Phil and Kathleen Cooke spent eleven days in India this September, teaching and training Christian media professionals from across the nation. The trip was timely and the training well-received. Here’s an update on the trip, with special thanks to our generous Influence Lab partners who helped make it possible.
Phil reports: Around the world, digital missions and the strategic use of media are more critical than ever before! This was our seventh trip to India where we have long-standing relationships with pastors, church media professionals, and independent filmmakers, who are creating remarkable media projects for sharing the gospel in a country that is only 2.4% Christian. Through multiple meetings, we were able to equip them with practical strategies and inspire them in their efforts.
Also, alongside Ron Harris (MedaAlliance International), we were featured speakers at a media conference held at Madras Christian College—recognized as one of Asia’s oldest educational institutions. While there, we explored the university’s Innovation Center where students study video production, graphic design, art, and computer technology. It’s a great testament to their desire to learn and grow in the skills that will enable them to share the gospel effectively in today’s digital culture.
Media professionals and church leaders gathered for the training.
We also spoke to media and drama students at The Women’s Christian College, a campus with 4,000 students in Chennai. Our overall goal throughout the trip and with every interaction was to encourage this generation of filmmakers, television producers, social media creators, and church communication professionals, helping them access digital strategies for greater success in their endeavors.
Kathleen reports: It’s a long way to India from the U.S., and at times my human body gets weary, but I’m energized when I see how God is building His global Kingdom.
Many Christian organizations face challenges daily as they share the gospel, yet their joy and enthusiasm to learn and grow in media skills never wavers. Seeing their faith in action reminds me of the power of God to overcome and bring miraculous provision, protection, and joy.
I was re-energized when I received this WhatsApp message from one of the female participants:
“Thank you for coming to India… I’m very grateful that you were willing to come halfway around the world and bless us with your experience, observations, and wisdom. Your words were impactful, and the Lord has certainly used them to speak to me. I know it spoke to others as well.”
The colorful heritage of India brings a rich element to all forms of media and art.
Thank you for supporting The Influence Lab and Influence Women and allowing us to bring words of relief and God’s creative infusion to his “boots on the ground” in India. We are the Church, and united we stand.
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40)
Partner with The Influence Lab! Your support is needed more than ever as The Influence Lab continues teaching and training Christian media professionals in the most remote and challenging places on the earth. With more international trips planned for 2023 and 2024, your generous partnership paves the way to bring strategic media and digital training to the nations.
Join us in making a lasting impact! Give your gift here. Check out the special offers when you give a generous gift of $35.00 or more!
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.
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
Although not commonly known or discussed, millions inside Russia don’t agree with Putin’s policies. Many Russian pastors are trying to change things from the inside, but without ready access to updated digital media strategies, it’s like they’re fighting on foot against an airborne army. Until now.
Phil Cooke’s “Maximize Your Influence: How to Make Digital Media Work for Your Church, Your Ministry, and You” has been translated into Russian by Russian nationals. And, through a trusted inside source, we have a tremendous opportunity to get this media resource into the hands of 7,000 pastors across Russia.
Some funds have already come in, but we’re not yet there. The cost of printing and distribution is estimated at $18,900. The book, once printed, will go to pastors in these regions:
Moscow—2,000 pastors St. Petersburg—1000 pastors Siberia—500 pastors Udmurtia region—500 pastors North of Russia—300 pastors Perm region—1000 pastors Bashkiria region—300 pastors Ural region—400 pastors Far East—500 pastors Former Soviet Union—500 pastors
The timing is critical. These Russian pastors need our help to counter Putin’s propaganda with the true gospel. The equipping they gain through “Maximize Your Influence” will make a tremendous difference in how they can impact their nation.
Will you partner with us in this work? The book is ready to print as soon as the financing need is met.
What can you give? Your gift of $10,000, $1,000, $500 or $50 will go a long way to meet the need and get this resource into the hands of these Russian pastors.
We sincerely thank you for your prayerful and financial support. As a special “thank you” for partnering with The Influence Lab, you’ll receive your choice of four books (including Maximize Your Influence). Don’t wait – give your gift today.
