New Year, New Goals, Same Mission

2017 was a banner year for Catalyst Missions. We had the opportunity to train over 500 leaders in seven countries (Bolivia, Ivory Coast, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, South Sudan, and the United States (Memphis). Catalyst Missions begins 2018 with even greater expectations because of an infinitely great God! As we start off this year, we thought it might be helpful to review what we do and why we do it.   

Catalyst focuses on indigenous leader training and multiplication, offering participants the opportunity to engage the worldwide harvest through biblical discipleship of local leaders. The reason for this missions focus is fairly simple: Right now, of the 2.2 million evangelical churches worldwide (particularly in the Global South: South America, Sub-Saharran Africa and Southern Asia), 80% have pastors with no training (TGC International). Without proper training and discipleship for pastors, missionaries, and church planters, Christianity remains only a surface level religion, often syncretized with the real worldview of the adherent. Our goal is to follow the model of Jesus and Paul in equipping leaders for the purpose of propagating the gospel into unreached peoples. As an example, when Paul sought to reach Asia, he poured his life into disciples at the school of Tyrannus for 2 years with the result that all of Asia heard the word of the Lord (Acts 19:8-10). 

For this reason, in the Global South (South America, Africa, Asia), the greatest need is to equip local, indigenous leaders who will carry the gospel to their own people and beyond. Over 6,000 ethnic people groups remain unreached and unengaged with the gospel. If we continue training indigenous leaders, we believe we will see the biblical result.

But, how do we practically accomplish this mission? Catalyst believes that long-term training of local leaders is the most effective way to ensure healthy multiplication of the gospel. For this reason, the pastor training curriculum includes nine modules, encompassing theological and methodological formation. We also utilize a nine module ladies discipleship track. One module requires roughly 30 hours of instruction. So, each cohort group that we train receives a minimum of 250-300 hours of instruction as well as mentorship from on-ground coordinators in the interim between trainings. This training cycle amounts to a 3-4 year commitment to a particular place and group.

Overall, Catalyst is now working with 14 groups of pastors, church planters, and disciples spread out on 3 different continents. These training groups amount to a total of approximately 500 students. As we track their multiplication into others, the reach of the gospel through this training is miraculous. We pray that God would continue to give the increase. As William Carey once quipped, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.”

If you would like to get involved in this ministry, check out our home page and follow the links for churches or individuals. If you have questions, feel free to contact us at info@catalystmissions.org. We look forward to partnering with you for the advance of His Kingdom!