Paul Madson is the founder and president of Global Training Network (GTN) (birthed in 2004), a non-profit 501(c)3 interdenominational ministry focused on equipping and encouraging indigenous church planters, pastors, and Christian leaders throughout the majority world. GTN currently has over 170 U.S.-based staff members and is now actively involved in 85 countries around the world.

Prior to leading GTN, Paul spent 25 years in the pastorate – as an associate pastor (10) and a church planter / Sr. Pastor (15).

It was in 1997 that the church he pastored adopted an unreached people group (in partnership with The JESUS Film Project) known as the Borok people. It was through Paul’s involvement with the Borok people in the 1990s and early 2000s that he felt called to spend the “second half” of his life investing in pastors and leaders throughout the majority world who do not have access to the blessings and benefits of quality biblical and theological education. 85% of all Majority World pastors have no formal (and very little informal) biblical or theological education. All of this led to the birth of Global Training Network in the summer of 2004.

Paul received his Bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministries from Arizona Christian University, his M.Div degree from Western Seminary (Portland, OR), and is currently working on his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at Columbia International University.

Paul has been married to his wife, Lisa, since October of 1980, and they have three adult children–who are all married–and five grandchildren. Paul and Lisa reside in suburban Phoenix, Arizona. Paul’s hobbies include reading, running, photography, hiking, and travel.

Some of his favorite authors include:

  • Alcorn, Randy
  • Bonhoeffer, Dietrich
  • Bridges, Jerry
  • Carson, D.A.
  • Chapell, Bryan
  • DeMoss, Nancy Leigh
  • Dever, Mark
  • Edwards, Jonathan
  • Elliott, Elisabeth
  • Hansen, Collin
  • Henry, Carl F.H.
  • Houston, James
  • Horton, Michael
  • Hughes, R. Kent
  • Keller, Tim
  • Lewis, C.S.
  • Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn
  • Murray, Ian H.
  • Noll, Mark
  • Ortlund, Ray
  • Ortlund, Gavin
  • Owen, John
  • Packer, J.I.
  • Schaeffer, Francis A.
  • Sproul, R.C.
  • Spurgeon, Charles
  • Stetzer, Ed
  • Stott, John R.W.
  • Stowell, Joseph
  • Tripp, Paul
  • Tozer, A.W.
  • Wells, David R.
  • Willard, Dallas
  • Wilson, Jared
  • Wright, N.T.
  • Yancey, Philip