Zambia Revisited

I just returned from a twelve-day trip to the African country of Zambia. This was my second trip to this wonderful country, where I trained leaders and pastors, along with other members of our Impact team, in disciple-making. It was a fantastic experience, and I pray it will produce much fruit for the kingdom. As I reflect on that trip, here are a few observations from my return visit to Zambia.

1. People are people everywhere you go! The world is filled with people of different colors, cultures, and languages. We are very different on the outside, but we are remarkably the same on the inside. Every person on the planet wants meaning and purpose in life. They want to make the most of their relationships and find fulfillment in what they do. We all hurt and struggle at times. We all experience joy and happiness. People are striving to make the most of life all over the planet.

One of my observations from my time in Zambia is that becoming a fully trained disciple of Christ is what everyone is looking for. When you become a fully trained disciple, your character and conduct are transformed into the image of Christ. A new you in every place on the planet creates a better world, and that’s exactly why Jesus told us to “make disciples of all nations.” Jesus knew people are people everywhere.

2. The church is the church everywhere you go! Jesus created the Church to work the same way everywhere on the planet. The Church was created to be an environment where the basic spiritual needs of our lives can be met. The Church was designed to meet our basic spiritual needs and help us become fully trained disciples. The Church was, and still is, where disciples are made. Jesus did not create different churches with different missions. The Church is the same everywhere.

The Church Jesus built is where our need for belonging is met. Our need for worship is met. Our need for spiritual growth is met. Our need for serving is met. Our need for learning to manage our resources is met. Our need to share Christ is met. Our need to reproduce disciples is met. The community of believers meets people’s needs regardless of location.

3. The enemy is the enemy everywhere you go! I’ve traveled to enough places to know that there is a spiritual enemy, and he is trying his best to keep the Church from being the place where people are becoming fully trained disciples. You can bet the enemy is working everywhere to try and prevent the mission of Christ from being accomplished. Satan is alive and well, seeking to distract and derail believers from the mission.

The good news is that “greater is he that is in us than in the world” (1 John 4:4.) With the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the people

 of God, we have the resources necessary to overcome the enemy. The Church can accomplish what it is called to do in every nation.

Whether you are in Zambia, the United States, or any other location, God’s plan to win, build, and send people is the same. God has the plan to redeem mankind through a movement of redemption messengers called disciples. God’s plan works if we will work his plan. Imagine if every church in every nation were a disciple-making church.

Impact Discipleship Ministries exists to inspire people and churches to be and build disciples of Jesus Christ. If we can help you in that journey, please contact us and let us know how we can help. Contact us at impactdisciples.com.

This post originally appeared at: Zambia Revisited – Impact Discipleship Ministries