It is with great joy, sacrifice and dedication that we bring this edition of your beloved Church Growth Journal to you. This year has been very eventful so far with us. In the ministry, God has blessed our programmes, conferences and seminars with good and amazing testimonies of change in the life of leaders and growth in Churches.

Also, we have had open doors to places and countries we have never been to before. Many pastors and leaders are having wonderful time with their computers, savoring all the goldmine of resources there, courtesy of our ministry. Though it, cost us so much to bring these ministry tools to pastors and Church leaders, yet we are encouraged by the positive comments and appreciation of those pastors that know the worth and value of the computers and the installed resources.

Moreover, we have had our own share of challenges as a ministry too. Talk of pastors who spread outright lies about the computer project for ministers, thereby discouraging others from purchasing. Some even had to collect their money back due to lies that were fed them by fellow pastors. However, we still hope to give computer out to pastors for the last time during our August/September 2006 conference.

We also have Church leaders who constitute themselves' into power brokers, spreading rumors, distorted words and discouraging people from attending our conferences and institute. This they are doing because they want to draw disciples after themselves and make merchandise of them. Many also are aggrieved because of the principled stand of Church growth teachings on godliness, integrity, transparency and careful handling of the Church of Jesus Christ . They felt that we are trying to be the watch-dog of the Church.

However, despite these storms in a cup, we are determined more than ever before to cry aloud and spare not (Isaiah 58:1). We are addicted to equipping, empowering pastors and emerging young leaders on healthy ways of doing Church and ministry in a way that is pleasing to God and expand His kingdom.

Our allegiance is to the Lamb, who said '1 will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against her'. Our passion is to keep on providing resources and tools that will help leaders, both young and old, to partner with Jesus in building that Church.

Despite the high cost of printing and publishing materials, yet we are determined to keep on providing this journal to you free of charge, though we will gladly welcome those who want to sow seeds to defray the cost of printing. God will bless you.

In this edition, you will find wonderful and refreshing articles that are practical and relevant to the growth of your Church and ministry. Allow me to emphasize this: August 28 - September 1, 2006 is our next major International Conference in Lagos. It's going to be great. Every person that wants the kingdom of God to move forward and the Church to be healthy must be there. Register now and prepare your calendar for it. Our special focus will be on pastoral couples and associate pastors and their wives.

Also, it will be the 10th anniversary of our great institute: International Institute of Church Growth. It's going to be a swell time in God's presence, so, spread this news and pray along with us.

Keep growing and glowing in Him.

Francis Bola Akin-John.