New Semester, New Season, New Program!
New online Ministry Training Program launching February 2021
We have been working for several months on an online virtual platform for the ILC, that took our teachings, in depth notes and small group discussion onto a platform that allowed us to better serve our international leaders but also that gives us permission to reproduce the ILC in other cities, states and countries and multiples it as well.
This is something we have prayed into for years but COVID has really forced us to practically move forward with the idea. It will allows us to keep the essence of the ILC and the components that have been the most effective: teachings and discussion.
For months, we have pivoted to holding our Monday evenings over Zoom, as many have, incorporating prayer and worship, then attempting to hold a place for a brief teaching/exhortation to those that joined in. We were able to see leaders and pastors from all over, including those who’ve never been the ILC before, participate in experiencing the heart of our community virtually. It’s not been without its challenges (have you ever tried to worship with 10+ internationals over Zoom with everyone’s mics on? 😆) but we have persevered in 2020 like so many to remain consistent within our ministry.
We’ve prayed with, encouraged and stood with many of our international pastors who’s churches and ministries were caused to pause or shutdown. We’ve partnered with local ministries who were doing work on the ground and provided strategy for spiritual care to those they were engaging. We’ve seen international pastors show up to be present in ministering to those who were in need also. We’ve seen international leaders move their ministry online and impact their people groups in other nations. We’ve seen family members of our ILC leaders struggle with COVID and even stood by those who saw death come to their families also. 2020, though, did not take our God by surprise and we continue to lean into Him for greater faith and trust in these days.
While we could see these elements as obstacles, we’ve chosen to see 2020 as an opportunity to lean into the Lord for a new strategy in how we could serve more effectively and serve more people through the ministry of the ILC. The world is in need of disciples who are making disciples and leaders who are paving the way in helping to do so. How do we continue to see the mission of the ILC come to pass in these days? To…
1. Partner: Connecting diverse communities of faith through relationships, in prayer, service and giving.
2. Transform: Providing hope and help through leaders equipped to make disciples who impact their communities with love and good works.
3. Multiply: Expanding the gospel of the kingdom through leadership development and transformational ministry among global communities around the world.
To partner, transform and multiply we must establish a system that is reproducible and multipliable, that allows for us to maintain the integrity of the ILC, while linking arms with leaders and pastors to not only be equipped in leadership but to also lead others in to it as well. To reach more nations and more people, we sought a strategy that would allow us efficient access to these areas and leaders, without necessarily needing to be physically present.
We are excited at the opportunities a new strategy, one that is essentially all online, opens for us to birth cohorts of pastors and leaders in the future, from all over, lead by trusted leaders to begin a Ministry Training Program in their respective circles under the umbrella of the ILC with this curriculum.
This allows us to partner with more people to take the gospel and discipleship training to more people.
This allows us to translate it in other languages so more people receive the blessing of biblical training in their own language, to raise and release leaders in other nations.
This allows us to fulfill our vision international leaders and partners working together to bring the transforming power of the Kingdom of God by discovering and equipping international leaders for transformational ministry in global cities through partnering, transforming and multiplying.
This new model for us will be a beta to see how effective this is for our first group of leaders and continue to adjust as need be that will include a pre-recorded video teaching on one of our main pillars of education (Character, Disciple-Making, Theology, Ministry Skill, Leadership and Cultural Transformation), small group discussion held in virtual meeting rooms led by ILC leaders and a time of prayer and worship all over Zoom. Registered leaders and ILC graduates will also be given personal access to this online platform to stay current with teachings (should they miss a Monday night) as well as participate in an online discussion board regarding that week’s topic.
We will also gather one time a month, in-person, for a corporate time of worship and prayer with the nations. These are essentially our ILC Community Nights but will be open to ILC friends and leaders for the near future till COVID precautions are lifted.
While the ILC has been an open door for anyone and everyone to join us every week, we are honing in on a core group of participants to give greater attention and focus to equipping and intentional impartation to these group of leaders. We do invite any NEW leaders or those who have NOT graduated from the ILC, to apply to the Ministry Training Program and are asked to regularly attend. The doors for this program will only open twice per year.
Visitors will be granted 2 complimentary visits. Please email Grace Johnson if you're interested in visiting our online Monday night.
If you or someone you know are interested in joining us for the Ministry Training Program, we invite you to apply and/or share this information with any leaders/pastors you know who may be interested. They do not need to be local to Nashville.
Thank you for your ongoing support, prayers and friendship. We feel the affirmation of the Lord in this new season and believe the gospel will continue to advance and multiply to more with this mandate. Blessings to you.