Dear Discipleship-First Friends,
One of the most important focuses we have, as disciple makers, is connecting with, loving, and discipling lost people to salvation in Jesus. As a part of the process, knowing how to lead people to repentance and baptism is central. So, not too long ago, when I saw the wonderful fruit of a church that was very effective discipling lost students (high school and university), I just knew we needed to highlight their ministry. So I invited Ashlee Catizon to speak at our National Disciple Making Forum and to share the church’s process in a podcast. The following is a summary of that podcast.
-Bobby Harrington
In a recent episode of The Disciple Maker’s Podcast, Ashlee Catizon, of The Crossings Church in Missouri, shared her insights into what disciple making looks like in the church community where she serves. Ashlee and her husband RJ, while raising and discipling their own children, have also been heavily invested in the youth ministry at The Crossings, shaping young lives, and guiding them on the path of discipleship since the church was planted about 20 years ago.
Relationships as the Gateway to Discipleship
Ashley shares about the growth of their church and their efforts to reach out to their local community, particularly the youth. She stated that they have an informal, relational approach to discipleship which is focused on building genuine relationships and showing the love of Christ. [click here for more]
Ashlee emphasized the role of community groups in their ministry and how they try to mimic the way Jesus worked with smaller groups of people. Ashlee and her husband have Wednesday night devotional sessions for teens in their home which offers a relaxed and welcoming environment where youth feel comfortable and are encouraged to bring friends who may not be believers. Their goal is to intentionally build an atmosphere where anyone can feel at home and seek God. This relational connection becomes the gateway for guiding people, allowing the love of Christ to truly shine.
One of the primary goals for Ashlee and RJ has been to establish ordinary, commonplace acts as part of their disciple making process. She emphasized the importance of modeling disciple making to those they are trying to disciple. This takes the form of being present in their everyday life, attending sporting events, and being there in times of emotional crisis. It’s all about getting to know people and building relationships.
Ashlee explained how she and RJ empower the youth in their ministry to begin their own disciple making journey. Every young person is invited to partake in the talks and is also taught how to lead others, anchoring the continued growth of the ministry, and creating a self-perpetuating cycle of discipleship.
As The Crossings Church has planted additional churches in other communities that focus on making disciples through relationships, diversity has become an important facet of their ministry. Ashley stated that their community is made up of a diverse array of individuals, from different ethnicities and social backgrounds. Their doors are open to all youth, regardless of their background, and invitations to their weekly meetings are extended to anyone interested.
Ashley also discussed her personal spiritual journey, which highlighted the importance of persistence in faith. Despite some struggles and difficulties, she credited her faith for getting her through those times, providing a powerful example for the youth she was mentoring.
Discipling to Repentance
Another critical factor that Ashlee pointed out in making disciples is the role of repentance. Ashley highlighted the importance of repentance in Christian beliefs and how it is a necessary part of becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. She upheld that disciple making requires a transformative, godly sorrow, which can lead to life-changing experiences. The courage to confront and overcome personal shortcomings and surrendering those aspects of our character to Jesus is a central part of spiritual growth. She painted repentance as a beautiful aspect of faith, an invitation to growth and to be transformed.
A Message of Hope
Ashlee left us with a message of hope—even though while disciple making at The Crossings Church is challenging, the reward of seeing young people growing, maturing, and leading other youth in walking with Christ is incredibly enriching. Ashlee expressed her joy in witnessing the discipleship ripple effect: younger generations growing into leaders and influencing others in their journey of faith. More than anything, The Crossings Church’s ministry emphasizes love in discipleship. Major transformation is possible only when we learn to love genuinely, a message they hope to continue sharing with everyone in their community and beyond.
Ashlee asserted that disciple making is not measured by numbers but by the quality of relationships and transformational experiences. Ashlee’s story brings hope that the future of discipleship indeed looks promising, particularly as she helps the youth within her ministry navigate their spiritual journey. By creating a safe, loving, and authentic context, she is shaping individuals with a heart for service and a passion for Jesus.
Listen to the full podcast here.
For King Jesus,
The Discipleship.org Team
Check out these great resources!
You can listen to a new FREE audio resource and learn about what it means to be a disciple making church by clicking here: National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches Free Audiobook
You can download a free 10-minute visual guide of the study here: National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guide
You can also download a free eBook copy of the full report here: National Study on Disciple Making in USA Churches
Interested in a free eBook on Disciple Making Metrics? Check out our free Disciple Making Metrics eBook