Changing the World with Prayer and Pancakes

What if you could change the world?

What if you could get enemies to sit at the same table, break bread, and walk away friends?

How would you do it?

Interestingly, that’s the exact theme of the ITI breakfast I attended recently. ITI is short for the International Training Institute. I first became aware of this pancake breakfast about two months ago. I was working the floor at my church, Christ Community Church of Greeley, Colorado. “Working the floor” is my term for working “Church Security.”

Anyway, I spotted these little cards about the breakfast. The cards said they were having it and a silent auction to raise money for ITI. I knew a little about it, but not that much. But while I looked at the card, something in me said, “Hey, Rich. Donate an autographed copy of each novel.”

I learned a long time ago that when God tells you to jump, your only question should be how high. And if you’re really listening, he’d have told you that.

So, I ordered a copy of each. I contacted our church admin and told her what I wanted to do. “Welcome aboard,” she said.

Then I purchased two tickets for the breakfast.

The day of the breakfast, my buddy Craig Carlson and I went. They’d set up several long tables with items to bid on. Some of that included art, jewelry, household goods, and so on.

The four “The Lawman” book were in the center of one table. There was a framed picture of me. There was a brief bio, and several dozen business cards I’d given them. This was the first time that all four books had been in a public setting at the same time.

And like an idiot, I didn’t get a picture of them or me with them.

The breakfast itself wasn’t bad. Pancakes of course (it was, after all, a pancake breakfast). Sausage and a breakfast quiche added to it. Plenty of coffee.

I did a lot of shaking hands and answering questions about the books.

But the main event wasn’t me.

The main event was Pastor Dudley and ITI.

To get an idea of what it does, think of a seminary without walls, one even without borders. Classes come to local pastors in other countries. Often times these church bodies are poor, and the Pastor may have little, if any, direct schooling.

The idea behind it is one that Apostle Paul can actually be blamed for. In the Book of Acts, Paul often went somewhere and preached the Gospel. People responded. He’d then spend some time there training that local church’s leadership.

ITI does just that but takes it step further. They not only train the leadership of churches, but it also train the trainer. These men and women then take what they learned and teach others, who in turn, teach even more.

Some of the classes have been held in air-conditioned conference rooms. Others in the shade of trees. There’s languages and attitudes to overcome. In the end, the Word of God wins out.

Here’s a few things to know about his ministry. In 2024:

• ITI is working in 36 countries and expanding. Some are countries that going there isn’t a problem like the United States or countries in Europe. Others include places like Iran where being a Christian can mean your life or freedom. Then there’s African countries where eons of tribal anger and hate needs to be overcome.
• ITI material is in eight languages to include Farsi. More are coming.
• In 2025, they held their first class in France. Not for the actual French people, but the refugees who live there.

This is the first time I’d really had a chance to meet Pastor Dudley and some of his team. I’d known him for a while, but this is the first time I got his whole mission. He’s a little more a Christian Ethan Hunt and his Mission: Impossible team.

I’ve included a brief interview with him. It was done on a cellphone and not my pro rig and I’ve had to enhance the sound quality. Hear his story of the Kenyan Dream Team that plans on holding ITI conferences throughout Africa this coming year.

Also, please check out the links:

https://www.networkbeyond.org/