March 2011 News
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE IN ATIBAIA
Leaders from all over Brazil met to learn new ways of developing healthy leaders in their churches.
The primary purpose of the FAMILY INSTITUTE OF LATIN AMERICA is to form healthy leaders. Leaders who are well and thriving spiritually, emotionally, psychologically and interpersonally. The result of developing leaders in this manner will be healthy, thriving churches- growing in quantity and quality. We have been searching for strategies and models that are Biblical, practical and effective to form leaders who not only have academic knowledge of God´s word, but who have also learned to live, create relationships and build character that reflect an intimate walk with the living and powerful Christ. Last year 190 church workers in 5 Brazilian cities were introduced to the “Connections” model of leadership training. Last summer Jerry spent 3 weeks being trained in this model. This year we gathered 21 influential leaders and training school teachers from around the country to spend a week immersed in the model. Robert Walter and Tod Brown presented the first two courses- “Building Healthy Leaders” and “Doing Design” of the LeaderSource material. The participation, feedback and overall experience were phenomenal. We divided up the duties of the coordinators: Robert, Tod, Bryan Gibbs and Jerry. Also, we have formed work teams with the other participants according to their area of ministry, to create Learning Exercises for their specific ministries. There is a team working on ElderLink (called Pastoreai in Portuguese), another working on the minister training schools, and a third working on marriage and family ministries. It is difficult to explain this process in a few words, but we are so excited about the possibilities for the growth of leadership in the Brazilian church and we ask for your prayers for this continued ministry.
Some of the fun we had in March!
Gary and Kathy Wolf, supporters from Prestoncrest church in Dallas, came to Brazil to visit the family of one of the exchange students they have taken in over the years. They just happened to be in a city near us and were able to come visit us for two days, worship with the Itu Church, and meet some of the people we work with here. What a blessing! Thank you Gary and Kathy for your support and encouragement. Your visit meant so much to us!
During the Leadership workshop Jerry was able to work with two of his favorite people, Tod Brown and Robert Walter. These two have taught us so much and been great friends.
Three more 24hr retreats were held during the month of March, each with 4-5 couples participating. There are now 13 couples who have been trained to conduct this event in their own congregations. This is the Marital Sabbatical retreat that we reported on last month.
The Itu church held its first women´s retreat during the first weekend in April. Gail helped conduct the group dynamics sessions. Nearly 40 women participated.
We continue to do counseling by Skype with missionaries and church leaders throughout the country.
This month we conducted our last clinical interview with the couples being considered for the Goiania team and spent many hours preparing for our first Quest seminar with that team which will be held in April. Quest is their last step in the evaluation process. The candidates will be interviewed by 6 different assessment teams. These teams will then determine, with God´s help, which couples are ready to go to the mission field. We ask for your prayers for this important process.
Many blessings on all of your who support us with your prayers and generosity. We know God is making a difference in the Brazilian church because of your vision in helping the Family Institute.
Leaders from all over Brazil met to learn new ways of developing healthy leaders in their churches.
The primary purpose of the FAMILY INSTITUTE OF LATIN AMERICA is to form healthy leaders. Leaders who are well and thriving spiritually, emotionally, psychologically and interpersonally. The result of developing leaders in this manner will be healthy, thriving churches- growing in quantity and quality. We have been searching for strategies and models that are Biblical, practical and effective to form leaders who not only have academic knowledge of God´s word, but who have also learned to live, create relationships and build character that reflect an intimate walk with the living and powerful Christ. Last year 190 church workers in 5 Brazilian cities were introduced to the “Connections” model of leadership training. Last summer Jerry spent 3 weeks being trained in this model. This year we gathered 21 influential leaders and training school teachers from around the country to spend a week immersed in the model. Robert Walter and Tod Brown presented the first two courses- “Building Healthy Leaders” and “Doing Design” of the LeaderSource material. The participation, feedback and overall experience were phenomenal. We divided up the duties of the coordinators: Robert, Tod, Bryan Gibbs and Jerry. Also, we have formed work teams with the other participants according to their area of ministry, to create Learning Exercises for their specific ministries. There is a team working on ElderLink (called Pastoreai in Portuguese), another working on the minister training schools, and a third working on marriage and family ministries. It is difficult to explain this process in a few words, but we are so excited about the possibilities for the growth of leadership in the Brazilian church and we ask for your prayers for this continued ministry.
Some of the fun we had in March!
Gary and Kathy Wolf, supporters from Prestoncrest church in Dallas, came to Brazil to visit the family of one of the exchange students they have taken in over the years. They just happened to be in a city near us and were able to come visit us for two days, worship with the Itu Church, and meet some of the people we work with here. What a blessing! Thank you Gary and Kathy for your support and encouragement. Your visit meant so much to us!
During the Leadership workshop Jerry was able to work with two of his favorite people, Tod Brown and Robert Walter. These two have taught us so much and been great friends.
Three more 24hr retreats were held during the month of March, each with 4-5 couples participating. There are now 13 couples who have been trained to conduct this event in their own congregations. This is the Marital Sabbatical retreat that we reported on last month.
The Itu church held its first women´s retreat during the first weekend in April. Gail helped conduct the group dynamics sessions. Nearly 40 women participated.
We continue to do counseling by Skype with missionaries and church leaders throughout the country.
This month we conducted our last clinical interview with the couples being considered for the Goiania team and spent many hours preparing for our first Quest seminar with that team which will be held in April. Quest is their last step in the evaluation process. The candidates will be interviewed by 6 different assessment teams. These teams will then determine, with God´s help, which couples are ready to go to the mission field. We ask for your prayers for this important process.
Many blessings on all of your who support us with your prayers and generosity. We know God is making a difference in the Brazilian church because of your vision in helping the Family Institute.
posted by Family Institute of Latin America @ 5:14 PM
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