When the sun goes down each day, the goal of Hope of Life is that we have shared the Gospel in some way with the communities we serve.Many times it happens in small moments, and in unorthodox ways. It can look like a man giving his additional portion of clothing to the unclothed. Sometimes it looks like feeding our own version of the 5,000 and sharing the love of Christ and communion with them. Other times it appears through intentional discipleship, much like Christ trained up his disciples.
Four years ago the small dream of a training center first made it’s way into the plans for Hope Of Life, and it was clear there was nothing ordinary about it. When God changes a dream into a vision for His Kingdom, He always brings it to a reality. Today, we are turning the page from dream to goal, and in a few months we trust the Lord will swing the doors wide for that goal to become a reality- because this training center… it will change not only Guatemala, but the whole of Central America, and eventually the world.
There was a great man, who lived by the mantra “If you can dream it, you can reach it.” Jerry Falwell was a man of incredible vision, especially regarding the Christian education and training of pastors, leaders, students, and the faith community. Founding a church that disciples more than 28,000 members and a university that has seen nearly 90,000 graduates pass through its halls, he has exemplified the definitive model for Christian leadership training.
We were so pleased to dedicate the Falwell Leadership Training Center in memory of this man who has changed the face of Biblically centered training.When the plans for this training center started to blossom, building it in honor of this man was ordained. Within a few months of sharing this dream with his son, Jonathan Falwell, a few business men, and prayerful waiting- everything needed to build was provided. Hope of Life, in partnership with Thomas Road Baptist Church, is currently training hundreds of church planting pastors each year. Combining our visions to see the world changed through effective church ministry, having a center for successful teaching is a goal that has been long prayed for. With the completion of this training center, the number of church planters we will be able to train to take the Gospel throughout the country will increase exponentially, with the goal of eventually training thousands from all over Central America each year.
The substantial impact that this training center will have on the surrounding communities is yet to be measured, however we trust that this investment will overflow to thousands of Christ followers. There is something to be said of meeting practical needs, feeding the hungry, and healing the sick- but the spiritual needs of the world are just as desperate. The Jerry Falwell Leadership Training Center is just the answer to prayer we have been seeking after.
It is an incredible blessing to partner with others who share our vision for the spiritual welfare of the people surrounding Hope of Life. We are pleased to be able dedicate this facility in memory of such a great man, and our prayer is that we will honor his legacy of training champions who go forth and preach the Gospel with great fervor.