wfn.org | Mission Society creates leadership institute

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Dec. 9, 1998	Contact: Linda Bloom·(212) 870-3803·New York     {725}

By United Methodist News Service

The Mission Society of United Methodists has created an International
Leadership Institute to better assist church leaders and lay pastors
around the globe.

The unofficial, voluntary agency, which currently has 129 missionaries
in 28 countries, is responding to a "call from indigenous churches
around the world," according to the Rev. Wes Griffin, the institute's
director.

Launched on June 1, the International Leadership Institute was dedicated
during an Oct. 22 service at Simpsonwood Retreat Center in Norcross, Ga.
Several pilot projects are being developed for 1999 and the full program
is expected to begin in 2000.

Although Methodist churches in other countries often can provide basic
training in theological and biblical studies, the society's research
indicated a need for advanced leadership training, Griffin said.

Seminars provided by the institute will focus on principles of
leadership, evangelism, church growth, cell church ministry, personal
spiritual formation and family ministry. Griffin's wife, Joy, who has a
master of divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary, will work
with women's leadership ministries.

Griffin, 39, was the founding dean of the Baltic Methodist Theological
Seminary in Estonia and has served as the associate director of
evangelism for the World Methodist Council and as a local church pastor.
It was his work in Estonia that interested him in the development of
church leaders. "I felt that was where God was calling me to invest my
life," he explained.

An elder in the North Georgia Annual Conference, Griffin was appointed
to the post by Bishop Lindsey Davis. He is based at the Mission
Society's office in Norcross.

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
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