30/06/2026
We’re celebrating a milestone! Today we wrap up five years of our largest project ever – Local Online: A Global Strategy, better known as LOGS.
It was hard enough for theological institutions in Western countries to rapidly adapt to online education during the first pandemic lockdowns in 2020, but for colleges in the Majority World, it was unimaginably difficult. We began helping seminaries immediately with purchasing computer equipment and installing IT infrastructure. But we knew more was needed. Out of this crucible, the spark for our Local Online Strategy was born—to help Bible colleges not only get online, but to increase their capacity to teach with excellence online.
After a generous grant from a major donor, we were able to put legs on our desire to help. Dr David Turnbull was engaged as project director from 1 July 2021, and thus, the LOGS project was underway. David quickly worked with program manager, Linda Peterson, to get systems in place for such a large global initiative, and in October 2021 the LOGS project was officially launched with an online video premiere event. You might remember watching from home during lockdowns at the time!
We praise God for everyone involved in managing and executing the project around the world. In Australia, with David at the helm, three successive superstars filled the role of project manager: first Linda Peterson, then Elise Heerde and finally Yianna Georgiou. Of course, Local Leaders was not alone in meeting the great need the lockdowns created. Though we led the project we couldn't have done it without several of our international affiliate organisations working alongside us. At one point we had about 20 consultants around the world all contributing to LOGS training and giving support to our partner colleges.
The project was initially funded for three years, but our key donor saw the value of the impact and increased their investment, allowing us to extend the project to five years in total.
It means that the LOGS project is officially coming to an end today, 30 June 2026. We’re happy to say that our support for online theological education will continue, but on a smaller scale as we assist colleges with further training, particularly as they adjust to the proliferation of AI.
We are so very grateful for the ways in which the LOGS project has helped Bible colleges around the world. It has had an impact beyond what we dreamed, opening up new avenues for collaboration and allowing numerous institutions to expand their training exponentially.
Over the coming weeks we will reflect on some of the key successes of the project and how gracious God has been in this journey. But for now, enjoy looking back at these photos from the early days of LOGS. What a ride from then to now!
