Operation Multiplication strategy builds on Jesus’ discipleship model_80905

Posted: 8/06/04

Operation Multiplication strategy
builds on Jesus' discipleship model

By Mary Crouch

BGCT Summer Intern

SAN ANTONIO–Jesus made disciples one at a time. If it was his technique, San Antonio-area Baptist leaders feel it's the best for them as well.

San Antonio is the pilot site for Operation Multiplication, an evangelism strategy devised by the International Evangelism Association in Salado and San Antonio Baptist Association. The method stresses the importance of one-to-one discipleship, based on the model presented in 2 Timothy.

The association has sponsored several training events in conjunction with Operation Multiplication and is encouraging churches to get involved. Representatives from 59 churches already have shown interest in the effort.

The method also is endorsed by the Baptist General Convention of Texas' Center for Strategic Evangelism. The Baptist World Alliance recently has partnered with the International Evangelism Association as well.

Doyle Pennington, director of the men's department of the Baptist World Alliance, said this strategy will strengthen the work of Baptist churches.

“It is a process of one-on-one mentorship,” Pennington said. “We have a whole generation of people who have never been discipled.” Jesus told believers to go out and “make disciples, not converts,” he said. And “we've not done a very good job of disciple-making” in Baptist churches, he added.

By training new believers and church members, Pennington, said churches can help to “close the back door” and keep new members in the church.

University Baptist Church in San Antonio has tailored the technique to its congregation with a program director and specialized teams. Each team is divided according to age group, including adult, youth and senior teams.

The strategy of Operation Multiplication is to create discipling partnerships between current church members, then to spread out in the community and establish relationships. Pennington believes training within the church will help those who want to go and disciple outside the church.

Operation Multiplication is designed to have a chain effect, starting with a Christian mentoring a non-Christian or new believer in the gospel. Once the relationship between the mentor and protégé is established, and the protégé understands enough to put ideas into practice, he or she can go out and find someone new to connect with.

Church members who choose to start the process must attend a training session given by the church, which comes with books that guide them through discipleship training.

University Baptist Church has averaged 35 to 40 at the training sessions. The church's goal is to have at least one trained disciple in every Sunday school class.

Although the church is early in the process, it already has ideas for joining Operation Multiplication with its Sunday school program to create a “faith and discipleship” model, Pastor Randall Bales said.

The goal is to strengthen Sunday school itself and to have a more organized structure for implementing Operation Multiplication, he explained.

Although the program is new, Bales said his church members are “very excited” because Operation Multiplication “involves the church in purposeful discipleship and creates connections between individuals.”

For more information about Operation Multiplication, call the BGCT Center for Strategic Evangelism at (888) 269-3826.