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2009 is ushered in by amazing events, both local and international that are truly breathtaking. From the world economy going through an unprecedented decline, a black American president being inaugurated and the Palestinian/Israeli conflict in the Gaza strip. Back here at home in South Africa, from the new political party making news and elections around the corner, to our neighbours in Zimbabwe experiencing leadership challenges and the resulting heartbreaking human suffering.

I am getting a sense that a lot of the changes and challenges facing the world today are due to valueless, self-serving leadership.

Bible-based, value-based leadership is one of the biggest needs in nations today. According Hugh Wetmore, God's desire is to see leaders who prioritise on the following Biblical values:

- Kindness - incorporates being merciful,

- Justice and righteousness - integrates faithfulness and integrity, and

- Humility

When leaders align themselves to these values they allow for God's blessing and peace to flow. These values make God the centre of the leader's actions. There is a clear need for our leaders to concern themselves with the whole person. Our leaders need to beware, 'lest expedience and pragmatism squeeze out Biblical ethics and ideals'.

Walk Thru the Bible is humbled and grateful to God for allowing over 275,000 southern African leaders exposure to value-based leadership principles in the last three years. As the second round of the Million Leaders Mandate starts to roll out, it is our prayer that a great number of southern African leaders will be reached. As pastors and other leaders are firmly grounded in value-based leadership principles that they in turn experience growth and maturity in the way they think about and apply leadership.

In addition, it is our fervent desire that as more leaders, at all levels, are exposed to value-based leadership principles our nations will not have to continue to pay the price in the future for having valueless leaders.

Wesley commented on Micah 6:8, "He has already told you in His word, with what you ought to come before Him. To do justly - to render to every one their due, superiors, equals, inferiors; to be equal to all, and oppress none, in body, goods or name; in all your dealings with men carry a chancery in your own beasts, and do according to equity; to love mercy - to be kind, merciful and compassionate to all, not using severity towards any. Walk humbly with your God. Keep up a constant fellowship with God, by humble, holy faith."

As we walk into 2009, the year of our Lord, may the Lord help us to be the leaders after His own Heart!

Elvis Mvulane

National Director: Walk Thru the Bible South Africa

Micah 6:8, "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (KJV).