The international Christian leadership training initiative Million Leaders Mandate sponsored by the US-based ministry EQUIP is driving into Europe this spring. It is the vision of an American leadership specialist John Maxwell, the founder of EQUIP, which gears at setting up one million new Christian leaders with basic leadership skills across the world by 2008 so that they can help change their countries in a fundamental way.

The goal is currently being fulfilled step by step under the concrete development plan laid down by Maxwell. From 2003 to 2005, the program has been introduced in Asia and the Middle East, with the aim to raise 15,000 trainers in India, Philippines, Indonesia, China, Egypt and Lebanon.

Since last year, the program has pioneered Africa, where 11,000 trainers are to be found in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria.

Now, the time for Europe has come in 2005. From UK, Germany, Ukraine, Romania and Russia, 2,000 trainers will be raised.

More than 100 US leaders from EQUIP, called Associate Trainers, will help lead training workshops for the 35 European countries participating in Million Leaders Mandate.

Each Associate Trainer has committed themselves to use their personal time for the three-year training program, which involves a live training session in their assigned country every six months. Workshop topics include Cultivating people skills, Strategic planning, Fostering effective teamwork as well as Building successful partnerships.

Over 24-25 May, a US Associate Trainers Team will be travelling to Romania to officially launch the initiative in that country.

The Million Leaders Mandate is backed by many evangelicals. As the program was started in London in February, the Evangelical Alliance UK has hosted the launch event in association with YWAM and Premier Radio. 2,000 church and business leaders in the UK and Ireland are expected to sign up for the Million Leaders Mandate training course in October 2005.

John Smith, UK Director, says, "We are extremely excited by Maxwell’s vision. We have examined the workbooks and are impressed by their biblical framework, clear content and practical application. We encourage anyone who feels they want to get involved to sign up. It’s a great opportunity to receive excellent training and for many it will be a life-changing experience."

"Leadership training and resources are critical for the success of any nation," said John Hull, president of EQUIP. "We are excited to be able to bring the Million Leaders Mandate program to the countries of Europe."

Maxwell explained his vision of the Million Leaders Mandate, "During his public ministry of three and a half years, Jesus did not preach campaigns across Asia, nor did He heal everyone He met. What He did with the majority of His time was to train twelve leaders to impact the world over the next generation. I am convinced that if Christian leaders around the world are trained, resourced and encouraged, there is no limit to what can be accomplished in fulfilling the Great Commission."

Launched in 2002, three-quarters of a million leaders around the world have been exposed to biblically-based leadership principles on a systematic basis. The Million Leaders Mandate is currently active in 44 countries on three continents.