Investing in Trainable Church Leaders
by Lee Bradley
Director, Albanian Bible Institute
September 22, 2011

What does it mean to invest in trainable church leaders?

Investment is a word that carries an understanding of paying for something, often with sacrifice and high cost, in expectation of reaping greater profits at some later time. Our experience at Albanian Bible Institute teaches us that training in theological studies and church leadership is an investment with many fine returns for years to come.

The other day one of our first graduates of ABI came for an unexpected visit. We found the photo of his class from 1996. Almost everyone in that photo looked like a teenager. Many were barely in their 20s at the time. Now many of them are married and have children. Many in that old embarrassing photo serve the Lord capably in Albanian churches. Two serve in Kosova. By almost any standard these guys, who are now in their early 30s, would be considered young leaders. They ARE young leaders, but they are not novices. Some of them would qualify as seasoned leaders after ten years of mentoring, practical ministry experience and training at Albanian Bible Institute. Many, like this young man who visited us the other day, look back fondly on their time at ABI and say it was a big help to their spiritual development.

ABI...an investment for our students

Albanian Bible Institute is an investment for our students. All of our current students have jobs where they work each day before attending classes for 2-3/4 hours beginning at 5 p.m. They also have homework assignments that accompany their classes. This involves time and work that their culture, and sometimes even their own families, does not value.

ABI...an investment for our teachers

Albanian Bible Institute is an investment for our teachers. In addition to countless hours of preparing and presenting lessons, each teacher takes personal time with the students beyond the classroom. Teachers regularly host students in their homes for dinner. During the school year they make visits in the homes of students, getting to know their families and places of ministry. Every night after evening classes, at least one of our teachers is in the building talking with students about anything from life in the west to marriage. On occasions we play games, watch films or go for a walk with our students.

Life in Albania is very relationship-driven. Teachers know this and put the time in those relationships to facilitate maximum response from the students. Schools in the west could learn something from our approach.

ABI...an investment for YOU!

Albanian Bible Institute can be an excellent investment for you as well. Maybe you cannot come as a teacher, but you can still make a contribution to what God is doing here. Although the rate of return in most ordinary investments is variable from year to year, with potential for large growth or great loss, an investment in the lives of students at ABI brings growing returns every year as students grow in their relationship with Him and influence others for the cause of Christ. An investment in ABI will bring greater results than even Wall Street. At ABI students grow greatly in their knowledge of the scriptures and theology. They learn skills in Bible interpretation that stay with them for life. They receive an education always complimented by practical ministry experience in the local church. They find Christian friends who encourage them and walk with them throughout their years in school and beyond. Most ABI students continue to visit us and maintain relationships with our faculty long after they leave school. This is a testimony of how our school is personally impacting church leaders.

During the first decade and a half of our existence we have trained more than 90 students. They work in a diversity of places from the capital city of Tirana to the small, remote villages near the Greek border. They work in large churches that meet in rented halls and small churches that meet in homes. Some work for Christian organizations. Altogether, ABI students serve in numerous churches in 20 of the nation's 36 districts. Some are pastors. Some are worship leaders, youth workers, children's workers or student ministers. Trained leaders lay the foundation for fruitful, disciple-making churches for years to come. Untrained workers don't grow as rapidly in their spiritual lives and soon run out of resources and abilities to lead people into further growth. Your investment in a trained church leader is an investment in a local church. If churches with ABI graduates multiply themselves over time through church planting as they should, your investment will bear fruit through the birth and growth of many more churches. If our graduates go abroad to other mission fields, the return on your investment grows even more. Investing in trainable church leaders is an exciting opportunity when you think about it!

How can you invest in ABI?

This year, 2011-12, we are seeking to enlist 30 churches or individuals who will donate at least $1,000 to the ministry of ABI. This can come in the form of monthly donations or on- time gifts. Of course, gifts smaller than $1,000 are needed and just as appreciated.

If you would like to be one of these thirty investors in students of Albanian Bible Institute, you may send your donation to:
The International Mission Board
Attention: Special Gifts
PO Box 6767
Richmond, VA 23230

Please designate your gifts for "ministry of Albanian Bible Institute." Once your gifts are received, you will receive a letter acknowledging your gift to the school.

Your generosity and active concern for the growing Albanian church are greatly appreciated. God's blessings on you for your investment.

Sincerely,
Lee Bradley
Director of Albanian Bible Institute