a group of 2 will turn into a group of 20 in a matter of 10 minutes.

Zo and I were walking to campus to meet one of our staff guys so that we could start up a dgroup on this campus. We saw him surrounded by a group of people all standing in a circle. “I didn’t know we were coming to his dgroup today, I thought we were just meeting people right now” I said to Zo. The group fluctuated from 6 to 18 as they continued their discussion, with some students calling over their peers who were walking by and some leaving to get to class on time. People would come and go, exchange phone numbers, and I still had no idea what was happening. Ends up, we weren’t having dgroup 😬 (well sorta). They just wanted to know about what we were doing and share it with their peers 🤯 and it all started with just 2 students. From 2 to 20.

God will draw His people.

God has highlighted a certain campus to us as a very open hearted campus. It is already evident by the receptiveness of students and the culture of this place. Most students are sincere and slow-paced, already sitting in groups with an hour to kill. All we do is say olá and bring the word of God into the circle.

This happened to Zo when he met a couple guys on this campus. They opened the word together and had dgroup right then and there. One student said that he hadn’t been to church in 5 or 6 years and he had just recently been trying to go again. The scripture they read encouraged him and the guys continued to open up to Zo and Celso.

Another fellow that approached Zo wanting to practice his english skills ended up leaving in tears because he was being touched by the Spirit and the truth. They got onto the topic of spirituality and this fellow had given up trying to be with God because of guilt and shame. The scripture that was shared with him was “therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” He kept saying, “I’ll come to this group. I’ll come.”

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.

On a cold day where not many students were sitting out— I happened to meet one curious guy. 5 minutes into the convo there were 6 more of his peers listening in. “You need to share this with the rest of our class.” “Um okay 😅 wait, in portuguese?” They led us into a classroom full of students. I stood in front of the blackboard like a professor and shared the vision of a movement that could change a country through them with the Gospel. Many were interested in such an idea and some asked when this dgroup would start. They even passed around a “sign up sheet” for their contact info.

The good news is traveling fast and far. Be praying for deep discipleship relationships to follow.

equipping leaders

Leaders of A Palavra (campus ministry in Moz, like a mozambican Chi Alpha) receive teaching on the steps of disciple, how to start dgroups, facilitate dgroups, and the DNA of AP at leadership training. My favorite part is anointing new leaders to be sent out to do the work of God.

What about leaders who have graduated?

This is one of the coolest aspects of campus ministry in Africa for me. A Palavra City is what we call this gathering of young professional who hold positions of leadership and service in the workplace. Graduation doesn't stop discipleship. This room full of doctors, lawyers, architects, accountants, and leaders who are challenged to continue to disciple peers and reach the marketplace for Christ even after university.