the next generation of godly leaders

Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 19:4

King Jehoshaphat was serious about following the LORD and leading the nation to obedience to God's Law. He set up judges in Jerusalem and throughout the land with clear instruction on how to follow the Law and honor the lord in their decisions. He was serious about these reforms. He knew that if his leadership as king was going to successfully turn Judah to God, it would require godly leaders under him. So he spent considerable time and effort developing these judges. All of 2 Chronicles 19 shows the process that he took to raise up good leaders and instruct them in following the Lord as they led God's people.

This is the way to leave a spiritual legacy. Jehoshaphat was convinced of it. It changed his generation. It brought stability to Judah. It turned people to the Lord.

The need to do this is all the more vital in this day and age. It is one reason why in my current season of ministry I am convinced that any impact I will have will be in the discipling of leaders. I am also aware of my time fading... fast. I am almost 50 years old. At best I have a decade left for my most fruitful ministry. If it has gone as fast as the last ten years have... well, I just shudder thinking about life's brevity.

It is time for me to find the next generation of leaders and prepare them so that I can pass the baton to those who will faithfully continue to run the race. I am so glad Mill Creek has identified and developed a year long internship program to meet this challenge. I am fortunate to have helped develop it from its earliest inklings. And I have been blessed the last 3 years to have taught biblical counselors in training at Calvary Theological Seminary. Just this last month I saw the first graduates I have taught leave to start their ministries. I pray that God will bless these men and women that He is raising up to lead the next generation!