Advanced Global Educators (AGE) continues what began in 1998 as Global Training Institute.  Seeing the need for international teacher and pastoral leadership training to support expanding education work by FMD and Rev William Patrick in founding educational missionary work [ACE, K-12 schools] in Europe, Dr. Sidney Poe, and David Reynolds began preparing materials and training for overseas teachers.  Foreign Missions Director Harry Scism, himself a visionary leader, recognized this need, and called Bro. Poe to the World Evangelism Center (WEC) in Hazelwood MO, and with FMD leaders there began talks to found an institute for teacher and leader training.  After much prayer and creative discussion, Bro. Poe and Bro. Garry Tracy compiled a proposal for the Foreign Missions Board, creating Global Training Institute (GTI) to be administered by the Director of Education, FMD.  Global Trainers would raise their own travel funds and serve as a professional resource at no expense to the missionary or Bible school director.  The primary goal was to provide resources for missionaries that would improve and enhance the knowledge and skills of Bible school teachers through education and pastoral leadership training workshops held in their respective countries.  Central goals included teacher and leader training by certified instructors, standard Bible School curriculum short courses, seminars, and workshops with continuing education credit awarded. The first curriculum committee was comprised of Revs. Larry Blake, Arlo Moehlenpah, David Reynolds and Dr. Sidney Poe, Chairman.

Shortly after the formation of GTI, Bro. Lloyd Shirley was selected as Director of Education and Associates in Missions. Bro. Shirley guided GTI for the next 13 years. Under that tenure many new ideas were developed and initiatives begun along with addition of trainers.  A recent strategic concept is the Global Association of Theological Studies (GATS), a collaborative program to develop and equip ministers to reach their maximum potential in apostolic ministry. Rev. James Poitras, missionary to Ghana, was asked to serve as Coordinator of GATS.  Key GATS elements are comprehensive faculty education and uniformity of courses in a curriculum.

Upon Bro. Shirley’s retirement in 2011, the quest for global ministerial excellence through apostolic Bible Schools continued under the leadership of Rev. Poitras, who was selected as Director of Education and AIM.   Director Poitras convened the Global Education Committee, a group of committed educators that included members of GTI, Bible School leaders, and seasoned missionaries for the purpose or preparing courses and steering GATS.  In 2012 GTI was renamed Advanced Global Educators (AGE), with this revamped three-fold purpose:

• Develop and train teachers and administrative leaders throughout the world
• Provide courses to be taught in overseas Bible schools
• Teach higher level course materials in Bible schools

AGE [GTI] participants have collectively ministered in the following countries:

AGE participants offer a broad spectrum of fresh methods applicable to strengthen apostolic ministry in any culture and field of labor. In addition to on-site training, AGE participants offer:

• Courses and topical studies
• Books
• Websites
• Prepared Powerpoint lessons
• Lesson outlines and handouts
• Lesson transcripts
• Periodic emails
• Topical articles
• Study guides and quizzes
• Games
• Videos
  

Advanced Global Educators have experience and training in missions and church ministry, including chaplaincy, public school, college, and university teaching and administration, as well as Bible school education, and knowledge of science, engineering, and business management. The subjects taught range from family seminars, scientific defense of Biblical teaching, and project management, to basic Bible doctrines, teaching methods and faculty education programs. These educators stand ready to assist missionaries and Bible school leaders and faculty on-site, and through a multitude of on-line reference materials and resources. To request on-site assistance, please navigate to the “Go2YourNation” portion of this website.