From violent conflict to leading a Bible study in juvenile jail
The indigenous Guarani people of Bolivia were celebrating a local holiday when teenager Marcelo was sent to juvenile jail after a violent conflict between families in his village.
At the same celebration, a preacher had been arrested for sharing the Gospel — and he was held in jail with Marcelo and other teenagers. There, he introduced them to Jesus using Lead Today.
Through those lessons, Marcelo discovered peace for the first time.
Today, even while still in juvenile detention, Marcelo is leading a Bible study with other young people using the same Lead Today program that transformed his life. His mother and siblings have now also received Christ.
Fast Facts
Globally, young people prefer democracy, but distrust whether leaders are fair, honest, responsive, and competent
- A median of 74% of people across 24 countries say elected officials do not care what people like them think.
- More than two-thirds of countries score below 50/100 on perceived public-sector corruption.
But there is a God-honoring solution
- Created in partnership with John C. Maxwell’s organization EQUIP, Lead Today helps teens discover a different model of leadership: one based on biblical servant leadership, character strength, and practical leadership skills.
This is the global impact you make possible through Lead Today
Churches in 99 countries use Lead Today to disciple teenagers to lead like Jesus with biblical character, servant leadership, and courage. Together, we are trusting God to reach 2,723,720 young people in 2026.
My Story of Hope ... in a majority-Muslim nation
Joshua had heard the story of Jesus before, but it wasn’t until he joined Lead Today that the message truly became personal, and he discovered steadfast faith and living hope.
Lead Today — developed in partnership with John C. Maxwell’s EQUIP organization — helps young people explore what godly leadership looks like through the stories of leaders in Scripture.
As Joshua worked through the program, he encountered God’s Word in a deeper way than ever before. For the first time, he understood that following Jesus was not just a story to know, but a decision to make.
During the program, Joshua chose to dedicate his life to Christ — and everything began to change.
Where he once struggled with destructive habits and a lack of direction, Joshua began discovering new purpose and hope. His heart was transformed, and so was his vision for the future.
Today, Joshua is passionate about reaching other young people who are walking the same difficult paths he once faced.
This year, he has committed to share the love of Jesus with 500 youth, especially those caught in addiction and harmful influences. In a nation where openly following Christ can come with real risks, Joshua is boldly stepping forward as a young leader and witness to the hope he has found.
This year Joshua has committed to share the love of Jesus with 500 young people!
From Zambia: A message of thanks to you
BY CHRISTIAN CHIYAMIKO
My name is Christian. I am 18 years old, and I live in Zambia — a nation in Southern Africa that is known for its peaceful society, despite our nation’s struggles with socioeconomic inequality and educational challenges, especially in rural areas.
I was blessed to be enrolled in the Lead Today program as a younger teen, and the lessons I learned have not only shaped my academic journey but have also significantly influenced my social interactions, personal growth, and overall approach to life.
One of the most transformative moments in my life came recently when I was invited to interview with the World Council of Churches to serve as a steward at this year’s Central Committee meetings.
During the interview, I was asked several questions that focused on qualities like integrity, leadership, and accountability — values I first encountered and embraced through the Lead Today program. These were not just abstract concepts but practical skills I had internalized, and they guided me through the process with confidence.
The principles I’ve learned from Lead Today have been incredibly valuable in both my personal and professional life.
Today, I read the book over and over again, and the more I read and reflect on the book, the more I realize there is always something new to uncover, something more to apply.
It has equipped me with a strong foundation of ethical standards and a mindset of growth that I now carry into every aspect of my life.
Thanks to Lead Today, I have an under-standing of integrity and leadership that continues to serve me well. The lessons will forever shape the person I am becoming, and I firmly believe that applying these principles will help me achieve success, not just for myself, but in making a positive impact on others around me.
Thank you for investing in young people like me. Your contribution is making a lasting difference.
You’re training godly leaders in Northern Honduras
Because of your partnership, students at one of the largest public high schools in northern Honduras are discovering that Jesus loves them and gave His life so they may know Him and truly live — and that God created them to lead with courage, faith, and purpose.
Recently, the Froylán Turcios Institute in Tocoa — a bustling city in the Colón region — opened its doors to the Lead Today program (a miracle in and of itself, since access to schools for Gospel-centered programs had been effectively shut down there). In two powerful sessions, more than 320 students were reached with biblical leadership training rooted in God’s Word.
For many teenagers there, the message was life changing. And for the community, a significant spiritual and cultural breakthrough!
Through Lead Today, students learned that true success is not built overnight or through shortcuts. Instead, they discovered that God honors perseverance, character, hard work, and faithfulness. They began to see leadership not as power or status, but as serving others the way Jesus did.
Most importantly, many young people began to understand that their lives have a greater purpose — and that God can use them right now to influence their schools, families, and communities for Christ.
In a region where many young people not only face poverty, instability, and uncertainty about the future but also a lack of solid spiritual training, your support is helping raise up a new generation of servant leaders who are determined to build their lives on faith, excellence, and hope.
Thank you for making this possible.
Multiplying Leaders
By OneHope President Rob Hoskins
In global ministry, it’s easy to measure impact by what we build: programs launched, resources distributed, initiatives expanded. These things matter.
But over the years, I’ve become convinced that the greatest measure of lasting impact is not what we create, but who we raise up.
This is why we focus on developing leaders who will disciple others and strengthen the Church for generations to come.
One of the most encouraging things I see is how God is raising up these leaders, especially across Africa. Ghana was where Lead Today was first introduced, and the response was remarkable. It has now expanded to nearly 100 countries worldwide, equipping young people with a biblical mindset for servant leadership.
Its lessons on servant leadership inspired Catalyze Clubs. With an entrepreneurial mindset and a strong emphasis on Scripture engagement, the program guides students through a gamified journey of growth, leadership development, and spiritual formation. Each level builds on the last, helping young people grow not only in skill, but in character and calling.
Programs like these contribute to a Vision 2033 goal of developing of 100,000 Christ-centered leaders who will disciple others, transform their communities, and shape the future of Africa and the global Church.
This is how the Church grows: not only wider, but deeper.
This is also how the Gospel will carry forward for generations to come.
NATION BY NATION
CAMEROON
High school teacher Guy Tsafact first introduced Lead Today to students at his school during their general assembly hour — the program was so well received, the program has now expanded to four high schools in the region, reaching 5,000 students!
SENSITIVE
Teenager Alina was invited to a movie showing by a Christian friend. At the screening, Alina received a Book of Hope. She liked the youth film so much, she was anxious to read her new book as well … and today she has chosen to follow Jesus.
SENSITIVE
In a majority-Muslim nation, teenager Dian was struggling with suicidal thoughts. Then she joined a local OneHope outreach. Here, she says, “I was transformed from someone with a hardened heart to a person capable of forgiveness, all through the teachings and grace of the Lord Jesus.”
In Malawi, you introduced a troubled teen to Jesus
At 14, Kondwani was ready to give up on Sunday school — and joining the youth group didn’t appeal to him that much either.
He became rebellious, disrespectful to his parents, neglectful of his schoolwork. His family and his church could see he was starting down a bad path.
But then the Lead Today program was launched at his church. From the very beginning, the program interested him: he was learning how the great leaders of the Bible behaved … and for the first time, he really began to understand the Savior, Jesus.
Kondwani dedicated his life to Christ, and everything began to change for him. The lessons of Lead Today helped him define his priorities and set goals for his life. Today he’s an obedient son, a great friend, and a godly influence on other young people, and he’s focused on excelling in school, too.
Your gift of God’s Word put Kondwani on a better path toward a brighter future. Thank you for offering him hope in a troubled time.
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OneHope Team
- 22 Oct 2026
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