Mission
MDI provides ministry leaders with high-caliber mentoring
and innovative content to unleash their God-given potential.
VISION
Ministry leaders thriving.
CORE VALUES
We lean on God
for His leadership and His direction
God Reveals Paths
that no one knew were there
through prayer and spiritual discernment. We believe that God has a broader, better, bolder vantage point than we could ever imagine and our goal is to follow HIS lead.
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- Proverbs 16:9
our team helps Leaders navigate the season that they are in and prepare for the course ahead. We are committed to God-Sized Visions, life-long learning, innovation, and continual improvement.
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- Psalm 77:19
God Uniquely Designs
every leader
Our team comes alongside to identify and maximize each leader's potential.
- Nehemiah 2:11-12
We value the leader
before the ministry
We ensure the Leader’s priorities, pace, and felt needs are met as we strategically lead each meeting and encounter. We believe that when leaders are thriving, their ministries will thrive.
FOUNDERS
MDI was founded in 1998 by serial entrepreneurs and thought leaders, Steve Lorenz and Marti Scudder. After decades of developing ministries locally and globally, the two joined forces and launched an inspired new venture called Missions Development International.
Taking their years of expertise, they designed a new ministry model that focuses on the top leaders of ministries to equip them to reach even more people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. By pouring into leaders who are already uniquely positioned around the world, MDI is able to multiply their impact through hundreds of ministries.
HISTORY
In the mid-1990’s, Steve Lorenz and Marti Scudder began establishing, developing and assisting business start-ups in Ukraine. This was not long after the nation had received its independence and the economy was growing. Steve and Marti were helping local business leaders operate within an ethical framework and Christ-like manner, which was freeing for most people in this post-Soviet environment.
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During many of their visits, leaders of local Christian ministries began approaching Steve and Marti asking for professional development, personal counsel, and ministry strategy advice. Over a period of time, they felt the Lord leading them to serve these ministry leaders, who had nowhere else to turn.
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In 1998, Missions Development International began as a ministry dedicated to mentoring and consulting Christian leaders. The money made from the businesses started in Ukraine, paid investors 100% return on investment and financed MDI for 15 years.