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It’s time for one of those prayer letters that gives background on some part of our ministry. Since we focus the majority of our letters on the overseas work, here are some North American samples...


So, what do you do in the U.S.?
Train Leaders & Teams...
A major part of my calling is to help leaders become more powerful in their gifts and more intentional stewards of their ministry teams. One method for doing this at present is training “Grip/Birkman Blueprint Coaches.”

At left are six leaders, four of whom lead their own ministries, trained in our home office just last week. These leaders were trained to use my newest assessment, the Grip/Birkman Blueprint, a process that helps leaders become more effective stewards of their gifts. It also provides a simple means to help leaders build strong ministry teams, which is a HUGE problem in North American Churches and mission groups because of the growing cultural individualism. Strong team unity and purpose, plus more power released through Christian leaders and teams? It results in greater Kingdom impact through evangelism, discipleship, and gifts mobilizing in and beyond the local church. That’s what drives me to give my life away to leaders.

Intentional Mentoring of other Leaders & Trainers...
I am spending more and more time investing in individual leaders. I used to do more major conference speaking and related seminars, but am now convinced that investing deeply in the leaders gives opportunity to impact many thousands more.

Brad Sprague , a colleague in our mission CRM, co-trained with me last week. He will travel with me to Istanbul, Turkey, for teambuilding with a ministry covering all of Central Asia. Investing in men like Brad multiplies the heart and vision God has given me and increases the potential Kingdom impact. I learn so much from Brad and so many others. Brad’s words:

“The coaches training with Paul was a highlight of my learning experiences in the last two years. I am thrilled to be part of pioneering the Your Leadership Grip/Birkman and believe thousands of leaders will greatly benefit. Just today (2/14), I met with a pastor, who confided he desperately needed a way to understand his strengths and weaknesses especially in relating to his board. Thank you for giving Paul the opportunity to impact my life.”

CheckPoint: A Specialized One-to-One...
God is bringing leaders to me who are at pivotal points in their lives and ministries. My role is to help them identify critical issues as well as discern the next steps to which God is leading. These times are extremely intense as God gives great insight and direction on so many different issues. Michael Mangum, a North Carolinian Christian businessman and chair of our personal ministry board, and I spent two such days together in early December. John Hayes, leader of CRM’s InnerChange ministry, will be here Feb. 21-23 for a similarly intensive process.

Do you ever mix U.S. with Overseas?...
I am so glad that you asked that question! Brian Burnett is an excellent example of God’s weaving my work among leaders in North America with leaders in four regions worldwide. Brian, Celia and family joined Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque soon after I began my position as Director of Discipleship in 1987.

Brian and I have been good friends ever since. Through that local church ministry, men’s growth groups, and scores of lunches over the years, there are few men in whom I have invested more – and he like-wise in me. Brian will join me and CRM teammate Brad Sprague in the late April trip to Istanbul, Turkey. I really look up to Brian!!

Not your father’s holiday junket!...
In the future Brian, a civil engineer and “problem solver” who leads an engineering firm, hopes to provide technical support and resources worldwide through a new non-profit he has started called “Construction and Engineering Resources Ministries.” He is joining me to share his vision with the leaders I am training who oversee teams working throughout Central Asia. One example of the issues in Central Asia that fits with Brian’s heart is the need for effective water resource control throughout the region. Brian has expertise, resources, and contacts that can provide active technical support alongside individuals and teams already having spiritual impact. Please pray for Brian and his board as they continue to prepare this work for the future, praying specifically for the contacts Brian will make in Istanbul.

Gifts Mobilizing & Teambuilding in Redondo Beach, California...
My U.S. work began in 1990, focused on helping churches more effectively equip and release Christians to play their parts in body life ministry. While I do not focus much time here nowadays, I am helping St. Andrew’s release a team of laypersons who are overseeing their church’s new lay mobilizing work.

Why less time here? The #1 reason lay Christians are not released to serve through their gifts is because their pastors and leaders are blocking the door to service! That is why I focus on training leaders and building teams, to help them more freely equip and release others.