In my role as Associate Pastor of a large church, I was responsible for an adult division of Bible study. It was there that I was mentored by others who helped me to understand the essential need to train volunteer Bible teachers. Later, after I become a Pastor of another church, I surveyed our Sunday school classes and realized the need to equip our volunteer Bible teachers. Most had never received any training at all. As I talked with other Pastors, I began to see a familiar scenario that also plays out in other churches. When there is a need for a new Bible teacher and a gracious volunteer agrees to serve, that volunteer is given a quarterly and a word of thanks but, no training for the crucial task. The apostle Paul’s words to Timothy found in 2 Timothy 2:2 began to grip my heart; “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
I was convicted and compelled to do something. That something was to develop and implement a teacher training curriculum and workshop for my churches volunteer teachers. At around the same time, I began pursuing a doctorate of ministry degree and the teacher training ministry became the subject of my ministry project and dissertation. When the project was completed, my professors encouraged me to publish a study guide for small group Bible teachers that would include material from the dissertation. Over time the Lord continued to increase my passion for equipping teachers while at the same time doors began to open with churches and associations asking for training. In 2016, Entrusted to Teach, a nonprofit ministry, was founded. In 2017, I made a transition from Pastor to Executive Director of the ministry. Through an opportunity to teach east African pastors in 2018, the Lord confirmed for me that this ministry could also serve to strengthen the ministry of pastors in third world countries. God has continued to bless Entrusted to Teach Ministries and to provide additional training topics and opportunities to strengthen church leadership. To God Be the Glory! All for the Kingdom!
Dr. Terry Lanford
Founder and Executive Director
