80. Multiplying workers – Aung & Gabi

It is essential to multiply workers if we are to see disciple making movements (DMM). Jesus himself tells us to pray for workers to be sent into his harvest (Luke 10:2).  Aung and Gabi are both multiplying workers and starting Discovery Bible Studies (DBS). They find themselves in the war torn contexts of Myanmar and Ukraine. Despite this ‘darkness’, as Aung describes it, they share some of the breakthroughs and blockages of multiplying leaders. They both tell us how intentionally training leaders in DMM is crucial. Aung in Myanmar Aung’s shares two stories that demonstrate the need for multiplication. The first is of a gifted yet frustrated evangelist who hasn’t been able to see his many converts become disciples until he was trained by Aung. The second is how many of the larger Burmese groups around Aung only knew how to divide instead of multiply.  But paradigm shifts are happening. Aung allows people to discover from Scripture what Jesus is inviting them to do differently. He shares how he needed to learn the importance of discovery and discipleship in smaller groups himself. The pandemic (COVID-19) helped make this shift for him and others in his network as they were forced to gather for church on a smaller scale. He also highlights how getting people to practice what they are learning is key. Aung is testing the principle of discovery with both non-Christians and Christians. The results are amazing him. The Spirit is teaching both Buddhists and church leaders much better than he ever could! Gabi in Hungary Gabi describes how vital it is to contextualise DMM training. She is doing this as she trains the Gypsy people around her. She’s remaining flexible to the way this community can apply the training. For example, she has recently been invited to continue meeting in one of the Gypsy villages. She sees how helpful applying the training in their own location will be. Finally, Gabi and Aung speak about the challenge of seeing paradigm shifts, especially amongst traditional church leaders. Empowering everybody to lead a DBS is a difficult concept for these leaders to grasp. Gabi’s found that repeating the principles of DMM is key. Modelling how the Spirit can bring those discovery moments within the training itself is also essential. Gabi finishes by encourages us to be led by the Spirit in stepping out and taking risks. Not letting our own expectations to bog us down. She prays that we will all see more workers raised up in the harvest around us.