Translation of Phil Cooke’s “Maximize Your Influence” Equips Russian Evangelical Pastors in Time of War
Look how God is using the Russian translation of Phil’s book! Here’s the official press release of the new developments – all made possible by the generous partnership of those who are joining with us in the mission of The Influence Lab to train and equip pastors in places where media training is not easily accessible.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Translation of Phil Cooke’s “Maximize Your Influence” Equips Russian Evangelical Pastors in Time of War
In a time of war, Russian evangelical pastors are equipped to strategically share biblical truth in the digital age with a Russian translation of Phil Cooke’s “Maximize Your Influence—How to Make Digital Media Work for Your Church, Your Ministry, and You.”
Los Angeles, CA (April 20, 2023) – Phil Cooke is maximizing his influence in the digital age with a Russian translation of his book, “Maximize Your Influence—How to Make Digital Media Work for Your Church, Your Ministry, and You.” What began as a simple translation of the book has evolved into a bi-annual training program for Russian evangelical pastors and ministry leaders in Moscow. Funded by The Influence Lab and facilitated by trusted pastors inside Russia, this outreach equips Russian pastors and ministry leaders to strategically share the gospel, despite the current political climate.
“When I was approached about the translation project, we jumped on board quickly to raise funds,” said Phil Cooke, media producer and founder of Cooke Media Group and the nonprofit The Influence Lab. “These pastors desperately need the digital media training that will equip them to counteract propaganda with biblical truth.”
Bi-annual training sessions have incorporated the Russian version of “Maximize Your Influence” to train pastors across Russia.
Cooke’s “Maximize Your Influence” equips ministry leaders with the mindset, messaging and hands-on strategies to effectively engage audiences in today’s digital generation. With a vision to empower pastors and Christian communicators with up-to-date media strategies, The Influence Lab specifically targets its mission to countries with limited access to teaching and training opportunities. With U.S. government-issued “do not travel” advisories and risks of “wrongful detention” in Russia, Phil’s book is a critical resource for Russian ministry leaders.
Two pastors with high-level influence and reach within the country were chosen as the key players to entrust with funds for the translation and publishing of the book. Because of these inside sources, the book has been “legitimately” published within Russia, thus avoiding any trouble with the government. Seven thousand copies of the book have been printed, and the most recent update reports the incorporation of the translated “Maximize Your Influence” into a bi-annual training program for evangelical pastors and their ministry teams in Russia.
“Maximize Your Influence” is endorsed by OneHope president Rob Hoskins, Avail leadership consultant Sam Chand, and YouVersion founder Bobby Gruenewald. The Russian translation opens the digital age to pastors in a country where the truth may be limited – but the internet with its possibilities for sharing the gospel is not.
To find out more about the Russian translation project, visit: https://influencelab.com/news/impact-gkpn-south-africa-trip-and-russian-translation-project-update/
