Global discipleship ministry establishes Canadian office
WINNIPEG, MB—A local couple is working to establish a Canadian office of Global Disciples, a Pennsylvania-based international organization that works with churches and mission agencies around the world, helping them train disciples, develop leaders and equip church planters to help spread the gospel.
Paul and Arlene Kroeker began their work with Global Disciples shortly after Paul finished up his work as director of Outtatown, Canadian Mennonite University's discipleship training program, in June 2011.
"I'm filled with ideas," says Paul. "I think the potential is enormous."
He adds that one of Global Disciples' strengths is that it is a network of ministries that shares resources.
It is growing at a rapid rate, too. From 1996 to 2011, it grew from five programs to 249 programs in 36 countries. This year, it expects to grow to 280 programs and then reach 500 by the end of 2014.
Kroeker points to a variety of Mennonite Brethren discipleship programs, including Outtatown, as an example of Global Disciples' potential in Canada.
"What if we saw that small group [of programs] cooperate in a way that multiplies what they're doing and transfers their skill and experience into new settings?" he asks. "What if we saw two or three programs turn into six or eight programs [and then] turn into 20 or 40 programs? And in that process, instead of reaching a couple of hundred students, what if we started going cross-generational and started reaching people in every age category and making powerful differences that result in thousands and tens of thousands [of people] who are making an impact on their churches?"
The focus of the couple's work for its first year with Global Disciples is three-fold: establish a Canadian office, with a Canada-wide board of trustees set up as a charitable trust; support the work of a number of discipleship programs in North America and Europe; and encourage the development of new discipleship programs in churches, schools, camps and camps - "anywhere where the Lord is leading people to move in this direction," Kroeker says.
Kroeker believes discipleship is something that the North American and European church has not been willing to invest in at the same level as other parts of the world. He would like to see a new movement of Christians who are excited to do the Lord's work sweep across Canada.
"Think of how many churches have trouble meeting their budget in North America, or Christian organizations for that matter," he says. "Is there no money? Why can an African church start a discipleship program, maintain a church budget and assist their pastor to launch this new program, when that can't happen in some city in Canada? It's self-sacrifice - it's willingness to commit to something at an intensity level that says, I'm doing this in faithfulness to Jesus and I'll put it all on the line."
Kroeker wants to see all sorts of Canadians get involved in this new endeavour for Global Disciples. If a church or group of churches wants to start a discipleship program, they can get in touch with him so that Global Disciples can help them get started.
Global Disciples does not own and operate these programs, but rather it wants every program to be owned and operated by the local church or a cluster of churches. Global Disciples provides training, support and even financial assistance, but the programs must be locally accountable and sustainable.
"I know that it may be an overly-trendy word right now, but I want to see discipleship go viral," Kroeker says.
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