Annual Review 2015/16
In the Beginning
Chapter One
2000: Less than a decade after the
2001: Stuart and Marisa were
break-up of the Soviet Union which opened doors for the gospel, millions of people remained without the hope of Jesus across Europe, Russia and Central Asia.
some of the first Innovista supporters and helped send mission teams to places like Belarus and Ukraine. They have now supported young leaders and their communities through prayer, regular giving and volunteering for over 15 years.
The church faced unprecedented opportunities. More leaders were needed to make the most of them. There was a new generation of Jesusfollowers with a vision for mission in their local communities, but without tools to turn their vision into reality. Jason Lane started with just a £10 note, a kitchen table and a vision to see people and places given new stories by Jesus. Thanks to generous people like you who shared his vision, Innovista was launched to identify and equip young leaders to change people and communities with the hope of Jesus.
‘We love the heartfelt energy and drive of Innovista to support and develop young leaders. It is infectious and we feel motivated to offer what God has entrusted to us to advance his Kingdom.’
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We are motivated to offer what God has entrusted to us to advance his Kingdom.
Alexander’s Story 2003: Alexander, then aged 21, had a passion. ‘Young people in my church were inward looking. I wanted them to be missional. But I didn’t know how.’ Supporters like you helped launch an Innovista training hub in Kiev, Ukraine. Leaders like Alexander were equipped to lead better and lead longer. Alexander helped young people to share Jesus with their classmates. Some came to faith. And today, over a decade later, the next generation of young people in his church continue to reach their friends.
Lydia’s Story 2006: The first Leading for Life conference took place for 70 young leaders from across Europe. The next year, Tempo was launched to give young leaders the fundamental character and skills to lead effective mission. Lydia joined a Tempo group and became a supporter. ‘We wanted to give because we experienced the training ourselves. We want to support leaders in countries that sometimes seem forgotten.’
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We want to support young leaders in countries that sometimes seem forgotten.
By 2010, your generosity had helped hundreds more young leaders and their communities. New training hubs launched in L’viv (Ukraine), Omsk (Russia) and Dublin (Ireland); the Oxford hub launched a new ‘Thrive’ initiative to reach disadvantaged communities; and Leading for Life came to Central Asia.
Lisa’s Story (2012)
Inside Siberian Russia, a young leader who received training from you ran a Valentine’s Day mission event for students in Omsk. Lisa came, despite being sceptical of God. Two months later Lisa accepted Christ with tears in her eyes. ‘It seems that my life has changed in the best possible way,’ she said at the time. ‘I don’t understand how it happened, but God spoke to me. And I realised that the emptiness that was inside me before has grown smaller.’ Fast forward to today and Lisa is helping lead that same student group and sharing Jesus with others. On Sundays, she leads children’s ministry for her local church. Your support is providing her with training to develop other leaders too. Who knows how many others can be impacted through one young leader?
It seems that my life has changed in the best possible way
A Secret Story 2013: Two new secret training hubs were launched in Central Asia, enabled by a grant from the Jerusalem Trust and sustained by your support today. In a region where 54 million people are in unreached people groups, where foreign missionaries are often banned, and where local Christians face persecution, you are resourcing local leaders to bring the hope of the gospel.
Did you know that a leader trained by Innovista is reaching, on average, 74 people every month through the ministries they lead?
Amina’s Story 2015: Amina’s* small church was without a youth ministry. Then you gave her a scholarship to attend Leading for Life in Central Asia. She came home inspired and equipped and started a new group for teenagers. Outside their town is a care home for elderly people with dementia but without family to look after them.
Every six weeks, Amina and 15 young people visit them. They bring tea and new shoes, share their testimonies, and give the ladies manicures. ‘They are always happy when we come to see them and always thank us for spending our weekends with them.’
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Name and photo changed for security reasons
Innovista
Meridian House, Sandy Lane West, Littlemore, Oxford, OX4 6LB, UK T. +44 (0)1865 788350 W. www.innovista.org E. hello@innovista.org Innovista International is registered in England and Wales as a charity (1108679) and a company limited by guarantee (5371169)
Ever since Innovista began, your support has equipped thousands of leaders in their 20s and 30s to start or grow local churches and mission initiatives that are still changing lives today with the hope of Jesus. Your support is being used to make a big difference in difficult places across Europe, Russia and Central Asia. Thank you.
The Next Chapter Across Europe, Russia and Central Asia, millions remain without the hope of Christ. There are young leaders who feel called to reach them, but who don’t feel equipped do it well. That’s why, with your continued support, by 2020 we want to train 2,500 leaders a year who will bring the hope of Jesus to 250,000 people every month. Just think of the stories that lie ahead!
Can you help write more stories? Become a prayer warrior by emailing robin@innovista.org to join Sponsor a Leader for £25 a month by visiting www.innovista.org/sponsor Increase your monthly gift and write more stories like those you’ve read