My work with NDLL

For the last 25 years I have been walking with and developing spiritual leaders in Latin America. This has grown into what we call the Network for Developing Latin Leaders, a network that is growing in several Central and South American countries.

At the core of the network are some 40-50 men and women who are committed to doing leadership development. The wonderful thing is seeing how these men and women are multiplying the impact in their own contexts.

Along with these Latino friends we are seeing a growing renewal movement of leaders in and across several countries.

Let me tell you about Germán (Herman) in northern Ecuador. He planted a church in a small, poverty-stricken town called San Vicente. He was part of a mentoring network of some 25 leaders that I led. Herman gathered around him some 15-20 pastors from various organizations and began to pour into them. Word came from the larger city of Esmeraldas that they wanted Herman to come down there and help train leaders. Herman is a sign of a growing movement that is led by Latino leaders.

Let me tell you about a potential partnership between core NDLL leaders of Ecuador with pastors in the Dominican Republic (DR). I was in the DR in May of 2009 with an Ecuadorian pastor named Héctor. We ministered to pastors and missionaries on the island. We are currently in a dialog with some top leaders in the DR about a partnership that would involve several Ecuadorian pastors and leaders walking in mentoring relationships with Dominican ones. The partnership is a sign of a growing renewal movement led by Latinos.

The burden that God has given me is to see a movement of renewed, growing leadership developers who invest in the next generation

Thailand & Latin America

Thailand Trip (February 26-March 8)

I just returned from Thailand where I spoke at the World Retreat of Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA). CAMA is a cutting edge Christian organization that provides relief, medical, and community development in limited or "creative access" countries. My friend, Phil Skellie, whom I am mentoring, is the international director of CAMA. He invited to give a seminar on mentoring/coaching to this gathering of workers who are serving in various countries of Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa, and Kosovo. Ruthie was able to join me on this trip. Our hearts were stirred as we heard them tell God-stories of their work in difficult and dangerous places of the globe. Ruthie and I were able to talk personally with many of them as well.

Network for Developing Latin Leaders

The main focus of my work under Mentorlink International is the co-direction of the Network for Developing Latin Leaders (NDLL), a network that I co-founded in 2000 with my Peruvian friend, Dr. Wilmer Villacorta, while I was serving as a missionary in Latin America (1986-2006). I have also been involved in Mentorlink initiatives in Latin America.

In the last three decades there has been a proliferation of fallen Christian leaders. The vision of NDLL is to see more Hispanic/Latino leaders continue and finish well in ministry. My main and current focus is on co-leading a process that will take the Network for Developing Latin Leaders (NDLL) to the next level. NDLL has country coordinators in Costa Rica, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Chile. Carlos Varela is Ecuador coordinator, Jair Ríos leads Venezuela team, Karina Vargas leads in Costa Rica, and Nelly Vidal leads in Chile.

Each of these friends is a gifted leadership developer, mentor, and coach. They work within other Christian organizations and collaborate with NDLL. Each one is responsible to coordinate NDLL efforts within and/or across their respective countries so that Christian leaders may walk in renewal, transparent relationships, intentional mentoring, and be able to equip the next generation of leaders. My work is coaching these friends as well as coaching some of our key leaders in these countries. I do this online (Skype, e-mail) and on site with periodic visits to speak and coach.