World Missions & Evangelism, Inc.

We are coming to the end of 2012....the year some thought would bring the end of the world.  Instead it has been a year of God's blessings for WME and the work of the Lord on the mission fields of the WME missionaries.  Here are some of the things that God has done through the missionaries and national partners of WME and through the faithful prayers of the 300 group and the faithful giving of all WME's partners and supporters. 1.  3 powerful and important training events for church planters in Honduras!  Over 150 potential church planters trained. 2.  New partnership with a Bible School in Honduras, training pastors and leaders for many of the new churches planted. 3.  At least 58 new churches planted in Honduras this year, perhaps a few more!  There is clearly a church planting movement happening there at this time! Nearly 1,000 people have been baptized since mid year!  In all there are 184 churches, and 82 pre-church DBS groups functioning in Honduras! 4.  The Hondu

A great training event just ended in San Nicolas, Honduras.  The training went from December 12-16 and was focused on intensive instruction in Church Planting Movement principles, as well as practical training in the leadership of Discovery Bible Studies with a view to disciplemaking and church planting. This was our 3rd and final training event for 2012.  And it was the largest, both in total attendance, and in new potential church planters trained.  Over 100 people attended at least some portion of the training and 80 potential church planters took the entire training.  Over 100 megavoice devices were distributed so that the trainees could immediately begin to apply what they learned.  In all 11 different denominations were represented and we have key contact leaders in each of these groups. (In 2012's 3 events, over 150 new potential church planters have been trained for the first time). The training was conducted by Randy and Keith Travis, our strategy coordinators for the

In 2008, when I started this blog, I wrote a timeline of the launch of the project.  In November 2011, I expanded that report greatly to bring the story of the HCPM work up to date.  Now I am reproducing that blog here and have edited it to bring it forward to the present and also to edit it based on new information. Breakthrough is happening, but here is a story of the road to breakthrough and the path of multiplication since breakthrough. God is doing a wonderful work, and any progress is only to His glory and power. We have done a lot of trial and error in the last few years, but the Lord of the harvest has been working His plan all along, through, with and sometimes in spite of us! Here is a timeline of what has been done in this project. September 2006: David Parish and Randy Travis take intensive training in C.P.M. principles from David Watson in Dallas. The H.C.P.M. concept is born. October 2006: Randy does research on C.P.M. principles. November-December 2006:

One of the key parts of a Disciple Making/Church Planting Movement project is the task of tracking progress.  It is also one of the most difficult parts.  The reason is that a "Movement" is by definition.....Moving.  Like is said of the river, you never step into the same one twice, because the water is moving.  Since we started in 2008, the Honduras Project has been in a constant state of movement.  Thus the numbers of Discovery Bible Studies and Churches are always changing.  In the early days our top team was in close contact with all of the DBS groups....then as new people and groups were trained, it became harder and harder to keep track of all that is happening in the Project. Until last May, the majority of our reports were the result of interviews with the key leader.  We realized that we needed to find a better way to track what was happening so we created a reporting process that would give us  "hard" numbers rather than best estimates from the memory of

How much remains to be done to complete the great commission in Latin America.  I ask this because I realize that most of the "unreached people group" task remains in the region called the 10-40 window and since, according to the Joshua Project, there are more than 7,000 unreached peoples we must focus on finishing the task where it is unfinished.   Our agency has missionaries working in and out of the 10-40 window and WME is about to deploy a missionary to focus on Disciplemaking in the Indonesia area.  We have adopted the Southern Africa Disciple Making Movements and have a missionary couple preparing to launch new DMM outreach to tribals in Botswana. So we are engaged in those areas. But our primary project for Church Planting Movement/Disciple Making Movement strategy has been in Latin America.  Our goal is to see multiple church planting/disciple making movements occur until the task is completed in Latin America....and simultaneously and subsequently, to see leaders f

The classic "home base" scripture on the Roman Road (a witnessing method that many of us are familiar with) is Romans 10: 9.  It says, "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  Millions of people have come to the Lord by praying a "sinner's prayer" based on this verse. Praise God for every genuine salvation experience. But those of us who have worked in Evangelism, Discipleship, Missions, and Church Planting, have been troubled over the years by the additional millions who seem to have glibly repeated a prayer and then have evidenced no observable change in behavior or character.  Indeed, statistically, the vast majority of Americans claim to be "Christian".....but the moral landscape of our nation tells a very different story! And then there is a scripture like this one....one that should be read alongside Romans 10:9.  Check out what

One of the most quoted scriptures is Matthew 16:18-19.  In this passage, which is the first mention of the word Church in the New Testament, we see Jesus speaking of the establishment of the church.  For those of us involved in church planting movement strategy, it is a foundational scripture.  Take a look at it: 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will beg loosed in heaven.” I am not going to do a standard exegesis of this passage.  Aspects of this word from Jesus have been analyzed and debated for centuries.  Instead, I want to highlight an aspect of this word that is  less obvious. Look at the object of each verse.  In verse 18, the object is the Church.  Jesus says to Peter that on this rock (the confession that Jesus is Messiah, the Son of God), that He

"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes."  Isaiah 54:2   This verse was the inspiration of the sermon that William Carey delivered to pastors and leaders in May, 1792, which helped to launch the modern missions movement.  He was encouraging leaders to step out and enlarge their vision of reaching the world for Jesus Christ and to take steps to do so.    This verse is most appropriate to the day we are in as well.  World Missions and Evangelism is preparing to Enlarge our Vision as well.  Last year, at the consultation for Church Planting and Disciple Making Movements that I attended in California, the theme was "Go Global" and we were there representing disciple making ministries and projects from 54 nations.  As we look to the coming year of 2013, I believe this is a year of Enlargement and "Going Global" for WME as well.  Here are 3 areas of enlargement!

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5, NIV)   I used to watch the TV game show, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire".  It has a series of questions, each worth more than the previous question and increasing in difficulty.  If you answer the final question, you have won 1 million dollars or pounds (American or British version).  Along the way, if the contestant has difficulty, he or she had 3 "lifelines".  These were assists with the difficult question.  There was 50:50, where 2 of the wrong choices were removed.  There was Ask The Audience, where the audience would be polled (and the majority was usually right).  There was Phone-A-Friend, where the contestant would call a friend who was knowledgeable in that particular field.  In other versions of the game there were different "lifelines".   In our walk with God, and our obedience to Him, there are challen

One of the early phrases that I picked up when I began to learn about the multiplying church planting and disciple making movements was "Radical Obedience".  I began to learn that Obedience Based Discipleship was a key principle....a "Critical Element" in all CPMs and began to talk about it and use the phrase "Radical Obedience".  One of the early CPMs that was reported from Cambodia in the 1990s was connected with the ministry of Bruce Carlton.  I have not had the privilege of meeting Mr. Carlton, but was inspired by his book that tells the early story of his ministry there and the beginnings of a CPM.  The book is called "Amazing Grace", and it was published by "Radical Obedience Publishing"!  I was inspired, just by the name of the publishing house!  It reminded me of the publisher of David Garrison's books on CPM, "WIGtake publishers".  It stands for What's it gonna take!  I love it and I love the spirit of passion

The Spiritual world is as real as the Physical world.  This is the clear testimony of Scripture.  When Elisha was surrounded by a physical army, he prayed that his servant's eyes would be opened to see the spiritual forces that fought on their side. (II Kings 6:15-17).  When Jesus was approached by a raving madman, he addressed demon spirits instead of the human being, and drove them away, which healed the man. (Mark 5: 1-20).  Both of these incidents are examples of Spiritual Warfare and the reality of the Spirit world.  According to historians, the early church advanced exponentially in the first 300 years of its history, through miraculous power encounters and numerous exorcisms.  The "gods" of the Greco-Roman world would speak through demonized people and ordinary Christians would dominate them, humiliate them and cast them out in the name of One Who really was God: Jesus Christ. I have been reflecting on the last 25 years of Church History.  In 1989 the Manila conf

I want to honor the life of a special friend who has recently gone to be with the Lord, Betty Jean Crowell .  Betty's son, Garland Crowell, is one of my best friends.  He serves as a board member for WME, and in fact was with me on my very first mission trip to Honduras in 1994....it was on that trip that the Lord confirmed a special calling for church planting for WME.  All of the members of this family have been very close friends of myself and my family for well over 30 years.  Following is the obituary for Betty.  Please remember this family in prayer.  Betty Jean Crowell, of Nashville, TN, formerly of Benton, KY, passed away peacefully on August 2, 2012 to be with her heavenly father. She is the adopted daughter of the late Rev. W. T. Garland and Christine Driver Garland. She was born August 14, 1930. She is survived by her loving husband, Billy F. Crowell of over 60 years. Together they found and demonstrated for others that love is patient, love is kind. It always prote

The year 2012 is more than half over and we are starting to look at our schedule for the fall.  Here are some of the things we will be involved in at World Missions and Evangelism. 1.  Fundraising Events:      a.  Yardsale to benefit WME:  To be held at the WME offices at 1335 US Hwy 68 East, Benton,KY 42025.   Thursday and Friday, August 30-31.      b.  Booth to benefit WME at Barbeque On The River, Paducah, KY.    September 27-29. 2.  Speaking Events:     a.  Go Church in Cincinatti Ohio:  August 5  11 AM service, 8986 Mason Montgomery Road     b.  New Life Temple:  Cincinatti, Ohio    :  Teaching at Conference about Church Planting Movements in North America      October 11-14     c.  2 Day Discovery Bible Study training:  Christian Fellowship Church, Benton, KY  September 14 and 15 3.  Training Opportunities:  Announcing the "Engage" course in Brentwood TN.  I will be part of the teaching team for this course this fall.  Engage - A 12 week interactive course of

Recently at the Disciple Making Movement leadership meeting in California, one of the main topics that we focused on was the Role of the Holy Spirit.  A key leader from West Africa led the discussion of this topic.  I remember being especially challenged by this study and by interactions with this leader.  He is a special friend who I have known since 2006, and his influence has touched me greatly.  In the last few weeks since the meeting, I have reflected, prayed, and begun to seek the influence of the Holy Spirit more than I had been doing in recent years.  Now I want to share some reflections on the role of the Holy Spirit in Disciple Making Movements (which may or may not reflect the discussions we had in California).  Regardless of where one stands theologically, it cannot be denied that those who focus attention on the Holy Spirit's activity have seen the launching of some of the largest "Movements" in the history of the Church.  Think of the Pentecostal/Charism

Since the beginning of the Honduras Church Planting Movement Project, Oasis Christian Center in Paducah, KY has been one of the Primary Partnering Churches in supporting this work.  This church has given financially and sacrificially, and has been partnered with the work in intense prayer and fasting as the work has grown and multiplied to impact thousands of people.  I have seriously told the people of Oasis, that if it had not been for their partnership, the Honduras Project could not have been born.  This precious church is to myself and to the work in Honduras, like the Phillipian Church was to the Apostle Paul.  We thank God for their love and friendship. Pastor Larry Starnes and his wife, Sister Judy Starnes, indeed, feel like family to myself and we have such a special love for them and for all of their family.  Last night, Sister Judy went home to be with the Lord.   Our hearts are heavy for our loss, but joyful with the thought that she is in the prescence of our Savior, i

Several months ago I was in a Sunday morning service at one of WME's new partnering churches.  During the service there came a time when there was some prophetic ministry.  One of the elders of the church gave me a word that at the time sounded very strange.  He said something like, "David, I know this sounds unusual, but I think the Lord is telling me to share with you to take the path of Least Resistance".  I must admit, at the time it sounded somewhat goofy.  I had a bit of a hint in my mind what it might mean (if it was a genuine word from the Lord).  Like all things prophetic that are not straight from the Bible, I set it on the shelf, but pondered it.  At the time, we were in one of those seasons where there seemed to be a good bit of resistance and warfare in certain aspects of the ministry.  The economy was "eating our lunch" as it has been for a lot of ministries, and even in Honduras, though churches were being planted, it was a tough season in a lot

I just got back from California yesterday evening.  I was there for nearly 2 weeks and was with the Cityteam organization and other groups who are being mentored and helped by Cityteam.  Cityteam is an organization that has recovery ministries in the United States and is facilitating Disciple Making Movements around the world.  Our Work in Honduras has been mentored from the beginning by the leaders from Cityteam.  The 2 videos on our blog from Jim Yost and David Watson are from 2 such leaders.  For the past couple of years there has been a consultation of DMM leaders from around the world in California.  This was the meeting I just returned from and it was a time of fellowship, reports of what God is doing, digging out key principles from the Word of God together, worshiping and praying together, discussing problems that are being faced worldwide, and putting our heads together to help find solutions.  Leaders gathered  who are involved in church planting movements and disciple maki

One of my favorite books is Steven K. Scott's "The Greatest Words Ever Spoken".  I can't recommend it highly enough!  Scott is actually the compiler rather than the author, because it is merely a compilation of everthing Jesus Christ said in the Gospels, organized by topic.  The value of the book is to have it all in 1 volume arranged by topic.  In light of the words of the great commission from Matthew 28..." Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you . And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ....having Everything He Commanded, Taught, or Said in any context put together by subject is a valuable tool!  (You can find the book at:  http://www.amazon.com/The-Greatest-Words-Ever-Spoken/dp/1400074622  ) I picked the book up the other day and was reading the words of Jesus in John 15.  Let me just supply

Exciting things continue to happen with the ministry of World Missions and Evangelism.  We are entering into the time of "Busy Summer".  Each summer time (May-August) for the last few years have been times of key travels and meetings in helping the Latin American Disciple Making Movement and other aspects of WME ministry to move forward.  This summer has already started out the same, and promises to be a time of many contacts, meetings, and trainings.  Please pray for us as we travel and make connections this season.  Pray that through all we do and all we meet and all we learn, that the Kingdom of God will advance around the world. The Travis families, our strategy coordinators for the Latin American project (previously the Honduras CPM project, but as open doors are now exploding we are beginning to call it the Latin American Project),are in the US and are involved in preaching and making new contacts for the support of the work.  Also, this month, our WME missionaries fo

"I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me." Revelation 3:8 WME is in a season of Open Doors.  Recently, a number of invitations to train leaders has come to WME and in other cases, new relationships and connections are creating the potential for future trainings in Church Planting Movement Strategy and Disciple Making Movements.  Here is a list of places where WME may have opportunities for training in the coming couple of years: Latin America: Mexico Guatemala Honduras (new regions where we are as of yet not at work) El Salvador Costa Rica Colombia (with possible impact into Brazil) Cuba Asia: Kazakhstan India (with possible impact into Afghanistan) Africa: Botswana WME's primary project is currently in Honduras.  We estimate that there are new churches or Discovery Bible Studies in over 380 locations.  These possible new countries to hel

Last year I wrote a blog on "Revival and Missions".  In it I discussed the relationship between the 2 and discussed the need that we have for both.  In this post, I want to share some ideas about how Revival of the Church leads to new thrusts in Missions and how that is really the purpose of Revival in the first place.  Most books and teachings on Revival discuss the spiritual nature of Revival and focus on the purpose of God in Reviving His Church.  But as I have been reflecting on the History of Missions and Revivals in the last 200-300 years, I have seen a connection that I had overlooked to some degree.  The thing that has brought this to the forefront of my thinking has been reading a new book called "The Power To Save" by Bob Davey, published by EP Books.  This book which was published in 2011, is a History of the Gospel in China.  I highly recommend it. It is one of the best missions history books I have encountered and it traces the entire Christian move