Christians in the USA are among the first to acknowledge the challenges faced by the modern church. But, although surveys indicate that the church is shrinking in size in and influence, Disciple Makers from Harvesters offers a simple roadmap back to the basics of evangelisation and church growth.
Joining Disciple Makers means allowing God to work through your life and being ready to experience healthy church growth. West Cobb Church in Georgia and Agape Christian Fellowship in Vermont embraced this journey, and participants have had their perception of discipleship transformed. Their testimonies highlight three steps on the roadmap to true discipleship.
Step One: Be Obedient
True discipleship begins with surrender. It means offering yourself to be used by God and being open to the work of the Holy Spirit. Gloria Hunter from West Cobb Church shares, “The Lord decided that He wanted to make something out of us, even though we didn’t know it was possible. We’re glad to be here in this time of service to the Lord. He’s asked us to continue His work until He returns.”
Pastor Bryan Ganntt from Agape Christian Fellowship resonates with this call to radical obedience: “The church needs to get out of its four walls and get involved in the world… we need to be Kingdom-minded. Not building our own kingdom but building the Kingdom of God.”
We praise God for preparing the members of these two churches to take the first step and join the Disciple Makers journey in obedience to God’s call.
Step Two: Renew your Mind
Next, believers must rediscover the heart of the Great Commission. Too often, churches turn inward, serving only themselves while their communities remain unreached. “People in America seek God less because we… kind of live a good life and have everything that we need,” observes Griffin Banks from Powder Springs, Georgia. “So maybe it doesn’t seem necessary for people to go seek God.”
Disciple Makers challenges these passive mindsets and refocuses the church on its mission. Taylor Elrod, also from Powder Springs, says: “Right now my favourite thing that we’re learning is about the Great Commission, and I love that I grew up in church but now I really know what it actually means.”
Meanwhile, Rob Kuehl’s idea of discipleship was transformed. He learnt that “it’s an intentional relationship, friendship, centred around the Word of God and prayer.” Sheila Earwood had a similar experience: “I think a lot of times when we hear the word ‘disciple’, everybody kind of has their own definition of what being a disciple is.” Discipleship is “not something that is idealistic in the Christian community but, actually is something that we very naturally and supernaturally do because Christ is living in us.”
Only once existing perceptions regarding God’s church and its purpose have been renewed can we expect church growth and subsequent transformation.
Step 3: Go Make Disciples!
Finally, God expects us to take the leap and do the work He has prepared us for. Gloria explained, “I don’t want to be someone who the Bible talks about as ever-learning and never coming to the knowledge of the truth, so I want to be able to utilise the truth effectively.”
Disciple Makers offers practical guidance on achieving this. Two years ago, Pastor Bryan’s church saw a rich harvest of 300 new converts. He had to contact fellow pastors to ensure that these souls were properly discipled. “But the thing that we found was we were woefully inadequately equipped to disciple and to handle that many people receiving Jesus so suddenly,” he shared. “And so we have been searching for something that would teach our people how to disciple, how to become disciples, how to become disciple-makers. And I think we have found that in what Harvesters Ministries is doing. Learn to be a disciple, be a disciple, learn to make disciples.”
Gloria sums it up perfectly: “Just be obedient to the things of God and do what He tells you to do the way He tells you to do it, and you see God-results.”
