Wholistic Ministry in Kenya and beyond…

Written By Bart Physioc

by Patrick Amtallan

The Step-by-Step Training of Disciplers International is greatly impacting communities throughout Kenya. At this time, over 250 church leaders have gone through the training and are equipping others to do likewise (2 Timothy 2:2). This investment is strengthening congregations and the leadership of local churches. The impact is far-reaching, potentially influencing hundreds and even thousands of church members as leaders apply the training they have received to everyday life.

Church leaders are now effectively putting what they have learned into practice through several key approaches: balancing theology with actionable steps, learning primarily from job-related experiences, adapting to change, and innovating to improve. Pastors empower their ministry teams by fostering collaboration and trust, creating a culture of continuous feedback for improvement, and defining leadership to translate vision into reality through strategic planning and clear communication.

Pastors and Church Leaders

Pastors have enhanced their preaching by understanding the struggles faced by their congregants, discipling them, and making sermons more relevant and impactful. This approach reduces burnout considerably by distributing ministry responsibilities among team members and forming deep, genuine relationships. It also fosters humility, as pastors learn to depend on God and fellow believers for spiritual growth.

Learning together - One body in Christ

Whether the Step-by-Step Training is presented to a group of men, or a group of women, or a mixed group of men and women, or to youth, we are ultimately one body in Christ. As the Apostle Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neighbor male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

Children from the slums of Nairobi

Ministry must be wholistic, so we care for the whole person (body, soul, and spirit). As much as possible, we offer nutritious, ready-to-eat meals and bottled water to children living in Nairobi's slums. Since child safety in such dangerous settings is an ongoing concern, we connect with emergency services. Our intent is to respect the dignity of each child by honoring their wishes and interests without coercion.

Disciplers International emphasizes the importance of training children in faith and morals, guided by their parents as conveyed in Proverbs 22:6 and 29:15. The lessons focus on loving God, valuing others, truthfulness, righteousness, and wisdom, while promoting godliness through the fear of the Lord, modesty, and good works. Both girls and boys are encouraged to use their spiritual gifts for sharing the gospel.

Jesus Christ emphasized the importance of children in His message, stating that the kingdom of heaven belongs to them (Matthew 19:14, Mark 10:14, Luke 18:16).

Training for all - adults and children

Besides my country of residence, Kenya, I am conducting Step-by-Step Training in other African countries as well (Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, North Sudan, Chad, Botswana, Lesotho, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Togo, Benin) and India, too!

By God’s grace I’ve planted five churches in Kenya, using the Step-by-Step Process as our core curriculum. This training has contributed substantially to individual growth and church development by fostering deeper faith and cultivating godly character qualities such as love, joy, and peace. The result is stronger families and proactive ministries that equip disciples to train others, thus enhancing the overall health of congregations.

Through my relationship with fellow DI Ministry Partners and Associates, I’ve grown a lot, personally and spiritually. Just as important, my faith has grown through daily Scripture study, character formation, and the development of a Christian worldview to access societal trends. The Step-by-Step Process has also nurtured in me a commitment to lifelong learning and spiritual growth.

Disciplers International has significantly affected my life since I started my journey three years ago under the mentorship of Pastor Bart Physioc. I am now prepared and excited to embrace my divine destiny and call to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:29).

Support of our Ministry Partners & Associates is much needed and greatly appreciated - to make a tax-deductible donation, click the button below

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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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The Solomon’s - from Malaysia to India