Building Disciples the Brazilian Way

I just returned from a ten day mission trip to Forteleza Brazil. It was one of the best mission trips I've ever been on. My first trip to Brazil was ten years ago. We had agreed to help start a new church in Forteleza and I went down to see how things were going. There were around 75 to 100 people attending that church. During our time there I stressed the importance of planting new churches that would make more disciples. This past week I spoke in five different churches that were all a part of that original church in some way. That group of 75-100 is now over 500 people learning what it means to be and build disciples of Christ.

Jesus said, "make disciples of all nations". We've got lots of work to do, let's follow the Brazilian model!

Keep On Driving!

I saw this video and was trying to figure out how in the world it connected with the value of disciple making. Other than the stressing the importance of persevering, I am not sure it does. Anyway, it is just a great clip and worth watching. I do hope I am walking as Jesus walked as well as this woman is driving when I get as old as she is.

A Disciple Making Tool

This past weekend was one of the most exciting weekends I have ever experienced in ministry. Coming into our brand new worship facility on Highway 16 was a blast. You could sense God's presence in a powerful way. We had a couple of people accept Christ and dozens of others take a step of faith to deal with the stronghold of pride in their lives. God received great glory on day one in our new building. Our plan is to do the same every time the doors are open.

Our new building is really just a tool. This new space, combined with our current space gives us some neat opportunities to do even more disciple making. Ultimately that is what buildings are to be used for anyway. Jesus isn't going to ask us if we decorated our building well. He is going to ask us if we made disciples well! I am thankful for our new building. It is a neat tool, but I am even more thankful for all the disciples that will be made there.

Here are some cool photos of our first week in the new tool!

A First!

There are very few opportunities in this life to be one of the "firsts" to experience something. This weekend you have the opportunity to be part of a first! If you attend a service at Crossroads in Newnan, at our new campus on Highway 16, you will experience a first. You will be worshiping God in the very first public worship services ever held in this brand new facility. This will be the only weekend you can be a "first worshiper" in this new auditorium. I trust you will not miss it.

Psalm 122:1- "I rejoiced with those who said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord."

Book of Books

I hope you have heard about the latest course in the Impact Basics Discipleship Series. It is called Book of Books and it is an eight week survey of the entire Bible. Now obviously you only scratch the surface in eight weeks, but for some people the thing they need most is to cover a lot of ground in a hurry. Book of Books does just that!

Of all the discipleship courses I have written, Book of Books may just scratch the greatest itch. I am amazed at how little people know about the Bible. Even people who have grown up in church, have very little knowledge of how the Bible is written and what it says. If you spend eight weeks in Book of Books you will build a foundation for learning more in-depth about the Bible. Contact Impact Ministries if you would like to get a copy of Book of Books. You'll be glad you did!

A Lesson in Disciple Making

This video of the "Raven" is a great lesson in disciple making. Here is a man who started running one day and hasn't stopped yet. He has been running the same eight mile stretch of beach for over thirty years. During that time people from all over the world have come to run with him. He has inspired runners and built a community among runners.

I believe with all my heart that Jesus wants us to make disciples like Raven makes runners. He longs for disciple makers that will simply "go the distance". Christ wants us to run for him and to influence as many people as possible to run for Him as well. That is the purpose of life- to be a disciple and to build more disciples! May we all be "Ravens' for Jesus.

"Jesus said, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)

Must Hear!

Years ago I listened to a band named "Kansas". I remember how excited I was when I heard that the lead singer, Kerry Livgren, had become a Christian. Kerry soon began singing songs about Christ. Recently a friend sent me this clip of Kerry sharing his story. What a great story of how Christ makes a disciple. I hope you enjoy it.