One of the greatest needs of Indonesia is more mature spiritual leaders1 and a new translation of Phil Cooke’s book, Maximize Your Influence—How to Make Digital Ministry Work for Your Church, Your Ministry, and You, is a catalyst toward that growth. The Indonesian translation project began when Phil and Kathleen were recently in Bangkok conducting media training sessions when Paulus Wiratno, speaker, author, and founder of Mercy Indonesia shared his passion to train pastors and media leaders throughout Indonesia.
“My dream is to help pastors and leaders learn and maximize the media ministry to reach Indonesia,” shared Wiratno. A country that is predominantly Muslim (80.3%) and only 15.9% Christian, the need for the gospel in Indonesia is enormous.
However—the opportunities available through digital media are tremendous. Equipping these Christian ministry leaders with effective digital strategies can have far-reaching effects.
“This translation project is a good example that while we in America and Europe take being ‘savvy’ with social media, video, streaming, and other platforms for granted,” commented Phil Cooke, “there is a significant need in many countries for that kind of training—especially when it comes to sharing the gospel.”
The translation and publishing project is underway and should be available soon, with an initial print run of 2,000 copies. With Phil’s “Maximize Your Influence” book translated, a new opportunity opens…
New Partner Opportunity – Bali Media Training, June 2024 Planning is in the works to conduct media training for Indonesian pastors and Christian communicators in June 2024. Paulus is our local leader for this training session, and we will use Bali as a central point for pastors and media leaders from across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
A partnership venture of MediAlliance International and The Influence Lab, training workshops offer a learning environment for ministry leaders to elevate their media skills. The intense training environment helps them gain a deeper grasp of digital strategies which extend their reach and effectiveness.
Can you help? With the help of generous partners in this important work, we can turn the heart of a nation towards the Lord Jesus Christ. As plans develop for Bali Media Training June 2024, your gifts now will help us confirm that dates and secure the best rates for travel.
Plus—if you give now, you can get your own copy of “Maximize Your Influence” as a special thank-you!*
Let’s turn this nation to God! Give your gift today >>
*Special partner offer! For your generous gift of $35 or more to The Influence Lab, you’ll receive one of Phil or Kathleen’s books as a special thank you! Choose your print or eBook when you give here.
There’s more! Sign up as a monthly partner with a recurring gift of $35 or more and choose two books. We can do so much more when we partner together. Give your recurring gift here.
Phil and Kathleen Cooke were thrilled to be in Amsterdam this June for Amsterdam2023, an Empowered21 historic global gathering of leaders focused on evangelism. Christine Caine (A21), Rick Warren (Saddleback Church), Sam Rodriguez (New Season Church), Bobby Gruenewald (Life.Church pastor/YouVersion founder) and Nicky Gumbel (Alpha Course pioneer) were a few of the many international leaders, pastors, evangelists and speakers who came together with a united vision to see God’s redemptive message of Jesus touch every corner of the world.\
Phil and Kathleen Cooke with ministry leaders Lord and Lady Edmiston, (Founders, Christian Vision), Mart Green (VP, Hobby Lobby), Bobby Gruenwald (Founder, YouVersion).
“As a member of the E21 Global Council with top ministry leaders like Robert Morris, Cash Luna, Rob Hoskins and others, I’ve had the honor of helping craft the ongoing strategy of E21, especially when it comes to digital media,” shared Phil Cooke. With a mission to reach a billion people by the year 2033, the 2000 anniversary of Pentecost, the Amsterdam gathering and global council meetings focused on strategies to help make that happen.
In addition to the Amsterdam meetings, Phil and Kathleen were interviewed by Christian news and talk show hosts for their global work in media and their ongoing efforts with The Influence Lab and Influence Women. “Our vision is to teach leaders how to share the story of Jesus more effectively,” Kathleen Cooke shared. “We’re mentoring and encouraging others in their ministry and media endeavors as they share the gospel in digital spaces and through film, television and the arts.”
These international trips are part of the global strategy of The Influence Lab. Through our partners’ prayers and financial support, we can inspire pastors and ministry leaders on a global scale with updated strategies to share the gospel more effectively.
Coming up… August 13-22: Brazil Global Kingdom Partner’s Network (GKPN)— GKPN is an invitation-only network of many of the world’s largest churches and marketplace businesses. Phil and Kathleen have spoken at many of these gatherings, and on this trip, Phil will be speaking to pastors and ministry leaders, and then to marketplace leaders in various cities in Brazil.
September 14-16:India Christian Media Conference (ICMA), Chennai, India—ICMA is the largest gathering of Christian media leaders in India, including TV and radio network executives, church media professionals and social media experts. With India’s population now exceeding China, these Christian media professionals have a great desire to excel in their work as they share the gospel across their country. Phil and Kathleen are happy to share their expertise during this critical time for India.
Partner up! Give a generous gift today and join this global movement here.
Check out these special offers!For your generous gift of $35 or more or a monthly recurring donation, we have a special “thank you” gift for you! Find out more here.
This past year has been a year of exploding growth for Influence Women. With The Influence Lab co-founder Kathleen Cooke leading the way, this branch of The Influence Lab is mentoring women around the world in their careers in the arts and entertainment industry. Here’s a press release to help you keep up with all the excitement!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Influence Women Expands from Hollywood to Film Production Hubs Across Nation
“She Leads America” award recipientKathleen Cooke is leading a new generation of women in film, television, arts and entertainment as Influence Women expands with chapters in Hollywood, Orange County, Nashville and Atlanta.
Los Angeles, CA (May 3, 2023) —Serving female leaders in the film and television industry as well as arts and music professionals, Influence Women has exploded with growth over the past year. Expanding from its base in Hollywood to serve Christian women in film production hubs across the nation, new chapters in Orange County, Nashville and Atlanta offer networking, education and mentoring opportunities with in-person gatherings and online events.
Influence Women is led by Kathleen Cooke, recipient of the “She Leads America” award for her distinguished work in media and entertainment. “We are all women of influence,” shares Kathleen Cooke, “and I am honored to lead women working in media, entertainment, arts and leadership who intertwine their faith in their lives and careers.”
A branch of the nonprofit The Influence Lab founded by Phil and Kathleen Cooke, Influence Women events help women grow in their craft and their faith by introducing them to influential industry voices. Featured guests have included writer-producer Alexandra Boylan (“Switched,” “Catching Faith”); casting director Lisa London (London-Stroud Casting), Hollywood producer Victoria Slater, TV personality Cynthia Garrett, Hollywood actress Renee Lawless (Tyler Perry’s “The Haves and the Have Nots”), script consultant/Cooke Media Group development executive Laura Woodworth, Netflix director of digital production Christina Lee Storm, and Hollywood film and TV star Edwina-Findley-Dickerson (“If Loving You is Wrong”). Upcoming events are planned with Empower Women Media founder and author Shirin Taber (“Muslims Next Door”) and actress-writer-producer Sam Sorbo (“Let There Be Light”).
Influence Women will also have a presence at NRB 2023 in Orlando. “Hollywood Decentralized: Why You Don’t Have to Live in LA to be a Female Filmmaker” will feature Kathleen Cooke and top Christian women filmmakers in a panel talk. Offering “boots on the ground” insight, attendees will gain valuable information to navigate their careers successfully in a new decentralized film industry.
About Kathleen Cooke Kathleen Cooke is an award-winning producer, actor, speaker and writer, and co-founder of Cooke Media Group and the nonprofit The Influence Lab and Influence Women. Kathleen is the author of Hope 4 Today: Stay Connected to God in a Distracted Culture, and posts the weekly online Influence Lab Journal and a weekly blog mentoring women in media, entertainment and leadership. She has been interviewed on top radio shows and podcasts as well as Christian TV networks such as CBN, TBN and The Hillsong Channel and in 2022 she was chosen as one of 10 Christian women of distinction to receive the She Leads America Award and a Certificate of Congressional Record for her outstanding work in the media and entertainment industry. Find out more at https://kathleencooke.com
Are you attending NRB 2023 in Orlando? If you’re a woman working in media, entertainment, arts, music or leadership, here’s a special Influence Women event you won’t want to miss!
Hollywood Decentralized: Why You Don’t Have to Live in LA to be a Female Filmmaker Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at the Orlando World Center Marriott 7:00-9:00 pm ET Contact us for details at info@influencewomen.org
Do you have to live in Hollywood to pursue a career in the industry? In this panel talk, Kathleen Cooke and top Christian women filmmakers and influencers will discuss the pros and cons of living in LA while exploring the options of other production hubs across the nation. The pandemic and valuable tax incentives have opened new film and television production hubs across the nation, and with it, tremendous opportunities for female filmmakers.
Sharing “boots on the ground” insight, attendees will gain actionable steps to pursue their careers outside of the Hollywood system in places like Florida, Atlanta, Nashville and Dallas. Writers, actors, directors, producers and crew members will gain valuable information to navigate their careers successfully in a new decentralized film industry.
Find out more about this special Influence Women event here. For more details and to request an invitation, contact us at info@influencewomen.org
Although Influence Women has its roots in Hollywood, this “branch” of The Influence Lab is spreading across the country. With chapters in key production cities like Nashville, Atlanta, Orange County and Hollywood, Influence Women are creating mentoring and supportive communities as they pursue their callings in media, entertainment, arts, music and leadership.
Become a member of Influence Women today! Get more information here.
Your partnership is having a global impact! Phil and Kathleen Cooke traveled to South Africa this month to participate in a gathering of marketplace and ministry leaders as part of the Global Kingdom Partners Network (GKPN).
Through these meetings, they were able to train and inspire international ministry leaders in strategic uses of digital media to help accomplish their missions.
GKPN members open the gathering with prayer.
Kathleen hosted the opening GKPN marketplace session, introducing new delegates and members and praying for their influence, skills, and talents to be integrated into the group for God’s Kingdom purposes.
As an example of the work GKPN is accomplishing, a leader of a Ukrainian children’s rescue organization shared how he has rescued 85,000 orphaned children, many of whom had been exported into Russia after their cities were bombed and their parents killed. Through the help of GKPN, he has brought many of these children back to the Ukraine where they have been placed in church orphanages and Christian homes for safe-keeping.
With many questions on how to use digital media effectively, Phil and Kathleen were able to offer this leader practical advice and specific strategies.
Kathleen commented, “We were honored to be there to help them with their questions so they can tell these children’s stories and share the love of God in a chaotic world.”
“Maximize Your Influence” helps Russian pastors use digital media strategically to share the gospel.
As of today, the book has been put into the hands of 490 Russian pastors and 720 Russian Christian businessmen, with the remaining 5790 copies to be distributed to influencers in the Russian-speaking world throughout 2023. Because of our sources inside Russia, the book has been “legitimately” published, thus avoiding any trouble with the government.
Leading the publishing project is Matts-Ola Ishoel, the senior pastor and president of Word of Life Centre in Moscow and president of Churches of Faith Russian Association of Christians of Evangelical Faith—an organization of 400 charismatic churches in Russia.
Another driving force for the project is Sergey Martyunichev, the deput president and development director for Word of Life Commonwealth Churches with 356 churches in Russia, Sergey also manages Golden Pages Publishing Centre, 14 business schools and a business club in Moscow.
Phil and Kathleen with Sergey, Matts-Ola and his wife Randi, key leaders in the Russian translation project.
With their influence and outreach in Russia, Matts-Ola Ishoel and Sergey Martyunichev were the key players we felt confident in entrusting funds to for this translation project. Phil’s book will have a far-reaching and long-lasting effect, enabling Russian pastors and influencers to be strategic in their communication of the gospel. The Influence Lab been privileged to have a role in impacting this nation for good.
We’re thankful for every Influence Lab partner who has prayed and given towards our global mission of training and equipping pastors and leaders to use media effectively. You share in the harvest of changed lives as the good news spreads in the digital age.
Phil Cooke’s “Maximize Your Influence” now in Russian!
UPCOMING: Through the GKPN meetings, Phil and Kathleen have been asked to conduct strategic training sessions overseas in the coming months. Your prayers and financial gifts enable The Influence Lab to accommodate these international invitations.
Next international outreaches: June: Amsterdam: Phil is on the Empowered21 Global Council, and he and Kathleen will be participating in Amsterdam2023, an international conference to collaborate and innovate with global ministry leaders with a goal to “launch a new era of evangelism.” August: Brazil(Details to come.) September: Chennai, India(Details to come.)
“The need to share our message never changes, but how we share it does.” —Phil Cooke, Maximize Your Influence—How to Make Digital Media Work for Your Church, Your Ministry, and You
