Although the pandemic has put everything into a halt, the movement of disciplemaking is undeterred. In fact, it may have just opened up opportunities to expand ministries.
This year, five young women leaders representing two churches in South Metro started online coaching and mentoring sessions under Jean Galang. Their group was formed in January of last year, and the ladies have been passionate about the movement of multiplication ever since. Equipped with outreach tools through the Peer-to-Peer Seminar, they organized initiatives, applying evangelism principles of Cultivating, Planting and Reaping (CPR). They also began conducting training sessions to encourage their circles of influence to make disciples.
Jessa Mae Calingasan from Emmanuel Church of Ministries International, for one, on top of training young adult leaders, recently led a mental health webinar to help her group cultivate relationships with both youth and young adults. In fact, one of the ladies under her has started empowering her peers.
Ruby Mae Torres and Gemm Bello, who are also from the same church, held equipping sessions for youth leaders. They have been planning to reach out to the church and campus using online platforms.
Ruby Mae Torres and Gemm Bello (top photo) train their youth leaders who are planning to build connections with people through online platforms.
Jessa Mae Calingasan (bottom photo) equips her young adult leaders who then minister to their peers.
Meanwhile, Cloven Cruz and Joana Domino, members of Taguig Baptist Church, have set out to focus on both their youth and YA leaders. They were expecting that these people would then train their peers. Motivated to utilize the CPR process as well, Cloven and Joana would conduct one-on-one and small group outreach initiatives.
Cloven Cruz (upper right) and Joana Domino (lower right) spend time with their youth and young adult leaders so that they can pass on the training to the rest of their groups next month.
We are excited to start the 4Chair Discipleship program with these women in South Metro and to see them bring to maturity those whom they shared the gospel with. We firmly believe that the movement of disciplemaking will remain steadfast as God works and spurs people’s hearts amidst the crisis we are currently facing.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH
“What does it look like to finish the Great Commission?” New Disciplemaking Coaching Centers (DCC’s) explore this question in their initial sessions.
This month, new centers commenced meetings, equipping pastors and ministry leaders to multiply their disciplemaking impact.
Students of TNET – QC Center are taught how to better evaluate and plan their ministries using the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) method.
The No Apologies Virtual Workshop (Sept. 26) and Debriefing/Coaching (Sept 29) are attended by 4 trainers and 3 facilitators from the Philippines.
Pray for No Apologies Philippines to brave the online platform to reach the next generation. Pray for participants with good internet connection who will pilot presentations before the year ends.
FEATURED STAFF
Facing the Waves
By Shamira Japitana
There has not been a lull in huge waves to ride ever since I started with Wavemakers. In the early years, to me, they were mostly about managing administrative challenges as we dealt with expansions and transitions. In the recent past, however, they have been largely about personal adjustments as we applied shifts in strategy implementation.
The vision was clear: We are to fulfill the Great Commission through leaders multiplying disciplemaking ministries in strategic locations. How it would affect me personally was something that required more attention.
Pursuing that idea did not come without seemingly insurmountable obstacles – at least to me. Looking ahead, all I could see were my inadequacies and certain impossibilities. Then, as if to make matters worse, the pandemic hit. Along with it came surges of anxiety and inevitable questions on how my faith, training and experience should expand my horizons in order to truly love God and serve others unreservedly as I made more Jesus-followers wherever and however He led me.
In those moments, I was drawn back to Exodus 14. I surmised the Israelites were asking, “How are we to escape the Egyptians when this sea is in front of us?” The Lord answered them through Moses (v. 14), “He will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Then, He carried on (v. 15), “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” The crossing of the Red Sea came only after staying calm, waiting on Him, and facing the God-shaped implausibility laid out before them towards their utmost desire.
The how is becoming more defined to me now: I am to coach leaders in the life and strategy of Christ, making disciplemakers among the young and emerging generations, reaching out to all kinds and groups of people. It is just the case of not letting the terror of the mighty waves drive me to despair, but being at rest in God and finding the strength and courage in Him to ride them, one by one.
In about three months from now, I will be celebrating my tenth year as a member of the team. And that is my prayer as I face this God-sized cause in front of me.