Leadership Training - Imagine the Impact!

A graduation, whether it is from high school or from college, is a momentous occasion in a person's life—a memorable day. Less than two months ago I sat in a Bible college graduation ceremony that took place on the continent of Africa. It was a special event for me … not only to see our training facility but to shake the hands of men and women who are now equipped to serve in local congregations. At one point during the festivities, I was reminded of the impact that we are having in other parts of the world where PAOC workers are involved in training national leaders.

I am pleased to include a real life story handed to me by our Global Education Co-ordinator, Irving Whitt. Please take a moment to read the testimony of one young man, Bal Krishna Sharma, who converted from Hinduism and is now a follower of Christ, a trained leader in our partner college in Nepal. It is an exciting account of transformation and impact.

As you read it, would you prayerfully consider helping us train 25 new Pentecostal pastors in Nepal? For only $50 a month or $600 a year, you can provide the scholarship for a future pastor through The Timothy Fund. Please respond today with your gift—knowing that your donation will help cover the tuition of a student in need.

Imagine the impact your investment will have on a growing church and in the life of a future leader! I am thankful for the 30 colleges that we partner with worldwide … Bible colleges that train and prepare leaders to help multiply the harvest.

–Rick Tozer, Director of Development and Global Operations for International Missions

From Irving Whitt, Global Education Co-ordinator

I recently visited Nepal Theological College (NTC) in Kathmandu, a college in partnership with The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. While at the college, I met Bal Krishna Sharma. This gentleman is the principal and a teacher at NTC. Here is an excerpt of his testimony:

I was raised as a Brahmin caste Hindu in the west of Nepal. Growing up I never heard of Jesus. Around the age of 13 I participated in a quiz competition at school. One question was, “Who is the light of Nepal?” The answer was easy: Buddha. The next question, interestingly, was, “Who is the light of the world?” I didn’t know the answer, nor did any of the students, but the answer given that day was Jesus. That name stuck in my mind. Later that year, I found a discarded Christian booklet and the subject was about the death and resurrection of Jesus. The story gripped me and eventually I surrendered my life to Christ.

When I told my Brahmin family, they disowned me. I knew I needed to learn more, so a year later, at the age of 15, I got on a train and travelled to Bangalore, India, to attend South Asia Bible College (a college operated by the Assemblies of God US). Even though I didn’t know the local language and hadn’t applied before I arrived, I was granted permission to attend. Upon graduation I returned to Nepal and became part of the original formation of the Assemblies of God, Nepal. I preached and taught while pursuing graduate studies, which culminated in a PhD from Oxford in June 2010.

Nepal is experiencing exponential church growth after years of persecution and centuries with little or no gospel exposure. For many years, Nepal was known as the world’s only Hindu kingdom. Today, Hindus make up 75% of the population while Buddhists comprise 16%.

The first known church was formed in Nepal in 1959 with 29 known Christians. By 1985, there were 50,000 believers, and by the year 2000, there were estimates of over 500,000 believers in more than 3,000 congregations. Now, in 2010, there are over 1 million believers in Nepal.

The growing church needs leaders. Teachers like Bal Krishna are very critical during this time in the church’s history. They recognize a growing need to train the next generation of pastors. Will you help me help them by sending your gift today?

For only $50 a month or $600 a year, you can provide the scholarship for a future pastor through The Timothy Fund. These scholarship funds will help students at Nepal Theological College (NTC) receive the training they need in order to preach the gospel in their communities and become stronger leaders.

Imagine the Impact!

Irving Whitt

P.S. I want to thank you in advance for partnering with me during these exciting days!

Click here to help support training for the next generation of pastors.