FREEDOM TO LEAD INTERNATIONAL®

FTL focuses on Christ-centered leadership competencies and objectives derived primarily from the principles and practices exemplified in the life and leadership of Jesus among His followers. Additional principles and practices are highlighted from character studies and stories from the Old and New Testaments, which complement the core leadership principles of Jesus. Culturally appropriate story, symbol, and song are used to support these biblical principles and practices among storycentric communities.

The FTL objectives are defined within ten core competencies. These competencies are woven throughout eight modules with intentional repetition. Specific attitudes, behaviors, and skills which flow out of the competencies are discussed and practiced in each of the module sessions, and then modeled and evaluated in peer mentoring and coaching relationships between the modules. The core competencies are as follows:

• Cultivate character

• Model authentic relationships

• Inspire a shared vision

• Challenge people and processes

• Ensure a healthy organizational culture

• Facilitate interpersonal and organizational communication

• Implement strategic planning

• Consider the individual

• Develop people

• Advance cooperative partnerships

Freedom to Lead International's program is called The Garden Project. This program consists of intensive modules, intentional mentoring, and indigenous music. The goal is to cultivate effective Christ-centered leaders who are best able to influence the grassroots church planters/leaders serving in storycentric communities.

Eight leadership modules of The Garden Project, each 21 hours in length, are presented: (1) Leadership for a Healthy Church, (2) Strategic Leadership, (3) Mentoring, (4) Leading Change, (5) Peacemaking, (6) Leading Teams, (7) Spiritual Leadership, and (8) Biblical Stewardship and Sustainability.
Members of the FTL Resource Team present each module to key indigenous leaders (Batch 1). The FTL Resource Team then mentor Batch 1 leaders as they apply the Christ-centered leadership competencies and coach these leaders as they transfer/replicate each module in their respective regional contexts (Batch 2). The Batch 2 cohorts, under the mentorship of Batch 1 hub leaders, provide sustainability as they transfer/replicate The Garden Project throughout the target audience of grassroots church planters/leaders.

The FTL team is comprised of six full-time employees based in the West, along with area representatives in South Asia, East Africa, and Francophone Africa. Each member of the team helps to deliver the eight modules around the world, provides ongoing mentoring, and helps to further the mission of the organization.

After years of revisions, current participant evaluations are consistently positive (“excellent" or “very good")
regarding content quality and facilitator effectiveness. Participants continue to make occasional
recommendations for improvement in two primary areas: (1) adjust contemporary stories with more
culture-specific details, and (2) simplify content for easier transference.

Additionally, the effectiveness of module presentations is dependent upon translations in the participants'
native language.

As each module is continually revised according to participant feedback, module transference from Batch 1 to Batch 1 has become increasingly effective. Moreover, Batch 1 participants often surpass expectations as they transfer the modules since they are natural storycentric communicators.

It is also noteworthy that a number of Batch 1 participants are now developing strategies to transfer
The Garden Project to successive generations of leaders in their respective networks without FTL assistance.

FTL has recently received an increasing number of reports of The Garden Project's impact on leaders and their respective church cultures.