My first thoughts are -- WOW! What an amazing time in the Lord. I was so encouraged by the 160 participants who attended the conference in Nairobi, Kenya a few weeks ago. There were so many sharp, committed, and focused leaders who had joined together to learn more about leading Teen Challenge programs.
It has been a long time since I have been with a group of leaders that were hungry for knowledge. I had the privilege of speaking to the Executive Directors, and their comments and questions made it obvious they were working through the challenges that all Executive Directors have faced.
My sessions led to discussions around visionary leadership, sustainability and general management of our teams as we lead. I used many illustrations from my past 23 years of raising funds, managing teams and dealing with crazy things that can happen while leading a ministry like Teen Challenge. Many shared their appreciation for me being open and sharing my personal challenges and problems. I believe it helped them to realize that they are not the only ones who have to deal with hardship while striving to fulfill the dream of building a successful Teen Challenge center.
I believe, as leaders, we need to be transparent about our leadership experiences. One director shared, "I felt so alone in the challenges I was facing and I was feeling so defeated that I was not a better leader. Your stories helped me see I am not the only one having these kinds of challenges." AMEN - You are not alone and we all have challenges with staff, students, families of students, and raising our budgets. That's why these conferences are so critical to each leader. Having fellowship with others who are experiencing similar challenges and learning how others are raising money, training staff and overcoming their problems is priceless.
One of the most impressive experiences for me was to see the leaders of Teen Challenge Africa embrace and take ownership of the vision to Put Hope within Reach of Every Addict - in Africa!
Jacobus Nomdoe spoke Friday morning and he made the comment, "We appreciate what Global TC is doing, what the Martins, Doug Wever and Bernie Gillott are doing. We believe in GTC. We believe in Jerry Nance and his leadership, but we own the responsibility to take Teen Challenge to North Africa and to every area of Africa."
Jacobus, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, was challenging every African leader to step up and to step into the challenge of Putting Hope within Reach of Every Addict. That was so moving to see God speaking to our African brothers and sisters about reaching into North Africa. May God grant the favor and the courage to see this dream become a reality. North Africa nations are predominantly Muslim and anyone who accepts the challenge to go will need the wisdom and favor of the Lord.
I believe God is doing a new work in Africa and I am excited about the great young leaders who will take TC to every nation in Africa. God bless all the leaders who are facing the challenges, working through the difficulties and pressing on to reach addicts for Christ.
I came away with the burden to expand the sustainability division of GTC, as each of these African nations need micro-businesses for long-term sustainability. We truly need the Lord to provide the funding through the Capacity Campaign to be able to make micro loans and to assist TC centers with the resources needed as they begin to develop micro-businesses.
I want to say a special thanks to Doug Wever, Bernie and Cathy Gillott, John and Anne Martin, Steve Pippin, and the TC Kenya staff for all their hard work to make the conference a success.
Putting Hope Within Reach,
Jerry Nance
Meeting the President
It was a joy to spend time with John and Anne Martin, Executive directors of TC Kenya. I am so impressed how God is using them to raise up a great team of leaders who will lead TC Kenya in the future. Through some of John's team, we were given the opportunity to meet and share Teen Challenge with the President of Kenya. President Uhuru Kenyatta asked that our meeting be opened in prayer and then we had the joy of sharing the history of Teen Challenge and about the men's home in Kenya.
President Kenyatta was engaging, inquisitive and so excited that there was interest in developing a TC women's home in Kenya. He pledged $12,000 dollars to help with the program and then asked his staff to assist in locating a property that might be given to Teen Challenge for a women's home in Kenya. This was an amazing breakthrough and was so encouraging to both the Martins and the TC family. Let God be praised! We look forward to seeing how God will use Teen Challenge across Kenya.
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GLOBAL INTERNSHIPS
Norbert Schenhals is leading the development of TC in a sensitive country in the Caribbean. GTC presented a National Strategic Plan for Teen Challenge to the Assemblies of God of this nation which they approved and is now being implemented. In partnership with Living Free over 300 chaplains have been trained and TC will operate under the direction of the AG Chaplaincy ministry led by Alexander & Marisol. Many TC Day Programs are operating throughout the country with the first residential center set to open soon.
