Young Leaders in Middle East

We have been blessed by the opportunities to pour into young leaders throughout our years of ministry--some were older than us when we began.  We have been awed as some have gone on to do amazing things for the Kingdom, passing on to other young leaders the wisdom and traits that were invested in us by our families and mentors.

Part of the 3W paradigm is to identify, invest in, and give opportunities to young leaders.  This is one of the things that so excited us about the prospect of joining the 3W team.  We have been so excited by the young leaders we have been meeting and with whom we have been developing relationships.  It is exciting to think what God will be doing in and through these young lives in the next 10 to 20 years!

You're always surrounded by young leaders at
Ana Terzo

I wrote briefly about some of the great group of leaders I got to see and grow closer to in Lebanon last month when I wrote about the Ana Terzo Camp and their trip to the Syrian Refugee camp.  After the Ana Terzo camp, as a board member for the NGO Heart for Lebanon, I got to be surrounded by another phenomenal group of multi-international  (young & old) leaders who work together to help meet needs in Lebanon.  One of those great individuals is my friend Chris; Chris and I met at last year's Ana Terzo and became better acquainted in last year's H4L staff retreat.  Chris did me the favor of an interview last year, and we wanted to do a follow up video with him...

In addition to the camp and H4L retreat, we also have an exciting group of young leaders in Egypt.  Last week, as a part of the practical section of a 16-session Church of God course, I was asked to teach the "Preaching the Bible" session.  This is a 16 hour intensive that we did over 3.5 days--through interpretation.  An exhausting but rewarding effort by all.  

Pastor Ishak, center with Ken, has quite a group of
young leaders in Asuit.

More than half of the participants were less than 30 years old, most of them still in or about to begin college.  I met several of these in a similar "Church of God History" course last January--this is what led to the invitation to invite Donald, John & Christine along to Ana Terzo this summer.  Those three were among the students last week, so it gave us quite an opportunity to reminisce about our time in Lebanon and to tell the others.

The largest group of young adults were not from the Alexandria area this time, but from Asuit--they traveled 8 hours by bus (no trains right now) on the last week of their summer break to take this course!

They were a great group--some want to go to Lebanon, others were more excited about our planned visit to The Upper Egypt churches.  We have long planned to visit these churches, but have faced conflicts in other pastors schedules, or security issues.  

We are so thankful for the favor and grace we have experienced in meeting and connecting with so many young leaders so quickly in the Middle East.  Please pray for our wisdom in working to encourage their faith and the use of their gifts in their churches and communities.  

Thank you for your continuing interest, prayers and support--none of this would be possible through us without your faithful participation!  Together, God is and will be praised!