News from Jim in Vietnam: “What training do you need?” “Everything!”

October was a very fruitful month in Vietnam. The groups I work with are all so appreciative for, and many times moved by, the training and things we learn together. That is what drew me most to Vietnam - the lack of leadership development resources and their eagerness to learn and grow. In 2017 I arranged and took 4 trips of 3-4 weeks each. Every time I come to Vietnam, I lead training for Christian leaders. I give them exercises for personal reflection and for small group discussion. As they grow spiritually, their community of peers grows closer. This teaches them to listen to the Lord and learn from one another, and guards them from depending too much on my input and on their individual experience. When we talk about challenges and solutions for reaching lost people and growing disciples in their faith, invariably the primary answer to every problem is We need training! What training do you need? Everything! What training have you received? Nothing! Training Topics and Training Groups As I delve deeper about specific needs, these are the things that are most frequently mentioned: Leadership Management Discipleship Teamwork Conflict resolution Counseling Organization Communication Christian leaders repeatedly tell me that the Vietnamese Church is strongest in education and evangelism. Most people go to sunday school where they are taught the Bible, and many people are making decisions for Christ. However, many practical skills like counseling, management, and leadership are weakest.  So growth in discipleship and service is lagging. Bible school only teaches bible and history, not skills.  Leaders are asking me for practical help in these areas, starting with the pastors, but also for the volunteer leaders. Here are some of the groups I have visited repeatedly over the years, normally with 2-3 day retreats/seminars during my visits.  I hope to visit with each group twice in the next year, and with leaders of each group individually on each of my planned four trips. Senior pastors House church pastors Marketplace ministry leaders Denominational committee Nationwide youth ministry leaders Provincial church planting leaders Mid-career pastors Deacons of large churches Specialized ministry leaders like media, children, bible school, and community service Looking for partners for 2018 trips It was tremendously helpful having two missionary colleagues with me for part of the time, bringing their expertise in the training and sharing the load for teaching and for interacting with all the Vietnamese leaders. For my trips in 2018, I'm looking forchurch leaders, and ministry leaders to join me. It has been humbling and exciting to have such an influence over these dear Vietnamese leaders. But I need help! Through relationships with key leaders over the past 6 years, we are strengthening the Church in Vietnam. If you have a training area of expertise, or a particular interst in one of the training groups in Vietnam I mentioned, please email me to talk about the possibility of joining me on a future trip. I appreciate your prayers for my trips, for partners to join me, and for the many faithful and earnest Vietnamese Christian leaders who want to see their followers and churches grow in their faith and witness. 2018 trips: January, April, September, November Thank you and may God bless you for investing in the true hope of the world: The Gospel of Jesus Christ! Jim & Kimberly Creasman Click on this link to join us financially in our ministry!  https://staff.crmleaders.org/Creasman All of our salary and benefits (like medical insurance), as well as our ministry expenses (like my plane tickets), comes from donations, and 90% of the donations come from individuals like you. Without your support, we could not be serving to develop churches and leaders in Asia as we have been for these past 20 years.  THANK YOU! Church Resource Ministries: 1240 N Lakeview Ave, Ste. 120, Anaheim, CA 92807. You may sign up for EFT, or designate on a check: "preferenced for Creasman-acct 5651" (800) 777-6658 ext. 122 Reunited after a month apart! Kimberly is blogging at charminfullbloom.  Thanking God for you and wishing you and family a blessed Thanksgiving! Tyler and Cameron come home for the holidays. December 20-26 will be a happy reunion in San Pedro!