. They are also part of the pastoral team in their church congregation in Kathmandu.

David and Rebekka Stutzman

Dave and Rebekka work locally and with the South German Mennonite Conference in the area of missional education.

Dennis and Connie Byler

Dennis teaches at a Protestant seminary near Madrid and edits "El Mensajero" the monthly paper of the Anabaptist network of churches in Spain.

George and Tobia Veith

The Veiths are part of a team of mission and local workers that leads the church in various types of ministry (children's tutoring, English classes, visitation, small groups, outreach, pastoral care, prayer counseling).

Hildi and C. Paul Amstutz

C. Paul and Hildi's ministry is in the areas of business chaplaincy, spiritual retreats, and speaking engagements on the topics of marriage and family and of inner healing.

Janet Stucky

Janet serves as a consultant to the Meserete Kristos Relief and Development Association.

Linda Oyer

Linda is a staff member of the Paris Mennonite Center. She teaches Anabaptist theology, speaks at women's groups throughout French-speaking Europe, and teaches courses at the Vaux-sur-Seine Evangelical Seminary.

Marie and Don Gaeddert

Don and Marie teach university-level English classes in Nanchong.

Marilyn Peters

Marilyn serves with Christian Associates International (CAI) in Montevideo, Uruguay, where she is part of “El Living” church plant community. She also serves on the Latin America Advancement Team as HR and Training liaison for CAI.

Mark and Mary Hurst

Since 1990, Mark and Mary have served as resource people and pastors in Australia with the Anabaptist Association of Australia and New Zealand.

Martine Audéoud and Gary Wittig

Gary teaches at the International Community School in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. Martine serves as associate director of Masters Programs in Holistic Development (HIV/AIDS and leadership) of the Theological Seminary of the Christian Alliance (FATEAC).

Mary Beyler

Mary works with the Mennonite congregations in Hokkaido, teaching, preaching, leading music, and serving on several conference committees.

Mary Raber

Mary Raber is based in Odessa and teaches at Odessa Theological Seminary (OTS), Donetsk Christian University, Tavriskiy Christian Institute (Kherson), and other theological schools in Ukraine and the Russian Federation as requested.

Moriah Hurst

Moriah, located in Melbourne, works in youth ministry.

Nathan and Taryn Dirks

Nathan and Taryn work with a particular focus on the young adults. They are working on Bible teaching, community development, and environmental stewardship as well as helping to develop young leaders among the churches.

Paulus and Sumatha Thalathoti

Paulus and Sumatha Thalathoti give leadership to Peace Proclamation Ministries in India, an outreach organization dedicated to serve people in India who are unreached by the Gospel.

Peter Martin and Jenna Liechty Martin

Jenna and Peter work with the Edgehill Theological College Reconciliation and Integration Partnership Project.

Petrus and Yuliana Handoyo

Petrus is a professor of Religion and Ethics at Life University, a Christian institution in Sihanoukville. Yuliana ministers at an orphanage close to the university.

Rad Houmphan

Rad is involved in evangelism and church planting among the Isaan people in northeastern Thailand. The majority of Isaan, or Lao-Thai, practice Buddhism mixed with ancient animism. A number of Isaans have become Christians.