One Year Later: How GProCongress II Sparked a Growing Global Community of Pastor Trainers

The Opportunity Facing Pastor Trainers Worldwide

Across the global Church, many pastor trainers share a common challenge: the need is vast, the workers are few, and the work can feel isolating. Pastors need training—but just as urgently, the Church needs men and women who can train pastors and help that work multiply. Scaling pastoral training without losing spiritual depth, relational investment, or faithfulness to the mission remains a pressing opportunity for leaders around the world.

One year ago, more than 900 pastor trainers gathered in Panama with this challenge in mind. What emerged from that week was not simply an event, but a shared vision and an ongoing commitment to walk together in the work of training pastors and raising up new trainers.

A Conversation Reflecting on the First Year

In a recent conversation on the Global Pastor Trainers Podcast, hosts Robby and Germán reflected on the one-year anniversary of the Global Proclamation Congress II (GProCongress II) in Panama and shared how the vision introduced there continues to shape a growing global community of pastor trainers.

As Germán reminded listeners, the vision articulated by Dr. Ramesh Richard in Panama was clear and compelling:

“Every pastor trained, every pastor a trainer.”

This vision continues to guide the work of the GProCommission as it focuses not only on training pastors, but on multiplying trainers of pastors worldwide.

Multiplying Trainers, Not Just Training Pastors

From the outset, the Congress emphasized that sustainable pastoral training requires multiplication. The focus is not simply on equipping individuals, but on raising and sending others who can do the same work in their own contexts.

Germán, who leads the GProCentral team, shared how this vision has shaped the year following the Congress. Through phone calls, emails, and WhatsApp messages, the team has stayed connected with participants—listening to their stories, praying with them, and learning how the Lord is at work in their pastor training ministries.

One testimony highlighted during the episode came from Pastor Albert, a pastor who attended the Panama Congress and later participated in the Africa edition of GProCongress. His journey reflects the multiplication vision in action: moving from being trained himself to now serving as a trainer of pastors.

Robby reflected on this testimony, noting how encouraging it was to see tangible fruit from the Congress just one year later—fruit that continues to grow across regions and cultures.

Staying Connected Through the GProCommunity

A key outcome of GProCongress II has been the development of what participants now call the GProCommunity. Rather than allowing the momentum of the Congress to fade, the GProCommission intentionally invested in follow-up and connection.

These ongoing relationships have reinforced a shared commitment to the mission and reminded pastor trainers that they are not working alone. As Germán emphasized throughout the conversation, hearing from others and praying together has been a significant source of encouragement over the past year.

This sense of shared purpose has helped sustain the work of pastor training across diverse contexts, even as trainers face local challenges and limitations.

First Monday Gatherings: Learning Across Contexts

One of the most practical expressions of this ongoing connection has been the launch of First Monday Gatherings—monthly Zoom calls that bring pastor trainers together from around the world.

Since the Congress, these gatherings have included participants from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the West, representing all three sectors of pastor training:

• Formal theological education
• Nonformal training programs
• Informal, relational mentoring

Robby described these calls as a space where participants share diverse experiences while pursuing a common goal: healthy church leadership through effective pastor training.

One early session that stood out featured Herman Moldez, who spoke from the informal training sector about the importance of mentoring. His contribution resonated deeply with participants and generated significant follow-up, with many requesting additional resources.

As Germán observed, the response to that session highlighted a recurring theme within the GProCommunity: the need for pastor training that goes beyond knowledge and speaks to the heart and spiritual life of the pastor.

Identifying and Raising New Trainers of Pastors

Another First Monday Gathering that strongly impacted participants featured Craig Parro, who addressed a question many pastor trainers face: How do we actually identify and raise new trainers of pastors?

While many agree on the importance of multiplication, Craig’s contribution helped move the conversation from theory to practice. Germán noted that this session resonated with many in the community because it addressed a shared desire to take concrete steps toward raising others.

These discussions have continued to shape how participants think about their own ministries and the people they are investing in.

A Shared Vision for the Road Ahead

As the conversation turned toward the future, both hosts emphasized that reflecting on the past year is not an end in itself. The goal is to move forward faithfully, building on what God has already done.

Dr. Ramesh Richard’s influence on the GProCommission’s vision remains central. His reminder continues to frame the work ahead:

“This work cannot be done alone.”

That conviction underlines the importance of partnership, community, and shared mission in the task of training pastors and multiplying trainers around the world.

Robby echoed this sentiment as the episode closed, expressing gratitude for the global community of pastor trainers and reaffirming the call to continue the work God has entrusted to them.

Key Takeaways for Pastor Trainers

• The need for pastor training remains vast, but multiplication makes the work sustainable
• Training pastors includes identifying and raising new trainers of pastors
• Ongoing connection and community strengthen long-term faithfulness
• Pastor training must address spiritual life and character, not knowledge alone
• Shared vision and partnership are essential for global impact

Stay Connected and Keep Growing

• Listen to the full conversation on the Global Pastor Trainers Podcast
• Request access to First Monday Gathering recordings and upcoming sessions
• Explore resources through the GProCommission
• Share this article with a pastor trainer you know

One year after GProCongress II in Panama, the vision remains alive. The work continues—not in isolation, but together—as a global community committed to training pastors and multiplying trainers for the good of the Church worldwide.