Discipleship unto Mobilization: Bringing the Church back to its Purpose By Angie Tud
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race Christian Assembly (GCA) in Agoo La Union puts high priority in discipleship. Pastored by Rev. Minaflor Somera, GCA commits to develop Christlike members mobilized for ministry and mission. But the church was not like this several years ago. Rev. Somera made all efforts to bring the church to an active lifestyle of worship, evangelism and discipleship by going through the routines of bible study, Sunday School, prayer meetings and weekly services. Despite all the vigorous attempts, there were minimal results. Few people had an active lifestyle of worship, evangelism and discipleship. However, changes began to take place when Rev. Somera participated in the Trainor’s Training of Intentional Moves (IM) in 2010. The seminar challenged her to have a careful evaluation of the church ministries. She saw the need to embrace the IM framework and make some ministry adjustments like scheduling an early Sunday service so the church could meet for another session with their discipleship groups using IM materials. Several months into the IM framework, wonderful changes became evident as the church grew more vibrant in worship, evangelism and discipleship. People felt a deep hunger for God and His Word and an eagerness to share with others their experiences as they
Handing the Gospel to the Next Generation by Patrick Tan
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n a recent projection published by HSBC Global Research, the Philippines would place 16th among the world’s economies by 2050. According to HSBC, one of the defining characteristics for economic growth is a young working demographic. A nation with an 85% population of 40 years and below, there is no wonder why the Philippines is set
Leaders of Grace Christian Assembly headed by Rev. Mina Somera
seek more of God. The faithful few were edified and the pew fillers were mobilized. The church grew in number as they engaged in reaching the lost and discipling the new believers. From a traditional church to a mobilizing church, GCA has moved from reaching their neighbours alone to planting churches in different towns. Thanks to the Holy Spirit who empowers His people and to Rev. Minaflor Somera for taking on the challenge of making changes and being an instrument to bring the church back to its primary purpose.
to become a great Asian economy in the next few years. While there is much to be celebrated with our nation’s economic rise, the church faces a great challenge: to raise up followers of Christ among the young who will carry the gospel over to the next generation. But in order to do this, the Christian youth today must be discipled and be mobilized to do the one thing that Jesus commissioned us to do: to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Since its relaunch in 2004, Chi Alpha (XA), the student movement of the National Youth Department of PGCAG, continues to equip and train
our local churches in mobilizing their young people to reach the campuses and beyond. We believe that a “systematic, aggressive and intentional discipleship” is a key ingredient that turns the youth in our ministry to be a harvest force for evangelism and missions. Chi Alpha Leadership Training (XALT) and our resources, like the up and coming Student Intentional Moves (SIM), emphasize on youth discipleship and equipping young people with skills on how to evangelize and disciple their friends to Christ. As a campus pastor in University Belt Manila, I got acquainted with Mr. Al continued on page 10
Prioritizing Pentecostal Prayer & Discipleship | ENGAGED Magazine
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