Ivan Figueroa was on the verge of stepping away from his position as General Secretary of a church body in Bolivia when he and his wife, Maria José, encountered PLI training. 

“If we hadn’t had that connection with PLI, I think I’d already be somewhere else by now,” Ivan reflected. “I was about to tell the national leadership, ‘I’m leaving—this isn’t for me.’ But then we went through the first PLI course. That’s when I understood how you don’t have to do things alone. You can empower and entrust others. I’m resting a bit and kind of comforting myself, because before, I wanted to just drop everything. I didn’t have the slightest idea how to run a national church—as the person in charge, as a church leader. I felt like it was all on me.”

Courage to Remain

PLI’s investment in Ivan and Maria José’s lives and leadership gave Ivan the courage to remain in his role visiting churches and meeting with pastors, leaders, and members nationwide. 

Through PLI, Ivan learned practical tools that help him support local pastors and build relationships with them. “It’s very easy now to come alongside pastors and leaders and work with them in terms of discipleship and leadership, and follow up in a way that’s maybe even more trust-based,” Ivan shared.

“During the first PLI training we talked about the kind of relationships we build. The way we establish trust with people has been shaped by that training. Freedom comes with trust—the freedom you can give others so they can keep doing what’s already been put in place. Now I can say, ‘Okay, others can carry this forward—I’m not the only one.’” Smiling, Ivan reflected, “Now I think I’m a little more relaxed.”  

“This whole thing with PLI would’ve been really interesting to have earlier, back when I was a pastor in the congregations. I really think the story would’ve been different.”

The Landscape of Ministry is Changing

While Ivan lives and serves in Bolivia, leaders in the United States share the same struggle. 

According to Barna*, the landscape of pastoral ministry is changing. The median age of pastors continues to climb, and 1 in 4 pastors in the United States plan to retire by 2030. Additionally, nearly 1 in 4 pastors (especially younger pastors) indicate they have considered quitting. 

Something must be done. Ministry leaders simply don’t have the tools and relational support they need. Barna researchers believe that “the question before the Church now is whether it will respond by intentionally strengthening the relationships, expectations and support systems that sustain pastors over time—or allow the pressures that once pushed many leaders to the brink to quietly rebuild.” 

A Hopeful Picture

PLI’s relationally grounded, structured pathway helps pastors, spouses, and ministry leaders by offering practical tools and a hopeful picture of ministry lived out together.

For the Figueroas, this hopeful picture goes beyond saying ‘yes’ to a continued life in ministry. They, like so many of us, have a deep desire for their children to know Jesus and remain active in their local church. 

Ivan’s sense of gratitude was palpable as he reflected on how PLI equipped Maria José to reach their two oldest sons, aged 19 and 20, with the love of Jesus. “They’re young, and I’m away from home a lot, but it’s helped [Maria José] a great deal in how to guide them. Thank God, I now have those two young men who are really committed in the church and supporting the church in leadership—specifically working with teenagers.” 

*Read more from Barna:

Pastors Quitting Ministry: New Barna Data Shows a Shift
New Research: Pastors’ Sense of Calling Is Up—Satisfaction is Lagging
At a Glance: The Strengths & Struggles of Today’s Pastors