At the heart of ALTECO is the desire to prepare indigenous Christian leaders to succeed in a uniquely difficult ministry. Making disciples, planting churches, and shepherding those churches to maturity deep in the Amazon jungle requires a special type of leader, one who is both called AND equipped. In keeping with this vision, ALTECO has partnered with Lead555 to bring a select group of leaders through a 3-year program that (in their words) “is not just about training, but journeying with leaders from idea to sustainable impact”. Our team has been working tirelessly since August to finally make this a reality, and we are thankful to now experience the fruits of this labor.
The first phase took place last month in Colombia where Drake spent two weeks learning alongside a group of over 30 tribal and non-tribal leaders from 7 South American countries! These leaders are being trained, discipled and equipped with tools in planning, strategy and proactive leadership skills so they can be effective in ministry in their communities and among tribes of the Amazon who have yet to hear the gospel. Many of them have been trained in theology but have expressed a strong need to be further equipped with catalytic and strategic leadership skills. Perhaps most importantly, they are all here out of their own God-given desire to become more effective as they serve the Lord.
Through this training, participants are learning:
– how to develop good partnerships
– how to create and manage complex projects
– how to analyze and strategically use resources
– how to identify leaders
– how to broaden teams intentionally through discipleship
Our vision is to see the tribal church equipped and confidently leading in their own Amazon regions. We are not meant to serve alone, and through a movement of cooperation and mutual-respect between the foreign, national and tribal church we aim to fulfill the Great Commission in the Amazon and Lowland Regions of South America.
