New Opportunity: Athens, Greece and a Global Gathering of Marketplace Leaders

New Opportunity: Athens, Greece and a Global Gathering of Marketplace Leaders

Known for its Mediterranean climate, beautiful coastlands and rich ancient history, Athens, Greece will be the meeting place for Kingdom-minded leaders this March as pastors and marketplace leaders gather for an invitation-only global conference. Phil Cooke has been asked to speak at this influential gathering.

“The conference is a gathering of many of the most influential pastors and Christian marketplace leaders in the world,” Phil shares. “I’ve spoken for the organization before, and this year, they’ve asked me to teach on the theme of my book ‘Church on Trial—How to Protect Your Congregation, Reputation, and Mission During a Crisis.’”

As we’ve seen in the news with recent scandals, a crisis can destroy a ministry or organization. Phil’s book offers these international pastors and business leaders the insight and information they need to create a culture within their organization to avoid a crisis – and if one does occur – the wisdom and tools to navigate through it appropriately and positively.

As Phil is oft-quoted, “A crisis does not have to break your church. Rather, it can be an opportunity to strengthen your church or organization to weather the storms.”

Although we can’t share the names of the businesses and ministries that will be represented at the meetings in Greece, these are names you know and high-profile businesses you would be familiar with. As Christian leaders, they have a long-standing track record of integrity and positive impact; many of them are on first-name basis with Phil and Kathleen Cooke from years of interaction and relationship.

“A crisis does not have to break your church…” -Phil Cooke

Can you help cover the expenses of this trip? You can have a far-reaching impact when you support the mission of The Influence Lab and particularly this unique opportunity to strengthen pastors and marketplace leaders.

Your partnership makes a difference! Give your generous gift here.

What leaders are saying about Phil’s book “Church on Trial” (and why it’s so important to share his message with pastors and marketplace leaders in Greece):
“We live in a time of increased confusion and chaos, and Phil Cooke’s latest playbook is an excellent guide to navigating a crisis.” —Caltha Seymour, Global Business Development Leader, Eaton Corporation

“Every church, ministry, and believer must read this—particularly in light of the times we are in, as we seek to live lives worthy of the Lord’s calling.” —Jacinta Tegman, CEO – The Crista Family of Ministries

“Anyone who’s committed to fulfilling the Great Commission should have this book.” —Commissioners Ken and Jolene Hodder, USA National Leaders, The Salvation Army

“This book will make you think and save your life and those of other leaders you love.” —Sam Chand, Leadership Consultant, Avail Leadership

Join us in this unique opportunity. Partner with The Influence Lab here.

P.S. The 2025 calendar is filling up with invitations to Peru, London and Russia. Your gifts have a worldwide impact. Give your gift today!
Special offer: Partner with The Influence Lab today and we’ll send you one of Phil’s book as a special “thank you.” Find out more here.

 

Celebrating 10 Years of Ministry – The Influence Lab 2024 Report

Celebrating 10 Years of Ministry – The Influence Lab 2024 Report

Did you know The Influence Lab is celebrating over a decade of ministry! Over ten years of “empowering the church to transform culture through media” in countries including Egypt, India, Russia, South Africa, Ghana, Spain, and so many more… while also creating a pathway for Christian influence in media and entertainment through Influence Women.

As we close out 2024, it’s AMAZING to see what God has done! Here’s a very quick recap… with VERY BIG THANKS to our Influence Lab Partners.

 

Pastors and leaders in other countries appreciate the training in media and digital strategies that will help them share the gospel effectively.

Eastern Europe Media Trainings – Spain
The year started off with meetings in Madrid, gathering with over 300 influential Christian and marketplace leaders from around the world. Then, Phil and Kathleen traveled to Valencia to conduct three days of meetings and teachings.

The attendees were from countries that included France, Spain, Finland, Romania, and Albania, with influential leaders from Christian radio networks, TV stations, and relief organizations working in Ukraine. Read the full report here.

Cyprus – Christian Media Outreach in the Muslim World
“The place where the Apostle Paul and Barnabas preached 2,000 years ago is becoming a launching pad for reaching the Middle East and North Africa with the gospel.” —Phil Cooke, Co-Founder – The Influence Lab 

In April, Phil and Kathleen Cooke met with media leaders working in the Muslim world in a confidential gathering. Representing countries like Cyprus, Lebanon, Egypt and Morocco, the invitation-only gathering included leaders from SAT-7, a satellite network focused on the Middle East and North Africa, along with program producers, animators, and Christian educators from other nations – all producing Christian programming and resources for Arab and Persian audiences. Read the full report here. 

West Africa – Church Media Summit 2024

Pastors and media professionals from across West Africa attended the 3-day summit in Accra, Ghana.


Almost 300 pastors, media teams, communications directors and TV/Film producers attended the 3-day summit from multiple nations across West Africa. Hosted by TheoVision International in Accra, Ghana, the summit was geared “to sharpen the skills of Christian content producers in Africa so they can creatively use new media forms to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” explains Philip Asare, the executive vice president of the ministry. Read the report here.

Translations Impact Russia from Within
Now in Russian! Ideas on a Deadline
The Russian translation of Phil Cooke’s book Ideas on a Deadline is strengthening churches in Russia by sparking creative ways to share the gospel, no matter government restrictions or limitations. Read more here.

Sergey shares news of continuing impact of the Russian translation.

 

Maximize Your Influence – Continued Impact
The impact of the Russian translation of Maximize Your Influence—How to Make Digital Media Work for Your Church, Your Ministry, and You continues to grow. This past month (November 2024), 919 marketplace leaders and 101 pastors gathered in Moscow who have been putting the book’s digital principles into practice.

Sergey, our friend and publisher in Russia reports, “For two years we give them your book and the feedback we get is fantastic. Thank you for your contribution.”

But wait… there’s more!

Online Masterclasses from The Influence Lab
In an effort to reach pastors and leaders worldwide, The Influence Lab is now offering online masterclasses. Available in the U.S. and internationally, the classes offer yet another way to equip pastors and leaders with digital and media strategies to be most effective where they are at.

Church on Trial – Crisis Management Masterclass with Phil Cooke
Based on Phil’s new book, Church on Trial—How to Protect Your Congregation, Mission, and Reputation During a Crisis, this masterclass equips pastors and their teams, elders and board members on crisis management. Find out how to prevent a crisis – and if one happens – respond quicly, appropriately and positively. Sign up here. (Group rates available!)

New masterclasses extend the reach of The Influence Lab online.

New! Ideas on a Deadline Masterclass with Phil Cooke
Based on Phil’s book, Ideas on a Deadline—How to Be Creative When the Clock is Ticking, this masterclass with help you break through in your creativity to deliver great ideas when you need them most. Start your creative journey here.

Influence Women 2024 – A Year of Expansion and Impact in Media
2024 has been a monumental year for Influence Women! With chapter groups in Hollywood, Orange County, California; Atlanta, and Nashville, Influence Women expanded this past year, adding three more national chapter groups in Baton Rouge, Houston, and Dallas.

Each chapter group has cultivated close relationships with media and leadership professionals— exponentially increasing the impact of Influence Women across the nation. Read the full 2024 report here. 

The Lord has created new opportunities for 2025!

2025 and New Opportunities for The Influence Lab
The Lord continues to create opportunities as we look to 2025. What we take for granted in the United States in the way of teaching and training on current media and digital strategies, pastors and Christian communicators in other nations hunger and thirst for.

The invitations are already coming in. Greece, Peru, London, and Russia are penciled in on our schedules for 2025, and we are asking friends and partners to consider a special year-end gift towards these training opportunities.

Your generous gift impacts NATIONS and CULTURES as we train pastors and Christian communicators in digital strategies that transcend limitations faced by government or geographical challenges.

Give your year-end gift today. It’s a powerful way to sow into the new year! 

Give here.

Thank you for your partnership!
Special offer: Give your generous gift today and receive one of Phil’s books as our “
thank you” for your support. Get details here.

Digital Media Strategies in Action – Phil Cooke Shares from West African Village

Digital Media Strategies in Action – Phil Cooke Shares from West African Village

How creative are you in sharing the gospel? Missions have changed in the digital age. Being creative and using innovative strategies can help us reach more people more effectively!

While our Influence Lab team was in Ghana, West Africa,they visited a remote village to see outreach in action using a media strategy that was unique for this people group. In this video, you’ll see a Bible Listening Group facilitated by TheoVision International that offers illiterate villagers an opportunity to hear the Bible in their own language, discuss what they’ve heard, and then explore ways to practically apply scripture to their daily lives.

Watch Phil’s report and consider a new way of thinking about missions!

 

The need truly is great in countries like Ghana and other nations around the world for media training. What we take for granted in the United States in the way of teaching and training on current media and digital strategies, the pastors and Christian communicators in other countries hunger and thirst for.

That’s where the Influence Lab steps in. We bring the training and inspiration that these leaders need to reach their nations for Christ in current and effective ways. And that’s where YOU step in.

When you support The Influence Lab, you support the mission to train pastors, leaders and Christian communicators in emerging media and digital strategies to effectively communicate the gospel. Want to help? Click here to give your gift today!

SPECIAL OFFER! Give a gift today and get Phil’s new book, “Church on Trial” as our thank you. Partner with the Influence Lab here.

Thank you, Influence Lab Partners! Together, we are transforming cultures through media.

Influence Lab co-founders Phil and Kathleen Cooke and a team of media experts traveled to Ghana in August to conduct 3-days of intensive media training in the capital city. The media summit was attended by leaders from across West Africa.