History
The Vision
In 1990, two distinguished professors dared to believe that they could make a difference in the lives and ministries of key leaders in the Majority World. Together, they founded The Center for Organizational Excellence at Eastern College. Their dream was to enhance the integrity and effectiveness of Christian leaders worldwide. Today that dream is embodied by Development Associates International, serving leaders throughout the Majority World who have the least access to spiritual, human and material resources.
Dr. James F. Engel, the founder of DAI, taught at Wheaton College for 18 years. Beside a highly successful secular career in marketing research, he served as a trainer and consultant to over 250 Christian organizations in 60 countries. Dr. Engel was a member of the Communications Working Group of the Lausanne Movement, adjunct faculty at Daystar University in Kenya, senior faculty member of the Asian Institute of Christian Communication, faculty associate of the Haggai Evangelistic Institute in Singapore, and a member of the Long Range Planning Committee of the World Evangelical Fellowship. In spite of all these successes, a passion continued to burn in Dr. Engel to do more. Specifically he wanted to provide training resources that really make a life changing difference in the lives of key leaders.
Meanwhile, Dr. David Fraser had gained significant exposure to leaders at the grass roots level, serving as a member of the senior staff of the MARC Division of World Vision International with responsibilities for Unreached Peoples. He had also served with the Mission Training and Resource Center for three years, helping to develop curricula and training models. Having taught in more than 15 countries he also carried a passion for effective leadership development.
The Ministry Takes Shape
Together the two undertook nearly three additional years of research in various parts of the world. Everything from formal surveys, to interviews, to informal listening sessions occurred. From this effort key areas of need emerged that must be met for Christian leaders in the majority world to become effective as possible. They set about to make resources available to meet these needs.
Over the next five years the curriculum was created, field-tested, modified, and retested. Methods of distribution were tried and evaluated. It began to become clear that interactive, story based learning focused on asking the leader questions and requiring application enabled leaders to change. This method put the focus on learning and transformation of the leader and his leadership practices. Staff and volunteers were recruited, including men and women with expertise in the most critical fields, and the ministry began to expand.
Ministry Structure and Staff
Today, DAI is a network of leaders committed to developing other leaders through education, mentoring, consulting and connecting. Indigenous staff teams work based out of 11 Ministry Centers work throughout 26 countries. Each Center receives most of its accountability and direction from a board of directors made up of local senior leaders in the body of Christ from that nation.
DAI also has a handful of international specialist we call Senior Consultants who provide specialized training and consulting as needed globally.
A Master’s Degree Program in Organizational Leadership is coordinated from the US, but run in partnership with local academic institutions in nine countries.
Summary
At a recent workshop, one Christian leader stood up to speak, his voice choked with emotion. He said something like this, “You’ve given me the courage and the practical tools to go back and do what I know God’s called me to do. I had nearly given up, but now I know that God has been listening to my prayers and will continue to enable me to do what needs to be done for His Kingdom. Thank you.”
That’s what this ministry is all about – building capacities for integrity and effectiveness in Christian leaders worldwide.