For 22 years, Cityteam provided the context for miraculous movements to emerge. Cityteam, a ministry to the homeless and addicted communities, was focused on a more effective future by exploring ways to plant the Gospel so that it would transform communities.
That desire led to relationships in India and Africa with a new approach and learning curve to planting the Gospel. Historically, the lost were approached with a presentation about Jesus’ death on the cross, His resurrection, and our response.
God had been doing a great work in northern India through finding Persons of Peace (Luke 10) or spiritually-interested and socially influential people, and inviting them to read the Bible starting in Genesis with Creation through the consummation of all things. While reading, the participants were challenged to listen to what God was saying and identify what they would do in response. They were also encouraged to share it with friends and family.
By 2008, over 104,000 people had begun following Jesus, and 2,100 churches had been planted. Three independent groups traveled to verify the seemly outrageous claims, only to find they were in fact true (and possibly underestimated!).
Relationships quickly developed between Harry Brown, Jerry Trousdale, Younoussa Djao, Bertilo Johnson, and many other African leaders to pursue this movement strategy referred to as “obedience-based disciple-making” in sub–Saharan Africa. There are many stories about how these relationships came together that could fill a book. Suffice it to say, it was more than obvious God was up to something.
The story Jerry tells in Miraculous Movements is a testament to the power of God through sub–Saharan Africa. It has yielded nearly two million disciples and well over 80,000 churches to date and continues to multiply.
Now in 54 countries, God’s promises in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) are being fulfilled. He is in charge amidst political upheaval, environmental disaster, famine, or even pandemics. In 2020 alone, while COVID-19 kept the world isolated, God saw fit to plant 8,700 churches and add 157,000 new family members who came into God’s family as reproducing disciples.
Although we celebrate 3 years this month, we are abundantly aware God has been beside us in the many years leading up to where we are now. We are grateful for Cityteam’s support and encouragement as well as their Board’s vision to birth a separate organization to continue to be faithful to Jesus’ last command—Make Disciples.
Thank you for your prayers, financial support, and encouragement. Without the dynamic spiritual prayer force you unleash daily, Satan and his minions would have their way in this world. Please continue to pray with us for the Gospel to yield multiplying disciples in every country where we are privileged to work.
