There is power in the Name of Jesus. Power to free a person from spiritual bondage.
Sometimes we lose sight of just how great and powerful our God is. But this story from northeast India reminds us the Lord has victory over spiritual forces around us.
Madhu directs a discipleship-mission training in a spiritually dark area.
Madhu’s Story
He went with the disciple-makers he was training to a village where he prayed with people and they shared the Gospel of Jesus.
They were told of a family needing help. Omana, the young wife in this family, had been bedridden for five months. Her family had spent lots of money consulting doctors and witch doctors but with no result.
Madhu’s team visited the home and told the family about Jesus. And in the name of Jesus, they prayed for Omana. After prayer, her behavior turned strange. She was rolling on the floor, shouting and vomiting and her family tried to restrain her. At one point, she fled from her bed!
Looking for Omana
The village went looking for Omana and one man found her trying to hang herself from a tree.
He managed to get her loose and they carried her home. Soon after, she told everyone she was leaving, then she went outside and acted like she was starting a motorcycle—but there was no motorcycle.
Finally, Omana fell to the ground unconscious and the demon left her! Her illness and erratic behavior caused by demonic forces had troubled her since childhood. The demons fought to maintain control, but they were no match for the name of Jesus and God’s power.
It will take time
After she was freed and healed, Omana 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,” Madhu 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.
Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. 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. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!
When God calls us to serve Him, He also deals with our fears and worries.
Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20
Consequently, as disciples of Jesus multiply, and new churches are planted among least-reached peoples, a new need develops.
How do you support the pastor of a newly-planted church?
A Way Forward For Church Plants
Newly planted churches are often small fellowships with few assets. And churches who sent the church planter may be limited in their ability to supply their needs.
That’s one of the places where Global Disciples comes in.
We see developing a small business as a way to resolve the issue. It offers a way forward from a problem that often hinders a disciple-maker from fulfilling the mission of sharing the Gospel.
Take Prem, for example. He’s a Nepali church planter with a desire to serve the Lord well. He recently came to a small business training we held. And he discovered something that has renewed his heart and his mind for mission.
Prems example
Prem said, “I came to faith 7 years ago. My wife and I went to India for seminary. I knew God was calling me for ministry but I didn’t know where or how to start after seminary. I had my family and I had fear of doing ministry and providing for my family. And, I thought, “what would my family and my church think If I’m not earning money?”
“I thank God for the small business development teaching,” Prem continued. “Now I know where and how to start my ministry! I can start a business, and through that I can be a good witness in the community. I will do business and serve God. So my fear is gone!”
Do not fear [anything], for I am with you;
Do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you;
I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation]. – Isaiah 41:10
Do Not Fear!
We often see Global Disciples’ small business development training help bring confidence to church planters.
A small business can be an economic boost. But it also provides a way to effectively interact and witness in a community.
And it gives the church planter—and his family—an identity. And, importantly some peace of mind as they share the Gospel of Jesus with those who have yet to hear it.
Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. 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. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!
Manish was struggling to figure out how to serve God and make a living.
But in his setting in India, you work a job or you do ministry. You don’t do both. So what would he do?
Manish came from a Hindu family but his parents died when he was a child and his sister raised him. When she came to faith in Jesus, she learned about a Christian orphanage where Manish could get an education. He learned about Jesus and the Bible, came to faith, was baptized, and went on to Bible school.
Manish said, “I had all this Christian experience, yet I did not have a good personal relationship with God. And I wasn’t convinced about God’s call on my life.”
Manish gets help from Global Disciples
He finished Bible school, struggling and uncertain, and returned home. He heard about a local discipleship-mission training, launched with the help of Global Disciples. His pastor insisted he attends.
“It really opened my spiritual eyes,” Manish said. “I deepened my relationship with God.” Manish finished his training and outreach but then returned to his regular job.
“I was frustrated at what I should do. I thought nobody was interested in my future,” he said.
When he volunteered to help with Global Disciples training the next year, he said, “It really took me into God’s presence. I fasted and prayed. God spoke to me and His calling was clear. I left the job and joined in His work.”
Serving God AND making a living
Then God opened the door for Manish to take a Global Disciples small business training. He learned how ministry and business can work together to reach people with the Gospel.
This answered many questions and gave him new joy and satisfaction in fulfilling his calling.
He started a business that gives him opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus with five or six unreached areas.
Manish said, “By the grace of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, there are small groups of people starting to worship the Lord and study the Word, where there before were no believers or churches.”
Praise God, for answering Manish in his struggles and opening a way to fulfill his calling to work a job and to reach the least reached.
Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. 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. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!
God has fully equipped so many women and perfectly placed them to reach people with the Good News of Jesus.
Like beautiful flowers in a garden, these women are faithful, compassionate, and creative about introducing people to the love of Jesus, no matter the limitations or setbacks they face.
Let’s meet seven women living on mission.
Seven Women, Living On Mission
In India, Rose* completed leadership training through a Global Disciples partner program. Her desire to reach least-reached people with the Gospel took her into a poor and marginalized community, but her heart focused on the children. She did what she could to meet their physical needs, providing blankets and vegetables. She also shared the Good News of Jesus, addressing their spiritual needs. Rose gathered the children together as a prayer group.
As the children came, the parents soon followed. Rose shared the love of Jesus with them too. Several came to faith and quickly the fellowship grew. When Rose and her pastor prayed for a woman suffering with seizures, she was healed! She and her whole family came to faith in Christ.
Today, that children’s prayer group has grown into a multi-generational fellowship. With Rose’s leadership, they have their own training to equip disciples to reach out to others with the hope of the Gospel.
For many churches in India, the COVID-19 lockdowns were a struggle since they couldn’t meet as larger groups. But it also created new opportunities as people opened their homes to neighbors and friends.
Lily’s Story
Lily trained with a local discipleship-mission program. She learned about making disciples, but she didn’t put her training into practice right away. When pandemic-related lockdowns forced her local church body to stop meeting corporately, Lily stepped up. She opened her home for prayer and worship. Before long, 25 people met regularly together in her home. Despite restrictions, a church was born.
Ivy and her husband completed discipleship-mission training together, but he died during the lockdowns. God gave Ivy peace and courage to continue. She started a fellowship in her home and about 25 people attend regularly!
When her church wasn’t sure what to do during the lockdown, Poppy stepped out in faith, going to people in need in a nearby slum. Ten families came to Christ! There are now 22 new and baptized believers in her fellowship.
Violet’s Story
In another community, a house fellowship of 35 women met, prayed, and saw God at work. Nineteen-year-old Violet had been deaf from birth. She came to faith in Jesus through these women and decided to fast and pray for 40 days to deepen her walk with her new Savior. And God miraculously healed her deafness! Another young woman was healed and delivered from an evil spirit. She and her family now host a new fellowship.
Iris belongs to a high caste in India and thought the disciples from a local church were too low caste for her notice. Then a debilitating back problem kept her in bed; her doctor gave little hope she would ever walk again. A local disciple came to see her, prayed for her, and God set her free from pain and an evil spirit. Iris and her entire family put their faith in Jesus!
Iris then participated in small business training. Now she uses her physiotherapy business to help people find relief from pain—and healing and hope in Jesus Christ. Iris uses her own testimony of God’s amazing work. So far, at least 20 families have come to Christ through Iris and her work.
Daisy’s Story
Daisy is another woman perfectly placed by God—in a hospital in India. She is also a church planter, trained through a Global partner program. In fact, several women in her training program worked at the hospital as nurses or support staff. As Daisy cared for a woman with end-stage cancer, she connected her with the pastor for prayer. And the woman was completely healed! Others experienced miraculous healing too, thanks to connections and prayer with Daisy. From these contacts and miracles, three fellowships were planted with 90 new believers.
These seven women are only some of the courageous, compassionate women on mission—perfectly placed by the Heavenly Father to bring others to faith in his Son. May their stories inspire you to carry on the mission God has given you. For you too, are fully equipped and perfectly placed!
*Names are changed for their protection
Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. 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. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!
As Global Disciples, we come alongside churches and leaders who have a vision to reach those who have never heard the Good News of Jesus. We are helping with the vision that Jesus gave His followers.
We give them a way to train and send out their own people to make disciples and plant churches, among the least-reached.
Global Disciples Is Helping With The Vision
Global Disciples partners with men like Pastor Rafey, in south-central India, an extraordinary pastor and leader who has faced many challenges.
But he is always quick to tell you, “We have a vision to plant 10 thousand churches in our region.”
So how have Global Disciples helped?
Pastor Rafey explained when he shared his story with other leaders recently: “We had three problems which Global Disciples helped us with. First, we started with the need to equip church planters. I could not send them all to Bible school. When we started the discipleship- mission training, it helped us so much.”
The second problem was how to support these new church planters. Pastor Rafey went on, “Then we added Global’s small business training and Global has trained many. And we have continued to train even more. I raised funds for over 200 church planters to have a grant to start their business. They are doing very well.”
Global Disciples Offers Leadership Training
And finally, Pastor Rafey continued “I had a problem of how to strengthen the church leaders. And found that Global Disciples offers leadership training. We have used this and it has helped us so much. I don’t have any words to express my thanks for the way these trainings have helped us.”
As Global Disciples, we’re privileged to be used by God to meet these needs by providing training in discipleship-mission, leadership, and small business development, to indigenous churches in more than 65 countries.
Pastor Rafey expressed our shared vision when he said, “I want to see church multiplication, and believe that the secret is to empower and equip all believers to be evangelists and disciple-makers.”
Global Disciples Canada is a Christian missions organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. 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. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!
One Indian Hindu man’s choice to follow Jesus led to others to His “living water”. Discover what happened next. Nagu is a young farmer in rural India, born and brought up as a Hindu.
Nagu Finds Living Water
One day, he met several followers of Christ, sent out from a Global Disciples partner program to share the Gospel.
Nagu’s heart was touched.He quickly accepted Jesus Christ as His Savior.
He then invited the disciple-makers to stay in his home while they continued their outreach in the area.
Nagu’s choice to follow Jesus and host these Christians was not popular with his neighbors. They began persecuting and harassing him. They kept him from coming into the village or selling his farm produce at the market. He was forced to take it some distance to another town to sell.
Nagu Digs A Well
Even more devastating, his access to the village water was cut off. He couldn’t get water to drink, wash, and more importantly, water his crops. But Nagu refused to give up on his faith in Jesus.
Nagu shared this need with the young people who had first told him about Jesus and they agreed to pray that God would provide a solution to his need.
What Nagu needed was a well.
He had no money to hire a well-digging company or rent any equipment to do it himself. He would have to dig by hand. In the hard ground in his area, it’s usually 400-500 feet down before one strikes water.
But Nagu started digging. He and his family prayed and dug. The disciple-makers prayed too.
At about 8 feet, Nagu hit water!
God Answers Nagu’s Prayer
God miraculously answered his prayer. Impossible gave way to Gods miraculous power!
The risks are still high, however. Nagu knows that being baptized as a follower of Jesus puts his life on the line but he’s also seen God work powerfully on behalf of those who call on Him.
Now he has a wonderful testimony to share with others still waiting to hear the Good News!
Global Disciples Canada is a Christian missions organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. 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. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!
“If you want to do ministry, you cannot do other work! If you want to preach or evangelize, you must only do that! Not business too.”
Over and over, Saji heard this message from his pastor who, like many church leaders in India, believed that business and ministry don’t mix. You can’t do both the “sacred” and the “secular”.
But Saji struggled with this.
He was in his late 20s and had trained as an engineer.
God had given him a heart to share the Gospel with least-reached people. His family didn’t have money; his father was only a day laborer and they lived in poverty. His education had given him better job opportunities but the call to ministry left him feeling conflicted.
Saji Finds A Way To Make It Work
“One of my pastors said if I wanted to do ministry, I must leave everything else,” Saji said. So he resigned to minister through his church, but he had no means of support. He told his family nothing about his struggles because he feared his choice would offend them. “I didn’t have a single rupee for my personal use,” he said. “I relied on my friends to feed me and shelter me.”
One day, he was invited to a home group. There he met a young man who invited Saji to a small business training started with the help of Global Disciples.
“The very next month, I attended the small business training,” Saji reported. “It made me strong and gave me the courage to move forward. I learned many things about work and ministry, about Paul’s ministry and Peter’s ministry. I decided I could do any work at the same time as God’s work!”
Life, Work & Business Can Work Together
Saji quickly caught on that you can do both ministry and business! Life, ministry, and work or business can be integrated for the glory of God and to reach others with the Good News.
Saji started a cell phone servicing business and used it to begin sharing the Gospel in a community where most people had little understanding of Jesus Christ. Within a year, God gave him success in both ministry and business.
“We now have 25 people worshipping every Sunday and an outreach to children. We have started three cell groups in this village. And we recently built a small worship center.”
Saji was able to marry since he now had a means of support. His relationship with his family was restored; they are happy to see how God led and provided for him. Saji said, “I am very happy with my work and ministry. I thank God for sending Global Disciples because they trained me and encouraged me.”
Global Disciples Canada is a Christian missions organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. 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. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!
When Jesus sent His disciples out on their first assignment, He gave them power and authority (Luke 9:1-6).
He still does, as we see so often in testimonies from the discipleship-mission training programs.
A director in West Bengal, India, reported, “We had 18 who took the training and we were filled with the power of God. We went to 30 villages with the Gospel, visited many homes and shared the Gospel with many people. The Lord did His work.”
He recounts this demonstration of God’s power. After preaching in one village, several men asked to speak with the team. They took them to the home of a 13-year old boy who’d never been able to feed himself. He survived because others spoon-fed him.
The church planters were asked to pray for the boy, and they encouraged the men to join them, praying and fasting for three days. God healed the boy and he was soon in school. As a result, “when we go to the school, the teachers allow us to share the Word. Five families came to Christ in that village and we baptized them.”
Other recent reports include children and students delivered from demons, healing from illness for which doctors had no answer, and always God’s mighty hand opening the door to draw people to Himself.
How do we tap into this power?
A director from North East India said of their training, “For the first few days the participants were not very serious… but as we taught, the Holy Spirit started moving and preparing their hearts. Some were convicted, repented of their sins and recommitted their lives to God. Towards the end, it was so powerful the way God was moving. They didn’t want to leave; they wanted to stay and learn more.”
As it was for Jesus’ first disciples, this power begins in our relationship with Him and the Holy Spirit’s presence.
Global Disciples Canada
Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. 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. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!