Disciplemaking Pipeline for Leadership Development

Organic growth is the core element of the life from the roots. Over the last 40 years, MicroGroups of mustard seeds have sprouted throughout the world. Now structural support is needed. Like the grapes on a vine that need support instead of laying on the ground, leadership development is an essential next step. 

There is perhaps no better way to describe the impact of our Summit in the Philippines October 22-26, 2025 than through the words of the participants.

"This was historic
and a great launching pad."

“I was so blessed throughout the summit. A lot of takeaways there and coming back home I am determined to put things I have learned to practice so that God's people here in Nigeria will also be blessed and be a blessing to others.”—Rev. Roby Akpan, Nigeria

“In the end of book of Acts, no word ‘amen.’ The acts of the church continue…the acts of the Holy Spirit continue...the acts of Disciplemakers continue…. Amazing Summit and memories.”—Igor Fedorovych, GDI National Director, Ukraine

“Raring to go and experience anew the power of the mustard seed (MicroGroups). Start small, go slow and deep, THINK BIG. Thank you, family for the relationship.”—Ben Dolavale, Disciplemaker Extraordinaire, Fiji. 

I had high hopes for our Summit but I could not imagine how the Lord would meet us in the Philippines. We had identified this event as a historic first for our Global Discipleship Initiative (GDI) begun in 2016. Never in our nine-year history had we met in person for the better part of 5 days. Merely being in each other’s presence to worship, press the flesh (hugs all around), and sharing our faith journey stories was rich in itself, would have been a win.

Vision Mission Values

Yet the summit would not have been complete without a refreshed vision, mission, and values around which we could center our hearts and sync our steps for the next 10 years. We adopted the 2035 Vision: MicroGroup-based disciplemaking churches in every country of the world. Yes, you read that right. Yet a vision is worthless unless you have a means to get there. Our mission centers on a leadership development process where we establish regional hubs across six continents. Now we have a shared baseline from which we can all operate.

Our Summit Theme was “One in Christ and His Mission." We sought a shared heartbeat. An amazing group of 38 people came together from the US, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Zambia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ukraine, Romania, Fiji and Czech Republic. This is what you might call a miracle:  All 38 participants who had purchased plane tickets actually made it to the Philippines: no last-minute illnesses; no flight interruptions; no family emergencies, etc.

A dream come true

As the Executive Director who has had this gathering on my heart for three years, it was a dream come true. I knew that a gathering of this nature would mark a moment when GDI would be launched with greater impact across the globe. From our inception nine years ago, we have picked up many partners along the way. Here is the amazing fact: We have not lost one person. No dropouts. No deaths. Just a growing team committed to a shared mission of seeing MicroGroup-based churches of Jesus grown to become salt and light in our world.

I thank you for your undergirding prayer; your financial support to underwrite the entire costs of flying 36 people to the Philippines; hotel rooms for 2-3 nights in Manila at the beginning and end of our time; 4 nights and 5 days at the retreat center; transportation to the retreat center and back, and more.  

Please stay with us. It feels in many ways like we are just beginning; a foundation has been laid, now the superstructure is ready to be built. We need your ongoing prayers and financial support. I pray that I will be around ten years from now to see what the Lord has done.

With an Abundance of Gratitude,

Greg Ogden
Executive Director of GDI

P.S. For ongoing support of GDI, please go to our website: globaldi.org. Find the DONATE button in the upper right and follow the prompts. If you want to write a check, make it out to Global Discipleship Initiative and send to

GDI
1322 Las Posas Rd
Camarillo, CA 93010

Monthly support is the most helpful, but any support is, of course, welcomed with gratitude.

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