MINISTRY PARTNERSHIP – The Future of DI
By Bart Physioc
In January 2023 Disciplers International (DI) launched the Step-by-Step Discipleship Process, a completely new presentation of the 14-Step Process first published in 2000. Little did we know that this was also the beginning of a Ministry Partnership with several pastors and church leaders who were the first to complete this new training experience. After spending years equipping Disciples of Christ to become Disciplers for Christ, DI realized the need to develop dedicated Disciplers into Ministry Partners who would lead disciple-making movements in their communities and countries. Now, just a year later, we’re excited to report that God is blessing this endeavor beyond our expectations!
Partnership begins with a Candidate becoming an Associate by completing a number of requirements beginning with the Step-by-Step Discipleship Process. Then, after serving for at least one year and taking at least five individuals through the training process, a Ministry Associate may be eligible to become a Ministry Partner.
The first DI Ministry Partners are 3 pastors from 3 African countries who have been involved with DI for years and whom God has been working through to develop unique disciple-making ministries in their respective countries.
Patrick & Mervis with their 3 children - Ministry Partner in Malawi
I met Patrick and Mervis Readson in person when I visited Malawi in 2014. At that time they had planted3 churches and were on the way to developing a disciple-making ministry using the training and resources they received through Disciplers International. Since then, the Readsons have planted over 40 more churches (Malawi and Mozambique) and taken over 3000 believers through the Discipleship Process. Patrick and Mervis are grateful for the support of DI each step of the way, but they give all the glory to God.
Flavien & Naomi with their 3 children
– Ministry Partner in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Although we have never met face-to-face, Flavien and his family have been near and dear to my heart ever since we met online over 5 years ago. Ever since Flavien went through the Discipleship Process, he has been faithfully training others, starting with his wife, Naomi. They are a team with a house church community gathering in their home and an extended “family” of Disciplers they have trained one-on-one (Flavien with men; Naomi with women). Flavien has translated DI training materials into French and Swahili.
Edward & Diness with their 6 children
– Ministry Partner in Zambia
Several years ago I met Edward online, which is how all my relationships with Ministry Partners and Associates have begun. Edward has a big heart for God, for people and for discipleship. With great support from his faithful wife, Diness, Edward pastors a church in Lusaka, Zambia, with 5 branches (satellite churches) totaling over 1600 members. His vision is to reach unchurched people throughout Zambia and then equip believers to train others using the DI Step-by-Step Process. Edward’s vision is already unfolding…
The following Ministry Associates are on the way to becoming Ministry Partners…
Clement & Lydia with their 2 children
– Ministry Associate in Nigeria
With a Master of Science degree in Microbiology, Clement went on teach high school biology for 7 years before following God’s lead to pursue a hospitality and discipleship ministry to college students at the University of Jos in central Nigeria. His wife, Lydia, who has a Doctorate in Pharmacology, lectures at the university and serves with Clement in their ministry of hospitality and discipleship to students. While surfing the net in search of a Discipler, Clement discovered DI, contacted me, and we’ve been meeting ever since.
Patrick & Perecy
– Ministry Associate in Kenya
Patrick is originally from Uganda and comes from a Muslim background. After his father died, Patrick was homeless for two years until a “Good Samaritan” found him. Years later, Patrick committed his life to Jesus Christ and eventually became a pastor. With an interest in discipleship, Patrick discovered DI online, contacted me by email and was soon involved with others in a group I was leading through the Step-by-Step Process. Since then, Patrick has become an Associate and is on his way to becoming a Partner.
Esau & Ethel
– Ministry Associate in Zambia
Esau was raised attending church but he didn’t commit his life to Christ until his teenage years when the Lord called him to repent of sin and preach the gospel. Esau responded immediately and followed God’s lead to become a pastor with a heart for discipleship. As pastors in the same city, Edward took Esau through the Step-by-Step Process and then followed-up with more training to fulfill additional requirements for Associate status. Consequently, Esau is the first DI Ministry Associate trained by a DI Ministry Partner. The first of many more , I think!
Shahid & Lubna with their 4 children
- Ministry Associate in Pakistan
When Shahid registered on the DI website, I responded by email. Without capability to connect by Zoom we met by phone via WhatsApp to get acquainted. With a desire for discipleship training and a vision to reach 100,000 people in Pakistan with the gospel, we started meeting for Step-by-Step training. In a country that is 96% Muslim and 1.6% Christian, Shahid and his fellow pastors are definitely in a minority. However, with deep faith and a wide vision, God is at work through Shahid to fulfill His Great Commission.
Ministry Partnership is the future of Disciplers International and its commitment to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) according to God’s Great Commission. Right now, DI has nine Candidates well on the way to becoming Ministry Associates first, and then Ministry Partners. Our hope and prayer is that this is just the beginning…
