A.J. Mathieu
Central America, South America, Caribbean
South America
As a Healthy Churches Global partner, the International Baptist Convention (IBC) aims to support two of its South American member churches through a revitalization process in 2025. This initiative aligns with our vision to expand into South America. Throughout 2025, we will collaborate with IBC leadership to identify critical needs and conduct two Strategic Envisioning process visits to support IBC churches in South America.
Mexico
In 2023, we guided Iglesia El Calvario in Oaxaca, Mexico, through the Strategic Envisioning process. The church excelled in both developing and implementing their strategic plans. During our time there, we identified their need for a structured leadership pipeline and improved ministry engagement. The church is now eagerly anticipating our return to facilitate their Leadership Pipeline Design process
Cuba
First Baptist Church of Caibarien, Cuba, seeks to undergo our Strategic Envisioning process to enhance their church's health and strengthen their evangelism and discipleship initiatives. Our Spanish-speaking team member, Ivan Garcia, a native of Cuba, is eager to bring this transformative work to his home country. This would also be a time for me to speak at the Baptist Seminary there.
Africa
Burundi
During a mission project in Burundi, East Africa, we identified Jean-Baptiste as a ministry leader prepared to join the Healthy Churches Global team. Upon completing his training, he will be equipped to work directly with individual churches in the region and lead group pastoral training sessions focused on our Strategic Envisioning church health process.
Phase 1: We will conduct comprehensive training for 50 regional pastors, covering:
- The theology and strategy of the Great Commission
- Implementation of biblical core values in the church
- Development of an effective discipleship pathway
- Discernment of God's vision
- Creation and execution of discipleship and evangelism goals
Phase 2: In a follow-up visit, Jean-Baptiste will complete intensive one-on-one training and then apply his new skills by working directly with a local church under the supervision of Healthy Churches Global President A.J. Mathieu.
Malawi
Fresch Ministries International, which has established a strong presence in Malawi through schools, water wells, and sustainable farming initiatives, has requested our assistance with pastoral training. Our comprehensive training program will equip under-resourced pastors with both theological foundations and strategic tools for leading healthy churches focused on making and maturing disciples of Jesus.
Europe
Europe
The International Baptist Convention has requested assistance with revitalization efforts for six of its European member churches in 2025. Our previous investments in European churches have positioned us strategically, allowing us to provide these services more cost-effectively through our two fully trained team members based in Germany and Switzerland.
Sicily
The International Baptist Convention (IBC) will host its annual Ministry Leadership Conference in Europe this March. Team members from both the United States and Europe will attend to lead multiple training sessions for pastors of international churches worldwide. The session content will cover leveraging the church's digital spaces for effective evangelism and discipleship.
Italy
Il Faro International Church in Italy is implementing the Strategic Envisioning work we conducted in summer 2024. The church has established a new mission focused on evangelism and discipleship, along with a restructured ministry and outreach vision. Their current priority is developing church leaders to advance their ministry work. This follow-up visit will provide continued support to this uniquely diverse congregation, which serves both English-speaking American service members from the nearby Naval base and local Italian residents in equal measure. All worship services are conducted bilingually.
Asia
Philippines
The International Baptist Church of Manila is implementing the Strategic Envisioning work we conducted in the summer of 2024. The church has established a new mission focused on evangelism and discipleship alongside a restructured ministry and outreach vision. Their current priority is developing church leaders to advance their ministry work. This follow-up visit will provide continued support to their congregation, which serves both the local Filipino community and a substantial international population in central Manila.
South Korea
The Missional International Church Network (MICN), a Healthy Churches Global ministry partner, will host its annual Global Gathering in Seoul, South Korea, in October 2025. Two of our team members will lead multiple training sessions for pastors of international churches. The session content will be determined in collaboration with the MICN Strengthening Churches Leadership Team.