Disciple-making in Zambia
By Edward Phiri
The discipleship ministry of Disciplers International has transformed my life, and I am growing so much in my faith. This is what God has done in the lives of others through the training I have received…
So far, I have taken 30 people through the Step-by-Step Discipleship Process. This number includes pastors from our four branches and leaders from those congregations. Also, I’m pleased to say that I’ve taken my wife, Diness Njovu, 1st-born son, Edward Jr, and 2nd-born daughter through the training. I am discipling 16 people now, all of whom have received Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
The photo of me with 10 pastors are those I’m currently taking through the discipleship process to equip them to disciple others. The number will come to a total of 15, because 5 are already trained. Equipping pastors makes it easy for us to make disciples and plant churches, because they take the lead by equipping members of their local congregations to disciple others.
The photos with people being baptized include those now being discipled. Evangelism and Discipleship are connected, such that one does not happen without the other. What we do is share the gospel with unbelievers, baptize them when they trust in Jesus and then disciple them to the point where they lead others to Christ and disciple them in the same manner. This is the Great Commission – it’s how Jesus did it, so it’s how we do it.
Our 5-year goal is for this ministry to be underway in all 116 districts of the 11 provinces of Zambia. This goal came to me while I was away on a mountain for prayer recently. It was there that I was guided by our Lord Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit. I envision everything unfolding in this way… The eastern part of Zambia is the target, and I will start with Chadiza. In the whole Chadiza district I will disciple and equip 100 disciples in 21 days. First, I will evangelize and organize 100 people. Then I will take two groups of 50 through the Step-by-Step Process and 14 Step Process over a period of 14 days. After that we will plant a church, which will in turn do more of the same.
We will need Bibles in the Chichewa language, because these people have never been in church, have no Bibles and can’t even afford to buy a Bible. However, I am confident that with God’s help all needs will be met, because with God all things are possible!
