DAI (Development Associates International) is a non-profit international organization that provides Leadership and Management training to those around the world with the least access to such resources.

DAI is committed to enhancing the integrity and effectiveness of Christian leaders worldwide, so that the Church can fulfill its role in extending God’s Kingdom. We do this through four areas of ministry: educating, consulting, mentoring and connecting.

The Church is growing rapidly across the majority world, through the efforts of evangelists and church planters. Yet this young church is trying to reach maturity and have an impact in the midst of countries where disease, civil unrest, natural disasters and poverty abound. Effective leadership is a challenge for anyone, let alone a believer who lacks access to training. Indigenous leadership development enables these leaders to have a tremendous impact in reaching the unreached and caring for the needy simply by working more effectively in their neighborhoods.

Today we have Ministry Centers led by local leaders in Australia, Belgium, India, Ivory Coast, Middle East, Nigeria, South Africa, Russia, Uganda, and United Kingdom. In addition, we partner with organizations in 20 other countries in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The international coordinating office for DAI is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

In 1990, the Center for Organizational Excellence at Eastern College was co-founded by James Engel and David Fraser after listening to the needs of key leaders in the Majority World. The dream was to enhance the integrity and effectiveness of Christian leaders worldwide. Today, that dream has grown into the organization called Development Associates International, serving leaders who have the least access to spiritual, human and material resources.

DAI is a non-denominational organization and is not affiliated with any single church.

DAI is a faith ministry, relying on God to provide for our needs. We are incredibly grateful that He has led a number of individuals, churches, and foundations to partner with us through their gifts. Most of our staff raise personal support to help provide the income they need for their salaries and ministry projects. However, we also believe that people value what they pay for, so there is always a minimal local fee for our work.  Students in the MA program pay the local tuition rate for a Master's Degree to enroll in our program. Click here to find out how you can give.

Because DAI is committed to providing training and resources to those with the least access to such resources, DAI rarely works with leaders in the United States.