Translation of Phil Cooke’s “Maximize Your Influence” Equips Russian Evangelical Pastors in Time of War

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.”

Russian training sessions for pastors

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/

Do Not Travel: The Increasing Importance of the Russian Translation Project

Do Not Travel: The Increasing Importance of the Russian Translation Project

You Can Still Make a Difference
On February 12, 2023, the U.S. Embassy issued a travel advisory for Russia: Do not travel.1 They’ve also told U.S. citizens to leave Russia immediately. “U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately,” the U.S. embassy in Moscow said, and also warned, “Exercise increased caution due to the risk of wrongful detentions.”2

Russian pastors are working hard to bring the gospel truth to people.

Russian pastors gather. They’re working hard to bring the gospel truth to their country.

These travel restrictions place an increasing importance on The Influence Lab’s Russian Translation Project. At this point, over 7,000 evangelical pastors are waiting for printed and digital copies of Phil Cooke’s “Maximize Your Influence: How to Make Digital Media Work for Your Church, Your Ministry and You.” Already translated into Russian, we have not yet met the need for these books to go to print.

And, because of the Russian-Ukrainian war and the travel restrictions, we must be extremely careful in getting the funds into the hands of our inside people for this project to continue. In the interest of protecting our inside sources from possible persecution, we cannot share names, but these are trusted people who—if we can get the funds physically into their hands—will oversee the printing and distribution of this much-needed book.

“We can’t release names or photos,” said Phil Cooke, “but this is our chance to help make things happen from the inside. These pastors desperately need the tools that will help them share the gospel in today’s digital age and counteract propaganda with truth.”

“Maximize Your Influence” will equip Russian pastors with digital strategies to share the gospel.

Endorsed by YouVersion’s founder Bobby Gruenewald, OneHope president Rob Hoskins and Avail leadership consultant Sam Chand,Maximize Your Influence” helps pastors navigate the digital age. The book equips ministry leaders in the mindset and messaging that will engage audiences in today’s digital generation. In countries like Russia where access to training in digital media strategies is limited, it’s a critical resource.

Because of the political climate and the challenge of going under the radar, the total needed for this project is now estimated at $25,000.

Can you help? We’re seeking partners to consider generous gifts of $10,000, $5,000 $500 or even $50.

You can still make a difference. Let’s support these Russian pastors and help them know they are not alone. Give here.

 

 

The Influence Lab is a Guidestar participant, demonstrating its commitment to transparency. View our 2023 2023 Candid Seal of Transparency on Guidestar here.

1https://ru.usembassy.gov/travel-advisory-russia-do-not-travel-february-12-2023/

2https://www.reuters.com/world/us/united-states-tells-citizens-depart-russia-immediately-2023-02-13/