Missions Pulse 041: Dwight Martin
https://davidjoannes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/dwight-Martin-default-image-final-1024x576.jpg 1024 576 David Joannes David Joannes https://davidjoannes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/dwight-Martin-default-image-final-1024x576.jpgOn this episode of Missions Pulse, David Joannes interviews Dwight Martin, founder of eStar Foundation and the gatekeeper for the FJCCA movement in Thailand where in the last 2 years, over 13,432 Thai people have made confessions of faith in Jesus Christ.
Dwight talks about the structure of FJCCA’s church planting movement, the miraculous, Holy Spirit-led movement that is taking place in Thailand, the role of Western missionaries, and the yet unfinished task of bringing the Gospel to Thailand’s Gospel-deprived people.
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Dwight Martin talks about giving a church planting movement structure. In 2 years, the Free in Jesus Christ Church Association (FJCCA) has seen 13,432 confessions of faith in Jesus Christ, 5,204 public baptisms, and 516 house churches planted. Dwight says that missional efforts cannot be built around a personality or an individual. It cannot be culturally irrelevant. If you want to see longevity in your church planting movement and disciple-making movement efforts, you must make first-century Church strategies—biblically-based methods—the primary operating system.
Who’s more valuable: Western missionaries or local missionaries? Dwight Martin gathers data, crunches numbers, and comes up with some startling results. The question is: Is there still a role for Western missionaries? Dwight says yes, but don’t think you’re going to be the white savior. Ditch the superior Western complex, become a learner, and stand behind indigenous ministers who have the ability to shift culture.
When worldviews clash, people can easily be put off by the Gospel. What’s better than religious pushiness? Dwight Martin says the believer’s personal testimony carries incredible power. He goes on to say that everyone is on their own journey to meeting Jesus, and we must meet people where they’re at. But even more than that, we must allow the Holy Spirit to lead new believers in their newfound Christian walk.
When Buddhist monks, Thai soldiers, and God Himself are all called พระเจ้า “Phrazhao” (the Thai word for God/god), how should one explain the God of Christianity clearly? Dwight Martin says to ditch the Christianese and just use the word “Jesus.” Lose the Western filters and see the God of the Bible. It’s more than just contextualization. It’s being crystal clear and ultra-relevant so that your hearers come to see the living God.
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Have you ever wondered what makes a missionary tick? What are the underlying motivations of those who cross cultural, geographical, and linguistic boundaries for the sake of Jesus Christ? What compels them to take such extreme measures and why do their actions still inspire Christians worldwide? In The Mind of a Missionary, David Joannes challenges you to find your role in God’s glorious Kingdom narrative. He draws upon history, psychology, life experience, and powerful storytelling to reshape your perception of God’s unique plan for your life. Purchase this book at Amazon today.
Links mentioned in the show:
https://www.reachavillage.org/locations/southeast-asia/thailand
