The Church in Bangladesh has received a core challenge from A3 to address a key problem. And learning this encouraged me greatly.
Recently, I had the privilege of traveling with Peter Mazumder, general secretary of Bible Student Fellowship of Bangladesh (IFES) and co-national director of A3/Bangladesh. Peter shared stories of the life-transforming process he has experienced from many ministries (Wycliffe, DAI, A2, etc.). He also inspired me with the importance of the Living Water Centre and why he is raising these funds.
Peter also disclosed fresh perspectives from the Church of Bangladesh that have resulted from A3 training. He was struck by the paradigm shifts experienced by many of the participants—through the vulnerability of A3 faculty sharing how they could lead after periods of failure, the transforming impact of involving their spouses and families in our training process, and A3's ability to cover their most important issues.
Of all Peter shared, however, the most significant revelation dealt with the vital importance of reproducing disciple-making leaders. In Bangladesh, one common problem is that churches can start to die once they reached about 200 people. At that level, the weaknesses created by a lack of disciple-making leaders can surface and churches can begin to crumble. Pastors have realized that they need stronger discipleship to avoid this pitfall.
Peter sees the need for disciple making as the key issue for the Church of Bangladesh today. That is why Peter truly appreciates A3’s focus on reproducing disciple-making leaders! Among all the new paradigms they are learning, the most strategic issue remains the core of Christ’s message: Go and Make Disciples!
What do you feel the most important issue is for your family, your church, your neighborhood…your country? How can we learn from one another?
Joe Handley
- Bangladesh country profile
- InterVarsity (IFES) Bangladesh
- Watch a video clip of Peter Mazumder discuss this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruJX3l44fbQ
