Korat, Thailand: Southeast Asia Field gathered on 21-23 November for disciplemaking training at Korat, Thailand. More than 61 pastors, missionaries, and laypeople from 13 local churches around Thailand and Myanmar attended.
The training, led by Kim Le, the field NDI coordinator, included creative activities explaining the purpose and mission of Nazarene Discipleship International (NDI). She emphasized the five core principles of NDI: fervent prayer, compassionate outreach, comprehensive biblical learning, intentional mentoring and equipping, and authentic relationships. She also explained the importance of collaboration and support between essential ministries—NDI, Nazarene Missions International, and Nazarene Youth International—in local church settings.
Dr. MKR – Regional New Initiatives Coordinator, presented eight sessions on disciplemaking and multiplication from his book, “As You Are Going.” The training includes small group discussions and learning from each other. Many participants shared the most memorable learning they had during the training that they will apply and share when they return home. Some of these learnings are:
- Understanding that prayer is, most of all, listening to God.
- Sin is ‘ME FIRST’; obedience is ‘others-first’.
- We want a “rabbit-type church” rather than an “elephant-type church.”
- Lead by love, not by force.
- Making disciples takes time, just like making delicious fruit jam.
- We don’t have to fear sharing Christ with others because the fruit that results comes from the Holy Spirit, not our efforts.
- We will begin practicing discipleship habits each day.
- We will pray, listen to God, and exemplify Christ to others in our churches.
- We understand now that a disciple makes disciples who teach others to make disciples.
- Churches need genuine believers to join the community, start cell groups, and build relationships.
- We need to make a plan for making disciples.
- Now we have a plan! Making a plan helps us care and remain closer to Jesus even when some resist the gospel [message].
- A church is a learning center. Our church should be like a Bible school because we need to teach our members so that they make other people to be Christ’s disciples.
- If we make disciples, we will plant a church, so we must do discipleship training within the church.
- “Before this seminar, I had read the book [As You Are Going] and was not very interested, but after the seminar, I understand the meat of making disciples.”
At the end of the disciple-making training, Thailand District Superintendent Rev. Prasan Thongsumart prayed over all the pastors and leaders. It was indeed a fruitful time for all the participants. Pray that more leaders will emerge and lead to make more Christlike disciples in Southeast Asia Field and beyond.
