Leaders

Can you imagine serving a meal to 5,000 men plus women and children? That is what Jesus asked his disciples to do in Matthew 14 and John 6. They were in a remote place along the coast of the Sea of Galilee far from any big city, café, or store. Jesus had been healing the sick and teaching all who were gathered there. It was getting late, and the people were hungry. The disciples asked Jesus to send the crowds away. Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:16.) John 6:9 tells us, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish.” “Taking the five loaves and two fish Jesus looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves. Jesus gave them to his disciples and the disciples gave them to the crowds. They all ate until they were full, and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.” (Matthew 14:19-21.)

The United Methodist Church has over 100 churches in the Eurasia Area from eight countries and eleven time zones. Churches are in large cities and small towns. God is asking us to feed our people physical food and, more importantly, to give them the “Bread of Life.” Notice that Jesus told the disciples, “You give them something to eat.” Through Pastors’ Continuing Education and Lay Leadership Training, we will learn how to be teaching and experiencing the “Bread of Life” through Bible Study, evangelism, worship, and Sunday School classes based on our Christian Beliefs in the context of the Orthodox world in which most of the local churches minister. Our goal is that all people will know the Living God and receive God’s blessings through the Bread of Life.

These Pastors’ Continuing Education events and Lay Leadership Training events are very important as we hear God’s call to nurture and grow the church.

In the districts

These events will take place on the district level to connect pastors and lay leaders working in similar contexts and to provide opportunities for follow up and accountability.

Continuing education is mandatory for pastors under appointment. There are typically two seminars, Tuesday-Thursday, every year. In most cases, church council members and other lay leaders will be invited. Each district throughout the Eurasia Area will be doing the same event titles, but the order of study may vary due to the needs of each individual district.

Lay Leader Training is a series of weekend events over two years. Each seminar is open for individual participation, and certificates will be given upon completion of each event. Those who participate in the full series, including reading and writing assignments, will be given a Diploma and will be eligible to become Lay Speakers.

Coordination

There will be a volunteer District Coordinator of Education in each district, pastor or lay, assigned by the District Superintendent. The responsibility of the district director is to learn about the needs in the district, plan events in cooperation with the district superintendent, and be in contact with the Area Office about topics, leaders, teachers, prayer support, resources, and books to be used. The Area Directors of Education assist in planning and, if needed, in implementation, and coordinate contacts between guest teachers and the district.

Finances

Travel, food, and lodging at pastors’ continuing education events are normally provided for by the local churches, either directly or coordinated through the district. In vast districts travel support will be provided. The Area Office and international supporters will provide for event leadership, teachers, and certain books and other resources.

Where is the boy?

Jesus performed the wonderful miracle mentioned earlier when a boy shared his “five barley loaves and two fish.” Some of us have the educational skills that are needed in Eurasia. Some of us cannot go there ourselves, but we can share our financial resources. All of us can share in prayer ministry for our church in Eurasia. We give what we have to Jesus; he will give it to his disciples in Eurasia, and the disciples will give it to the crowds.

If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact any of the following people:

• Jim Athearn, Consultant, Russia Initiative, jimathearn@gmail.com, (540) 662-2066
• Patrick Whaley, Sasha Ministry, sashaministry@gmail.com, 901-681-0623
• Lena Kim, Executive Director of Education, kim-lena@mail.ru
  
• Administrative Director of Education, Katya Kim, education@umc-eurasia.ru

  If you wish to support this program financially, please make your check payable to the General Board of Global Ministries. Write on the check Advance #11510-A, “Edu 2007” and (optional) the name of the receiving district in Eurasia. (See Russia Initiative Funds Transmittal Guidelines, Line #2, available at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/work/initiatives/russia/).Send contribution to: General Board of Global Ministries

  Advance GCFA

  P. O. Box 9068 GPO

  New York, NY 10087-9068

  Training Plan