What Is Coming In 2025 | Backstage Pais Episode 3 FT Paul Clayton Gibbs

Summary

In this candid conversation, Paul Gibbs, the founding director of the movement, reflects on a challenging yet rewarding year. Despite facing personal health struggles, including a severe illness and an emergency plane landing, the movement has seen significant growth. Key highlights include the expansion of the Allies program, which now trains over 20,000 leaders, and the continued success of their Academy program, reaching a projected quarter of a million young people. Looking ahead to 2025, the focus will shift towards strengthening apprenticeship programs, fostering personal and leadership development, and building more strategic partnerships for mission work.

Takeaways

• 😀 Paul Gibbs shares personal challenges this year, including a medical emergency and a broken wrist, but emphasizes that despite setbacks, the overall year has been positive.
• 😀 The movement is seeing growth, with the academy program reaching a quarter of a million young people, surpassing last year’s numbers.
• 😀 The Allies program, which trains leaders and volunteers in more Kingdom-centric church practices, has expanded dramatically, with over 20,000 people trained in 2024 compared to 4,000 in 2023.
• 😀 There’s a growing concern about people giving up, especially those on the fringes of the movement. Paul Gibbs stresses the importance of 'staying in the fight' to reap the rewards of God’s work.
• 😀 The church and ministry model is shifting towards equipping individuals beyond Sunday services, focusing on empowering people to serve and live out their faith between Sundays.
• 😀 Paul Gibbs anticipates the movement will continue growing in 2025, with an increase in the number of participants and further expansion of the Allies program.
• 😀 The apprenticeship program will be a key focus in 2025, aiming to develop more Kingdom-centric apprentices and provide practical training for those entering ministry.
• 😀 The apprenticeship program will include three tiers: one-year personal development, two-year leadership development, and three-year ministry development.
• 😀 The leadership training will focus on practical skills, addressing a gap in current Bible colleges that teach theory but lack hands-on training.
• 😀 Partnerships with other organizations are growing, helping to send more individuals on apprenticeships and training them for service and ministry roles.
• 😀 Paul Gibbs expresses excitement about the future, especially in 2025, when the movement will expand both in numbers and in the depth of leadership and personal development.

Q & A

What challenges did Paul Gibbs face while traveling this year?

Paul Gibbs faced a serious health scare during his travels, including a medical emergency while in Australia where the plane had to make an emergency landing. He was diagnosed with a severe illness, treated with morphine and phenol, and also suffered a broken wrist. Despite these challenges, he remained positive about the year overall.

What has been the general state of the movement this year?

The movement has shifted from being in a rebuilding phase last year to focusing on growth. The organization has seen significant progress, especially with its reach and numbers. There has been growth in programs like the Allies program and the Academy, as well as increased engagement in various countries.

How many young people have been impacted by the movement so far?

The movement has reached approximately a quarter of a million young people so far, surpassing the numbers from the previous year, with a few months left in the year still to see additional growth.

What is the Allies program, and how has it grown?

The Allies program is an initiative that trains leaders in Kingdom-centric church leadership. In 2023, around 4,000 leaders were trained, but in 2024, that number grew to over 20,000, marking a significant increase and reflecting a broader desire for practical, Kingdom-centered leadership.

What concerns has Paul Gibbs expressed about people involved with the movement?

Paul Gibbs has expressed concern about people, especially those on the fringes of the movement, who have been giving up or struggling. He highlighted the importance of staying committed, as one can only reap the rewards if they remain in the fight, particularly as the movement looks to reap its results in 2025.

How is the movement planning to focus on apprenticeship development in the coming years?

The movement plans to focus more on developing its apprenticeship program, ensuring apprentices grow more Kingdom-centric in their work. The program will include more emphasis on practical training and personal development, allowing apprentices to track their growth and refine their skills.

What changes are being made to the leadership training program?

The leadership training program is being expanded and refined, with a more practical focus. The program will cater to those who seek to move beyond theoretical Bible study and learn how to apply leadership principles effectively, equipping people with practical skills that are often missing from traditional Bible college training.

What are the three main apprenticeship tracks in the program?

The three main apprenticeship tracks are: 1) a one-year personal development track focused on Kingdom-centric growth, 2) a two-year leadership course designed to develop leadership skills, and 3) a three-year ministry development program that prepares apprentices for positions in ministry, with a focus on matching people with the right roles.

How does the 'You grow as you go' philosophy apply to the movement?

The 'You grow as you go' philosophy has been a guiding principle, emphasizing that growth happens as individuals move through the process. However, there is now a stronger focus on intentional personal and spiritual growth, not just ministry development, to ensure people become more like Jesus and more Kingdom-centric.

What role do partnerships play in the movement's future?

Partnerships are becoming an increasingly important aspect of the movement’s strategy. The organization is forming more partnerships with other entities that wish to send people for training, helping expand the impact of the movement and further its mission by equipping more leaders and volunteers.