2022 Disciple-Making Leaders (Foundational) Network
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The aim of the Disciple-Making Leaders Network: Foundational Track is for each participant to develop biblical convictions about leadership and disciple-making, so that by the end of the Forum they understand their calling as leaders to build relationships that help God’s people become mature. A key component of this Network will be small group interaction, discussion, and time set apart for Q&A throughout the four days of the Forum, which will help deepen participants’ learning. The Network will also include lectures on key biblical material and discussion of practical examples. Participants will be encouraged to develop practical strategies for becoming more effective in disciple-making.
Applicants should be those involved in Christian leadership (at any level) who desire to develop maturity in the members of the body of Christ and are willing to grapple honestly with their responsibility to make disciples. Prior preparation will be set for all applicants.
Applicants should be leaders who desire to develop maturity in the members of the body of Christ and are willing to grapple honestly with the responsibility to make disciples. This Track is designed for those who have NOT attended the European Leadership Forum Disciple-Making Leaders Network in previous years.
Network Leadership
Network Speakers
Larry Anderson has been in full-time ministry since his college days Arizona State University. He has a MAT and Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. Larry started his ministry career with Young Life International and left as Senior Vice President in 2004. Later that year Larry… Read more
Ann Pritchard Blaser has led women through Bible Study Fellowship International for thirty years, teaching Scripture classes for women and training leadership groups. Her work now consists of mentoring and advising other women who are teaching and training leaders in Bible Study Fellowship. She… Read more
Zala Cempre was born and raised in Slovenia. Currently, she lives in the capital, Ljubljana, where she serves as an overseer of children, youth and young adults ministry in her local church. On a national level, she leads a 2-year discipleship program for college students. Until last year, she… Read more
Jay Eastman was born and raised in the US, attending The Ohio State University for undergraduate and graduate school. He has degrees in English and English education. He is married to Holly, and they have three children. He has taught English around the world and has served in Berlin, leading… Read more
Terry English is the Director of Learning and Development for Josiah Venture. Prior to moving to the Czech Republic 23 years ago, he also worked with youth and student outreach ministries in the USA, UK, and Norway. In his free time he conducts a large Gospel choir, and enjoys helping other… Read more
Rick Hill is a speaker, author and leader based near Belfast, Northern Ireland. Having previously served in various ministry roles, Rick now oversees the Council for Mission in Ireland within the Presbyterian Church. He is also an elder in Carnmoney Church and author of Deep Roots of Resilient… Read more
Jay Mosser has served in pastoral roles for 43 years – about 20 years in various assistant pastor capacities and the rest as senior pastor. Through those years he has served in three churches ranging from smaller (less than 50) to larger (about 1,000). Along the way he has worked with children,… Read more
Maurice Nightingale is a member of the Relational Mission core team with responsibilities that include the supervision of early-stage church planting on the mainland of Europe, in particular training and coaching pioneer leaders and developing strategies for both initiating and supporting church… Read more
Emanuel Țundrea grew up in communist Romania, but the faith of his parents had a huge impact on him. As a student he was involved in discipleship. In 2001, he joined the staff at Emanuel University of Oradea where he is serving now. He completed his PhD in software engineering in conjunction… Read more
Network Programme
Sunday, 22 May
Sometimes people think about the Christian life in the same way they buy a car. What model do I like? What optional equipment best fits my lifestyle? Do I need a rugged vehicle or something that primarily looks good? The Bible calls every believer to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18). We call that "discipleship," a Holy Spirit-driven and non-optional process that is the subject of both warm encouragement and strong warnings in the book of Hebrews, our text for this opening session.
During the years of 13-25, most habits and life-choices are made, including the decision to become a follower of Christ. Studies show that 90% of professions of faith are made before the age of 21. Without youth ministry, there will be very few adults and families in the church in the years to come. So how can we be intentional in discipling this generation? What is important to know when we interact with them and what are some practical ways to disciple them? In this session questions like these will be addressed. We will also seek to understand best practices and mistakes that are made in discipling teens and young adults, enabling you to create a strong disciple-making relationship with young people.
Monday, 23 May
This session will explore some biblical images and metaphors for discipleship that help to provide us with a strong framework for spiritual formation. Through unpacking this overview, we will consider how resilient disciples are formed and what foundations we need to build on in the discipleship of others.
No one grows spiritually until they have a love for the study of the Bible and an understanding of the joy that comes out of communicating with God. In this session, we will practice a method of Bible study that will help us to apply the Bible to personal life with transparency and vulnerability. In the process, we will learn what it is to fellowship and laugh with each other as we grow spiritually. We will put simple practices in place that are essential for multi-tasking women in order to keep a godly perspective as we go through our day. What is the result of this? We will be blessed to find that our service grows naturally out of what God is first doing in our own walk with Him.
While there is value in forming mixed (male and female) discipleship groups, there are great advantages in having all-male or all-female discipleship groups. The closest circle of Jesus' disciples (the Twelve) were all men. What are some reasons for discipling men in this way? Are there some dangers in discipling the other way? Is a “complete separation” healthy? We will discuss the benefits, the unique challenges men have, suggest ways of overcoming them, and share some practices and experiences from our ministries.
Tuesday, 24 May
Ministry and leadership can be a lonely task, but we need not face this alone. One of the sad realities of mission and church leadership in Europe is just how many good godly men and women find themselves isolated and alone, devoid of meaningful peer ministry relationships and community. Too often this leads to disillusionment and burnout. It is abundantly clear that this is not God's intention, and neither is it necessary. This workshop explores how to create authentic New Testament relationships as gospel missionaries and leaders, and how to avoid becoming isolated and alone in ministry.
How does God work in us to live renewed lives? How can we be His light to one another and to those struggling in darkness? This session will examine Philippians and focus on how God works powerfully in us for the benefit of others. This is a joint session between the Disciple-Making Leaders Foundational and Advanced Networks.
Wednesday, 25 May
Our current socially distant context has created many challenges, but also provided us with new opportunities. This session will examine how we can continue to follow Jesus’ command to make disciples even when it is hard to meet in person. If Paul could do it from prison, we can for sure do it from the comfort of our homes!
We learned that there is no shortcut to maturity and there is no shortcut to mature leadership. All of us embark on life’s journey with a variety of backgrounds and experiences that affect the progress we make in our growth. All of us are led by God to make disciples in different contexts. One thing is sure: no matter how much we know, or what our spiritual, psychological, or emotional heritage might be, it takes time to mature and it takes perseverance in the long term to make disciples. In this last session we will explore:
- How can we continue to grow as disciple-makers?
- What are the next steps to springboard to fruitful ministry?
We plan to end by forming cohort groups to keep one another accountable to the plans we've made and to spur each other on throughout the year and then entrust each other in God’s providence in prayer.