The Cycle of Discipleship

An excerpt from...

The Cycle of Discipleship

By Dan Galat, Missionary, Kenya
October-December 2014

As a young believer in my sophomore year of college, hungry to grow in my newfound faith and praying for God’s help in this endeavor, I was asked by a man named Roger, whose passion was to disciple future leaders in the kingdom, if I would be interested in becoming a part of his weekly discipleship group. At that time, I did not comprehend how God would significantly use Roger’s time, commitment, and modeling of true faith to help me grow in a deeper understanding of His grace. Because of this experience in true discipleship, my life was forever changed, and, as a result, I committed to making discipleship the principal aspect of ministry in the future.

As a missionary orthopedic surgeon at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya, I have the privilege of caring for medically underserved patients, providing compassionate healthcare in Jesus’ name, praying with patients, and encouraging them to walk with Jesus. However, the greater privilege is the unique opportunity we have to disciple young national surgeons who come to Tenwek for training. As part of the Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons, whose goal is to raise up African missionary surgeons to reach the most needy patients in Africa, we train general and orthopedic residents not only in excellent healthcare, but also in a deeper walk with Christ. We want to help them grow in their own faith, passing on the truths that were built into us and thus continuing the cycle of discipleship in an international context.

Jesus commanded His disciples, the same ones He poured His own life into over a three-year period, to continue the cycle and go into all nations and make more disciples. This is God’s design for all of us who desire to make a true and long-lasting difference in the kingdom. Discipleship is not easy and is sometimes even messy. But by God’s grace, the blood, sweat, and tears associated with a deep, personal relationship can make an eternal impact in the life of someone who just might do the same for others in the future…the cycle of discipleship.

GIVE: Take part in helping the cycle of discipleship continue. Your gift to the Orthopedic Residency Fund will allow residents to live and train on site at Tenwek Hospital.

An excerpt from...

What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?

By Hubert Harriman, President
October-December 2014

The Bible is full of words known and understood in the various cultures and contexts of its day, but those words took on a different flavor when God poured Himself into them. When Jesus took hold of a very well-known word and practice in His day—disciple—He took it to another level. One cannot read His words in Luke 14:26-27 without knowing this. Turning to the great multitudes who were going with Him, He said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate (or, does not put me before and above) father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (NIV). All of a sudden, not only was this word raised to a different level; it was a call to a different lifestyle.

It is extremely discomforting to be called to do something we know we ought to do but to not want to be bothered. But this word, this call, won’t leave us alone, and, no matter our attempts to try to tone the language down to suit our more self-oriented side, this word bothers us—and more than one Jonah has run from the divine ought in his or her life.

I heard one father lament that his son didn’t like the things he liked. I think Jesus laments that, of the multitudes who claim His name, few like what He likes. This makes me believe that the root cause for poor discipleship has more to do with taste than it does with faith. For many of us, the word disciple is not easy to swallow. We have no taste for it.

In the story of the woman at the well, when the disciples, who had gone into the village to buy food, brought their food to Jesus, He said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about” (John 4:32). When they wondered if someone had brought him food, Jesus responded by saying, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (4:34). Too many have no taste for this kind of food—the food of a disciple: (1) to do the will of our Father, (2) to finish the work of our Father, and (3) to give witness to the way to our Father. A disciple who isn’t always reaching out to another needy soul, as Jesus did with the woman at the well, will starve to death. Sadly, many who call themselves disciples know nothing about this food.

So, what does it mean to be a disciple? A true disciple of Jesus Christ likes what Jesus likes, which is giving oneself completely to the Father’s will—souls! It took the infilling with the Holy Spirit to change the disciples’ taste. So, what are you eating?

MORE: Dig a little deeper into the text this week. Read Luke 14:25–35 to learn more about the cost of being a disciple.

What to Do to Be a Missionary

An excerpt from...

What to Do to Be a Missionary

By Jared Gleason, Mobilizer
October-December 2013

World Gospel Mission has a great program called Missionary Discipleship for those wanting to serve in long-term missions. This three-year program includes one year of training and fundraising in the U.S. and two years at your ministry location.

Just like the name implies, the MD program intentionally focuses on mentorship and discipleship. Our goal is to give you tools and support so you can have a successful ministry.

How do you get started?  Here’s a quick list:

1. Talk to your family, friends, and pastor. These individuals are essential in helping you pursue your calling into missions.
2. Apply with World Gospel Mission. Fill out the preliminary application available at www.wgm.org/md. We’ll then help you through the rest of the application process.
3. Attend a Candidate Review Weekend at WGM headquarters. We’ll meet with you face-to-face and talk about your calling and vision for ministry.
4. Be approved as a missionary disciple. A formal interview is held at the end of the Candidate Review Weekend. You are assigned a staff “coach” to help you the rest of the way.
5. Attend training sessions. Training events focus on mentoring ministry partners, fundraising, cross-cultural ministry and living, language acquisition, and more.
6. Develop your sending team. Talk with friends, family, your church, and others about how God has called you into missions. Help them become more missions-active. We’re all in this together!
7. Receive language training. Language is key in ministry. This usually takes place at your ministry location after you are fully funded.
8. Serve. Do what God has called you to do. You will not be alone; veteran missionaries will be with you to help and encourage you along the way.

I would love to speak with you and hear about how you’d like to use your gifts and talents to make an impact for Christ around the world. Contact me at recruiting@wgm.org or call 765.671.7226.

ACT: Click here to download, print, and share this becoming a missionary checklist with others.

"Imitate Me..."

An excerpt from...

"Imitate Me..."

By Kristy Weinert, Argentina
April-June 2013

There are as many definitions of discipleship as there are discipleship materials. Paul understood this when he invited the Corinthians to imitate him. In 1 Corinthians 4:15-16, he said there was an abundance of “instructors” but few “fathers” who are willing to take on spiritual children and demonstrate Christian living through their own lives. This kind of discipling requires a personal investment.

We are involved in a ministry that requires a 24/7 investment. Brad and I accepted the challenge to open a residence for Christian university students. Every year, over 100,000 students fill the university campuses of Córdoba, Argentina. Many come from around the country and have no family or contact in the city with whom to live while attending the university. We provide Christian students with low-cost living quarters, a weekly Bible study, Christian principles for living together, and the encouragement to stand for Jesus in a very non-Christian campus.

But it’s more than the daily involvement or Bible study; we’re being watched! We received comments such as “I didn’t know what a Christian marriage looks like,” or “I know you have devotions each day because I’ve seen you.” Even now as we live next door on the same property, they’re watching us daily to see how we deal with discouragement, financial needs, crises that arise, or spiritual needs around us. They need to see practical Christianity lived out in everyday life. What a responsibility to keep our own hearts in fresh contact and renewal with the Lord. It’s not about how flawless we are (we’re not!), but about how evident He can be in us if we walk as closely to Him as humanly possible.

What an awesome thing to say with Paul to a young Christian, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Do you dare to invite someone to come alongside you and walk with Jesus?

Discipling someone will teach you how to help another mature in faith. If God is calling you to invest in a young Christian, read the Plant chapter of the World Go! Manual to help get you started. Download the chapter for free atwww.wgm.org/worldgo.