When CPA started in 2004 it was with the desire to help a few people who desired to plant churches, get a start with the biblical model found in Acts.  In its four year history CPA had trained two hundred church planters in total (which we were excited about) until the CPA in Ukraine.  By partnering with a new church planting movement in the Ukraine awakening, our recent CPA trained three hundred young church planters.  These young men and women are aggressively following God in this powerful venture of faith.  Here are some of their testimonies:

“The CPA is a miracle from God.  I thank God for the team as they poured out knowledge in Love.  I will use the resources as my new church plant begins next week.”  Alex – Church Planter – age 30

“The conference was really helpful to pastors who have recently planted churches as well as those who are established.  It gave us encouragement with biblical strategies that are proven.”  Vadeim – Church Planter – age 23

The CPA has answered many important questions for me.  I love the heart of the Nex Gen brothers.”  Tanya – Church Planter – age 27

One of the most exciting things about the Ukraine CPA was the team up that happened with Karyn Zelfimyan, a church planter from Odessa.  Karyn is only 29 and to date has planted 30 churches.  We will be doing future ministry with Karyn as his insight and passion for the lost is contagious and his message is needed in North America as well as Eastern Europe.

Marina, a Church Planter, told us that she can hardly wait for year two of the Academy.  The CPA runs over a three year period, teaching and assisting in the various first stages of church development.

Your prayers and financial support make CPA happen.  Investing into the planting of new churches has proven to be the most effective way to evangelize and build God’s kingdom.

With his dads loaded beretta securely tucked in his coat pocket Karen went to meet with his gang.  Gang life was a necessity.You could only survive with their help if you had no power of your own.  On his way home past the market someone stuck a New Testament in his hand.

Shortly after, Karen got hurt at a judo competition and was ordered two weeks strict bed rest.  There by his bed side was the New Testament and he began to read.  He read Matthew and at the story of the crucifixion he was undone when he read the words of Jesus “forgive them as they know not what they do”.  His prayer was “if you’re real show me”.  He started preaching at his high school and now at the age of twenty nine he has planted thirty churches.  Marina, a young woman aged 30, has planted a vibrant church and is in the middle of a building program as she doubles the size of the house she is using for the meetings.

Nex Gen is coming along side these young leaders to help them train the next groups they are raising up.

There is an urgency as the time is now.  These young adults are not waiting for bible schools and degrees.  They are being trained on the job in the middle of the massive harvest field they find themselves in.

Read more from the November/December 2008 edition of Rise Up Magazine:  Download the PDF.