About GATE:

Global Associates for Transformational Education (GATE) is an initiative that aggressively addresses quality issues associated with ministry leadership training worldwide. The observed need for such an initiative stimulated the creation of GATE. The founding members of GATE, Drs. Duane Elmer, Ralph Enlow, Robert Ferris, and John Lillis, are professionals grounded in theology, higher education, and international ministry training. They are committed to partner with selected national educators and church leaders to provide biblically based, contextually sensitive, and educationally sound professional development opportunities for theological educators in Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

In 2004, GATE launched a three-year series of training workshops in Kiev, Ukraine, in Prague, Czech Republic, and in Sofia, Bulgaria. Bible colleges and seminaries from eight East European and Eurasian nations were represented at these workshops. The focus of these workshops was "Foundations of Transformational Education." Strong positive response to the workshops resulted in enthusiastic requests to continue the series in these locations and requests to offer the workshop in other regions.

Members of the GATE team continue to meet to plan and develop workshop strategies. Year 2 seminars will focus "Teaching for Transformation," and Year 3 seminars will address challenges faced in "Leading Toward Transformative Learning." To date, GATE ministries have been underwritten by grants, but expanding training opportunities create opportunities for additional funding partners.