by Mike Vos
As I read Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, ” What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” How could the apostle Paul continue to go to Jerusalem after being warned several times about the impending danger awaiting him? I was struck by the understanding that love is stronger than fear. The apostle Paul’s love for the Lord and love to obey Him was stronger than any fear of danger, harm or sacrifice he may encounter.
As we grow in our love for the Lord, we become less and less concerned with ourselves. Christ demonstrated perfect love and He is our example. Serving on the STN International board is an opportunity for me to love the Lord and be used by Him to further the Gospel and multiply mature disciples around the world to know and love Jesus Christ.
God has called us in Matt 22:37-40 to love the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are designed by God to love Him and one another. True joy is found in our sacrificial serving and loving others. Serving on the STN board honors God and helps reach others with the love and truth of Christ.
I don’t face danger when I serve on the STN board like the apostle Paul did as he headed to Jerusalem in Acts 21; but I do experience joy as I honor the Lord and obediently help spread His love and truth around the world through the STN ministry. I get to see first hand how God faithfully blesses this ministry with the resources to proclaim Him and His truth. I hear of the many sacrifices our students and teachers make to grow in their love and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s a blessing to be part of STN and bring God’s truth to those who are thirsty to consume and apply God’s word.
Ultimately, just as the apostle Paul understood the blessings of serving the Lord far outweigh any sacrifices we make for Him. Serving on the STN board alongside faithful brothers and sisters these past several years has been a privilege as I watch God amazingly working through this ministry to glorify himself and expand His word to different parts of the world. It was also a blessing to have my wife Mara Vos join the STN board in 2022 and to serve with her in this important ministry.
Ryder Kumar is serving as our International Director. As one of the founding members of Shepherding the Nations, it was Ryder's vision to see pastors trained and equipped for ministry that became the foundation of Shepherding the Nations.
Shepherding the Nations has identified qualified and called men who are already working in unreached areas of India and Nepal. We are providing the training to better equip them and the financial resources to support them in their ministries.
Our directors have been equipped to teach our ten-volume training curriculum. These key men are training indigenous pastors and church planters while also providing accountability, resources materials, and support. 
During our training program, we provide our ten volume set of curriculum from the Biblical Training Centre for Pastors (BTCP) in their local language. We also provide essentials resources such as Bible Concordance and Study Bible. We have been able to provide these books to all of our pastors through the generous donations of our donors. These books can be purchased for about $10 each or an entire set for $100.