View our Newsletter Archive

May 2008

Training House Church Leaders in central Asia May 9-26
no names for security reasons)
“I have never been more excited in my 15 years here,...I feel like I have caught a big fish and it is starting to pull the whole boat!” was the response of Paul’s partner in  developing this training.   God has begun an organic movement of house churches that is growing out of control (in human terms), and 40 house church (HC) leaders were trained in two events, nationals from all over the country.  The impact was dramatic, as reported by our partner: 

Paul, I am thrilled and overwhelmed at how well our national brothers and sisters grasped the concepts of biblical leadership and ministry identity.  Even before training was over I noticed the ‘wheels’ turning about how they would apply the concepts from the training.  It is amazing to me how Satan so obscures truth from Scripture.  But as we pointed out what the Word says about stewardship and servant leading and how God has gifted us – and holds us accountable ONLY for the gifts He has given – the freedom given is amazing and crosses all cultures.  I am excited at how you – though you could not be here – are playing a key role in helping us train leaders who will replicate this understanding as they plant organic, relationally-based house churches throughout all of central Asia....You two (& Stephen!) have been greatly missed.  We are lifting up Julie regularly.

The Russian-translation Discovering Your Ministry Identity workbooks were snapped up immediately, since one of the major training components was learning how God has prepared each HC leader and HC members gift-wise.  A new local language translation was completed between events, unbelievably, because of the immediately-understood value of the tool for house churches.
 

Julie’s Health Crisis.  
As you may remember that I (Paul) was to have co-led this training.  But Julie began to deal with serious health issues similar to what she faced five years ago.  Following a quick trip to southern California for brain scans, Julie began a new medication regimen that has very slowly begun to move her back toward health.  It was clear that my priority for May of 2008 was being alongside Julie and NOT traveling halfway around the world. God had prepared that soil to be tilled by the four already in place.

We rejoice in the thousands of prayers for healing and addressing the spiritual warfare issues.  Our 175 intercessors tracked with us step by step through this situation for five weeks through our intercessor-only emails (contact me if you want to receive these).  Julie’s healing continues to be very slow and painful.  Thankfully, with the cancelled trip, my schedule was open for two and one-half weeks (ending today).  That enabled full time focus in supporting Julie.  Several long-time sisters plus friends from our fellowship have helped in caring for Julie and providing meals amidst this intense situation. 

PRAY for Julie’s return to health – the Lord restoring her full joy in the morning.  PRAY also for the financial needs created by both special medical costs incurred and through Paul adjusting his June and August fee-based schedule to be home for the majority of the time.  A minimum of $4000 will be needed to cover both.  If you are moved to give:

Church Resource Ministries      
1240 N. Lakeview Ave - Suite #120
Anaheim, CA 92807      
Account  #5041 – Paul/Julie Ford
Phone:  714-779-0379
 

Nine Years in the making, and God unexpectedly changes the plan. 
While Julie and I had laid the relational foundation for these May 2008 strategic training events through five trips over the last nine years, it was clear that God had other purposes.  My whole goal in the training this trip was to equip and release four others to play my part in training these national house church leaders.  I spent 100 hours preparing a new “Leader as Good Steward” outline for this setting – and then neither Julie nor I was able to make the trip. God gave me the privilege of loving my wife through this painful season of healing at home in Albuquerque.  And yet, eleven time zones away, those four (three nationals) led the training to great impact!

Know also that Central Asia is changing....”One of the other leaders who would have been here got called into the KGB in his hometown. The spiritual warfare is ratcheting up here.” The situation is changing even as you read this, with legislation pending which could have dramatic impact. But God is well in charge, as we have just seen. Get those Westerners out of the middle so that nationals can step up!
 

Organic growth that God is bringing – opportunities for growth that we DID NOT plan to happen
Review of Knocking Over the Leadership Ladder sent to 100 mission agencies and 20,000 leaders.

PRAY for the Holy Spirit to affect the training of leaders and the building of ministry teams so that thousands more will be released to steward their gifts and teammates’ gifts, releasing organic body life. See it here!



 

Czech Republic – Grip/Birkman Coaches & Trainers coaching leaders in at least 17 European countries
Finally we back up to February’s Grip/Birkman Blueprint training with leadership from Wesleyan missions in Brno, Czech Republic. CRM intern John Blake and I not only trained six new coaches, but also did a specialized teambuilding event for the larger Czech and German teams. Through the Wesleyans and IMB (Southern Baptist missions) we now are coaching leaders and teams in 17 east and west European countries. John became our newest trainer, #17, through the coaches training.


Church of the Foursquare Gospel – 25 leaders trained in April to be Grip/Birkman Blueprint Coaches
God has given us our first opportunity to influence a whole denomination from the beginning of the relationship! PRAY for clear next steps in supporting the national photo of big group leadership.
Find out more information about this training here.