“Glory be to God for the grace to be part of Global Disciples, and for the good training I received.” Bodo directs Global Disciples training in leadership and small business development in his homeland of Chad. He eagerly gave testimony, praising God for His work.

“We multiplied our outreach activities,” Bodo continued, “and planted three new churches last year, including one in December with 76 new believers. Our small business supports our mission work. Global Disciples training has changed my life, the life of my family, and my community.”

Bodo is one of the men and women directing over 3,000 discipleship-mission, leadership, and small business development programs in partnership with Global Disciples. From January through early April, program directors in a region gather for Annual Equipping Events or AEEs. Our regional Global Disciples staff leads three days of Bible teaching, skill building, prayer, worship, and relational coaching.

Annual Equipping Events refresh leaders who often work alone or with limited resources in difficult and challenging settings. Frequently, directors will say they were close to giving up, but God met them at the event, refueling them to carry on his work. Leaders who spend so much time pouring into the lives of others come and receive encouragement from God’s Word and from their peers who understand the joys and struggles. Their vision is renewed, and occasionally redirected.

That was Remi’s experience. He attended an Annual Equipping Event in Cameroon and said, “Before this event last year, the Holy Spirit highlighted a village where He wanted me to take the Gospel. But I kept resisting and giving all sorts of excuses. Then I came here and heard a lesson on joining the Holy Spirit in his mission—I repented and decided to obey!”

When Remi visited this village, he prayed for a woman with a severe wound. God healed her, and she surrendered her life to Jesus. This news reached the chief who objected to Remi’s presence, but then he also heard the Good News, accepted Christ, and soon, a church was planted with 35 new believers!

Alex, in Rwanda, commented on the role of Annual Equipping Events. “Every time I attend this event, I am encouraged and refreshed. My life has changed since I came to Global Disciples training, and our ministry has grown so much. Global Disciples equips us leaders for multiplication, and the strategy for mentoring is fruitful.” In his testimony, he shared how his training helped them to continue multiplying during the pandemic, using small groups and house churches. In a recent outreach, his team saw 505 people come to faith in Christ!

Annual Equipping Events serve a strategic purpose in the Global Disciples approach to training. By gathering each year, a program director isn’t left alone to sink or swim; he or she is built up, encouraged, blessed, prayed for, and renewed in heart, skills, and vision. They experience God’s empowering work for the next season of training and outreach to least-reached people, strengthening the work of multiplication.

Did you know you can help equip leaders like Alex, Remi, and Bodo? Join THE REACH, a community of people who support and pray for Global Disciples each month.