Open Doors Offers Training for Persecuted Church Leaders
From ASSIST News Service -- Training Christian pastors to help lead and equip their congregations. That is happening all over the world thanks to Open Doors with Brother Andrew, a ministry to the Persecuted Church. Most pastors in the United States have ample opportunities to obtain the training and tools they need to lead effectively. But in many countries where Christians are being persecuted for their faith, church leaders struggle to get vital training in the Bible. :: "Delivering God's Word is critical, but backing it up with solid teaching and instruction is vital in supporting and strengthening the Church," says Open Doors USA President Terry Madison. "Persecuted pastors and church leaders need to be equipped with the right resources to lead their congregations. They need instruction so they can teach others. This year Open Doors is training over 100,000 pastors and lay leaders in countries like Sudan, China and India and all over the world." :: In several African countries, a course known as the Timothy Training Institute is being used to train pastors. It is based on 2 Timothy 2:2 which instructs us to entrust Biblical truth to "faithful men who will be able to teach others also." Many of the students who have completed the course, which is held for one week each month 10 months out of the year, are now tutoring others. :: Currently working in 60 countries with 23 international offices and over 300 staff worldwide, Open Doors with Brother Andrew delivers Bibles and other study materials, provides literacy training and pastoral training and advocates on behalf of those who are persecuted for their faith in Christ Jesus. Open Doors will celebrate 50 years of ministry in 2005. To partner with Open Doors call 949-752-6600, go to its USA web site at www.opendoorsusa.org or write Open Doors with Brother Andrew, PO Box 27001, Santa Ana, CA 92799.