The More Disciples Podcast

In this episode of the More Disciples podcast, special guests Terry and Amy Ruff discuss their journey and experiences in spreading discipleship around the world. They worked for years in Africa using traditional missionary approaches and then shifted to the strategy of Disciple Making Movements (DMM). Despite facing challenges, including a battle with cancer and a robbery, they show resilience and continue their efforts. They remain connected to Africa, coaching new leaders in Ghana and providing resources for spreading the Gospel. Terry and Amy share their lessons about pushing through adversity, building relationships, and trusting in God’s sovereignty for what lies ahead. 00:01 Introduction to the More Disciples Podcast 00:22 Meet the Team: Personal Introductions 00:40 Introducing Special Guests: Terry and Amy Ruff 00:57 The Journey of Terry and Amy: From Indiana to Africa 01:49 The Shift in Ministry Approach: Traditional to Disciple Making Movement Strategies 02:58 The Impact of New Strategies: Explosive Growth in Discipleship 03:30 A Warm Welcome to Terry and Amy Ruff 03:33 Life in California: Current Living Situation of Terry and Amy 05:55 The Story of Resilience: Overcoming Challenges in the Field 06:27 The Power of Relationships in Discipleship 09:13 The Journey of Disciple Making: From Concept to Implementation 13:12 The Power of Storytelling in Discipleship 15:45 The Expansion of Discipleship: Reaching More Areas 17:56 Facing Difficulties: Personal Struggles and Challenges 20:44 The Importance of Adherence to Biblical Principles in Discipleship 22:10 The Role of Prayer and Support in Discipleship 22:32 A Heartwarming Encounter and Transformation 24:47 The Aftermath and Lessons Learned 25:18 The Power of Perseverance and Faith 27:15 The Journey of Traditional Missions to Movements 27:36 The Vision for Movements and the Challenges 33:40 Looking Forward: The Next Season 38:59 The Power of Resilience and Tenacity 45:05 The Power of Prayer and Hope for the Future

The More Disciples Podcast team tackles the topic of believers coming together to create and grow disciples abound the world. In this episode, they are joined by guest, Dan Hitzhusen, a seasoned vocational minister with over thirty-eight years of experience catalyzing church planting and evangelism across over 100 countries. He shares his journey and experience, shedding light on his guide to next-level faith, navigating the challenges of ministry, and overcoming spiritual and physical obstacles. He affirms that unity and faith-filled collaboration within the body of Christ is integral to the success of this collective mission. The episode concludes with a heartfelt prayer for listeners to find inspiration to take their faith journey to the next level. 00:01 Introduction to the More Disciples Podcast 00:54 Guest Introduction: Dan Hitzhusen 01:03 Dan's Journey in Ministry 01:50 The Concept of Faith in Ministry 02:13 Dan's Experiences with Josh McDowell 03:42 The Role of Faith in Dan's Life 04:02 The Process of Spiritual Growth and Maturity 07:46 The Role of Suffering in Faith Development 09:42 The Importance of Trusting God in Ministry 15:00 The Role of Community in Faith Development 18:25 The Challenges and Rewards of Faith-Based Ministry 18:59 The Power of Persistence in Faith 19:34 The Role of Wisdom in Faith 23:34 The Impact of Faith on Relationships 25:27 The Struggles and Triumphs of Living a Faith-Filled Life 26:49 The Great Commission: Sacrifices and Gains 28:21 The Leap of Faith: Personal Experiences 29:02 From Orphan to Family: A Personal Testimony 29:50 The Power of Unity and Love in the Church 31:29 The Journey of Faith: Personal Reflections 32:41 The Power of Hope and Faith in Action 34:32 The Role of Faith in Overcoming Challenges 36:02 The Power of Prayer and Faith in God's Promises 37:22 The Power of Unity and Love in the Church: Part 2 38:31 The Power of Faith: Personal Testimonies 40:22 The Power of Prayer: A Call to Action 41:20 The Power of Faith: Final Reflections 42:25 Closing Remarks and Prayer

In this episode of the More Disciples Podcast, our hosts were joined by guests Travis and Mark to discuss their work with diaspora communities, particularly focusing on immigrants and refugees in Louisville, Kentucky. The episode covered various topics, including how they got started, the obstacles they faced, the strategies they used, and the successes they experienced in building relationships and sharing the gospel. They shared about their approach in making these connections, in which they emphasized being flexible, showing love, and spending time with these communities. They also highlighted the need for more co-workers in this field, as many refugees are still in need of help. The discussion ended with a prayer for more workers and for those displaced worldwide. 00:01 Introduction to the More Disciples Podcast 00:23 Meet the Team: Personal Introductions 00:49 Guest Introduction: Travis and Mark's Stories 01:46 The Goal: Engaging Local Churches in Refugee Support 02:27 Travis's Personal Approach to Refugee Support 04:54 The Challenge: Connecting Diaspora Populations Across Cities 05:23 The Solution: Building Coalitions and Sharing Strategies 07:29 The Importance of Cultural Understanding in Refugee Support 19:16 Success Stories and Prayer Requests 22:26 Advice for Those Wanting to Start Refugee Support 25:33 Engaging with Different Cultures 26:18 Adjusting Personal Schedules for Engagement 28:13 Overcoming Fear and Building Trust 28:57 The Power of Relationships and Respect 29:56 The Simplicity of Prayer Walking and Building Relationships 30:32 The Importance of Flexibility and Adaptability 31:29 The Impact of Global Networking Among Refugees 32:33 The Power of Love and Connection 36:08 The Importance of Listening and Spending Time 39:55 The Opportunities and Challenges of Teaching Refugees 41:40 The Power of Prayer and the Need for More Workers 45:46 Conclusion: The Journey to Making More Disciples

In this episode of the More Disciples Podcast, Tony Dale, co-founder of House2House Ministries, discusses the journey he and his wife, Felicity, took in their obedience to God's call to make and multiply disciples around the world. From their beginnings in the United Kingdom, their movement towards house churches, to their current ministry in America, the Dales share their experience of the power and growth of discipleship. They emphasize the importance of listening to Jesus and being empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish God's work. Amid challenges and changes, they share their story of faith and dedication, highlighting the ever-present work of the Holy Spirit throughout their journey. Finally, they encourage listeners to continue running towards the finish line in their walk with Christ. 00:01 Introduction to the More Disciples Podcast 00:42 Special Guest Introduction: Tony Dale 01:29 The Journey of Discipleship: Then and Now 07:56 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Discipleship 08:24 The Emergence of House Churches in the UK 19:50 The Power of Obedience and the Holy Spirit 24:50 Transition to the United States 25:27 Initial Struggles and Presumptions 26:29 Finding a New Path in America 27:40 Transitioning to a Traditional Church 28:14 Starting a Home-Based Bible Study 29:14 The Growth and Multiplication of the Home-Based Church 31:03 The Intersection with Curtis 34:17 Reflecting on the Journey and the Future 37:55 The Current State of the Church Movement 42:39 Looking Forward and Finishing Strong 44:42 Closing Thoughts and Prayers

In this episode of the More Disciples podcast, our hosts interview Carter Cox, a disciple-making pioneer who has been involved in church planting not only around the US but also around the world. Carter talks about his bold journey from running away from faith to actively chasing after Jesus. He also talks about how microchurches or Simple Church set a model for multiplying disciples. Carter shares his experience working with other disciple-making leaders and his thoughts on overcoming ‘stuckages’ or roadblocks that hinder movement. He also touches on the importance of maintaining a balance between life, work, and ministry. 00:01 Introduction and Welcome 00:23 Meet the Team 00:44 Personal Stories and Celebrations 01:44 Journey of Movement 06:07 The Impact of Movement 12:46 The Growth of Movement in Oklahoma City 17:02 Balancing Work, Ministry, and Family 21:16 Sharing the Tool of Obedience to Jesus 22:14 Transition to Questions and Upcoming Content 22:40 Discussing the Balance of Work and Ministry 26:32 Addressing the Fear of Commitment in Gen Z 28:23 The Fear of Breaking Tradition in Church Practices 30:13 The Importance of Commitment, Focus, and Consistency 30:45 The Gap in Macro Examples of Church Gatherings 32:21 The Role of Administration in Decentralized Church Models 36:37 The Importance of Regular Communication in Church Networks 41:11 Prayer for Hannah and Closing Remarks 42:13 Invitation to Share Stories and Resources

In this episode of the More Disciples podcast, our hosts welcome special guest, Neil Cole, renowned for his work in church planting and discipleship training. Neil shares insights gleaned from his extensive experience and the biblical foundations that guide his approach to leadership. He expounds on the concept of organic leadership, emphasizing servanthood over traditional conceptions of hierarchical authority. Neil explains his philosophy of bringing out the Christ-like qualities in each individual rather than trying to mold them into pre-existent leadership templates. He also offers advice for both emerging and seasoned leaders and encourages a radical, biblical approach to discipleship, characterized by obedience and authenticity. Contrary to what the popular culture may suggest, Neil asserts that each believer possesses all necessary gifts to lead, and encourages seasoned leaders to encourage and mentor young leaders for the future of the Church. 00:01 Introduction to the More Disciples Podcast 00:23 Welcoming the Hosts and Special Guests 00:43 Challenging the Stereotypes about California 00:59 Guest Speaker: Neal Cole's Journey 03:38 Exploring the Concept of Organic Leadership 04:47 The Role of Servanthood in Leadership 07:25 The Impact of Organic Leadership on Disciple-Making Movements 16:27 The Importance of Fun and Relationships in Leadership 21:02 The Role of Mentoring in Organic Leadership 22:16 The Power of Giving Permission in Leadership 24:34 The Power of Baptism and the Great Commission 25:27 The Role of Evangelism in Christianity 26:05 The Gift of Evangelism and Its Misconceptions 27:11 The Importance of Teaching in the Christian Community 28:32 The Role of Introverts in Evangelism 30:09 The Concept of Faithfulness, Fruitfulness, and Finishing 30:29 The Challenge of Finishing Well in Leadership 32:14 The Importance of Daily Commitment in Finishing Well 33:22 The Role of Organic Leadership in the Church 34:22 The Journey of Starling Initiatives 41:38 Advice for Emerging and Seasoned Leaders 44:50 Closing Remarks and Prayer

Guests Neil and Dana Gamble speak to the More Disciples team about the importance of developing intimate relationships to disciple-making efforts. They share their own experiences in promoting discipleship around the world, emphasizing the significance of personal transformation, love, faith, and the necessity to have God as the root drive in one's life. They also discuss the challenges and changes faced by the church, particularly in North America, and underscore the need to move away from a religion-focused approach to one based on relationships and the teachings of Christ. Based on their experiences, they encourage the restoration of God's kingdom through personal commitment and smaller church groups that promote deep, meaningful interactions. 00:01 Introduction and Welcome to the Podcast 00:24 Guest Introductions and Initial Discussions 00:41 The Journey of Dana and Neil Gamble 04:15 The Concept of Discipleship 07:28 Neil's Personal Journey and Relationship with God 13:38 Dana's Personal Journey and Finding Her Voice 19:39 Changes in the Church and the Importance of Discipleship 24:18 The Power of Love and Intimacy in Discipleship 27:04 The Power of Youth in House Churches 27:43 The Impact of Discipleship on Young Families 28:27 The Simplicity of Discipleship 28:46 The Role of Jesus in Our Lives 29:02 The Power of Prayer in Everyday Life 29:27 The Importance of Jesus in Our Daily Lives 30:37 The Power of Intimacy with God 31:30 The Role of Vulnerability and Trust in Discipleship 31:42 The Practicality of Discipleship 34:22 The Importance of Jesus as the Root Drive 35:37 The Power of Passion in Discipleship 38:14 The Power of Relationship in Discipleship 40:58 The Importance of Refocusing on Relationship with God 42:44 The Cost of Not Pursuing Intimacy with God 44:34 Closing Remarks and Prayer 45:11 The Power of Prayer and Intimacy with God

Aaron, a team member from Victory Church, joins the More Disciples Podcast to discuss how believers can unite to make more disciples. Born into a Christian missionary home, Aaron's spiritual journey leads him from his church-going childhood to leading within a megachurch. He emphasizes the value of house church models alongside traditional churches, aiming for a hybrid model that combines teachings from mega churches with the relationship-building and discipleship potential of small home groups. The conversation explores the struggles and breakthroughs of implementing a disciple-making movement, the role of technology, and fostering missional DNA among believers. They also talk about creating discipleship tools and providing consistent training, emphasizing keeping faith relatable, accessible and fluid. 00:01 Introduction to the More Disciples Podcast 00:24 Meet the Team and Special Guest 00:58 Aaron Bourne's Journey: From Bouncer to Pastor 03:26 Transitioning from Traditional Church to Discipleship-Making Model 07:44 Challenges and Opportunities in a Blended Church Context 09:48 The Vision for House Churches and the Role of the Mega Church 13:41 The Future of Church Planting: Entrepreneurial and Missional 15:07 The Impact of House Churches and the Excitement They Generate 17:44 The Importance of Collaboration and Unity Among Different Church Models 19:41 Training and Empowering House Church Leaders 20:26 The Five-Fold Ministry and Apostolic Vision 21:02 Training and Empowering Disciples 23:21 The Use of Technology in Ministry 24:27 The Importance of Relationship in Ministry 26:10 The Role of Teaching in the Church 28:12 The Journey of a Church Leader 30:17 The Power of Personal Ministry 32:24 The Importance of Community in Ministry 33:40 The Challenges and Rewards of Ministry 38:14 The Power of Prayer and Encouragement 39:41 The Call to Make More Disciples

In this episode, our hosts speak with special guest, Grant Ford, about his work in multiplying disciples around the United States and the world. Ford discusses his missionary experience in Wuhan, China, and his return to the US due to the lockdown in 2020 where he continues his ministry work through Zoom training sessions. They also delve into practices such as SOAPs (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer and Share), the More Disciples model of disciple-making, emphasizing on the power of the Holy Spirit in guiding their mission. By sharing personal anecdotes of transformation, they illustrate the impact of their work in spreading their faith. The speakers also touch upon ideas of patience, community, mentorship, and the joy that comes from seeing others embrace their faith and grow into disciple-makers. 00:01 Introduction to the More Disciples Podcast 00:22 Meet the Team: Personal Introductions 00:40 Guest Spotlight: Grant Ford's Journey 01:00 The Power of Discipleship: Grant's Experience 02:48 The Role of Technology in Discipleship 03:35 The Impact of Discipleship: Personal Stories 05:13 The Practicalities of Discipleship 07:15 The Importance of Vision in Discipleship 08:07 Overcoming Challenges in Discipleship 08:37 The Growth of Discipleship Groups 11:37 The Role of the Church in Discipleship 19:05 Transformative Stories from the Field 21:57 A Divine Conversation: Listening to the Holy Spirit 22:16 Sharing the Gospel: The Science of Faith 23:17 The Lockdown in Wuhan: A Test of Faith 23:40 The Power of Questions: Deepening Faith Through Inquiry 25:08 The Ripple Effect: Spreading the Gospel 28:02 The Power of Prayer: A Personal Journey 30:24 The Daily Rhythm: Living a Life of Discipleship 35:40 Closing Thoughts: The Joy of Discipleship 38:01 The God-Sized Dream: A Vision for the Kingdom

In this episode of the More Disciples Podcast, our hosts sit with guests David Oates of Sea Glass Church and Darin Anderson of Oakwood Church. They discuss the challenges and rewards of church unity and multiplication in Tampa, Florida. The group covers their experiences and techniques in organizing existing churches towards disciple-making movements, including the use of the Timothy Initiative for training local community members in evangelism and leadership. The guests describe the importance of persistent prayer, innovation, and supportive relationships in their ministry work.   00:01 Introduction to the More Disciples Podcast 00:23 Meet the Hosts and Special Guests 00:37 The Journey of Pastors Darin and David 01:38 The Power of Unity and Collaboration 03:16 Introducing the Guests' Personal Stories 03:47 The Role of Prayer in City Transformation 07:41 The Impact of Revive and the Birth of Tampa Bay for Christ 09:30 The Power of Persistent Prayer and Unity 11:39 The Five Priorities of Tampa Bay for Christ 16:33 The Challenges and Triumphs of Unity 19:08 The Role of Early Adopters in Church Movements 23:10 Introduction and Personal Stories 23:24 The Journey to Disciple-Making 23:56 Challenges and Triumphs in Church Planting 24:46 The Role of the Timothy Initiative 25:31 The Power of Networking and Collaboration 26:38 The Impact of Austin's Arrival 26:43 Reminiscing on Initial Connections 27:15 The Journey of Discipleship 27:56 The Power of Empowerment in Discipleship 28:10 The Shift to a Disciple-Making Model 32:39 The Impact of Austin's Training 36:04 The Vision for Citywide Worship 42:48 Closing Thoughts and Prayers

Making Disciples Around the World: A Deep Dive with Peter Dunn In this episode of the More Disciples Podcast, special guest Peter Dunn discusses his journey transitioning from the Baptist Mission Society to working on a disciple-making mission in Europe. His goal is to encourage every believer to be a disciple-maker, transcending the often spectator-oriented church model. He also shares his experiences on challenges like the political incorrectness of persuading someone to believe differently and the pull to stay with the existing traditions. He points out how younger generations are hungry for spiritual experiences and a sense of community – elements that often become the key to engaging them with the church.   00:01 Introduction to the More Disciples Podcast 00:24 Guest Introduction: Peter Dunn 02:28 Peter's Journey in Discipleship 03:41 The Concept of Disciple Making Movements 04:49 The Impact of Discipleship in Europe 07:16 The Power of Partnership in Ministry 10:27 The Role of Immigrants in Discipleship 16:23 The Challenges and Encouragements in Discipleship 19:23 The Vision of Disciple Making 19:39 Challenges in Sharing Faith 20:48 Resistance to Change in the Church 21:18 The Role of Tradition in Worship 21:52 Respecting and Challenging Church Traditions 23:25 The Struggles of Mission Work in the West 25:51 The Importance of Personal Faith Stories 26:55 The Challenge of Persuading Others in a Politically Correct World 27:09 The Decline of Faith in the West 28:24 The Importance of Building Relationships Outside the Church 28:53 The Challenge of Introducing Jesus, Not Just Church 29:41 The Power of Sharing Personal Faith Stories 38:16 The Power of God in Life and the Longing for Community 40:11 Conclusion: The Essence of Being Redeemed Through Jesus

The More Disciples Podcast team wraps up the season by celebrating the different guests, reflecting on all they've learned, and leaning toward the future in eager expectation. It's been a season for growth, wisdom, creativity, and grace!

The More Disciples Podcast team is excited to welcome back guest Curtis Sergeant, who has pioneered many of the modern disciple-making strategies and tools. Together, they ask questions about what still needs to be done and how now is the opportune time for the Kingdom.

New believer Savannah Elder joins The More Disciples Podcast team to talk about her experience with faith, obedience, and the joy of trusting Jesus. As Savannah learns with God's people and the Holy Spirit, she is walking in love, boldness, and the grace of Christ in her workplace, family, and wherever He takes her.

This week, The More Disciples Podcast team is connecting Down Under with Dave, who is seeing God raise up disciples in Australia and in Southeast Asia. Dave and the team discuss elements that transfer between different contexts, ways to move forward against obstacles, and the importance of trusting in God's faithfulness.

After four campuses and thousands of people learning about Jesus every week, today's guest Brent Hofen and his church were invited to a new season of growth. Brent and The More Disciples Podcast team explore gratitude, humility, unity, and obedience as disciple makers.

Today, the More Disciples Podcast team meets with Jeff Metzger to talk about two major obstacles in disciple making: ourselves and our comfortable discipleship culture. They look at what obedience and submission look like for leaders in disciple making and how to pursue unity and creativity in reaching more people with the Gospel.

For today's guest, Amanda Dinan, making disciples is a natural overflow of the love she has experienced in God. With amazing stories and insights, the More Disciples Podcast team joins Amanda in reflecting on how worship, gratitude, and obedience shape disciples who make disciples.

Today's guest, Louie Constantino, is navigating the process of pastoring a traditional-style church while also engaging deeply in disciple-making movements. Louie and The More Disciples Podcast team discuss the benefits, struggles, and opportunities for growth in parallel streams of ministry.

As a pastor who wrestled with the heart of discipleship, today's guest, Britton Smith, talks through the journey he's been on. The More Disciples Podcast team talks with him about what it looks like to let the Holy Spirit examine your own life, then transform your actions, love for others, and steps forward in obedience.