Transformative Impact in the DRC

Written By Bart Physioc

by Flavien Muderhwa

Some of the vulnerable people we serve - orphan children and widows

Since Disciplers International started supporting us some time ago, we have experienced change in every area of life. My family now has the means to have food and medication to keep us healthy, as well as the means to support our ministry to orphan children and widows. I’m pleased to say that the health of those who receive our care is improving. We are glad to provide food and other items when funds are available, and they are very grateful to receive these blessings!

The Muderhwa family of five…

I praise the Lord God for my parents, Apollinaire Muderhwa and Maria Nyangezi, who gave me life. Although they have passed away, their lives are passed on through the three beautiful children God has entrusted to me and my beloved wife, Naomi. We thank God for Maria-Maghali, Jimmy-James and Joseph-Bartlett (in the middle).

In the 1980’s, when internet did not exist and English was not yet a main-stream language in Africa, my father purchased for me an English-French dictionary and a book entitled “90 Lessons for 90 Days” with audio tapes included to learn English. Being a teenager in secondary school where the primary languages are Swahili and French, this was a new and exciting experience for me. While studying law at the university, my English “tutors” were the BBC World Service and Voice of America, which I listened to often. I was a much better student of English than law, and I believe that the Holy Spirit used these experiences in my calling to serve the Lord Jesus. This is because without knowing English I could not have received the training offered by Disciplers International (DI), or serve as a Ministry Partner with DI, or serve as a DI Board Member, or participate in Haus Church on Sundays with believers from other countries. To God be the glory!

Discipleship is all about investing oneself (character, competence, conduct) in others and expecting them to do likewise. This is what Naomi and I do by giving the training we have received to men and women in one-on-one and small group gatherings. We are simply following the guidance and example of Jesus, who calls us to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Since He is our Chief Commander, as His followers we are obligated to obey Him - Discipleship is not an option but a command!

One-one-one with Brother Stephen

Stephen Sabia from Goma says, I was a deacon in my church, but since I started the DI discipleship training, I realize that I’m called to further serve the Lord Jesus. Presently, I serve as an evangelist in our church, but I look forward to pastoring in the future. Under Flavien’s mentorship, I will implement DI’s mission and vision in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

One-on-one with Brother Hugues

Hugues Sadiki from Goma says, The discipleship training and resources that I am receiving through the help of Pastor Flavien are really transforming my life! I was single, but I am now married; I was a singer in our church, but now I am an evangelist singer making disciples in my local church and community better than ever before - all according to the will of God and in line with the DI mission and vision.

The gospels say that Jesus went about preaching, teaching, and healing. If this is what our Lord did, it’s what we must do. This is holistic ministry, which is not just preaching and teaching, but also healing people through compassion and care in the power of the Holy Spirit. The photos below are examples of our care-giving outreach. The needs seem overwhelming, but God shows amazing grace through those willing to serve.

Spiritually, both my family and ministry have been transformed as we have come to know the Word of God (Jesus Christ) more and more. Our spiritual intimacy with God and His people has deepened so much, and we find ourselves faithfully serving the Lord by serving people like never before. Our faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord of our lives is strong and unwavering. We are truly grateful for the discipleship training and resources we are receiving from DI, because it really helps us to effectively train and equip Disciples of Christ to become Disciplers for Christ in line with 2 Timothy 2:2.

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Bart Physioc

Bart’s interest in discipleship began at the time of his conversion in 1978, while serving in Guam as a Coast Guard officer. After reading the four gospels in the New Testament, Bart was moved to accept Jesus as Savior and follow Him as Lord. He wanted to be a disciple, but didn’t understand how discipleship was supposed to work, and no one took the initiative to mentor him. Bart’s early discipleship experience was limited to reading books on the subject and going through study guides. Although examples were evident throughout Scripture, but Bart did not have such an experience personally.

While attending Golden Gate Theological Seminary in California, Bart took several courses on discipleship. From those classes, he took the most useful and practical elements of each model and produced a guidebook of his own that was comprehensive in scope, yet concise in presentation. After graduating in 1983 with a Master of Religious Education degree, Bart spent three years developing a discipleship model specifically for college students at the University of Idaho, where he served as Campus Minister. Upon returning to Golden Gate Seminary for his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees, Bart tailored the discipleship model for church plants and then instituted that model in the church he planted and pastored in California. As an Army Chaplain, Bart used the Discipler/Disciple model which led many service members to Christ and provided new believers with a set of tools to disciple others.

Convinced that disciple-making requires a relationship between a mentor (“Discipler”) and learner (“Disciple”), Bart created the 14-Step Discipleship Process, which was launched in 2000 and has been used worldwide to grow Disciples of Christ into Disciplers for Christ. In 2022 he launched a new presentation of the discipleship process called Step-by-Step.

While still serving in the military, Bart helped to establish Disciplers International in 2006 to provide free Discipleship Resources and Training for all who follow Jesus, and obey His call to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

https://disciplersinternational.com
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Growing the Ministry in LUSAKA and Beyond…