Chosen to Speak brought together international leaders online from around the world to empower them to coach in the five languages in which they serve.
Field directors present included Nathan Oloumu, (East Africa/Maasai); Ray Lustosa (Brazil/Portuguese), Josue and Ester* (Next Gen Leaders/Spanish), Natalya Kravchenko(Russia/Russian). Also present were members of the Chosen to Speak Staff, the US coaching team, and several special guests.
“In every region of the world, we have work to do to overcome fear,” confirms Dave Arden, Founder of the ministry.“ Fear is universal, but the power and love of God is greater than our fears.”
For many this was the first time to meet the other field directors and hear first person accounts of what God is doing in and through their ministries. Most were delighted to discover how quickly the Chosen to Speak movement is spreading and expanding across multiple language and cultural lines.
During the Rally, Dave challenged the coaches from the powerful story of Jeremiah’s calling to ministry (Jeremiah 1). As a prophet to the nations, the Lord established him from birth to be a dynamic voice, even as a youth.
Next Gen leaders Josue and Ester shared about the intense work they are doing to empower their 12 leaders to spread out in Asia and Africa. Nathan brought a brief update from Kenya.
Chosen to Speak VP Kathleen Reed counseled our coaching team in how to overcome cultural barriers when working internationally with our students.
At present, the Russian, Spanish and Massai language versions have been translated, printed, distributed and taught. The Portuguese version is completed and now in editing. Hindi, French and Urdu translations are in the works, and the English version is being revised and updated in 2025.
Special guest, John Lynch, one of the early founders of Campus Crusade/CRU, challenged the team to rely on the Holy Spirit. Drawing from his vast experience as a disciple-maker, he affirmed the network how God is “in this” and the group needs to keep aligned with the Spirit.
Special thanks to the U.S. coaching team present, which included C2S VP Kathleen Reed, Retired Prescott AZ Director of Missions Rik Danielsen, Author Dennis Conrad, Champaign IL Celebrate Recovery Director Teresa Pratt, Southwestern Baptist Seminary prof Brian Berry, and retired executive editor/Griefshare leader R.V. Baugus.
Speaking out with Courage in Russia
Margot Shishkova , a recent graduate of C2S, joined the coaches for the first time. Inspired by the training, she was glad to be included. During the conference, Margot Shishkova testified the Lord said to her, ‘You are moving to a new level. Be ready, do what you need to do to serve. You will go wherever I take you.”
Margot Shishkova listed the places God told her to go: her pastor, her home group, her brother and his family who live in another part of the country, an online group she is forming, and an ESL class that she is joining. Since the date of the rally, she met with each of the contacts on her list. “I have a lot of joy from being able to speak, and now I know that’s exactly what I was chosen for!” she said.
“Russia is not an easy environment to share one’s faith,” observed Dave Arden. “Orthodox Christians look down on evangelicals and the government does not like people speaking out.”
How to Support Chosen to Speak
You can help support the work of Chosen to Speak through prayers, coaching, and financial contributions. Funds provide a needed boost for translation, printing and distribution of coaching materials, offset the transportation and meeting expenses of our directors who serve in impoverished region.
Your support is also helping produce some of our online materials (newsletters, podcasts, videos). Please pray about partnering with us as we join God in the work He is doing here and around the world.
Author: Kathleen Reed