mission Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Global Disciples International

Do you see being part of a community as valuable to your life, or health, or success?

I didn’t used to think it was. I moved frequently growing up, then as an adult began a decades-long trek through Europe and South America. As a child, I coped with these frequent moves by breaking all ties with the community I was leaving and starting afresh. Promised letters were never written, phone calls were never placed, and reunions never happened.

Somewhere along the way (but way too late), I recognized this was detrimental to my mental health. I began to recognize the importance of my church home group. People I met in Europe and Brazil became lifelong friends. And hanging out with the expat gang at Iguana’s Mexican restaurant in Budapest became so frequent that my young boys thought Iguana was our kitchen!

Recently, Global Disciples launched THE REACH. We describe it as a “monthly giving community.” And while it aids our fundraising goals, it’s the community aspect of THE REACH that has really struck a chord with me.

However, belonging to a group of recurring donors doesn’t mean you’re in a “community”. Or does it?

The Oxford English Dictionary defines community in two ways:

1) “having a particular characteristic in common”;

2) “a feeling of fellowship with others”.

We did our due diligence to ensure that people joining our monthly giving community have things in common. We chose “Joining Together to Reach Further” as THE REACH tag line – further as in “to the ends of the world”, as the Great Commission directs us. Global Disciples also reaches further by focusing on the least-reached people of the world. That means bringing the life-changing news of Jesus to those people groups who haven’t had the opportunity to choose and follow Christ. So, of course, this would be the goal or characteristic shared in common by our supporters.

My goal for THE REACH, however, is for it to be a community in the second sense of the word – feeling in fellowship with one another. Joining together to reach further. It’s not only about giving – although these monthly commitments provide a stable and consistent financial base for us. It’s more about the passion behind giving; it’s why we give. The passion of THE REACH comes primarily from working together to fulfill the Great Commission to take the Good News of Christ to all nations!

Many Christians are passionate about how Global Disciples fulfills that command. Instead of sending missionaries, Global Disciples is a training organization focused on equipping local churches in how to make disciples who then go out and make other disciples, and so on it goes. The local church in Africa or Asia or wherever chooses someone from their group to go to a nearby village to share Christ. It’s called “near-culture missions” as those from one culture are sent out to people in a shared or similar culture.

It’s an effective, financially efficient, and sustainable model for missions. Global Disciples also provides training that equips these local “mission workers” in small business development so they can support their ministry and their family. As a former Peace Corps volunteer, that’s a model I can be passionate about. And it appeals to a generation dedicated to sustainability, as Global Disciples only provides seed funds for the first three years.

I love THE REACH because it’s creating “community” around some of my core values: following Christ, supporting projects that are sustainable, and preserving local languages and cultures. We all need to be in a community. Find yours—maybe it’s THE REACH!

–Sherry Lee, Marketing & Communications

The prophet Isaiah had a vision of worship in heaven. Seraphim called to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah was convicted of his sin. “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” A seraph touched his lips with a coal, cleansing his sin and guilt.

Then Isaiah overhears a conversation in the heavenlies—the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Isaiah replied, “Here am I. Send me!”

When we come to the Lord in fervent worship and seeking prayer, we draw close to His heart. Like Isaiah, we are convicted of sin, purified, and set free. We experience healing and transformation. Our hearts are changed. We receive His burden for the lost and His commissioning and empowerment to go.

This is why, three years ago, Global Disciples felt the Lord leading us to initiate a fresh emphasis on worship. Many newly-planted churches wanted to understand how to worship. We created regional trainings where carefully selected worship leaders gather with our regional staff. Through this training, we want to multiply a movement of trained worship leaders who are sound in character, anointed by the Holy Spirit, and skilled to lead and equip others in fervent, anointed worship.

Over four days, we explore what it means to worship the Father in spirit and in truth (John 4:23) within their local cultural context and language. Worship leaders are taught to write songs based on scripture, and to train others.

We look at what the Bible says about praise and worship, and seek the Holy Spirit’s anointing to lead others into God’s presence. Isn’t that what we all long for? To be in His presence, to enter into the Holy of Holies, to find grace, forgiveness, healing, and life.

This worship teaching and training has been received with great joy. In many regions, worship leaders immediately go and train other worship leaders. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, for example, a Worship Leader Training was held in December. This group has held six worship leader trainings since then, and all completely self-funded.

Volunteer-led Worship Leader Trainings also took place in Brazil, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda, India, and Nepal.

These times of worship have led to healings, people being filled with the Holy Spirit, and committing their lives to Jesus. A woman walking by a church in Kenya heard the worship, came inside, and immediately surrendered her life to Jesus because she encountered God’s presence.

We want to go deeper in fervent worship, to better know our incredible God whose great love propels us into His mission for the lost.

–Tim Bentch, Global Worship Leader

As Global Disciples, our mission is to make it possible for church clusters to multiply Christ-like disciples and locally sustainable fellowships among least-reached people. A new initiative called THE REACH helps with the “make it possible” part.

What is THE REACH? Simply put, it’s a group of wonderful people who are committed to monthly giving as they support Global Disciples in reaching least-reached people.

However, THE REACH is also about community, joining together to reach further. When you choose to give monthly, you are drawn into a circle of friends who share your desire to see near-culture workers sharing the Gospel with the least-reached. It means accessing our Global stories, hearing first-hand about what God is doing, and meeting up with like-minded friends of Global Disciples.

Often, an invitation to give to an organization leaves the impression that only large gifts matter. While most of us would love to be generous in a big way, it’s not always possible. We know our budget, and with inflation and economic realities, it’s hard to meet our financial obligations, let alone make a hefty gift to our favorite causes.

It’s easy to forget that, over time, even small gifts can have a big impact. When tax time rolls around, have you ever been surprised to see how much you actually gave in a year? Add that giving to a community of givers committed to investing in the mission of Global Disciples—well, that multiplication can be amazing!

For example, say you make room in your budget to give $25 a month. In the end, you are making a gift of $300 this year. That $25 gift can provide a month of training for a disciple-maker in a Global Disciples program. In many of our partner programs, a disciple-maker is reaching out with the Good News of Jesus after a month! They’re multiplying disciples or planting a church or developing outreach through a small business. Multiply your $25 (or $15 or $55) with 30, 40, 100 other people who give each month, and you quickly see how your “reach” expands your impact.

If you’re already giving monthly, you are now included in THE REACH. And you will hear more about this community in the near future. If you wonder what your gift—whatever the size—can do, then join us today. Become part of this growing group of passionate, generous people, and then invite more people to join you in reaching the least-reached.

Join THE REACH here

Most of us who love Jesus are thrilled to see others come to know Him! And there is a special joy when we know we have helped make that possible.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome explaining his behavior and the choices he was making. He says, “It has always been my ambition to preach the Gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation” (Romans 15:20).

As Global Disciples, we share Paul’s ambition. We are fully focused on reaching those people groups who have not yet had an opportunity to hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus.

We believe it is totally unacceptable that about one-third of the people in our world still have not had a chance to respond to the Gospel! We’re working to change that by partnering with 1,594 clusters of churches in 65 countries, and equipping them to train and send out disciple-makers.

You can too, as together, we work to accomplish the Apostle Paul’s ambition to make Christ known. Prayer is one way you can help meet the needs of church clusters that want to send out their workers. We know that no one comes to Christ apart from prayer, and it’s essential for everything we do. You can pray for Global Disciples, and invite others to join you. We have a monthly prayer calendar and resources you can use here.

You can also help financially—your gifts provide training that multiplies disciples every day! At this time, your gift can have a greater impact through our 2023 Match. A group of generous business leaders will match every gift of $1,000 or more, given by June 30. This includes monthly giving of $85 or more. [Click here to join The Reach, our monthly giving community.]

This is also a great time to invite your home fellowship, your family, or friends who share the ambition to see all people choose to follow Jesus, and make a collective gift to support multiplication.

Disciple-makers trained through Global Disciples not only share Paul’s ambition, but his strategy too. And they’re effective just as he was—going out to meet people where they are, and introducing them to Jesus in a way they can understand and embrace.

The vision of Global Disciples—and the Apostle Paul’s ambition—is to share Christ where He is not known. Thank you for participating in making that vision a reality.

–Galen Burkholder, President/CEO

Then Isaiah overhears a conversation in the heavenlies—the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Isaiah replied, “Here am I. Send me!”

Volunteer-led Worship Leader Trainings also took place in Brazil, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda, India, and Nepal.

We want to go deeper in fervent worship, to better know our incredible God whose great love propels us into His mission for the lost.

–Tim Bentch, Global Worship Leader

Pentecost! What a glorious day!

Jesus’ disciples, his closest friends and followers, were all gathered together when the promised Holy Spirit came and filled them with God’s power! They spilled out onto the streets, speaking in languages that were not their own but could be understood by people from every nation.

Crowds gathered, Peter started preaching, and before you know it, another 3,000 people came to faith in Jesus!

Pentecost is about more than numbers; it’s about Spirit-filled mission.

Already a celebration on the Jewish calendar, Pentecost drew people from all over the known world to Jerusalem— “devout men from every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5). Add in travelers, businesspeople, Roman officials, Jewish religious leaders, and the pilgrims to the Temple, and you had the perfect hotspot for spreading good news.

At least 16 people or linguistic groups are listed in Acts 2:8-11. They came from Asia (Minor and Major), Africa, and Europe. They spoke languages that ordinary fishermen from Galilee may never have heard of—let alone be able to speak to them with power and joy to communicate the hope of Christ.

Those who heard and believed in Jesus that day were the first to carry Good News to the least-reached. After all, beyond the small band of Jesus followers in Jerusalem—everyone and everywhere was “unreached”!

Today, a third of us on this planet are without the Good News of Jesus Christ.

A third of us. One in three. Around three billion people. And 7,419 people groups or 42% of the 17,468 groups in our world. Unreached!

People who have not yet heard the message of salvation and hope that Peter preached. They are waiting for someone to speak to their heart, mind, and soul, to bring the Gospel in a way they can understand and embrace. Poverty, politics, culture, prejudice, geography, language, accessibility, belief systems, isolation—so many factors keep people from hearing, understanding, and accepting Christ’s offer of salvation and eternal life.

While the challenge seems enormous, God’s people are working diligently to accomplish the task. Individuals, churches, and agencies are aligned in their vision to take the Gospel to every people and language. Many missions-minded agencies, including Global Disciples, work in concert as the Alliance for the Unreached. Together, we mark Pentecost as the International Day for the Unreached. This year, that’s Sunday, May 28.

Just as Peter and the disciples presented Jesus Christ to people “from every nation under heaven” that day, we want to do all we can to do the same for those still waiting.

One simple step is awareness—getting the word out, helping our brothers and sisters in Christ understand that so many people live without knowledge or access to the saving grace of Jesus. We use a simple mark of three lines as a reminder. Check out A Third of Us to learn more and join the movement.

Another step is prayer. Never underestimate what God will do when His people pray! Just ask Peter and the disciples. Pray for God to move among least-reached people. Pray for the Spirit to draw them to Christ. Pray for God’s people to engage with them, no matter where they are. Pray for organizations and agencies focused on taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Many resources are available to help—including several from Global Disciples here.

Next is understanding. Learn more and get to know the unreached peoples of the world. Remember, they are real people who face the challenges of life everyday as you do, but without knowing Jesus. Get to know their names, what they face, where they live, how they can be reached, etc. A good place to start is Joshuaproject.net (they even have an app!).

The Alliance for the Unreached also offers a Great Commission Action Guide. Something you can use personally, with your family or a study group, and with your church. The sign-up form is at the bottom of this page.

Finally, don’t be discouraged by the task. Today, by conservative estimates 3,000 people an hour are coming to faith in Jesus, every day, all over the world! That exceeds Pentecost by 69,000 people each day!

God has promised—in fact, he’s even given us a sneak peek—that one day, there will be people from every tribe, and language, and nation before His eternal throne in worship and praise (Revelation 7:9-10). His promises are true and trustworthy; they never fail.

Here and now, in our day, we live on mission to bring people to Jesus Christ, so they can be part of that eternal celebration. So, for now, we remember Pentecost, and celebrate the power of God poured out to reach the unreached.

–B Gerhart

Do you think of yourself when you think of “missions”?

Or do you think missions is only for the Christian who packs up their life and goes somewhere in the world to share the Gospel in a radical way?

In the American evangelical church, there are two frequent trains of thought when it comes to missions.

One is this idea that there are Christians, and then there are “missionaries”—an idea that often fuels a sense of inadequacy: “I’m not good enough to do that!”

The other is the idea that we’re “all missionaries” regardless of where we are located or what we’re doing—and sometimes that leads to complacency. Either way, we can find ourselves unengaged in the mission of God. And that should not be the case.

Every Christian has a role in the mission of God. I had an advisor in college who would say, “While not every Christian will be a missionary, we are all called to live missionally.” The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 can only be fulfilled if every believer is passionately pursuing the mission of God. And there are so many great ways to do that!

So then, what is the “why” and the “how” behind all followers of Christ being involved in missions?

For the “why”, there are two specific passages that I want to highlight. In Matthew 24:14, Jesus speaks about how the Gospel will be proclaimed as a testimony to all nations (people groups) and then the end will come. Then in Revelation 7:9, John writes what he sees: people from every nation, tribe, and tongue standing before the throne of God Almighty.

Why should we be involved in this mission? Because all peoples of the earth will be at throne of God at the end of time, and the end of time can’t come until all the nations have heard the Gospel. On top of that, Jesus calls us to be engaged in the mission—and as his followers, we need to obey his commands.

How should we then be involved in missions? There is really no limit as to how we can be involved. Of course, there are people who go out as missionaries, as a vocation. People from every profession can do this.

If you think, “Well, I’m not going, so then I can’t be involved,” it’s not true. You can serve in so many great support roles, prayer advocacy, teaching, giving, and so much more. You can do so with a mission-focused organization—or through local opportunities where you can serve, support, and share the Good News of Jesus.

A radical life for Jesus should not be extinguished by the earthly thought that we do not have a place in God’s grand tapestry. If you know how your unique gifts can be used to further the mission of God, please act on it. If you’re not sure what that looks like or how you can serve, talk to your pastor, someone you know who’s mission-minded or engaged, and ask for their input. If you read this and don’t want to be involved in missions, take a moment and consider why—maybe that’s something the Lord wants to talk to you about.

No matter where you are or what your skills or capacity, one strategic way you can be involved right now is by praying for people who have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And specifically praying that God raises people up to go into his harvest (Matthew 9:38, Luke 10:2).

The Kingdom of God is active and moving, and as believers, we can all work on God’s mission to see that every nation, tribe, and tongue will one day worship Him before His throne.

–Matthew Hayes, Alliance Coordinator

…Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

“Twelve,” they replied.

“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

They answered, “Seven.”

He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

-Mark 8:17-21

Do you still not understand? That’s the question Jesus asked his disciples here in Mark 8.

It came at a very interesting time in his ministry. He had just fed a hungry crowd of about 4,000 people with seven loaves and a few small fish. A few chapters earlier in Mark 6:30-44, we see Jesus feeding 5,000 men (plus women and children) from just five loaves and two fish.

But after the second crowd-feeding miracle, Jesus had some questions for his disciples:

“When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up? They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up? And they said to him, ‘Seven’” (Mark 8:19-20).

Why the numbers quiz?

The more I study and reflect on the life and ministry of Jesus, the more I see his heart for all nations coming through so clearly again and again! He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus’ heart for all peoples was evident from the beginning of his ministry (Luke 4:18-29), and it got him in trouble!

We often miss the powerful global mission emphasis in these miraculous stories of feeding the crowds. The numbers quiz Jesus gave his disciples indicates he was interested in more than filling stomachs.

The first miracle—feeding 5,000 men from five loaves and two fish—took place in a Jewish area. The number five had great significance to this crowd: The Torah, the five books of the law of Moses, was highly revered. And twelve basketfuls were gathered in the end: 12 is significant for the 12 tribes of Israel.

The second miraculous feeding of 4,000 happened near where Jesus had cast demons out of a man living among the tombs, and into a huge herd of pigs that ran into the sea and drowned. In this largely Gentile area, 4,000 people ate from seven loaves and a few fish. Seven basketfuls of leftovers were gathered.

In Scripture, both the numbers four and seven are very significant. Do you know why? Four is commonly used early in the Old Testament to refer to the whole world (i.e. Genesis 28:14): the north, south, east, and west. And seven is the number of completion and perfection.

In John’s account (John 6:22-40), after feeding the 5,000, Jesus explains the real significance is more than filling hungry stomachs: “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger.’” Jesus is the bread of life for the Jews first—five loaves for 5,000 and 12 baskets full for 12 tribes.

Jesus is also the bread of life for all people from the north, south, east and west—from all four corners of the world. And there were seven full baskets leftover! Perfect, enough for everyone to complete our God-given mission!

As an interesting note, the Greek word translated “basket” in the feeding of 5,000 is literally a kosher food basket—fully appropriate for the Jewish people. In the story of the 4,000, it’s literally a work basket used in the field—common and appropriate for the Gentiles. And you know us Gentiles, we’ll eat just about anything!

Do you now understand why Jesus asked the question? He came to seek and save the lost—from every tribe, tongue, and nation!

–Galen Burkholder, President/CEO

For most of my adult life, I was an American Airlines flight attendant. So, you probably think I have “seen the world.”

Last year when I retired from American, the LORD directed me to Global Disciples for an office assistant position. Now I have discovered how little of the world I’ve seen!

Indeed, my world was small—primarily airports and European cities with fine restaurants, tourist sites, and cultures much like my own in the United States. The unreached or least-reached people were not “real” to me. They lived in countries I could not easily find on a map. Do you know where Malawi is?

When I started working with Global Disciples, I was instantly transported to this previously unknown and misunderstood world. In my first Zoom meeting, I encountered prayer leaders from among the tribes, nations, and languages that I had only read about in Revelation 7:9-10. They were now real people with real families, real schools, real heartaches and losses—not simply a faraway people group or a faceless number.

As a Christian in the US, it is easy to have a consumer mentality. Where I live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, we have a smorgasbord of churches from which to choose. We can buy the Bible in multiple translations, and slap a bumper sticker on our new car to tell everyone we follow Christ. Our persecution is likely limited to an unkind Facebook post or a snarky television personality. In this comfortable world, we can become complacent…if we are not intentional.

How do we become intentional? How do we pursue the mission to be Christ’s ambassadors to the lost (2 Corinthians 5:20) from our living room? If you are like me, start with a map—maybe look up Malawi or Myanmar or another place you’ve only heard about. Endeavor to see and understand a REAL person from one of these places. Read Global’s stories on our social media pages. Go to Joshuaproject.net and look up people groups to learn more.

As I work with our worship leader, I am exposed to new worship music written in languages I have never heard, and yet my heart sings with theirs in praise to God. My brothers and sisters in Rwanda lifted their voices in worship in the streets and people were drawn to their joy.

Did you know that over half the people in Africa are under 25 years old? They are exposed to the same temptations and struggles as our children, but often without elders to guide them in truth. Global Disciples trains men and women to disciple and mentor these young people. Consider supporting through prayer or regular giving to multiply spiritual leaders.

American Airlines does not fly to most of the unreached areas of the world. But from right where you are, you can pray for soft hearts to hear and respond to Christ.

–Laura Xentaras, Office Assistant

The mission Jesus gave his followers is often done at great personal risk. This story reflects His people on mission where they risk everything.

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves…”

–Jesus (Matthew 10:16)

All they did was meet to strategize about multiplying disciples among least-reached people in their restricted country. But as Jesus said, they became like sheep among wolves.

The first day that 20 leaders met post-Covid was inspiring. Reports of discipleship progress and evangelism innovation were so encouraging because of the continued growth during and despite the pandemic.

On the second morning, they bowed for prayer. When they lifted their heads again, they were startled to see 60 police officers filling their meeting room! Every leader was detained, fingerprinted, and now has a criminal record according to the government. The key local leader faces an exorbitant fine because of this little gathering of sheep. The regional coordinator, James, * who was there from a near-by nation, was interrogated and then told to leave the country immediately.

The wolves thought they won.

Sheep follow the Good Shepherd even when it is dangerous. James became a Jesus follower when he started university in the best school in his nation. He could have chosen many careers, but he chose to be a Kingdom worker in a nearby nation which was originally his homeland. This recent detainment has long-term implications. When his father, currently living in his homeland, fell ill recently, James rushed to be at his father’s side. When he tried to board a train, he was turned away at the border—he is no longer welcome in his own country.

Jesus left his heavenly homeland to come and sacrifice for us. And now, James, who works among wolves, has also lost access to his homeland as well.

Could it be that none of us are really “home” on this earth? As sheep of the Good Shepherd, we are on our way to a promised home, where He will never turn us back at the border.

Since the events at this meeting, many new fellowship leaders now see that multiplying disciples is a key to increasing the flock. Look out, wolves! The sheep are coming…

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves…” –Jesus

*Names changed for security reasons