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I’ve been having coffee with a leper. No, not the kind of person who has the flesh-eating disease. This man is a sex-offender. He was convicted and has served jail time for behavior that is not only punishable by law, but which also goes against the most basic of all human ethical codes. In our society he is labeled for life, shunned, and marginalized. His plight is very similar to the biblical leper who lived isolated from mainstream humanity.

Laws have been passed which mandate that this modern day leper register his location, which becomes public information. He’s now a branded man and his every move is monitored. He’s lost his job, his home, his family, and his reputation.

The encounter I mention here has led to an ongoing Bible study and friendship with a man who feels lost and alone. Before you get the wrong idea, I’m not arguing for toleralnce or downplaying sinful actions. I am, however, raising a hard question. How do we compassionately minister to people caught in a sin like this one? How do we sidestep our own inner prejudices and judgmental attitudes long enough to minister to people who’ve done things that tend to turn our stomachs? If they are truly penitent, what is our role in helping them experience and live out the grace and forgiveness of God? How do we avoid the temptation to write them off?

Disciple making is not a matter of picking and choosing who is worthy of the grace of God! If that were the case, we’d all be in major trouble. Paul’s letter to the church at Rome couldn’t have made it clearer. He wrote, “We’ve all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

Jesus was accused of being a friend of sinners. Are we willing to suffer the same accusation? Let me know what you think.

Since 2005 The Timothy Network has built reproducible discipling relationships with people from all walks of life. Many of you have either been directly involved in the process or supported our work with your gifts and prayers. As another year comes to a close, we want to thank you for sticking with us and introduce you to a few of the men and women whose lives are being impacted by intentional disciple making.

People matter to God. They must matter to us, too!

To fully appreciate the value of individuals, we have to slow down and savor them one relationship at a time. People come from different socio-economic backgrounds. Some enjoy good health; others are chronically ill. They represent the sound of mind and the mentally challenged, the imprisoned and the free, the young and old, red and yellow, black, brown, and white – “the least of these brothers of mine,” Jesus called them.

Each God-seeker is unique. They range from young professional women like Katie, Kim, and Nicole to “street-hardened” men like Percy, Mike, and Willie. Some – like Joel – have successful careers in business. Others – Jim, for example – have seen their jobs and lives implode as a result of unfortunate circumstances.

The faces in the left column are a few of the men and women with whom we’ve built relationships over the past several months. Their experiences and circumstances vary widely, but they have a lot in common, too: they’re human beings on an intentional journey to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Many with whom we work fit the category of “culturally Christian but undiscipled.” Some are on the right path, but they need focus plus a few other sojourners to help them stay the course. Others have been reared as believers but wandered away from faith and have fallen hard. Some, on the other hand, are men and women who are searching for God, but don’t know where to turn. In whatever situation we meet people, we try to provide very focused support, nurturing, and teaching.

Following Jesus is a process that requires help and encouragement. Lone-rangers don’t flourish well as disciples. Whether business owner, church deacon, recovering cocaine addict, school teacher, young mother, or a homeless guy trying to get back on track, life giving relationships are the hothouses in which disciples are made. By God’s grace we are building those hothouses one day at a time.

I recently introduced you to Randy Williams. Randy is a music teacher in the Dallas – Fort Worth area. He spent several weeks as a volunteer with Timothy Network last summer and is now using those experiences to disciple men in Texas. His follow-through is a good example of what we mean by “multiplying ministry.” It only took a spark to ignite an underlying desire that already existed in Randy’s heart. We are excited that he’s now spreading the fire by discipling people in the Lonestar state. Here’s Part II of Randy’ summary story from last summer. ms

A part of discipleship involves equipping people for ministry (who then equip others). I don’t mean the “pulpit style” of ministry. I’m talking about sitting down with a couple of other people in a restaurant or a coffee shop with open Bibles. Disciple making is a relational process that takes time and purposeful, patient involvement in the lives of others. It requires intentionally leading (and influencing) people and helping them develop a passion for transformation into instruments for God. It’s a process that will make them better husbands, fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, friends, leaders, business owners, and employees.

I saw this happening daily during my time in Murfreesboro last summer – even when I was not with Mike. Never had I seen Bible studies out in the open as I much as I did there — men and women! On one occasion as I was waiting to meet someone for a session, there was another man waiting for his study partner, too. The person never showed, so as he began gathering his things I asked if he wanted to study with me. He smiled and said, “I’ll meet you here next week, same day, same time.” We shook hands and thus began a new friendship and Bible study with a total stranger. I wouldn’t have taken that step in a million years had it not been for my association with Timothy Network. Fearless–that what was I was becoming, and I wanted to begin ministering to other men in Texas when I returned.

It was recommended that I volunteer at Greenhouse Ministries in Murfreesboro as time allowed. Mike was already leading a mid-week study there with men in the homeless program, so it was easy for me to get plugged in. The men received me as one of their own as they heard my story unfold. I learned that when you are real with people, you can find help, support, and friendship unequalled anywhere on earth. Those men and women at the Greenhouse are my best friends today. Please, find an outlet for your passion to serve others and watch the blessings come from God!

So what did I do with all these transforming experiences once I returned to Texas? The first thing was to contact three men I wanted to disciple. Only one stuck with it, so I have asked several others. The numbers are growing already.

Tuesday nights at 7:00 at the IHOP at the corner of Interstate 20 Frontage Road and Little Road in Arlington, Texas, you will find a couple of tables of men with their Bibles open, sharing their stories, studying the Scriptures, and praying for each other. It does get emotional at times as we hear stories similar to our own, but hope is being given and shared.

New friendships are beginning! Men who had never met and from all types of backgrounds are bonding. They are being renewed and restored. It’s all God’s doing, by the way, not mine. He just used me to get this started. All it took was stepping up to the plate and saying “I’m having a Bible study. It has nothing to do with organized religion and wears no other name save the name of Jesus Christ. We are all on equal ground here. Let’s talk about our week, our hurts, our desires, our God, and let’s pray together. No having to be present every time. No one is going to call you if you don’t attend. It’s freedom in Christ that compels us to be a part of this. Would you like to join us?”

Whether or not it’s a part of the Timothy Network, please get involved with discipleship. For yourself, your family, your work, your friends, your church, and the world – just do it! Volunteer at shelters or ministries that help the hopeless and the helpless. Start a Bible study at a restaurant or coffee house. The Spirit compels us to serve. Listen to Him!

Back in the 1820s Tennessee sent Davy Crockett and over two dozen other Tennesseans to help save Texas from an invading army. Over the past summer, Texas sent one of its citizens to Tennessee to help us in the area of spiritual warfare. His name is Randy Williams, and we were blessed to enjoy his volunteer help from mid-June through early August. Randy joined me in discipling men and did other volunteer work at Greenhouse Ministries and Community Care of Rutherford County. It was a blessing to have his partnership! In this and the next e-letter, we’d like to share his reflections and experiences with Timothy Network. ms

From Randy Williams
Dallas, Texas

We all have a story. Maybe you’ve made poor choices or have caused others emotional pain. But that’s only part of your life story. How you write the next chapter is totally up to you. You are the author of your life. What should lead you forward now is the transforming power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. I listened as Mike shared his story not only with me but with many other men last summer. It was a way to get those men to trust him and see that he has had struggles, too.

I also had the opportunity to tell my own story and how I happened to be shadowing Mike this summer. At first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to reveal all my stuff to strangers. But Mike’s gentle prodding and assurance caused me to begin telling others what my life had been like up to this point. The men were very receptive and made me feel welcome and valued. It was transforming power!!

Mike and I talked about the hope that is given to the men we met with over the summer. There are men with little or no voice or who feel unlovable in their churches. They’re just looking for someone to listen, someone to give them their voice, someone who will value and love them. They just want to be heard as they tell the stories of their hurts and disappointments. These hurting men need to hear our stories to see that God is transforming us into productive, believing, Spirit-led men with no fear of facing what Satan hurls at us daily. Sharing the narrative of our lives with others builds strong relational community. Share your story, the true story with others. Your experiences can impact and give others hope in Christ.

We are the salt of the earth, Mike quoted often. We are not plain men without taste. We are mighty, salty, warriors as sons of the most holy God with a thirst within us to save men’s souls and quench those fires that have hurt us and others so badly! God is our strength and courage for each day. He is enough!

Pictured to the left is former American Airlines First Officer, Tom McGuinness. He was the co-pilot of Flight 11, the plane that hit the World Trade Center North Tower on September 11, 2001. Ironically, McGuinness’ seniority allowed him to bump another pilot from that morning’s flight. It was a choice that cost his life but saved another man from dying that day.

With the many sad reminders accompanying the recent 10th anniversary of the September 11th tragedy, part of me hesitated bringing it up yet one more time. Weighed in the balance, however, I decided to send along the following fifteen minute video. As you’ll see and hear, the touching testimony of First Officer Steve Scheibner, the pilot spared that day, strongly resonates with intentional discipleship. Scheibner is a Christ-follower. Officer McGuinness was, too.

Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLj4akmncsA

While Timothy Network was still an embryonic idea, I began praying that God show me men whose hearts burn with a passion for authentic discipleship. I wanted to surround myself with Kingdom-minded people, accountability partners, men of prayer, a “think tank” of brothers capable of helping me start and lead a grassroots disciple making project. John King was one of the first to come to mind. I’m thankful he said yes to the partnership. John has been with me since our launch in August 2005 and serves as President of Timothy Network’s Board of Accountability. He recently completed a twenty-year stint as minister for the local Stones River church and now works as Missions Mobilizer and Trainer with DMM. ms

At the close of the first gospel, Jesus commissions the eleven, who graduate from his personal training system, to turn the world upside down (actually right side up). The beautiful thing for them is they have witnessed this approach while they have followed Jesus for three years. He called them to follow him. He taught them, trained them and mentored them. It is only late in this ministry that he asks the critical question, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15).

In Western churches we usually attempt to convert people and then maybe sign them up for a six-week discipleship class. Jesus disciples for years and then asks his followers to reveal who they think he is. It is at this point in Matthew’s gospel that they answer their own earlier question, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:27).

Peter speaks for the group when he announces, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus indicates that Peter is blessed to have received this revelation from God the Father. Peter did not learn this insight from another human, it was through divine revelation. Peter’s understanding of Jesus’ identity and willingness to surrender everything comes because he has been discipled to this recognition.

When someone comes to recognize who Jesus is, then he/she is ready to be baptized and to be taught to obey all of Jesus’ commands. Discipleship entails obedience to the one who has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).

But who will allow you to disciple them to conversion? A Person of Peace. Someone who has already been stirred by the Holy Spirit. Someone who is waiting for the light to shine in his heart. Someone who desperately wants to know the answer to her brokenness. When you find a Person of Peace you have a candidate to disciple to conversion. Here is a person who will walk with you long enough to move from Creation to Christ, fall in love with God along the way and be willing to share what is being learned with others. Find a Person of Peace and you will have the opportunity to watch multiplication come in obedience to the Great Commission.

The Bible assigns spiritual significance to the number SEVEN. It is the number of “completeness.” For this and many others reasons we’re very excited about beginning the seventh year of Timothy Network’s disciple-making mission. Many of you have prayed for, encouraged, and sponsored our work over the years. For that, we are extremely grateful and honored. Below are a few reflections from the first six years.

The Timothy Network was launched in August 2005 as a project aimed at making fully mature and reproducing disciples of Jesus Christ.

As with any organic movement, establishing deep roots takes time. Patient investment in building intentional, God-centered relationships is the cornerstone ideal on which our work is grounded. We also live and work by the adage, “To go fast (or, to make real lasting progress), you must go slow.” In a microwave age, our work is more akin to cooking in a crock pot.

Timothy Network is an effort composed of ordinary men and women from all walks of life – teachers, factory workers, secretaries, people who have lived on the streets, housewives, doctors, accountants, business owners, computer techs, retired people (some residing in nursing homes), students, sales people, nurses, ministers, etc. We are Christ-followers united with the common purpose of encouraging authentic discipleship. We’re trying to kindle a fire for multiplying disciple-making in our generation.

By God’s grace disciple making networks are being born. Chain-reaction disciple-making is breaking out. After six years we’re seeing third and fourth generation discipling relationships. Over 250 men, women, and teenagers have been involved in discipling networks. While we’ve been heavily invested in equipping ministry, we’re gradually seeing new converts as a fruit of those who’ve been equipped to make disciples. It’s our fervent prayer to see a growing harvest as more people are intentionally discipled and equipped to disciple others.

People who previously doubted their abilities in the area of outreach are now making disciples. I can (and will, if asked) tell you stories about dozens of former pew warmers who are now passionate about being disciples of Jesus. Many of them were baptized years ago but received little, if any, discipling or mentoring. Their growth became stunted for lack of personal coaching and encouragement. Many thought of themselves as Christians, but not necessarily disciples prior to the intentional investment they’ve received in discipling triads (small discipling units of three – four people). Emily Gill is an example. Writing in the Spring 2009 newsletter Emily said, “Learning to think of myself as a ‘disciple’ has been a transforming process.”

Our ideas and aims aren’t new or exotic, but they may be radical in 21st century North America. We’re simply trying to emulate Jesus’ example of patiently discipling a few men over a sustained period of time. We also look to Paul’s dedicated investment into the lives of Timothy, Titus, Silas, and others. We’re using a focused, relational, and very intentional method of making disciples who are grounded and passionate about their faith. As a general rule, passionate people pass on what they learn. A disciple making “ripple effect” can then occur.

Thanks for your ongoing partnership and encouragement! Please pray for us as we begin our seventh year in making disciples and equipping disciple-makers.

His name is Greg, but I call him “the salt man.”

I met Greg about six months ago in the halls at Community Care of Rutherford County, a local care home. We’ve formed a good friendship that includes a weekly discipleship study.

Greg seems to like everybody. People in turn like him. He’s an encourager. There’s more to Greg than likability, though. He’s a “salty” Christian. That is, he is a believer who exudes love, compassion, and concern for others. Faith in Christ is important to him, and he tries to live it out by encouraging everyone in his path.

Although good natured and optimistic, Greg’s life is not necessarily easy. He has health issues that affect his mobility. You’d never guess that by watching his interactions or listening to him, however. Rather than complaining, he sees himself on a mission to serve God in the care home! He lives with purpose.

Greg’s life and attitude reflect the good kind of salt that Jesus talks about in Matthew 5:13. He’s an invigorating influence for good in the environment where God has planted him. He’s making a positive impact on others by sharing the love of Christ.

Hanging out with this brother is a blessing. He reminds me that our typical doubts and fears about sharing faith are mostly self-centered and flimsy. Greg talks about Jesus but he models him, too. His is the “salty life.”

My wife says I save “everything” – too much in her opinion. I am a pack rat, but I recently ran across something that really was worth keeping. It’s an old notebook from a Promise Keepers conference. My notes included a quote jotted down during a presentation by Dr. Tony Evans.

Dr. Evans said, “When God is in the fire, any old bush will do!”

If you’ve heard Tony Evans preach, you know the thunder and conviction with which He spoke those words.

God didn’t have (or need) a mighty Sequoia or towering Redwood at His disposal when He appeared to Moses in the burning bush. Neither was He looking for a guy who could make a good speech nor someone with a doctorate from the University of Egypt.

God made His glory burn before Moses through a plain old desert scrub bush. On top of that, He chose a man who didn’t believe in himself for one of the greatest leadership positions ever required!

God asked eighty year-old Moses to lead His people out of the hands of the world’s greatest superpower of the time. “Moses whined, but God shined!” The rest is history. The mighty hand of God prevailed, and the nation of Israel stills stands! God has always accomplished the impossible using frail, frightened, fickle, and fallible human beings in the process.

I regularly work with people who doubt their ability to make disciples. I understand their fears; I’ve been victim to the same doubts. I’m convinced that fear is a tool of Satan, however. He’s effective at rendering us ineffective when he jabs us with our inadequacies.

There’s an antidote to fear. It’s called faith! Jesus Christ has issued a mission to His people. It’s to make disciples of all nations (including our neighbors, friends, co-workers and relatives). He wouldn’t have given the command if the mission were impossible. He has appointed us as “ambassadors of reconciliation.” Jesus promised to make His followers “fishers of men.” The power is His! He’s promised to be with [us] always.

Let God burn through you,

Mike

Twenty-seven years ago I met a college kid majoring in Criminal Justice at Middle Tennessee State University. From a small town near Murfreesboro, Paul had a “typical” Christian upbringing. I met him at a time when he was searching for a lot more.

I’m frequently asked, “How do I find people to disciple?” My answer, “Look and listen for hungry hearts.” That simple guideline led me to Paul (and many others like him over the years).

Paul and I, along with another brother who had been a Christian only a few months, began meeting weekly for Bible study and prayer. We formed a tight bond that led to transparency and accountability. We openly confessed our sin, shared struggles, fears, and our deepest questions about God and faith. Each of us grew stronger as disciples of Jesus. It was the essence of relational disciple making.

Paul and Mark went on to become leaders in the campus ministry, but there’s more. Both “paid it forward” many times over by repeating the same discipling process I practiced with them. That’s the way intentional disciple making should work! Mature disciples of Jesus naturally invest in others. They continue the chain by making other disciples.

A few days after graduating from MTSU in 1988, Paul walked into my office to say he wouldn’t be pursuing a career in law enforcement. Rather, he wanted to answer the call to ministry. A few weeks later he packed his bags and moved to Seattle to enter a ministry internship and graduate school. He wanted to minister to college students. God had more far-reaching plans!

After several months in Seattle, Paul connected with a group of people wanting to plant a church in Budapest, Hungary. The idea “got in his blood.” In August 1990 Paul packed his suitcase again, this time for an even longer and more challenging journey. He later learned that his thirteen teammates voted him “first member likely to return home.” He did suffer severe bouts of homesickness, doubt, and loneliness. But, twenty-two years later Paul is the sole member of the team remaining in Budapest! He met and married a Hungarian national. Today Paul leads a church of about sixty – seventy-five Hungarian members. He’s pictured above (on the right) just before baptizing a new member of that body.

Here’s what Paul had to say in a recent newsletter:

Zoltan Tolgyesi, husband of our sister Lely (originally from Indonesia), was baptized recently. Zoli, who teaches at a language school, has been attending with his wife on and off for 12 (!) years, and though a God-fearer, had never moved beyond the ‘respect’ stage. But in his testimony he shared that in one of his times before the Lord when he was asking what stood between them, the Lord showed him an empty dish. When he asked what it meant, the Lord told him, “It needs to be immersed,” and Zoli understood the Lord was talking to him about his own immersion. It is always amazing and encouraging to know that our Father still speaks today, and that his words lead to life!

The point? Look and listen for hungry hearts. Never underestimate what God will do through the relationships you build and the disciples you make. You don’t have to move around the world; start with your neighbor or co-workers. Depend on God for the increase. He’s the ultimate gardener. No telling what kind of crop He’ll produce with the seeds you plant!

Let us know how we can help you get started.