TLT Teaches Leadership Basics in Uganda

Josh Shaarda, a long-time missionary in Africa, says Timothy Leadership Training (TLT) is quickly becoming one of the foremost training programs used by Christian Reformed World Missions missionaries to encourage and equip local leaders in communities around the world.

Based at Calvin Theological Seminary, TLT is active in many countries around the world, especially in Asia, Africa and Latin America, working with trainers who use different modules to teach the basics of church development to indigenous, but often poorly educated church leaders.

Shaarda, a partner missionary with CRWM in Uganda and TLT trainer, recently met with leaders who attended a Timothy session last year to hear how they put what they learned into practice.

"Rattling down the muddy road … I wondered if the week-long Timothy Leadership Training for uneducated church leaders (had been )worth the time and energy," Josh said. "However, my hesitation was replaced with joy as I listened to stories of how they had applied the Pastoral Care training I had conducted last August."

The stories that emerged testified to the training's positive impact on the lives and ministries of those who attended. During the last six months, one trainee visited the homes of 50 people who did not know Christ. Since then, 20 of them have become serious Christians who are standing firm in their faith.

Another trainee made a point of visiting two families struggling with AIDS. As a result of his encouraging visits, the families were rejuvenated to care and commit to their families. A third trainee, who had made a commitment to visit the sick for three months, shared about his experiences praying with 30 people, 28 of whom were healed. As the attendees shared their stories, it was clear that the lessons and action plans they had learned and made had made a very real difference in their ministries.

With the success of the previous training still in their minds, the attendees were recently led through another TLT session, a session on Biblical Stewardship. This session focused on how to wisely use the resources God’s given and ways to develop generosity and tithing within the church.

As the session closed, people shared what they had found helpful. "One woman who leads a small church while the pastor is away, said she had no idea why people were supposed to give to the church," Josh said. "She admitted that on both a personal level and a church level they had been completely neglectful in giving. She was eager to return home to teach the other church members what God’s Word says about tithing and generosity."

Other leaders shared how they were encouraged to use their resources more wisely. One pastor, who recognized the need for greater transparency and accountability, said he would begin teaching people how money would be kept and used in the church. Another shared that he had never considered the limited time humanity has to prepare for eternity; now that he had, he was committed to acting more wisely with his time.

As the leaders talked about their plans for putting what they learned into practice, their willingness to try new things showed their heart for their communities. Step by step, training by training, leaders are learning more about what it means to serve God and His people.

—Mandy Shaarda, Christian Reformed World Missions

Josh and Mandy Shaarda live in Soroti, Uganda, with their three children. They have been partners with World Missions through their ministry with International Teams for three years. Prior to that, they served as career missionaries with CRWM in Kambari, Nigeria, from February 2001 through October 2005.