Engels, Boek, Competency Profiles, Youssef Yacob

There is a tendency for colleges and seminaries in the majority world to base their training programmes on patterns too closely on Western models. This often results in programmes that may be strong academically but are weak in terms of preparing students for the challenges they face in their cultural context. Based on this research, his many years of involvement as a leader in the growing church in Algeria and his experience in developing training programmes, Youssef Yacob presents a unique insight into the challenges and struggles of providing appropriate leadership training in Algeria. In particular, he identifies critical elements that should be incorporated in the preparation of effective leaders -characterdevelopment, identity in Christ, teamwork and mentoring, servant-hood, biblical knowledge. His findings an refletions provide an invaluable blueprint for similar training programme around the Islamic world. (Rev. Dr. C David Harley, formerly Principal of All Nations Christian College an General Director of OMF International)

The idea that Christian and western leadership training can be easily transferred to another culture is challenged if not destroyed by this book. The author points us in the direction of character development and practical competencies as the way forward in developing spiritual leaders in Algeria. His conclusions need to be considered by all who are training spiritual leaders regardless of location. The author ponts out that leaders are only developed as we engage with their ‘head, heard, handas and feet’. If you want top develop spiritual leaders in your own or someone else’s culture this book will stimulate your thinking. If we pay attention of this text we may be delivered from wasted time and effort focusing on a secondary agenda with an inadequate strategy. If we pay attention to Youssef’s conclusions we just might be able to change the world. (Rev. Dr. Viv Thomas, Direcctor of Formation)