Training Youth Leaders to Train Others

Part of GYMN’s vision/strategy is to supply national trainers who would carry on the ministry of training youth leaders even to the remotest parts of their country with very minimal direct involvement from us. We are seeing this now happen in some locations where we have conducted trainings for two years or so. Sri Lanka is one of these locations. Here are some of the testimonies of our recent training there:

Ø After the training (last year) the Lord led me to minister to drug addicts. After meeting them where they were, 6 of them accepted the Lord – Ranji, level 2 participant

Ø One of the goals I had during last year’s training was to be able to bring another person to the training this year. By God’s grace, we were able to raise leaders. One of them is here with me in the training. – Deborah, level 2 participant

Ø I had witnessed the fruits of your labor last year in the different youth ministries of those who came last year. We are blest to have GYMN be part of God’s ministry here in Sri Lanka. – Rev. Rohan Ekawake, head organizer

In spite of the country’s unrest due to fights between the government and the Tamil tigers, the threats from Buddhist extremists, and the difficulty of life, God has blessed the labor of those youth leaders and church leaders who implemented the principles we taught them. It was very encouraging to hear them ask us how to bring the training to churches that could not avail of trainings in the cities because of security reasons and financial constraint. That’s why we made sure that we together with the key leaders and the head organizer discussed and planned for our next year’s visit. On top of the two levels of trainings that we do, we will also be doing Trainers’ Training. We have already identified individuals who are qualified to be trainers from the groups who took our trainings. Maybe in the next couple of years, there will be no need for us from GYMN Asia to go to Sri Lanka ourselves. People whom we have invested our lives and resources in will continue the work. To God be the glory!

The same thing is happening in some regions in the Philippines. After we trained local trainers in Bicol and in Mindanao last April and May, they are now in their preparations for the levels 1 & 2 trainings this December to be done in their locations as part of the vision they have agreed upon during the Trainers’ Training. Most of the trainers this December will be coming from those that we have trained and certified. GYMN has had very minimal involvement in the said preparations. Trainers’ Training for the Capital Region, Manila, will also be done this December.

We also hope to see local trainers raised in Pakistan. This November, God willing, two of our trainers – Rey and Ejaz, are going to Pakistan to conduct the level 2 training to the group who took the level 1 training last year. In addition to this, they have been invited to conduct the level 1 training to a Bible School in Lahore, Pakistan with students representing the different provinces of Pakistan.

Our God is in the business of not just addition but multiplication. He Himself set the example during His earthly ministry. He came to save the world so He invested His life in the twelve.