Over the past 40 years in the United States, Josh McDowell Ministry has developed resources and national campaigns to assist the church in addressing specific issues facing young people. Internationally, the Josh McDowell Ministry has been used by the Lord in incredible ways through the translation of books that Josh has written in the United States. Through Global True Foundations, Josh McDowell Ministry is deepening its international work with the church in targeted countries by going beyond the provision of translated books and developing national campaigns to address specifically identified local issues facing its young people.
Our goal of raising $710,000 is so that Josh McDowell Ministry can partner with Christian leaders, coalitions and churches around the world to help raise up a generation of purpose-drive, mission-focused followers of Christ through Global True Foundations.
To do this, Global True Foundations conducts quantitative and qualitative research into the issues facing young people in each country. It then builds strong relationships with the local church denominations, church leaders, parachurch organizations and Campus Crusade for Christ leaders. Through the relationships with these Christian leaders, locally owned national campaigns are developed to address the identified issues. The advantages of this approach include an end result in which the local church uses local materials to work through local families to address local problems in local youth.
The national campaigns that result from this approach to do international work not only include international translations of Josh McDowell Ministry resources, but also are likely to include:
- development of customized books with local authors
- training and mentoring local church leaders
- development of Web sites to make books, videos and curriculum freely available
- seminars for church leaders
- seminars for parents
- youth rallies and seminars
- dedicated local staff to nationally distribute and promote the messages and products
This work complements the Ministry’s international book translation, publishing and distribution ministry, as it takes the principles of international ministry to specific countries in greater depth.
National campaigns have been started along these lines of work in Poland and the United Kingdom. For 2008, goals for extending work from these initial countries are as follows:
Romania: complete adaptation and publishing of resources; Web site development; and launch of national seminars
Ukraine: complete adaptation and publishing of resources; Web site development; and launch of national seminars
China: complete adaptation and publishing of resources; Web site development; and launch of national seminars
Ethiopia: translation of key videos, small group guides and books into Amharic language
Mexico: disseminate the video and book resources developed through local Campus Crusade for Christ programs
In addition, during 2008, goals are in place for initiating the research process and building relationships in the next round of countries. In each of these areas, the process involves quantitative and qualitative research to determine needs, identification of Christian leaders, and meeting church leaders. The next round of countries include:
- Australia
- Nigeria
- Spain
- India
- South Korea
- Indonesia
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Guatemala
By 2012, the goal for Global True Foundations is to have partnered with Christian leaders, coalitions and churches in 64 countries to help raise up a generation of purpose-driven, mission-focused followers of Christ.
To make a donation to this cause, click here.
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