Below is a letter recently mailed or emailed to level two leaders:
October 15, 2009

Dear level two leader:

Welcome to the new Level Two!

Need inserts?
As you have noticed, the books for Level Two have changed. What's different is that the syllabus is included at the front, and the final exam is at the back--all new questions. Also included are the forms and assessment sheets for Beyond Academics.
If you have Level Two books that do not have these pages in them, and you are laeding a Level Two course, send me an e-mail with the name(s) of the course(s) you are leading and I will e-mail you the PDF files of the new frount and back pages you can insert in your book.

A New Mailer for the Finals
You received a redesigned leader packet with the INSTE address on the back to make it easier for you to send in the final exams and forms for your group. At the end of the course, place the exams and required forms in the envelope, add postage and drop it in the mail.

Include enrollments and book order for the next course
As you send in the final exams, enclose the book order and enrollment forms for the next course.

Electronic exams
If at al possible, send the final exams on CDs. That will facilitate the correction of the exam and will get the grades back to your gorup as soon as possible. You may also collect the exams electronically form your group and send them as a group (not one by one) via e-mail to the Assistant Dean. The address is ddelvalle@inste.edu. If you do so, make a note about that on eh Register of Attendance and Exams.

The List
As a quick reminder, send us the following:

• The Record of Attendance and Exams
• Leader course evaluation

For each student:

• Final exam (on CD or paper)
• Summary Sheet for Beyond Academics
• Evaluation of the student by the mentor
• Student course evaluation
• Final Step sheet

PLUS

• Enrollment forms for any additional students for the next course
• The book order form and payment

How to add a student to your group for the next course
If one or more members of your group enrolled for more than one course, you received a packet for each course. In that case, to add students for the next course, simply have those who have not already enrolled in the next course fill out an enrollment form. You will fill out the book order form to add them to the next course. Look for the class ID number on the Register of attendance and exams and write that number on the book order fomr at the top of the sheet to the right of the Church ID. Then write ADD-ON clearly on the book order. That will alert us to the fact that these new students will be joining the next course.

Got e-mail?
If at all possible, please provide us wht an email address so that we can keep in contact with you throughout the semester. We'd also like to hear from you.

Thanks!
We appreciate you! In our staff prayer time every morning we pray for you and your group. We pray for your requests and praise the Lord for your victories. It's a privilege to have you on the INSTE team. The Lord bless you!

Heroes of the Faith

We had the immense privilege of hosting the INSTE National Directors of Cuba. The economic situation in Cuba is very difficult. However, God has raised up Armando and Deborah Benítez. Both are doing a wonderful job in INSTE where almost 500 students are studying and being discipled in that wonderful Caribbean island.

The challenges are many but in spite of it, the joy of the Lord is their strength. Hearing about the hunger for God's word and the role of INSTE in making disciples, we were ALL grateful to our Lord for His mercy. Chapter 11 in the Book of Hebrews mentions many persons who were faithful in the midst of adversity. Although Hebrews was written almost two millenea ago, the names of Armando and Deborah need to be included. They are living testimonies to God's faithfulness.

INSTE Bible College Goes to Omaha

It is always such a joy to see pastors and leaders desirous of equipping the saints for the work of service. For two hours today I had the privilege of meeting with representatives of 4 Hispanic congregations that are situated along the I-80 corridor. These churches are located in Nebraska, Colorado and Iowa. We had an informational and testimonial meeting regarding INSTE Bible College. Two of the four churches are new to INSTE. It was so encouraging to see the testimonies of the other two churches that are using INSTE. Truly we are seeing INSTE make disciples and develop leaders throughout our land.
We encourage you to visit the INSTE website and sign up for a free daily devotional. Go to www.inste.edu and click on Daily Treasures of the Word of God. Fill out the information and you will receive the devotional. Let your friends and family know. PTL!

Free Daily Devotional Sent to You

Nick and Leona have developed a daily devotional which can be a tool in the hands of our Lord. You will be able to study His word and mature in your relationship with God. Just click here to receive your thought and teaching for the day through email. http://www.inste.edu/subscribe.aspx

There is a saying: a picture is worth a thousand words. When it comes to Islam in the post 9/11 world we live in, the issues and opinions are complex and diverse. One of the outstanding reports we have seen in the most recent months is the webcast Inside the Revolution by Joel C. Rosenberg. He is a Messianic Jew. The town meeting took place at a Calvary Chapel Church in Pennsylvania. You can view the webcast at insidetherevolution.org. It lasts for two hours and is free. We dare say it is a must see. There is a book by the same title and DVD.

The webcast is divided into three parts. The first part is on Radical Islam. Next, it is the moderates in Islam that are discussed. The final part is on what is happening in the Muslim world and how God is bringing millions to the knowledge of Jesus Christ through dreams and visions. It is exciting to see Jesus Christ continues to be the Savior of the world. There are no closed doors to God's love.

Raising Up Youth, Youth and More Youth

I had the wonderful privilege to be at a three day consultation in Kansas City, MO. More than 70 national young emerging leaders were present. It was invigorating and eye opening to see the passion and motivation of many of the younger leaders. One of the key questions in the break out groups was how do we train our younger leaders. Here are 10 reasons for our churches and leaders to use Level One.

1. Discipleship is for ALL including youth. Discipleship is not only for a special group (Mt. 28:18-20)
2. Discipleship brings growth. This is both individually and corporately.
3. Discipleship is part of God's armor for youth (Eph. 6:13-15).
4. Discipleship has long term benefits. Many slip and fall in today's world because they have not been effectively discipled.
5. Discipleship is both to equip and be equipped. Everyone learns from each other in the INSTE small groups.
6. Students will receive college credit.
7. For about $.70 a day (less than McDonald’s dollar menu) your youth can get 8 credit hours after finishing INSTE First Level.
8. Your students will have skills that can be developed during their entire lifetime (prayer, Bible study, mentoring, interpersonal relationship, discovering their gifts and much more)
9. It will provide a holistic model that incorporates being, doing and knowing in your local church. It is transformation not just information.
10. Your students will be able to know your heart and passion.

We are all aware of the statistics of the great number of youth dropping out from God when they go off to college. As I listened and learned at the consultation, my spirit kept on saying "it does not have to be this way." Let us work together and disciple 16 and 17 year olds (juniors and seniors) before they go off to college!

If you think INSTE Youth First Level is for you and your church, please let us know. Check out our website: http://www.inste.edu/.

Mentoring and Being Mentored

In INSTE Bible College, we have always made an emphasis on mentoring in the context of the local church and the small group. It was very rewarding to be in the Consultation of Young Emerging Leaders at Desperation Church in Liberty, MO. There were more than 70 growing and maturing young leaders. The reward for me was to see former students now leading churches and training others. This does not mean that we have arrived. However, we are advancing.
The younger leaders had some major concerns regarding ministry. They expressed them for the most part in a very caring manner and yet firmly. The training and equipping of the younger generation is more essential than ever. I was reminded of the apostle Paul's words to his protege Timothy: "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." (1 Tim. 4:12)
What became clear to me was that discipleship and leadership is a two-way street. The younger leaders are not to be ignored or treated as children. They have much to say. At the same time, they as Timothy to Paul should model the character of Christ to the older generation and others. In INSTE we say "ministry flows from being." This is what I saw. In other words, I mentored some but also was mentored by them.