This is not because we started with an impressive business plan or incredible marketing strategy or because we are uniquely qualified for this work. Today, Ellerslie is a thriving ministry that trains hundreds of students each year. And yet each time we turned to God with simple, childlike faith, He came through-beyond what we could have hoped or imagined. Even though we saw many miracles happen, we also walked through an incredible spiritual battle as the ministry of Ellerslie was being established, and many times it didn't look like we would ever get it off the ground. We saw the funding come through, just in the nick of time. What happened over the next few years was truly astounding! As we wrestled in prayer to see the vision become a reality, we watched God miraculously provide a beautiful college campus just minutes from our home. We took our impractical dreams to Him and asked Him to make them into a reality, by the power of His hand. So we began to ask God to infuse us with the childlike faith to believe that what He had called us to, He would equip us for. We had no idea where to start or what the first steps should be. Yet no matter what people told us, we continued to feel a strong conviction that it was His desire to establish a discipleship training ministry through us, where eager Christians would be trained to make an eternal impact for the gospel all around the world. Some told us that our dream of starting a discipleship training college would never become a reality-that we weren't qualified or well-funded enough to tackle something so big and ambitious. But we were at a loss when it came to making the vision a reality.

We knew that many Christians around the world were seeking gospel-centered spiritual training. It was just the two of us and a handful of faithful staff members. We didn't have a large church or major organization backing us that could help fund large ministry endeavors such as this one. In fact, we didn't even know of a college campus that was available. We'd been writing books and speaking for many years and had a well-established ministry, but we certainly didn't have the resources to purchase an entire college campus. Several years ago, my husband and I felt the nudge from God to begin a discipleship training college. remember it is God who has called you and it is the same as when He called Moses or Samuel. If God has called you to China or any other place and you are sure in your own heart, let nothing deter you.

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