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The Institute for Christian Resources has, for over thirty years, provided resources for the church for healing, growth, and evangelism. This will not change in the next thirty years. But it will morph. Let me lay out my vision for the future directions of ICR. But first, you should know two things. One, I am so very grateful for Willard Black and the exceptional leadership and vision that has been the foundation for this catalytic ministry. Two, he and I have not only worked closely on this future vision, but we are deep personal friends. As you read this, please know that it is not my alteration of Willard's vision. It is OUR vision, hammered out through strategic conversations and prayer, undergird with brotherly love. That being said, here are some things in the works now that will begin to unfold leading up to 2008. First, the dominant work of the ICR has been in Eastern Europe, particularly Prague and Budapest, with works germinating in Berlin and Jordan. Geographically, I would like to see the influence of ICR spread to works I've already been a part of in India, Sudan, Egypt, and Latin America, perhaps spreading to places I’ve yet to visit but have former students: Taiwan, Vietnam, China, etc. Second, ICR has focused a great deal on family issues (marriage, single-parenting, etc.). This is due, in large part, to Willard's life-experience and expertise. My life has been different. I have been a part of a Christian College since 1990 and so my training and heart-beat has been driven by Bible teaching. So, while Willard and some of the ICR associates will continue training in their areas of expertise, I will bring to the table Bible training and interpretation. In a nutshell, I will use the influence of ICR to strike a blow against Biblical illiteracy which Willard and I see as an endemic social weakness. Third, this effort to attack Biblical illiteracy will take shape in the form of creative technologies and distance learning. We invite you to experience and share our growing repository of resources at http://icrtransform.com.
Fourth, these technological
resources will first target US churches but always with an eye on the global
kingdom. Through Biblical training in the US we will cultivate partnerships that
will enable us to export technological, human, and financial resources globally,
strategically, and generously. In other words, while ICR meets the needs of US
churches in fighting Biblical illiteracy, we will help churches meet the needs
of the body of Christ globally. |