Duane and Marcia Binkley, International Ministries missionaries, promote leadership development among Karen and Chin ethnic groups through the FOUNDATIONS Judson Communities program at Central Seminary.

As the many Chin and Karen refugees have been resettled in the States, various ABCUSA agencies have come together to assist in their transition.  One collaborative effort that has been developed is in the area of leadership development through the FOUNDATIONS Judson Communities program at Central.  The program was designed for the religious leaders among the refugee communities who find themselves in the US context making their own language and cultural adjustments and leading congregations experiencing these same challenges.  FOUNDATIONS Judson Communities program in Ft. Wayne, Indiana began in September 2012 and 24 students will graduate on May 19, 2013.

Two years ago as Duane and Marcia Binkley were considering how best to utilize their expertise and service, Central and International Ministries developed a collaborative relationship to enable the Binkleys to coordinate the FOUNDATIONS Judson Communities program at Central. 

Duane & Marcia, who have been coordinating the FOUNDATIONS Judson Communities classes for CBTS, recently shared about the newest location in Utica, N.Y., “It is a true joy to work with people so eager to learn and help their churches grow.”  The Utica program has 27 women and 33 men from 4 states and 10 cities, ranging in age from 20 to 70+. 

The Karen that have been resettled to the US in recent years have been particularly eager for the FOUNDATIONS Judson Communities classes, and requests for new classes have been made from Karen churches in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Minnesota. 

It is exciting to see how God is calling various organizations together in creative new ways.