The fueling of women and men for the sending work of God’s expanding Kingdom is a great joy for Resurrection! We have experienced the reproducing fruit of PLI firsthand in our staff and lay leaders; with an open hand we are excited to partner with PLI/PLI’s international training from our mission budget each year.
Rev. Ted Benson
Resurrection Lutheran Church, Spring, TexasOver the last few weeks, we’ve talked about ways you can support mission and leaders here in the U.S. and around the world.
I have attended a number of PLI experiences. My first experience was “Senior Leader” just as I was beginning my first year as a senior pastor. The timing and content were perfect. As a result, my congregation supports PLI from our congregation’s mission budget because we know firsthand the value of intentional proactive training. We need well trained leaders in the mission field as we all work to carry the hope in Jesus to the world!
Rev. Jerry Hays
St. Peter Lutheran Church, Schaumburg, IllinoisWe first talked about how to support the leaders coming up behind you through both encouragement and financial support. Who do you know that could benefit from PLI’s training? And who do you know that could give to PLI to help us continue to provide that training? As Rika Beckley, the National Director of PLI’s Donor Engagement, shared, “If all of our alumni/donors just introduced one person to PLI, we really could make an even greater Kingdom impact.”
We first supported PLI through our congregation’s mission budget because of how it changed my life and enhanced my ministry, and we wanted to see that happen for other pastors. We continue to support PLI because we want to be part of the larger mission of God beyond the boundaries of our local ministry. PLI does an outstanding job of providing both basic and advanced leadership training for church leaders. Once equipped, these leaders are more effective in leading the efforts of their congregations and organizations in the advancement of the kingdom.
Rev. Ron Burcham
Risen Savior Lutheran Church, Chandler, ArizonaThe reason that St. Matthew Lutheran Church and personally, my wife and I, support PLI is because of the difference PLI made in our ministry and the ministry of so many others. I believe PLI is an organization that is training men and women to share Christ throughout their ministries and lives. PLI creates a fellowship among people who have a common goal of sharing God’s love with others. PLI’s way of using both class learning and on-site teaching as well as coaching is key to learning. It is one thing to have head knowledge but another to have participant knowledge and experience. We support PLI so it will be around for future leaders to be trained.
Rev. Blaise Sedney
St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Bel Air, MarylandWe’ve asked your church to include PLI’s international work in its budget, and last week’s look at supporting mission and leaders around the world. Scott Rische, PLI’s International Director, shared about the number of countries PLI has been invited to train in that we simply don’t have the capacity to respond to right now. As Christianity spreads rapidly in many parts of the world, the need for trained leaders is great.
Our church sends mission support to PLI’s international training because PLI International is reaching thousands of church leaders throughout the world. We have first hand knowledge of the curriculum and are aware of the positive response by pastors and spouses to this mission focused leadership training.
Rev. Al Doering
Christ the King Lutheran Church, Kingwood, TexasBethel Lutheran Church in Westmont, Illinois, supports PLI International because we believe in the power of spreading God’s love and the Gospel to people around the world, and we recognize the valuable work that PLI does in equipping leaders and empowering communities for multiplying the mission. Our church sees PLI as a meaningful partner in fulfilling our mission of following Jesus together through our support and involvement in PLI.
Rev. P. Jay Pfotenhauer
Bethel Lutheran Church, Westmont, IllinoisAnd this week, we’re sharing the reasons that churches and individuals support the work of PLI. Take a look at these stories. What resonates with you?
Faith Community Lutheran Church is grateful for the opportunity to partner with PLI and its international training efforts. God is doing amazing things in other parts of the world, and PLI International is a vital part of that growth. We are especially excited to support PLI’s work in Ethiopia, where God is growing His Church exponentially! I’m thankful we can help PLI to be where God is working mightily to build His kingdom.
Rev. Craig Michaelson
Faith Community Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, NevadaOur congregation supports PLI because the Holy Spirit is using this training to create an awareness of God at work around us to bring good news. Through the start of a neighborhood Bible study, through the decision to adopt two children, through an unlikely friendship with a Mormon family, by rebuilding a fence with a neighbor, and by modeling for fathers what it looks like to disciple their children–in all of these things God is at work, and each member of our team is seeing God telling His Story through us.
Chris Rodgers & Rachel Fruge
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fort Worth, TexasNext, I’ll share an interview I did with Rev. Bob Kuppler, an alumnus of PLI’s 1999 class, who will share why he and his wife recently hosted a donor event and believe so strongly in the work of PLI.
As you hear about the opportunities and read these stories, I hope you’re encouraged. And, I want to encourage you further to talk to your congregational leadership. Share these blogs with them, and ask them to include PLI’s international training in their mission budgets. And if your church does this, would you let Rika Beckley know? In the next two months, we will be finalizing our commitments for 2024 and congregational support would make an important difference.
St. Peter has a long history of directly participating in the mission of God all throughout the world, especially in South Africa, and so when we were invited to help support PLI’s international training in Africa, it made perfect sense. We have seen firsthand the transformative power of investing in the women and men Jesus is raising up as workers in His harvest.
Working recently with one of our donors who helped fund our grant to PLI International’s work, he said, “Never in a million years would I have dreamed that I could help train pastors in Africa or plant churches in other parts of the world. This is so cool!!”
Are you on the sidelines, thinking about jumping in? Do it! You won’t regret it.
Working recently with one of our donors who helped fund our grant to PLI International’s work, he said, “Never in a million years would I have dreamed that I could help train pastors in Africa or plant churches in other parts of the world. This is so cool!!”
Are you on the sidelines, thinking about jumping in? Do it! You won’t regret it.
Rev. Micah Greiner
St. Peter Lutheran Church, Arlington Heights, IllinoisIf you need more convincing, keep reading!
We support PLI through our congregation’s mission budget because it equips pastors for leadership of God’s people that is focused on the heart and mission of God. It trains pastors and their wives in a way that no other organization does, and that makes a direct impact on the health and heart of the local congregation!
Rev. Ben Berteau
St. Luke Lutheran Church, Cabot, PennsylvaniaOur church sends mission support to PLI because we believe the call is to raise up and release all of God’s people to step into the hearts and lives of their community. We celebrate and partner with PLI to release daily missionaries to live humble and purposeful lives that point to Jesus!
Rev. Michael Eckelkamp
Christ Lutheran Church, Lincoln, NebraskaWe support PLI through our congregation’s mission budget because we believe it is a high priority for pastors to receive leadership training, collegial encouragement, and a Spirit-filled atmosphere in which to vision, dream, and plan for their own church and ministry.
Kevin Elseroad
Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church, Alpharetta, GeorgiaWe support PLI through our congregation’s mission budget because the church of North America is in steady decline, and the education, experiences, and partnerships offered through PLI directly equips pastors and congregations, in relevant ways, to capitalize on the unique opportunities of the 21st century – fostering passion, faithfulness, joy, and vision for Kingdom growth.
Rev. Keith Piotter
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Bettendorf, IowaOur church sends mission support to PLI’s international training because we know that when pastors lead from their true identity as beloved children of God, and when they become more confident in leading others, not only do their churches benefit, but more importantly the Kingdom grows as the people of God walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4); and we know that the Church of Christ is growing all over the world.
Rev. Aaron Rosenau
Faith Lutheran Church, Appleon, WisconsinOur church sends mission support to PLI’s international training because of the incredible growth that we have seen in the church across the globe. PLI’s training is aimed at equipping more workers for that harvest field and it is a joy to know that we can be a part of training leaders on the front lines of that kingdom work.
Rev. Nick Price
Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, IllinoisRoyal Redeemer joyfully supports PLI and its international work because it provides what is truly needed to help lead Christ’s Church and His people into the future: hands-on instruction, helpful advice and practical applications. Many churches here and around the world have been blessed from the depth of knowledge shared in the cohorts offered by PLI. It is obvious that the Holy Spirit is on the move through its leaders, and an honor to be able to partner with them!
John Zahrte
Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church, North Royalton, OhioRedeemer started supporting PLI in Mekane Yesus in Ethiopia many years ago. It’s pure joy to work with one of the fastest growing church bodies in the world. I’ve had a chance to teach there many times and see first hand the impact that PLI is having in developing mission-focused pastors and spouses.
Rev. Tim Runtsch
Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fort Collins, ColoradoI’ve participated in PLI in various ways for the last 15 years. It’s made such a difference in my ministry and the support I’ve felt in the valleys. The church I serve wants this for the other pastors as well, so we gladly financially support PLI!
Rev. Matt Hoffmann
St. Andrews Lutheran Church and School, Park Ridge, IllinoisShepherd of the Valley supports PLI because they have a beautiful heart for Jesus and they empower congregations with a proven vision for discipleship and mission. PLI does a great job of discipling both professional and lay ministry leaders to be healthy Spirit-driven Christ followers who have the life-margin to be on mission for Him. They have, and are equipping us to engage the shifting community around us with the solid love of Christ.
