Stemming from an enormously successful Million Leaders Mandate project, EQUIP Ministries is pushing forward at full throttle to equip another one million leaders this year.

The evangelical mission organization, already active in more than 60 countries, is launching Million Leaders Mandate for the second time but on larger grounds. An additional 43 locations along with an increased staff of 26 have paved the way for another million to be trained in advancing the Great Commission.

The Million Leaders Mandate was originally launched in 2003 with a staff of 12 and a goal of equipping one million in six years. Ministry partners, local churches, business leaders and 175 volunteer trainers achieved the goal in half the time. One million leaders were trained in just three years.

"When we launched this initiative, we recognized that this was bigger than all of us," said John C. Maxwell, founder of EQUIP. "With God's favor and blessing, we've met our initial goal, but the work of leadership development has just begun."

This year, EQUIP plans to meet the one million leaders mandate in one year.

"I'm pleased to announce that we are expanding our efforts to involve an additional one million leaders in the Million Leaders Mandate program by the end of 2006," said John Hull, president of EQUIP Ministries in a released statement.

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Rather than training Christians to work in the community apart from the church, EQUIP works to raise leaders who choose to apply their efforts through the local church in its ministry to the community. Now, with a renewed commitment to train relevant, effective Christian leaders, the non-profit leadership group entered its second phase in Latin America.

Over 24,000 people in Latin America will be equipped who in turn are expected to train 25 more. By the end of 2008, a total of one million leaders are to be trained.

One of the million leaders trained under EQUIP's project testified of the new perspective he gained.

"Million Leaders Mandate came at the right time in my life," said Joe
Gomes of India, a graduate of the unique training program. "I've learned a new, godly perspective of leadership – a God-centered leadership style."