How Non-Formal Training Is Fueling the Global Church: Insights from Latin America

The opportunity—and the urgency—for pastor trainers

The global Church is growing faster than traditional systems can keep up. Every day, tens of thousands of people come to faith, and with that growth comes an urgent question: Who will lead these new believers… and who will train those leaders well?

Pastor trainers around the world feel the tension. Formal theological education remains essential, yet it often moves too slowly or is inaccessible to many leaders who are already serving on the front lines. Meanwhile, churches are being planted, pastors are being given leadership responsibilities for which they are, perhaps, not yet ready, and the gap between need and preparation continues to widen.

In this reality, non-formal training (short, reproducible, context-aware, and relational) is emerging as one of the most effective ways to equip pastors and raise new trainers of pastors without waiting years for institutional solutions.

A conversation from Latin America

In a recent conversation on the Global Pastor Trainers Podcast, pastors Leandro Adjian (Argentina) and Diego Leivas (Uruguay, now serving in Belize) joined hosts Robby Richard and Germán Ricca to share how non-formal training is shaping pastoral leadership across Latin America—and why it may be essential for the future of the global Church.

Their insights point to a clear theme: when training is flexible, relational, and grounded in real ministry needs, it multiplies faster than formal systems alone ever could.

1. Why the scale of growth demands new training models

The urgency facing pastor trainers is not theoretical—it is measurable.

Robby Richard referenced global estimates suggesting that 50,000 new believers are baptized every day, and that meeting this growth could require millions of new churches worldwide in the years ahead. At the same time, Bible translation organizations aim to complete translations in every language by 2033.

The implication is clear: the Church cannot afford to rely on slow, linear training pathways alone.

As Richard summarized the challenge:

“To have more churches, we need more pastors. But to have more pastors, we need more trainers of pastors.”

Non-formal training does not replace formal theological education. Instead, it helps fill the gap between urgent need and long-term formation—especially in contexts where access, cost, or time make seminary unrealistic for many leaders.

2. Training builds confidence—and exposes hidden gaps

Both Leandro and Diego emphasized that training does more than add information. It surfaces blind spots and builds confidence pastors didn’t realize they lacked.

Leandro described how training reshaped his understanding of growth:

“Sometimes we think that we only have training through what the Holy Spirit does in us, and we don’t realize how beneficial it is to add to our lives the experiences of others.”
— Leandro Adjian

Rather than replacing dependence on the Holy Spirit, training complemented it—bringing perspective, tools, and insight gained from others’ lived ministry experience.

Diego echoed this from his own journey, naming a common obstacle he has seen across Latin America:

“The idea of, ‘I have the Holy Spirit,’ which is true and essential, almost becomes an excuse to hide pride.”
— Diego Leivas

For Diego, receiving non-formal training unlocked a confidence he didn’t know he was missing:

“When I received certain tools, it started building that confidence, and that confidence created a hunger to keep getting trained.”
— Diego Leivas

Training didn’t just prepare him to lead—it awakened a desire to keep learning and to help others do the same.

3. Multiply trainers, not just trainees

One of the clearest strengths of non-formal training is its capacity for rapid reproduction.

Diego shared that after receiving training just seven months earlier, he immediately began passing it on. Starting with a small group of six pastors and preachers, the group quickly grew to twelve.

Teaching others also sharpened his own understanding:

• Teaching exposed areas he hadn’t fully grasped.
• Repetition reinforced learning.
• The model created hunger in others to train still more leaders.

As Germán Ricca observed, non-formal training often leads the way because it reproduces faster than formal systems:

“Non-formal training is actually leading the way because it’s allowing for faster reproduction.”
— Germán Ricca

This multiplication effect reflects a simple but powerful principle: you learn more when you teach, and the Church grows stronger when trainers intentionally give away what they’ve received.

4. Keep training short, practical, and context-aware

Both pastors emphasized that effectiveness depends on adaptability. Training that works in one neighborhood—or even one church—may not work ten blocks away.

Leandro described how this shapes his approach in Argentina:

• Training is short and dynamic, reflecting changing attention spans.
• Content addresses real pastoral pressures, not just theology.
• Leaders are equipped for issues like mental and emotional health, which are increasingly present in ministry.

As he explained:

“Training isn’t just about theology; it’s also about equipping people with practical tools.”
— Leandro Adjian

Diego reinforced the need for speed and flexibility, using a vivid analogy:

“If I’m going to wait three years of seminary to start leading a church when there’s a growth of 50,000 people a day, it’s like putting the cart before the horse.”
— Diego Leivas

Both pastors agreed that formulas rarely last. Communities change. Schedules change. Cultural expectations shift. Effective pastor trainers continually reshape training so people can actually participate and apply what they learn.

5. Relationships overcome the biggest obstacles

When asked about barriers to training more pastors, both leaders pointed to relational challenges rather than lack of information.

Common obstacles included:

• Pride, especially tied to age or perceived authority
• Information overload and unfiltered online content
• Lack of trust between churches and pastors
• Contextual differences even within the same city

For Diego, trust between churches was one of the greatest challenges—but also the key to multiplication:

“I believe interpersonal relationships, close relationships with other pastors are essential.”
— Diego Leivas

Rather than criticizing others’ gaps, he chose invitation—sharing what had helped him and offering it freely.

Leandro framed training as an outflow of connection:

“Training starts with connections. I’m not an expert in every area, and we need training for different situations.”
— Leandro Adjian

Relationships create credibility, reveal real needs, and open doors for collaboration across churches and networks.

Key takeaways for pastor trainers

• The global growth of the Church requires faster, more reproducible training models
• Non-formal training builds confidence and reveals unseen gaps in leadership
• Multiplication happens when trained pastors immediately train others
• Training must be short, practical, and adapted to local context
• Relationships, trust, and prayer are essential for raising new trainers of pastors

As Germán Ricca summarized near the end of the conversation, the path forward requires intentionality in prayer, in relationships, and in training others to train others.

And as Leandro reminded listeners, sometimes the next step forward is simpler than it seems. Raising up new trainers of pastors may be “just a prayer away.”

Next steps

• Listen to the full conversation on the Global Pastor Trainers Podcast
• Explore resources for pastor trainers at GProCommission
• Share this article with a pastor trainer or church leader in your network

All pastors trained. Every pastor a trainer.