The Institute of Biblical Leadership Blog
Dr. Russ Lloyd’s heart is for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ in Vietnam. In March, Russ completed his thirty-third pastoral training mission to this southeast Asia country. His ministry there began in 1998 when he was invited to lead a one-time training retreat for pastors and church leaders.
In 1 Corinthians 16:6, Paul wrote to the church of Corinth that he hoped to spend significant time with them so that they could help him on his journey. In many ways, this is exactly what IBL did for Whitneyville Bible Church (WBC).
As we finished out our first term serving as missionaries overseas and knowing that we needed de-briefing during our forthcoming home assignment, we were referred to a ministry we had never heard of before, The Institute of Biblical Leadership (IBL). As you will see, IBL was truly a God-send helping us in more ways than we could have imagined; and we are healthier and more prepared for serving the Lord in ministry having crossed paths with them.
The journey began in late November 2011. I call this a journey as I find myself continually growing as I progress in the direction that the Lord has set for me. This journey did not have a “good” beginning but one of great challenges.
Dear Russ, Doris & Dawn, It is always in season to give thanks. I want to share with you what God has done.
The culmination of my captivity has arrived. God has brought me back. He has emptied the vile and made my mouth to praise Him. He has redeemed me from the grip of the terrible and made me able to stand before Him. Blessed be the Lord!
Here is some feedback we have received from a recent volunteer leader training seminar. This particular seminar was held at a large church here in western North Carolina and was attended by deacons and small group teachers. We taught six topics from our essential ministry leadership material: Understanding the Essentials, The Prerequisites to Godliness, Right Relationships, Relational Sin, Marks of Engaged Leadership, and Generational Distinctives. We were very encouraged by the level of participation, depth of discussion, and overall enthusiasm for the topics.
God brought IBL into my life over six years ago. Since that time our relationship has grown and transformed. From coaching our staff to one-on-one mentoring, IBL has consistently helped me grow as a leader and as a disciple.
My grandfather sexually abused my mother as she grew up. He committed suicide in the county jail, leaving his family destitute. My widowed grandmother met a man with no room for children. Within a month, my mother turned seventeen, graduated, and married, and then her mother married and moved away.