1. Strategy for Reaching Your Mission Field
Tim Ahlen Pastor, Forest Meadow Baptist Church, Dallas

2. Cleveland Cnty. Realities
2010 Population: 255,755
29.7% speak a language other than English at home
At least 45 total languages
Total # evangelical religious adherents increased by 2,078 while population increased by 47,739 in the past decade.
Cleveland County
Oklahoma
Context

3. Cleveland County OK
1990
2000
2010
Population
174,253
208,016
255,755
Adherents All Religions
69,666 (40.0%)
92,122 (44.3%)
110,195 (43.1%)
Unclaimed by Any Religion
104,587
115,894
145,560
EVANGELICAL
46,060 (26.4%)
57,299 (27.5%)
59,377 (23.2%)
Unclaimed by Evangelical
128,193 (73.6%)
(72.5%)
196,378 (76.8%)
# of Churches Needed (membership of 100)
1,281
1,507
1,964
TOTAL COST ($2 million per church)
$2,562,000,000
$3,014,000,000
$3,928,000,000
Years to Reach
400 (3.2/yr)
457 (3.2/yr)
595 (3.3/yr)

4. Great Commission Challenge
panta ta ethne

5. Our choice
Deep change
Slow death

6. Arrange in a recognizable shape that can be described to someone who cannot see the shapes.

7. Arrange in a recognizable shape that can be described to someone who cannot see the shapes.

8. Arrange in a recognizable shape that can be described to someone who cannot see the shapes.

9. Conventional thinking patterns dominate our thinking making it difficult for us to think outside the box.
Arrange in a recognizable shape that can be described to someone who cannot see the shapes.

12. London
January 2003

13. Great Commission Initiative (GCI)
Purpose - igniting CPMs in North America
Principles
Penetrating lostness (people groups, people group segments)
Work within their worldview
Rapidly multiplying, healthy churches (easily reproduced)
Retreat in order to return (Celtic monasticism)
New Wineskins for New Wine (Leave the old wineskins alone!)

14. Great Commission Initiatives (GCI)
Purpose - igniting CPMs in North America
Principles
Particularities
Missiology- Great Commission, panta ta ethne
Ecclesiology- Simpler, easily reproducible, NT churches
Discipleship- Obedience based, 2 Tim. 2:2
Communication- Oral and literate forms

15. Always. Luke 15:1-10 Even if 99% are saved, the 1 gets priority.
It is all about penetrating lostness.
Even if 99% are saved, the 1 gets priority.
Always.

16. The Great Commission As you are going, as you are sent,
Live in Immediate, Radical, Sacrificial Obedience to Jesus Christ
Make Christ followers
Baptize them
Teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded
In the context of their culture and heart language
Make Christ followers of panta ta ethne
All ethne- ethnolinguistic people groups
All ethne- 11,500 of them- ½ have never heard the name of Jesus Christ.
All ethne- wherever you find them

17. Expressed in all Four Gospels and Acts
The Great Commission
21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
John 20:21-23NIV
6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:6-8 NIV
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
Luke 24:45-49 NIV
15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
Mark 16:15-18 NIV
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28: NIV
Expressed in all Four Gospels and Acts
Matthew 28:18-20
Mark 16:15-19
Luke 24:44-49
John 20:21
Acts 1:6-8

18. Biblical Terms for People Groups
Hebrew (OT)
Greek (LXX and NT)
Am– the People of God
Goyim– Everyone Else
The nations
The heathen
The ethnic peoples
Laos– the People of God
Ethnos– Everyone Else
The nations
The heathen
The ethnic peoples
The Bible uniformly tells us that we are to make disciples of the ethne– those people who do not belong to God.

19. History of American Immigration and Evangelicalism
From the 1500’s to 1775
By 1775
Congregational (745 churches)
Anglican/Episcopal (405 churches)
Presbyterian (490 churches)
Lutheran (235 churches)
Methodist (Less than 200 churches)
Baptist (About 200 churches)
Immigrants (ethne) from all over Europe moved into colonies and established their faiths
Usually as a State Church.
Highly ethnic in their orientation

20. History of American Immigration and Evangelicalism
From
From
Methodist
Baptist
Presbyterian
Lutheran
Congregational
Episcopal
Baptist
Methodist
Lutheran
Presbyterian
Episcopal
Congregational

21. History of American Immigration and Evangelicalism
How did this happen?
Lutherans prospered on the frontier because they never developed a strong colonial base and thus were persecuted.
Congregationalists had polity fitted to the frontier, but fractured with theological controversy, died out after 1900.
Episcopals were wealthiest, most traditional, episcopal polity required highly trained clergy, tied to cultural centers
Methodists relied on circuit riding lay preachers who served God at great sacrifice (Endless Line of Splendor, by Luccock)
Baptists relied on lay led congregations, taught their frontier members to start a church wherever they moved. (Sandy Creek Assoc.)
Presbyterians required trained and ordained clergy, ruled by presbyterial polity.

22. US Religious Scene from 1775-1950
By 1910 church members had grown to 43%
By 1960 church members had grown to 60% (pp.33ff, Herberg)
Beyond the category of “church members” at least % of all Americans said they were adherents of Christianity
In 1775 church members were from 10 to 12% of the US population
By the 1950s denominationalism was clearly established, active and very strong in term of loyalties and influence in America
Denominational solidarity split along Protestant/Catholic/Jewish lines.

23. Immigration from 1820-2003 From 1820 through 1924 = 35,999,402
In 2000 A.D. the projection prior to the Census was 26,800,000 foreign-born persons in the US in July of 2000
Actual foreign-born enumerated in 2000 Census was 31,100,000 persons

24. What’s Happened Since 1950 A New Wave of Immigration (1965) Africa
Asia
Middle East
Latin America
Eastern Europe
These immigrants aren’t assimilating like the Western Europeans did

25. Projections of Legal Annual Immigration into USA
2000 = ,000 (Medium Assumption)
2005 = ,000 (Medium Assumption)
2010 = ,000 (Medium Assumption)
2030 = 1,100,000 (Medium Assumption)
Notes:
There are legal quotas by country that set restrictions on immigration into the USA
There are no limits upon family members petitioning for others in their family to immigrate into the USA
There are no limits upon the number of persons who can come into the USA through their seeking and being granted political asylum

26. Church Planting Process
TA ETHNE
(Scripture)
SEGMENTATION
S.C. Selection
& Mentoring
RESEARCH
ENDVISION
MASTER PLAN
IMPLEMENTATION
Often known as Jim's Tube.

27. The Priority of Scripture
Scripture forms the strategic foundation
Great Commission
Penetrating Lostness
Scriptural mandates, patterns and principles determine our praxis.
Making disciples, teaching them to obey Jesus
Training trainers
Heart language
Scriptural outcomes comprise endvision.
Revelation 7:9

28. The Task of Segmentation
Who Are the Lost?
Ethnolinguistic People Group Segmentation
Distinct ethnic groups= first line of demarcation
Sociological Segments identified under EPG’s.
Where Are the Lost?
Mapping physical location
Mapping spiritual location

29. The Task of Strategy Coordination
WIGTAKE?
What’s it going to take to ignite a CPM in this people group?
What is our current reality?
What needs to be done to get us to our destination?
What resources are needed to get there?
Who is responsible?

30. The Task of Research Harvest Force Mission Team Other Resources
Harvest Facilitators
Persons of Peace
Gatekeepers
Harvest Field
Ethnolinguistic People Group

31. The Task of Research Characteristics of the People Group
History
Culture
Language
Religion(s)
Access
Communication Preferences- Literacy
Worldview Analysis
Bridges to the Gospel
Barriers to the Gospel

32. The Task of Endvisioning
Begin with the end in mind!
A detailed narrative description of what the CPM will look like in that people group when it occurs.
Based on compilation of SC’s research
Becomes the “north star” for all subsequent planning.

33. The Task of Master Planning
A detailed, stepwise strategic plan
Starts with the endvision
Works its way back to your current realities
Includes several components
Endvision
Objectives (or, Pillars)
Goals
Action Plans

34. The Task of Implementation
Starts With Current Realities
Develops and Deploys Resources
Carries Out the Master Plan
Evaluates Progress
Makes Needed Adjustments
“Sets the Sails” for the CPM
“Passes the Baton” as soon as possible

35. Phase 2 Objectives- Strategy Coordination
Identify the Dynamics of EPG Strategy as It Applies in Your Ministry Field.
Your Ministry Field- Segmentation
Your Ministry Field- Research
Your Ministry Field- Master Plan
Your Ministry Field-Implementation
Begin to Do Worldview Analysis
Understand Discipleship that Multiplies

36. Oral Strategies
Learn to Communicate the Gospel by Telling Bible Stories
Use Your Previously Done Research to Identify Bridges and Barriers to Communicating the Gospel
Learn to Select and Craft Bible Stories and Bible Studies for Effective Evangelization and Discipleship.

37. Church in Antioch The Antioch Church was Multiethnic Greeks (Lucius)
Acts 11:19-30 (NIV)  Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.  News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
The Antioch Church was Multiethnic
Greeks (Lucius)
Hebrews (Paul, Barnabas)
Africans (Simeon)

38. Church in Antioch The Antioch Church was Missional
Acts 11:19-30 (NIV)  Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.  News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
The Antioch Church was Missional
They took up a famine offering
They sent Paul and Barnabas on a church planting mission trip.

39. Church in Antioch The Antioch Church was Multiplying
Acts 11:19-30 (NIV)  Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.  News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
The Antioch Church was Multiplying
Internally by multiplying groups within the church
Externally by multiplying churches in Asia

40. Church in Antioch The Antioch Church was Mature
Acts 11:19-30 (NIV)  Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.  News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
The Antioch Church was Mature
It was at Antioch that Christ followers were first called Christians
After one year, they were SOARing Christ followers

42. Incremental Growth v. Rapid Multiplication
Elephants
Wabbits
Only fertile four times per year.
Only one baby per pregnancy.
22 month gestation period.
Sexual maturity: 18 years.
3 years: 2 -> 3
Practically continuously fertile.
Average of seven babies per pregnancy.
1 month gestation period.
Sexual maturity: 4 months.
3 years: 2 -> 476 million (ideal potential)

43. Reproduction rate matters!
Reproduction rate in months 60 36 24 18 12 9 6 4 1 2 8 3 16 64
512 5 32
1,024
32,768 10
8,192
1 million
1 billion 15
128
--- 20
67 million 30
Years

44. Reproduction rate matters!
Reproduction rate in months 60 36 24 18 12 9 6 4 1 2 8 3 16 64
512 5 32
1,024
32,768 10
8,192
1 million
1 billion 15
128
--- 20
67 million 30
Years

45. Reproduction rate matters!
Reproduction rate in months 60 36 24 18 12 9 6 4 1 2 8 3 16 64
512 5 32
1,024
32,768 10
8,192
1 million
1 billion 15
128
--- 20
67 million 30
Years

46. In 2003, FMBC was one congregation. . .
. . .averaging less than 30 in attendance

47. In the last eight years, we’ve planted 17 congregations
I.B. Forest Meadow
Sudanese Community Church
The Well
TEAM Church
Zambian Light
Rockwall House Church
7 Nepalese House Churches
1 Ethiopian
Mesquite House Church
Pleasant Woods Apts.
In the last eight years, we’ve planted 17 congregations
Oromo Baptist Fellowship

48. That have planted 62 congregations. . .
I.B. Ivy
Dinka Anglican
Hurst Sud.
Bedford Sud.
Arlington Sud.
Uduk Sud.
Me’en Sud.
FBC Sud.
Stone bridge
Journey
Crossing
Key stone
Life Pointe
Life House
Break through
Gate way
Stone water
Rock bridge
East Meadows
Guatem alan House Church
2 Nepalese House Church
Indian House Church
I.B. Luzy Verdad
I.B. Indigo
I.B. Hebron
29 H.C. Verde Valley AZ
I.B. Forest Meadow
Sudanese Community Church
The Well
TEAM Church
Zambian Light
Rockwall House Church
7 Nepalese House Churches
1 Ethiopian
Mesquite House Church
Pleasant Woods Apts.
6 Flint MI
TEAM Church Plant
That have planted 62 congregations. . .
Oromo Baptist Fellowship

49. . . . That Planted 32 congregations
7 H.C. Verde Valley
The Spring
High land
Malek Sud.
Aliet Sud.
Amookm Sud.
4 Nepalese House Church
Park land House Church
Guatem alanHou se Church
I.B. Ivy
Dinka Anglican
Hurst Sud.
Bedford Sud.
Arlington Sud.
Uduk Sud.
Me’en Sud.
FBC Sud.
Stone bridge
Journey
Crossing
Key stone
Life Pointe
Life House
Break through
Gate way
Stone water
Rock bridge
TEAM Church Chicago
Guatem alan House Church
2 Nepalese House Church
Indian House Church
I.B. Luzy Verdad
I.B. Indigo
I.B. Hebron
19 H.C. Verde Valley AZ
Woodla nd Trails
I.B. Forest Meadow
Sudanese Community Church
The Well
TEAM Church
Zambian Light
Rockwall House Church
6 Nepalese House Churches
Mesquite House Church
Pleasant Woods Apts.
Flint, MI
. . . That Planted 32 congregations
Hisp anic Plant Chicago
Bulgarian Chicago
Oromo Baptiist
Nepalese
Iraqi
Bayview
Stonewater
Church Plant
Summit
Hurst

50. That planted 2 Congregations
The Spring
High land
Malek Sud.
Aliet Sud.
Amookm Sud.
4 Nepalese House Church
Park land House Church
Guatem alanHou se Church
I.B. Ivy
Dinka Anglican
Hurst Sud.
Bedford Sud.
Arlington Sud.
Uduk Sud.
Me’en Sud.
FBC Sud.
Stone bridge
Journey
Crossing
Key stone
Life Pointe
Life House
Break through
Gate way
Stone water
Rock bridge
TEAM Church Chicago
Guatem alan House Church
2 Nepalese House Church
IndianH ouse Church
I.B. Luzy Verdad
I.B. Indigo
I.B. Hebron
29 H.C. Verde Valley AZ
Woodla nd Trails
I.B. Forest Meadow
Sudanese Community Church
The Well
TEAM Church
Zambian Light
Rockwall House Church
7 Nepalese House Churches
1 Ethiopian
Mesquite House Church
Pleasant Woods Apts.
6 Flint, MI
That planted 2 Congregations
Hisp anic Plant Chicago
Hispanic Fla.
Bulgarian Chicago
A Total of 113 Congregations Averaging more than 9000 in attendance!!
Bulgarian
Oromo Baptiist
Nepalese
Iraqi
Bayview
Stonewater
Church Plant
Summit
Hurst

51. GCI FMBC CSI Lausanne Neil Cole ION Soma Real Life
Associations
Conventions
Lausanne
Neil Cole
ION
Soma
Real Life

52. Challenges Lack of awareness Mental models Social complexity
Baptist systems
Lack of urgency
Resistance to change

53. Cost
Spiritual warfare
To the church
To the association
To individuals

54. Benefits to Existing Churches
Disciples who SOAR
Units that multiply like rabbits
A church that transforms
A Kingdom that grows

55. Benefits to New Churches
A tailored approach for evangelism/ discipleship/gospel communication
Disciples who SOAR
Units that multiply like rabbits
A church that transforms
A Kingdom that grows

56. Learning more GCI www.mygci.org training offered around the country
imb.org (Global Research)
usapeoplegroups.com
peoplegroups.org
peoplegroups.info
namb.net
ubahouston.org