COLORADO SPRINGS – The initial mission of Entrust when it was founded 40 years ago in 1979 was to train Christians behind the Iron Curtain for ministry leadership roles based on the model given by Paul to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2.

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

Eastern European believers labored under the yoke of Communism in the years following World War II. Communism viewed religion as the opiate of the people. This was particularly true of the Communist Party’s perspective of the Bible and Christianity.

The truth is that Communism views Christianity as an enemy of the state because the government demands 100 percent loyalty. This is in direct conflict with the teaching of Scripture in the Old Testament that “You shall have no other Gods before me” (Exodus 20:2) and in the New Testament when Jesus described the first and greatest commandment as to “love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)

When the Berlin wall came down, and the Soviet Union dissolved, the Lord led Entrust to expand its area of influence to create an impact in more than 72 countries around the world. This was particularly important for the NGO to remind the world that its role is not to contribute to the fall of any government.

The expansion of its endeavors emphasized that it is a faith-based ministry dedicated to the developing believers for leadership roles in which they would multiply ministries within their native countries.

As Entrust celebrates its 40^th Anniversary, its ministries extend throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and North America.

Entrust is challenging church leaders in Europe to “leave religion behind and train and lead people into a relationship with Christ.”

Among its initiatives in Africa, is the establishment of the International College of Bible and Ministry in South Africa.

Entrust works among the displaced peoples in the Middle East.

In Asia, the group uses its formal and informal training modules to educate native people to become multipliers of the Gospel among the largest segment of the global population.

Entrust has established ministry training hubs in the U.S. and Canada to offer concentrated, intensive ministry training opportunities to greater numbers of people with an emphasis on pastoral and small group leader training.

Dr. David Goodman became the CEO of Entrust in 2009 after 13 years as the senior pastor of the Winnetka Bible Church. He was born in Cameroon and grew up as a missionary kid in the Central African Republic.

He defines the mission of Entrust within the realization that the pastors and people they minister to are very much the same in that they are all seeking to reach people for Christ but that the tools they need within the context of their culture are often very different. Entrust is committed to providing Bible-based training that is contextually appropriate for each sphere of ministry.

To read more news on Christian Ministry on Missions Box, go here.