Red Deer minister opens Leadership Institute in India

by John Syratt

Alberta-based evangelist, Brian Thomson, Director of the Canadian Wagner Leadership Institute (WLI) operating out of Word of Life Centre in Red Deer, travelled with a team from his home church to India recently to help establish former Red Deer resident, Shawn Acheson, as the WLI Chennai India Director.

  "WLI is advanced training towards securing associate, bachelor, masters and doctorate level diplomas in practical ministry – based on impartation and experience, rather than on academic training alone," Thomson reported. "I’m convinced that WLI is a fantastic method of training people in the local church. All of one’s years of Christian service, personal study, and courses taken in the local church can be applied toward an advanced diploma. Everyone is given credits for past training and experience."

  While in India, Thomson presented the concept of WLI to several pastors’ conferences and ministries representing over 1,000 churches. He also met with India’s first WLI faculty members and visited and endorsed a number of prominent Bible colleges.

  The team also conducted evangelistic meetings, a church planting project and visited an orphanage called The Home of Hope.

  While there, Thomson preached in one church with over 35,000 members. "Their church building seats 4,000 at a time with a video feed to 2,000 more people," he said. "Senior Pastor David Mohan is now one of many WLI faculty members in India. He has offered this building for future training events."

  WLI is expecting thousands of people to apply as students. "We are planning to return to have a WLI Pastors Training Day with 1,000 pastors this November or December," said Thomson.

  Thomson believes that Winnipeg-based evangelists Bob and Kay Hoover, laid a foundation by making regular trips to southern India over a 41-year span.

  "Their relationships and ministry to pastors in India has now exploded into launching WLI Chennai India," Thomson added. "Bob went to be with the Lord 18 months ago. His legacy has been passed on to Shawn Acheson who married Sheralyn, one of Bob Hoover’s granddaughters."

  "The Hoovers founded a wonderful home for abandoned, or orphaned boys. The Home of Hope has been in operation for almost 30 years," Thomson noted. "The team helped with a new church plant to reach the 20-30 year old age group in India. Five hundred people came to the first event and many received Christ."

  For more info on the work in India visit www.india-project.com or www.wagnerleadership.ca.