By Gordon Ferguson and Rolan Monje

The inaugural course of the APLA is taking place in March and April, with the Seminar session having been taught by Gordon Ferguson in Manila on March 6-9. Thus far, the Academy promises to be a resounding success! For the first course, we have a total paid enrollment of 36, with another 3 auditing the course. The students are from ministries in five countries: the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Guam (USA). The majority of those from the Philippines are from the various provinces where we have churches planted. The large majority of the students have at least a Bachelor’s Degree, and some are presently pursuing Master’s and Doctoral level degrees. One third of them are not currently in full-time ministry staff positions, but were anxious to spend the necessary time and money to be better equipped to best serve their people. The hearts and diligence of all the students are absolutely inspiring examples of totally committed disciples of Jesus, wanting to follow his path of true spiritual leadership in being their best for God. Having key leaders like Cesar Lopez, Koko Enrile and Ken Chau in the Seminar was so encouraging, and their excitement about learning and growing personally was an upward call to those who view them as heroes. Continuing education is a huge need for all leaders, a concept thankfully shared by the top leaders in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia-Pacific Leadership Academy is being established to train leadership for churches in Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Guam and the Philippines.

PROGRAM VISION & PURPOSE

for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea – Isaiah 11:9

The highly acclaimed Dynamic Marriage program from Family Dynamics is now in the country! Gordon Ferguson was appointed as the trainor-facilitator for foreign programs, and the Philippines was the first to hold training for facilitators outside U.S. shores. More than 40 facilitators were trained last year by Gordon & Theresa Ferguson in tandem with Jerry and Karen Jones.

Visit their website (www.familydynamics.net) to know more about their amazing program.

Manila sessions start in February in three locations in the city, with MMCC congregational deacons overseeing the arrangements. Please ask
your Staff or region leader for more info.

Our 2008 adventure will take place in three countries

July 17-20 -- 14th Annual International Teachers' Seminar, Egypt.Our theme:

EGYPT IN THE BIBLE
10 hours of classes and workshops, worship with Cairo Christians, cruise on Nile, visit pyramids, and more! After Sunday church we will drive through the Sinai and into Israel through the desert and Dead Sea area, arriving for our 8 pm dinner with the Biblical Study Tour group in Tiberias (Galilee). All are welcome to this seminar, which will include much more teaching and discussion than the Biblical Study Tour in Israel.

Read more here...

Theresa and I are excited to announce a significant role change for us in mid-2008, as we come off the staff of the Phoenix Valley Church.

For the past two years, we have been planning to come off staff at the end of 2008, at which time our financial support will come from Social Security payments, some money from retirement investments, along with income from further teaching and writing. However, the date had to be moved up due to opportunities that called for earlier involvement at a level that cannot be met while we are still on the staff.