So, What Does Prayer Accomplish?

by Galen Burkholder, international director of Global Disciples

Prayer is primarily about our relationship with God.  But, I love to celebrate the results and outcomes of our prayers.

Both intimacy with Jesus and prayer are core values of Global Disciples. Pursuing these foundational standards challenges us, shapes our lives and often convicts us – driving me to my knees in repentance.

Sure, prayer comes naturally when we’re in a crisis. But, keeping prayer priority is hard work. We state, “Wisdom, direction, power and joy are released through communication with God – so we want all we do to be conceived, birthed and carried out in prayer.” That’s a discipline.

And, by God’s grace, it’s bringing some amazing results. We don’t take credit for the following things. They are simple evidences of God’s faithfulness and the power of prayer.

Prayer keeps us God dependent. I like the way members of our staff team give the Lord credit – in genuine ways – for what’s happening. We’re honored to be involved, but it’s not about us.

I can’t explain why we experience such joyful unity and cooperation among the 175 plus denominations and indigenous groups of churches we serve. Except that the unity of the Holy Spirit is preserved through prayer.

God has given us favor with so many church and business leaders around the world. I marvel at the trust we often experience so quickly – having spent limited personal time together.

It shouldn’t be a surprise, but I’m also amazed by all the miraculous healings experienced by those with whom we partner. Their reports remind me of stories recorded in the book of Acts. They don’t let us forget; through prayer, we have access to God’s unlimited power.

Will you drop us a note and let us know what God is accomplishing through prayer in your life?

Keeping it all in Perspective

by Galen Burkholder, international director of Global Disciples

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when I think about the 342 clusters of churches in 43 countries that look to us as their partner. Who are we that we have the honor of serving them as they train and send out their workers to hard, least-reached places?

My heart was stirred deeply as I signed hundreds of thank you letters for contributions at the end of our fiscal year. Who are we that God has brought so many of you as partners to join hands with us in this work?

But, this all comes into perspective as I pray, read and mediate on God’s Word. This morning, sitting on our little patio as the sun rises I am reminded again, this time through Apostle Paul.

“So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers … For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (I Cor. 3:7-9, 11)

None of us deserve all we have received. The joy of life in Christ, now and forever, is simply a gift!  The delight of seeing things grow – trees and flowers, children and friendships, disciples and leaders, businesses and ministries, and the Body of Christ around the world – is a gift.

What a privilege to be stewards of whatever gifts and responsibilities God has entrusted to us. There are no attitudes of entitlement when we live with this perspective – just simple gratitude.

Life on Life Brings Transformation

by Galen Burkholder, international director of Global Disciples

Most of the educational activities in schools and churches are focused on gaining knowledge and developing skills. After all, that’s what education is all about, right?

In my travels to China last month, I took in a workshop led by a prominent Chinese Malaysian scholar who trains and equips house church leaders in China. He built a strong case, based on considerable research, why most education and training does not transform lives. It’s because it fails to follow the approach of Jesus.

Jesus was with his disciples. He modeled the behavior he wanted to see reproduced in their lives. They learned by observing his approach with people, his compassion, and his priorities – as he taught them. And in the end they were tested, not on their knowledge or skills, but on their behavior. Jesus made it clear, “You are my friends if you do what I command.” (Jn 15:14)

This is the approach of Global Disciples: life-on–life training that brings transformation.  Sure, knowledge is important and skills are essential if we are to serve others in the way of Jesus.  But, are we meeting the standard Jesus set? Are we doing what he tells us to do? Are we persons of integrity whose behavior reflects the character of Jesus?

Today, many ministries are enamored with technology. They talk about all that can accomplished in world evangelization, discipleship and mission through the internet and technology. I thank God for these amazing tools, and we as Global Disciples use them extensively.

But, life-on-life discipleship, training and modeling cannot be replaced by technology.  Cell phones and Skype are great tools for long distance coaching.  Ultimately, God works through the Word, the Spirit, and lives transformed by Jesus to transform other followers of Christ who, in turn, are used to transform others… (2 Tm 2:2)

$400,000 Matching Fund

It takes all of us…
This spring, Christian business leaders from around the world joined together to create a $400,000 matching fund.

Their desire is that any contribution of $1,000 or more to Global Disciples by June 30th be matched dollar for dollar.

Will you join with the global Body of Christ through participation in this matching fund?

Help sustain this movement of indigenous churches who are multiplying disciples and reproducing Christ-like leaders.

And help reach the 2 billion people still waiting to hear the Good News of Jesus for the very first time.
 
You can learn more at our website of contact Jim.

Will it Help or Hinder?

by Galen Burkholder, international director of Global Disciples

In the book Profit For the Lord, William Danker describes how the Moravian mission movement in the 1700s effectively used small business in their church planting activities in areas with no witness to Christ. This history reminds us that some of what Global Disciples is doing is not new. The early Moravians benefited, as we do, from the model of the Apostle Paul in using small business as a tool for mission.

The Moravian’s mission leader, Count Zinzendorf, used one primary criterion for their pattern of economic support for their missionaries: “Will it help or hinder the function of mission?” That same practical approach guides our work as Global Disciples today.

The Lord Makes Connections For Us

by Jon Byler, international coordinator for Global LEAD Alliance 

I was recently in a southeast Asian country to help train local leaders who would be training leaders in their churches. We call these multi-day training events TOT's - Training of Trainers.

At supper time I had a very encouraging conversation with "S" (name changed for security). He is the principal of a new Bible school, a part of the Baptist church in his country.

He said he had been searching for curriculum to teach leadership to his students and had read a lot of leadership books but didn’t find material that was easy to understand and at the level his students needed. 

While he was searching he talked with a person in his church who had attended a TOT in 2009. This person suggested my books. "S" read them and was delighted to find exactly what he had been looking for. He decided to use my books for a couple of his classes.  

The students read the lessons and then came to class for discussion and application. The results were amazing. He shared many stories of how the students' lives were transformed. The lessons on forgiveness and brokenness have often produced tears in his students. The teaching on authority promoted several of them to write letters to their pastors asking forgiveness for rebellion. Sometimes he deliberately provoked the students to test their character. For example, they would ask to go the library and he'd refuse, just to test their reaction. One of the requirements for graduation from his college is character change. A denominational leader came to him and asked, “What are you teaching in leadership that is producing these changes?” 

Wow, I was so encouraged to meet him! We have often felt that we failed since no programs were established from our 2009 training. But here is essentially a LEAD (leadership development) program being led by someone who didn’t even attend the training.  His approach is great and, although he doesn’t have a lot of students, if he keeps working with 10-15 every year, he’ll have a great impact over time.

Jesus' Blood is Enough!

Two powerful testimonies from a South Asian GDT Alliance program that, in its third year of existence, has established 40 fellowships with 750 believers...

Mr. Kang*, a 36-year-old man from a wealthy family, was known as a rowdy fighter. A gang leader, he had even killed two people and spent several years in jail. Still, the villagers could not complain to police because they were afraid of him; in their fear, they even tried to please to him.

When we arrived in the village that night I preached about Jesus being a "good fighter for his people" ( II Tim 2: 7 ). After the service was over, Mr. Kang sent us a message asking us to come visit his home and pray for his life. When the team heard, they did not want to go because we had heard the stories about him.  I was a little scared myself, but I remembered the book of Jeremiah and his calling.

Just before we went to Mr. Kang's home, we prayed and asked God to change his mind and protect us from his hands. And the result was so good. When we arrived at his home, he was just paralyzed before us; all he could do was open his eyes. He told us that he wants the Good Fighter for his people and also for his family.  After we prayed, Mr. Kang and some of his friends said that there is no happiness or peace apart from God. Now they are good instruments for Christ as well.

In another village, Mr. Lahndar* had spent much of his life using alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. When he developed a small stomach pain in November 2009, he was not surprised and didn't worry too much. But then he began to vomit  blood, and soon he become unconscious. His friends admitted him to the hospital. The doctor said he had an ulcer and would need two units of blood. The family and the villagers worried for him.
 
When we arrived at the hospital, he was lying in bed seriously ill. I shared briefly about the faith of the woman who had bled for twelve years. Then I told him, "If you have even small faith in Him, your pain will be released."

We prayed for him and returned to the village to get ready for the service. Meanwhile the doctor sent us a message, and it was good news: there was no need of blood anymore--his blood condition was normal!

Praise the Lord - He is always with us and in us!

*Names have been changed for security reasons.

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