Let's face it. In America we have every possible resource we could ever hope for at our fingertips at any given time. Because of this, we often assume that this is how life is in other parts of the world.
The stark reality is that this could not be further from the truth.
This can be true because of a lack of access to technology, spiritually combative governments, or depressing poverty.
What's even more disheartening is that even when the gospel message takes hold in these areas of the world, the lack of spiritual training among those willing to pastor and teach leaves these new and hungry churches stunted in their ability to grow and expand.
The seeds of READ started in 1999 with George Johnson, through an organization called The Shepherd's Foundation. Shepherd's was a humanitarian and partnership ministry which saw a huge need for Pastoral Leadership inside the emerging Ukrainian church. This task was beyond the scope of Shepherd's ministry, but it inspired George Johnson to find a way to supply Christian growth resources to these leaderless churches.
In 2002, READ was officially born.
Since that time, READ has worked diligently to supply resources to help young leaders learn to lead, pastor, and grow churches throughout the countries of the former Soviet Union.
The needs have proven to be almost endless, but READ is making a serious dent through the passionate and dogged pursuit to make sure every believer, in every church throughout the region, can truly grow in faith and bring the gospel to their communities.
