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  • Why Discipleship

    Why Discipleship

    "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
    - Jesus' words in Matthew 28:19-20

  • Partnerships

    Partnerships

    "And my God will liberally supply your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
    - Phillipians 4:19

  • Why Discipleship

    Back

    Why Discipleship

    "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
    - Jesus' words in Matthew 28:19-20

  • Partnerships

    Back

    Partnerships

    "And my God will liberally supply your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
    - Phillipians 4:19

  • Join the Mission

    Back

    Join the Mission

    With your help we are able to train leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples.

One third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet.

Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that.

Global Disciples helps the church fulfill the Great Commission among least-reached people.

Our Vision

To see that every person has an opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand and respond.

Our Prayer

That disciples of Jesus Christ, from many nations and vocations, will embrace this vision and do their part.

Our Mission

To make it possible for clusters of churches to multiply Christ-like disciples and locally-sustainable fellowships among least-reached people.

Our Central Focus

To equip leaders selected by their churches to multiply Christ-like disciples, who multiply churches among least-reached people.

Our Philosophy

That local expressions of the Body of Christ in close proximity to least-reached people are best able to reach them—and we all can help.

Our Values

The values guiding Global Disciples set the pattern of our relationships, integrity and ethics, how we deal with conflict, how we communicate and more. 

Intimacy with Jesus.

Who we are and what we do flows from our relationship with Christ.

Trusting Relationships.

Building trust with our co-workers, partners, and donors is essential.

Risk-taking Obedience.

Obeying Christ requires the courage to risk all for our God-given mission.

Unwavering Integrity.

Being authentic, accountable, and truthful in our words and actions.

Serving with Humility.

Modelling the way of Jesus is our goal, living selflessly for God’s glory.

Transforming by Prayer.

We want our work to be conceived, birthed, and carried out in prayer.

Training in 74 Nations

Global Disciples makes it possible for the local Body of Christ in 74 nations to reach their nations. We currently have 3,475 training programs, 1,997 in Africa, 1,258 in Asia, and 220 in Latin America. Our model has proven flexible and adaptable in areas where visible Gospel activity is restricted or opposed. 

Our Statement of Faith

Global Disciples serves to connect and facilitate cooperation within the global Body of Christ among clusters of churches that are engaged in discipleship, mission, and leadership training ministries and share our commitment to:

  • Glorify God, the Creator and eternal Lord of the universe
  • Exalt the only Savior and risen Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son
  • Rely on the Holy Spirit to teach, convict, comfort and empower
  • Accept the Bible as the divinely inspired, authoritative Word of God
  • Demonstrate love for those in the church, the Body of Christ
  • Show love for those without Christ through lives of compassionate service, righteous living, and evangelism
  • Celebrate the sanctity of human life from conception to death, understanding we are created male and female, in the image of God
  • Live in sexual purity, whether single or in a marriage covenant between a man and a woman
  • Pray and work diligently to see the Gospel spread to all peoples in anticipation of the glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ

As grateful recipients of God’s grace, we always seek to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). In each area of responsibility, it will be our goal to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Our theological understanding flows within the believers’ church tradition and we embrace the Lausanne Covenant and the Manila Manifesto.

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)

Our History

It was November 1995. Leaders from several discipleship and mission training programs had gathered for a day of prayer and fasting. Drawn together by a common mission, they shared a common desire: to respond to the need expressed by churches worldwide to provide discipleship-mission training for their own young people.

As the Holy Spirit moved, these leaders began seeing how the barriers separating them and their ministries from each other had prevented collaboration. Through confession, brokenness, and prayer, God birthed Global Disciples and the initial training model now known as Global Disciple Training (GDT). Since then, Global Disciples has added training for trainers in small business development (SBD) and leadership development (LEAD).

Today, Global Disciples serves in partnership with more than 1,800 groups of churches fellowships or denominations, in 74 countries, providing training enabling them to equip and send out mission workers to multiply Christ-like believers and plant locally-sustainable fellowships and churches.

Global Disciples Canada was established in 2013 as a federal not-for-profit corporation with CRA registered charitable status. We see ourselves as one small part of a big thing God is doing. We pray that we’ll see spiritual renewal here at home as we partner with others who are following Jesus, often at great cost. We work closely with the international Global Disciples team to accomplish Jesus’ Great Commission. 

1996

Global Disciples is launched by Galen Burkholder in partnership with 5 discipleship-mission programs in Canada, Ethiopia and the USA.

1998

Small Business Development Training Begins.

2002

Leadership training launches to assist indigenous churches in training leaders in character, skills and knowledge.

2005

15 training programs multiply to 57 training programs

2006

Discipleship-mission and leadership training programs grow to 64 programs operating in 24 countries.

2008

16,681 people come to faith in Jesus Christ and 1,108 churches are planted as a result of our Discipleship-Mission training programs.

2009

Our 1st National Foundation launches in Indonesia to provide leadership and funding for national ministry. 18,412 people come to faith In Jesus Christ and 895 Churches are planted in this year.

2010

Our 2nd National Foundation launches in Ethiopia. 15,078 People come to faith In Jesus Christ and 723 Churches are planted in this year.

2011

18,190 New Believers come to faith in Jesus Christ and 607 Churches are planted in this year.

2012

The Canadian Foundation, Global Disciples Canada, is launched alongside the National Foundation in Kenya.

2014

Our National Foundation launches in India.

2016

10,363 Disciple-Makers trained in this year and now operating in 43 countries.

2017

2,037 Churches Planted as a result of our Discipleship-mission training programs. 13,021 Disciple-makers Trained.

2018

77,560 people come to faith in Jesus Christ and 3,213 Churches planted in this year.

2019

Our National Foundations launch in Nigeria & Zambia. 83,515 people come to faith in Jesus Christ and 3,507 Churches planted in this year.

2020

Our National Foundation launches in Mexico. Global Disciples training programs now operating in 62 countries.

2021

Our 25th year Anniversary of Training Leaders.

2023

Global Disciples training programs now operating in 71 countries. 83,515 people come to faith in Jesus Christ, 3,507 Churches planted in this year and we surpassed 3,000 active programs!

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Our Pledge

I am a global disciple of Jesus.

My allegiance is to Jesus Christ. He is the Living Word of God, as revealed by the Holy Spirit and through the Bible.

I want to do my part so everyone has the opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus and to choose if they will believe and follow Him. My desire is to see each person experience the transforming love of Jesus, live in the fullness of the Spirit and enjoy God forever.

As a participant in a local expression of the global Body of Christ, I am united in heart and purpose with sisters and brothers of many nations, ethnic groups, languages, and churches to glorify God and to make Him known.

I believe my part as a global disciple of Jesus Christ is to:

  • Pursue Intimacy with God as my Creator, Provider and Father, through Jesus my Saviour, Lord and Friend
  • Love others as Jesus loves them, relating and serving as witnesses in word and deed, loving even enemies
  • Pray diligently for people who do not yet know Christ, especially those unreached with the Good News
  • Live generously as a steward of all God has entrusted to me, being an ambassador of our generous Master  
  • Rely on the Holy Spirit and the Bible to lead, guide and empower me to live, love and serve for God’s glory

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If you have a heart for sharing the Gospel and reaching people in their nations and cultures, consider partnering with Global Disciples Canada. Our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching gospel preachers has had a powerful impact on communities worldwide.

By supporting our mission, you can equip believers to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ with those who have never heard it. Join us in fulfilling the Great Commission and making disciples of all nations. Why no visit our website today to learn more about how you can get involved.

For more information, visit https://ow.ly/W1bN50Tc3mM today
Meet Han*.

Han leads a discipleship-mission training program, launched through Global Disciples with your help.

Han's teams went out to villages and communities among the hill people, mostly farmers. They went house to house, and talked face to face, praying for the sick and lending a hand to orphans and widows. Many were miraculously healed. And broken families were restored.

“Even though we went empty-handed, God helped us... His guiding hand is sufficient for us—He inspired us through His Word. In fact, the Holy Spirit transformed the lives of many people," Han says.

For the local church, and those Han continues to train, the mission continues. Recently they trained and sent out ten church planters to another unreached people group.

“The Holy Spirit moved in their hearts, and they were willing to obey the Word of God, to make disciples, and to plant churches in their communities,” he said. “I hope this will really be fruitful for His glory. Blessed be the name of the Lord!”

*Names and photo have been changed.
We are all called by God. No one is excluded. We are the people to go.
Last year through our discipleship training in 74 countries:
• 25,466 disciple makers/church planters were trained
• 69,380 people committed their lives to Christ
• and 3,939 new churches planted

By 2028, our desire is to see more new believers from unreached people groups and have new fellowships planted. We know this is going to take mobilizing the church. That is why we want to challenge you to get involved.

To learn more on partnering with us, and to see what God's doing in the world, visit globaldisciples.ca today.
This October, we are praying for the nation of Myanmar. We want to especially highlight the local leaders, disciple-makers, and churches there–and the work they are doing for God's kingdom. There are many obstancles they face every day, yet they remain faithful in their task to see unreached peoples hear the Gospel. Today we want to pray against any opposing forces, and that God's guidance and peace can continue to lead them in their mission.

Thank you for praying with us!

#Pray #Prayer #GlobalDisciples #GlobalDisciplesCanada #SpreadtheGospel #EveryoneOnMission
Meet Manish*. He directs a discipleship-mission training in a spiritually dark area in India.

Manish went with the disciple-makers he was training, to a village where he prayed with people and they shared the Gospel of Jesus.

One woman he encountered was Divya*, who had been bedridden for five months. Her family had spent lots of money consulting doctors and witch doctors but unfortunately had no results.

Manish’s team visited the home and told the family about Jesus. And in the name of Jesus, they prayed for Divya. But after prayer, her behavior turned strange and she fled from her bed. After quite some time looking for her, they finally found Divya. She fell to the ground unconscious and her illness and erratic behavior caused by demonic forces left her! The demons fought to maintain control, but they were no match for the name of Jesus and God’s power.

After she was freed and healed, Divya along with her husband, daughter, and mother-in-law all accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and were baptized. By that time, the whole village witnessed the power of God and marveled at Jesus who could set spiritual captives free. Many of them have been slow to repent and put their faith in Christ. “It will take time,” Manish said, “and our ongoing prayer.”

God is greater than any spiritual or physical power we encounter. And Jesus is the only One who offers true freedom.

*Names and photo have been changed.
"The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him." Exodus 15:2
Jesus Christ gave His followers the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded. And surely, I am with you to the very end of the age.”

This commandment is not optional for believers. It is a call to action that we must very take seriously. 

We must understand, like Paul, that the Gospel message must be proclaimed so people can hear it. Then they have an opportunity to believe it, and be saved. He recognized that the Gospel message was not just for a select few but for all people. He thought it was every believer’s responsibility to share this message with those who had yet to hear it.

Ultimately, sharing the Gospel with our neighbours is about being intentional and prayerful. We must step out of our comfort zones and trust God to guide us in our evangelism efforts. When we share the Gospel with our neighbours, we sow hope and transformation that can impact lives for eternity.
During the month of October, we will focus on praying for Myanmar. We believe that even the “least-reached” people groups in this country can be transformed and changed by the Gospel! Join us in lifting up the Global Disciple leaders working there, and that God can ready the hearts of those in need of his hope and mercy and love.

#TheReach #Give #GlobalDisciples #GlobalDisciplesCanada #SpreadtheGospel #EveryoneOnMission
Our Team

The global nature of our ministry is reflected in the 26 nationalities represented in our facilitators, trainers and support staff.

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Prayer

Thank you for your interest in Global Disciples. If you’re passionate about ministering in least-reached areas, we want to hear from you!

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Church Resources

Contact us today to learn how Global Disciples can serve your church communities’ missional vision and give people an opportunity to hear about Jesus Christ.

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