In recent years, however, two particular callings – Business as Mission (BAM) practitioners and Sent Ones focused on church planting – have often been conflated, leading to confusion, unrealistic expectations, and sometimes frustration. Let's bring clarity to these distinct but complementary roles in God's mission.

The need for data-informed approaches has never been more crucial in the complex and challenging landscape of modern missions. When adequately contextualized for cross-cultural missions, the plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycle offers apostolic teams a robust framework for continuous improvement and adaptive strategy.

Mission drift is one of the biggest things you will encounter in the long haul of multiplying disciples. For one reason or another, your initial drive, focus, and trajectory toward the vision God has given you will get derailed. You will find yourself off track and not making any progress.

The Vital Role of Women in The Great Commission

But what does it mean to abide? At its core, abiding is joyfully being in proximity to Christ through fellowship with His Word and prayer. It means keeping His commandments and bearing fruit by partnering with His work for the Kingdom of God, all to the glory of the Father.

As disciple-makers passionate about seeing the Great Commission furthered, we often start with an admirable big-picture vision like "reaching India" or "impacting the Arab world." These massive ambitions stir our hearts, fuel prayer, and mobilize action. However, until we define a more focused entry point, the overwhelming scale can leave us unsure of where to begin.

I realized, “Wow, this Jesus guy had some pretty amazing strategies as well.” Since then, as I’ve read Scripture, additional senses of awe and wonder have helped lock me into being a Great Commission Christian for life. One of the first dominoes to fall was realizing that the Great Commission can and will be completed.

So, if I’m finding it hard to relate to the life and example of Paul and the Apostles, what does that even mean? Is the Great Commission not applicable to me? How can I reconcile the important and clearly God-given role of motherhood with the call that I had at 20 years old to make disciples? 

In the vibrant tapestry of the local church, we hopefully will encounter individuals with apostolic, prophetic, and evangelistic giftings—each contributing uniquely to the body of Christ.

Without prayer, there simply is no movement of God among any person or any place. Prayer is the greater catalytic work in movements just as blood is the fluid of life in the human body. It flows through every part of the miracle of reproducing disciples and churches.