A Practical Way to Help the Nations Receive Theological Education

There are many good ways to invest in the kingdom. But let me mention one ministry you may not have heard of: Training Leaders International, launched by Bethlehem Baptist Church in 2009.

It's not an exaggeration to say that there is a crisis of theological education around the world, especially with respect to the need and to the call of the Great Commission. TLI is responding to the need in three ways:

They send short-term teams to provide theological education.
They serve as a sending agency for those interested in teaching overseas.
They start schools in places where formal education is lacking.

They currently have 22 trips planned for 2012.

Here are a few things that others are saying about this ministry:

The vision of Training Leaders International—bringing together Christian pastors who have enjoyed the privileges of training with Christian pastors in cultures where there are few opportunities for training—is proving fruitful and encouraging. It brings biblical and theological content to the people best positioned to pass it on to others. Most forms of short-term mission are fraught with troubling downsides, but this pattern of transferring serious theological nourishment is enriching both parties to the glory of God.

—D.A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

I love the goal of international, Christ-exalting, theological famine relief. And I love the way God has raised up Training Leaders International to meet that need with real live, Spirit-filled, human teachers, on the ground, face-to-face with seasoned and emerging pastors and Christian leaders who have little or no opportunity for in-depth theological training. So I thank God for Darren Carlson, and the amazing ministry God is gathering around his vision. May the word of the Lord run and be glorified!

—John Piper, Pastor for Preaching and Vision at Bethlehem Baptist Church

We live in a time that is marked by a great urgency to reach the unreached, but often with a speed that leaves thousands of people groups without a missionary presence to provide essential discipleship, pastoral preparation, and theological education. Training Leaders International serves the Kingdom of Christ by answering this great need, reminding us all that to whom much is given, much is expected. Through practical pastoral training marked by a love for Christ and a commitment to Truth, TLI is impacting the church around the world to the glory of God.

-David Sills, A.P. and Faye Stone Professor of Christian Missions and Cultural Anthropology at Southern Seminary

TLI's vision and approach are having worldwide impact in training Christians for leadership. And the flow of blessing is proving to be two-way: those who travel to train others also find themselves transformed. The result is strengthened leadership on both the "sending" and "receiving" ends. The whole church is built up in knowledge, in service, in worship, and in unity. I thank God for this significant ministry and movement.

—Robert Yarbrough, Professor of New Testament at Covenant Seminary

If you are interested in participating in a trip, you could go to TLI for more information.

They are also facing a significant year-end need, if any feel led to give to a ministry that is making a real difference around the world.