While planting churches in the southern Philippines (1986-1999), David and Mindy Nelson were convinced of local church based training as a means to growing healthy, vibrant churches. Later with the Bible Training Centre for Pastors (1999-2005), David served as the Asian Coordinator, equipping and mentoring national pastors throughout Asia. As the Bible Training Centre for Pastors refined their strategy to only resource US ministries working with nationals, God directed David and Mindy to start Crossing Cultures International (October 2005) which is now training 2,500 pastors in 11 countries throughout Asia.