Please note: this article appeared originally in the Missio Nexxus publication, an organization attempting to return the North American missions community to the basics of evangelism, discipleship and church planting at its 100th anniversary year. The Christian Faith experiences weakness, even rapid waning when evangelism is lost in the heart, mind, and activity of its adherents. Christianity on both sides of the North Atlantic arc provides empirical proof of evangelistic neglect leading to missional collapse, and dare I remark, civilizational decline. First, then a confession, and then some convictions for your personal and agency considerations toward spiritual and organizational restructure.[1] “Uncorrected […]
The Power of the Gospel Since people move from the lost side of “God’s and-yet bridge” to the right side, the power of the gospel to change a life is the result of salvation. Their biblical status, and even their existential situation, is changed in the exchange. For example, “guilty” is not only a divine verdict but also a personal feeling. When unbelievers embrace the gospel, both the theological verdict and personal feeling of guilt are changed to “forgiven.” Yes, they are theologically forgiven by God, but they also sense being forgiven by God. “To us who are being saved […]
Watch the video below to see Dr. Richard share firsthand the background behind the LEADERREACH video initiative, which seeks to address the heart needs of leaders who reach leaders. Further below is the GProCommunity interview with Dr. Richard regarding LEADERREACH. Below are links to videos on topics vital to healthy leadership that Dr. Richard has already addressed. We invite you to subscribe here for future video sessions in the current series! How Can You Spiritually Examine Your Heart As A Leader? How Can We Pursue Long-term Sustainability In Our Role As Leaders? Where Am I Failing As A Leader? […]
Podcast interview with J.D. Payne and Dr. Ramesh Richard aired originally on “Strike the Match,” Missiologically Thinking, reposted with generous permission by the same. “Church multiplication strategies must include pastoral training. Though some people believe pastoral training gets in the way of making disciples and planting churches, the bible advocates otherwise. “After church planting, what?” asks my guest, Dr. Ramesh Richard. In this episode, we discuss the importance of pastoral training throughout the world. We address the global conversation related to this topic and both formal and non-formal training. Equipping pastors to equip the saints for the work of the ministry […]
March 20, 2018 My dear friend, I write this letter on John Richard’s 95th birthday. I am seized by his memory. He passed away 17 days short of this rather momentous day. I was fully expecting him to make it and had airline tickets to surprise him with a visit today. Instead, he surprised us! Quite well till the last five days of his life, he entered into his heavenly reward. After a brief struggle, surrounded by loving family, he worshipped His Lord Jesus, whispering St. Paul’s “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course…” and singing […]
Three years ago, June 15–22, 2016, the Global Proclamation Congress for Pastoral Trainers convened in Bangkok, Thailand—and then the real event began. At this third anniversary of the GProCongress, we wish to encourage you with a glimpse of what God is doing through this short video and message from Dr. Ramesh Richard below. To commemorate the 3rd anniversary of the GProCongress in Bangkok, access our gift to you: “Teach the Church to Pray” available by download further below. “A four-year event started with an eight day launch in June 2016.” That’s how I describe the Global Proclamation Commission for […]
Pastor J, a former family court probation officer, could be enjoying his retirement years by taking a well-deserved rest, perhaps using his nest egg for a once in a lifetime getaway. This man of God, however, is currently studying at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) and investing his time, energy, money and fundraising efforts into ministry. An evangelist involved in several ministry streams including youth and prison outreach, Pastor J first heard about the Congress while attending chapel at DTS. The chapel speaker for that day “happened” to be Dr. Ramesh Richard. Pastor J asked Dr. Richard if there would be […]
by Rev. Don Allsman Dr. Ramesh Richard has articulated a startling challenge to the Lord’s Great Commission in our day: how to provide for the 95 percent of pastors who have not been trained for ministry. In a world that is becoming increasingly urban and poor, there needs to be mechanisms in place to train millions of pastors, elders, deacons, youth workers and church planters just to address the current situation. If revival were to explode in urban centers globally, the growth would be beyond our ability to respond. Current Formal/Traditional (FT) approaches are useful and helpful, but cannot meet […]
Over 2,500 of the most adventurous among them, from over 101 countries, traveled in buses, on planes, and trains across time zones to a gathering with other pastoral trainers at the Global Proclamation Congress for Pastoral Trainers (GProCongress). Pastoral trainers are leaders who provide support and strengthening for those that brave the grueling spotlight and testing ground of the Sunday pulpit. There are growing numbers of pastors who are often ill-equipped and overwhelmed. The Congress attendees brought with them their hunger for community, connection, resources and opportunity. Ten days later, the Congress concluded and they left challenged and changed. They […]
Many countries recently celebrated Father’s Day this past June 18th. Fathers from all walks of life were thanked, honored and celebrated for the important role they have in the family – that of being a Dad. The role of the father is very crucial, whether we care to admit it or not. We cannot reiterate enough how important he is to the home and to the children. This role is so crucial that many of society’s problems can be traced back to a dysfunctional family that is, almost always, perpetuated by fatherlessness. The fatherlessness problem is wrecking havoc in the […]