THREE WORLDS LEADERSHIP NETWORK (3WLN)
Summary
Three Worlds Leadership Network (3WLN) is a multinational network of Church of God young leaders in Europe and the Middle East. This project supports a biennial event for training, encouragement and synergistic regional strategizing as well as scholarships to aid with ongoing regional connection between events. Over the years, this catalytic event has been the place for hundreds of leaders to develop relationships, initiate ministries, and experience encouragement.
Cost
The total project cost is $18,000 every 18 months.
Project # 42.30310
BACKGROUND
Three Worlds Leadership Network (3WLN) was launched October 2015 with the purpose to connect, encourage, and foster ongoing involvement between young leaders in the 16 countries in the region.
Vision
Vision
In many of the countries in the Europe/Middle East region, the percentage of Evangelical Christians is between 0.25% and 4%. Many of the young people have never been in a room with more than 5 or 10 Evangelical Christian young leaders. 3WLN helps facilitate interconnectivity.
“The most powerful thing has been seeing how the network stayed connected.”
Audrey Langford
Global Strategy Missionary, Three Worlds, UK
STRATEGY
Though vital, there is a cost. Many of the participants fund their way or raise support from local churches. But, there are churches that struggle to financially support their young leaders. This project helps to give opportunity to these students by off-setting costs for travel or lodging.
The total cost to cover those who need financial support is $18,000.
The History of 3WLN
Three Worlds Leadership Network (3WLN) was launched October 2015 (with seed money from the Change the World Grant) and is the first ever multinational network of Church of God young leaders in Europe and the Middle East. The purpose of the network is to encourage interconnectivity and foster ongoing involvement amongst the 16 countries.
This is not just a biennial event, but has helped create opportunities for training, encouragement, and synergistic regional strategizing. By attending, members are committing to engage with the network via communication (Facebook, text, email, etc.) and actively seek connection through visits, participating in camps, assisting with training, and ministry events. Camaraderie is particularly important as isolation is deadly in ministry in Europe and the Middle East context.
In many of our countries, the percentage of Evangelical Christians is between .25% and 4%. Many of our young people have never been in a room with more than 5 or 10 Evangelical Christian young leaders. Events that bring them together are enormously inspirational and healing because the European and Middle Eastern cultures are so deeply secular and/or hostile to Christianity. Our team’s desire is that this current generation of young leaders will be the first generation of the Church of God to not grow up in such crushing isolation. Rather, that they will live out their lives in ministry in community with each other and in partnership and unity. Three Worlds Leadership Network is helping to make that goal tangible.
Our team’s desire is that this current generation of young leaders will be the first generation of the Church of God to not grow up in such crushing isolation.
Training: Every 18 months, Three Worlds helps to organize a large conference/event that will bring delegates from all over the region together for training and encouragement. This biennial event is structured based on feedback provided from the previous event through surveys as well as suggestions for topics made by regional leaders.
The 3WLN leadership team identifies relevant topics or common regional needs and invites an outside or regional expert that can help speak into the event. There is also potential to create smaller regional seminars based on need.
Interconnectivity: 3WLN has private Facebook and Instagram accounts where they share relevant articles, prayer requests, and events that groups can participate in between large conferences.
3WLN Leaders
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IssaIssa Saddi was born in Lebanon, growing up and serving in the Lebanese Church of God since childhood. He is fluent in Arabic and English and is learning Romanian. Issa has attended every 3WLN event and has been an integral part of the worship team for the event. He recently moved to Romania, where he and his wife, Magda, reside.
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Samir
Samir Salibi has been part of the 3WLN planning team since its inception. He speaks French, English, and Arabic, and is the founder of @Home, a network of Christians throughout Paris reaching the immigrant population. Samir lives and ministers in Paris, France, with his wife and three children.
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László
László Debreceni is from Budapest, Hungary, where he lives with his wife and children. He has been part of the 3WLN planning team from its beginning. László is a long-time pastor in Hungary and well-connected around the Europe and Middle East region. He has hosted seminar series for pastors regionally called the Budapest Lectures.
Testimonies
“It was very helpful to learn about the multi-cultures and different groups in our churches. We are thankful to participate and to take with us the things we have discussed and to apply.”
“We have a nice conference and good time together with brothers and sisters from other countries.”
“Being at this conference is really good because it connects everyone all over together and it’s nice to see everyone’s differences and similarities when we speak about our churches.”
“The ability to be here is such a refreshment and blessing for me. I am full of spirit and ideas to continue my journey when I get back home… it’s an amazing chance to be here.”
“Coming to this conference has been a great blessing for me because I got to learn how to run the ministry and how to lead people and how to coordinate. This conference has been a very, very important part of my ministry and how to equip me.”
“This week is something amazing that helped us to learn more how we are doing in our church and what we can put into practice…grow more.”
Learn More & Connect
Photos from Past 3WLN Events
Will you join Global Strategy in preparing a path for the next generation of leaders?
Ways to make a difference
- Online—Visit this link.
- Check—Make checks payable to “Church of God Ministries” and specify “3WLN - 42.30310” in the memo line.
For more information, contact Global Strategy Projects at 800.848.2464 or GSProjects@chog.org.
