God Grows the Church
By Growing People
Welcome to Discipletree.com a site devoted to the study and understanding the process of conversion in the growth and development of a fruitful disciple.
Introduction
Before I became a believer in God by being exposed to His Word, I used to literally walk in the fog of Northern California and search for the truth in my mind. I had been raised a very devout Catholic and wanted to know the truth.
After I had a deep conversion experience in my early 20s, I received a theology degree from Pacific Union College in California and was called to pastor down in Los Angeles for twenty-five years.
I was able to build upon my MDiv degree from Andrews University with both an MA and PhD degree in Discipleship and Mission from Fuller Theological Seminary School of World Mission.
In 2003 I was called to teach at our graduate seminary in Asia called Aiias. Since that time I have taught and mentored hundreds of pastors from Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America. By God’s grace and Word the fog has been lifting from my mind and this website is the lifelong fruit of searching how to grow myself and others through the principles of Biblical discipleship.
Discipleship
Discipleship involves the conversion and supernatural growth of the Holy Spirit deep within the recreated heart of an individual through the disciplines of daily study of God’s Word, earnest prayer and fruitful witness and the weekly participation in a small group and corporate worship.
Communion is the vibrant vertical relationship between the Lord and His willing disciple which is maintained through the daily Holy Place disciplines of the Table of Shewbread (Bible Study), Altar of Incense (Prayer) and the Seven Branched Candlestick (Witness).
Community is the ongoing horizontal connection between other converted believers through small groups and corporate worship. The high individualism in North American culture is the main impediment to this communion taking place on all aspects of Church life and mission.
Commission is the daily dynamic outreach of the disciple to share God’s love and wisdom to others. It may involve both the spontaneous “as you go” dimension outlined by the Great Commission or a more organized ministry with other believers in taking the gospel to their community.
