January 2009

Sabah Mission Training

Implementing Soul-Winning CARE Groups

Johnny & Tina Wong - Gateway Adventist Centre

www.gatewaysda.org
johnnytina.wong@gmail.com
Gateway Adventist Center (GAC) | Adventist Students On Campus (ASOC)

What is Gateway?

Ministry started by a few SDA young people 19-22 y.o.

c A network of care groups (small group

ministry) and many overseas care groups

d New Church in the city of Melbourne that grew

from 35 to 150 in 4 years. 2nd Church started May 08

e Training Centre to train young people to be

soul-winners for Christ & courses to reach the
community via needs-based courses

f Church sponsoring the Student Club (Adventist

Student On Campus) at 3 University Campuses

Gateway is an Outreach center 60 baptism in 5 years

Healing of Paralytic Man Luke 5:17-26 and Mark 2:2-12

Mark 2:3 Four men passion for the friend

Mark 2:4 Effort required by team, bring to Jesus

Mark 2:5 Living out their faith (Witnessing)

Luke 5:25 depart to his own house, glorifying

 #1 Visualising the End Game

#2 Principles of CARE groups

#3 FAQ : Frequently Asked Questions

 #1 Visualising the End Game

#2 Principles of CARE groups

#3 FAQ : Frequently Asked Questions

 True Disciple

Every true disciple is born into the kingdom

of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the
living water becomes a fountain of life. The
receiver becomes a giver. Desire of Ages p.195
What is the End Game?

Goals:
- Souls are won; people are baptised
- Groups will grow in Spiritual depth
- Group will grow in number and multiply

Melbourne - 2007
Parkville Melb University
NM Chinese Drummond Auburn
Hawthorn East
North Melb
Lookout
Flagstaff
East Melb
Yarraville
Southbank
Melbourne City

Oakleigh
Port Philip Bay
What is the End Game?

CARE Group Operations:

CG Coordinator
8 to 10 people Seeker
Leader
Like family Seeker

1 Leader Carer

1 Carer
Member
Member
Leaders accountability to
Member
Leaders CARE Group
 #1 Visualising the End Game

#2 Principles of CARE groups

#3 FAQ : Frequently Asked Questions

Principles of Small Groups

What is the model?

Three equally important parts:

c Sharing a meal

d Word relevant & simple

e Sharing Time

- How was your week?

- Anything to pray for?
CARE Groups meeting different needs Working, Uni, Language, Family etc.

South Yarra
CG Carer

Carlton
City
South Yarra
Southbank

2003 South Yarra > Carlton > Southbank

About 70% of people at Gateway attends CARE groups

North Melb
Adult Carlton
Chinese
City South-Eastern
Southbank
South Melbourne
2005 Melbourne City
Principles of CARE Groups

What is the model?

Three equally important parts:

c Sharing a meal

d Word relevant & simple

Wholistic CARE Groups
e Sharing Time
Left-Hand Illustration:
- How was your week?
- Community
- Anything to pray for?
Create a sense of belonging April 2008 Baptism
Principles of CARE Groups

What is the model?

Three equally important parts:

c Sharing a meal
Wholistic
d Word relevant & simple CARE Groups

e Sharing Time Left-Hand Illustration:

- How was your -week?

Community
- Anything to pray for?
- Go make
Baptism of Tommy a Sunday-church Pentecostal Christian, now serving as
CARE group leader
Principles of CARE Groups

What is the model?

Three equally important parts:

c Sharing a meal
Wholistic CARE Groups
d Word relevant & simple
Left-Hand Illustration:
e Sharing Time
- Community
- How was your week?
- Go
- Anything to pray make
for?
- Leadership
Profile of an effective CG leader

KEY: Heart for people

Know why we are SDA Christians

Spiritual grounded (living Word)

Relational and authentic people

Not Functional only

CG Coordinator
Seeker
Able to organise Leader
Seeker

Carer

Member
Member

Member
Principles of CARE Groups

What is the model?

Three equally important parts:

c Sharing a meal
Wholistic CARE Groups
d Word relevant & simple
Left-Hand Illustration:
e Sharing Time
- Community
- How was your week?
- Go
- Anything to pray make
for?
- Leadership

- Accountability
Accountability
- Leader + Carer

CG Leaders Monthly CG Meeting

Mentor by CG Coordinators (board position)

Curriculum / Study Series - Review

Supportive structure

CG Coordinators
-- Functional role CG Coordinators
Seeker
-- People mentorship roles Leader
Seeker

Carer

Member
Member

Member
Principles of CARE Groups

What is the model?

Three equally important parts:

c Sharing a meal Wholistic CARE Groups

Left-Hand
d Word relevant & simple Illustration:

e Sharing Time - Community

- How was your -week?

Go make
- Anything to pray for?
- Leadership

- Accountability

- Equipping
He who begins with a little knowledge, in a
humble way, and tells what he knows, while
seeking diligently for further knowledge, will
find the whole heavenly treasure awaiting his
demand. The more he seeks to impart light,
the more light he will receive. The more one
tries to explain the word of God to others,
with a love for souls, the plainer it becomes
to himself. The more we use our knowledge
and exercise our powers, the more
knowledge and power we shall have.
Christ Object Lessons p.354
Our Discipleship Training

Source: FAST Team Tactics, www.fast.st

FAST is a tool we use in discipleship it takes TIME

FAST Survival Kit - 5 weeks

Keys to Surviving as a Christian

1. Amazing Grace
2. Looking to Jesus
3. Struggling with Sin
4. The Road Ahead
5. Fellowship

10 Bible-based key to
memorizing

Weekly objectives and lessons

for FAST Teams

Reference: SDA-based Discipleship Resource, www.fast.st

FAST is a tool we use in discipleship it takes TIME

FAST Survival Kit - 5 weeks

Keys to Surviving as a Christian

FAST Basic Training 9 weeks
1. Amazing Grace
2. Looking to JesusBible Secrets to Living for Christ
3. Struggling with Sin
1. The Call to Commitment
4. The Road Ahead2. The Morning Watch
5. Fellowship 3. Power Through Prayer
4. Down to Business
10 Bible-based key5.toThe Sword of the Spirit
memorizing 6. Personal Evangelism
7. Bands of Believers
8. The
Weekly objectives and Mystery of Multiplication
lessons
for FAST teams 9. The Life of Purpose

Works for all age groups,

practical and implementable

Reference: SDA-based Discipleship Resource, www.fast.st

FAST is a tool we use in discipleship it takes TIME

FAST Survival Kit - 5 weeks

Keys to Surviving as a Christian

FAST Basic Training 9 weeks
1. Amazing Grace
FAST
2. Looking to JesusBible Secrets to Living for Team Tactics 9 weeks
Christ
3. Struggling with Sin
1. The Call to Commitment
4. The Road Ahead2. The Morning Watch Bible Secrets to Power-Packed
5. Fellowship 3. Power Through Prayer Teams:
4. Down to Business
1. The Need of the Hour
10 Bible-based key5.toThe Sword of the Spirit
memorizing 6. Personal Evangelism2. House to House
7. Bands of Believers 3. Fellowship of the Spirit
8. The
Weekly objectives and 4. Incorruptible Seed
Mystery of Multiplication
lessons
for FAST teams 9. The Life of Purpose 5. The Engine of Love
6. Laboring for the Lost
7. Launching Out
Works for all age groups,
8. Divide and Conquer
practical and implementable
9. Finishing the Work!
Reference: SDA-based Discipleship Resource, www.fast.st
Sarah is Australian born Thai from a Buddhist background.

Pr Isaac Foo, Sarah Suvarnasara, Mrs Ellen Foo

Gateways Integrated Discipleship Model

SPIRIT LED
Youth Conference
Training & Seminars

Training
Training
Bible study together
Counsel Bible
Bible with new contacts
Oversees Teacher
Elders
Elders Teacher Coaching/Praying
Coach

Accountability
Serve Together
Ministry
Ministry
Coach them Leaders
Leaders New Members

Spiritual
Spiritual
Guardian
Guardian

Discipleship
Discipleship
Class
Class (FAST)
(FAST)
Training Care
Care Group
Group Primary Carer
Accountability Nurture
Skills Development Counsel
Accountability Discern Spiritual Gifts
Nurture Channel Gifts
Leadership Training Oversees their service
Teaching Development
Principles of CARE Groups

What is the model?

Three equally important parts:

c Sharing a meal Wholistic CARE Groups

Left-Hand
d Word relevant & Guidelines for Leadership
simple Illustration:

e Sharing Time - Community - Spiritual leadership

- How was your -week?

Go make - No seeker, No Care Group
- Anything to pray for?
- Leadership - Relational not head
knowledge
- Accountability
- Leaders are cared for
- Equipping
- Importance of Prayer

- Rubbing lives with people

 CARE Groups interstate and overseas !

USA
Hong Kong Taipei
Bangkok
Kuala Lumpur
Surabaya

Jakarta

Brisbane
International students in Melbourne Sydney
Gods work has no boundary
Return to Asia with eternal Education
Gateway as Church of Antioch Wellington
CARE Groups (Christ Attitude Reflected in Everyone) From 2 groups to 140 people!

Melbourne - Sept 2008

West Melb Melb University Swinburne Uni
NM Chinese Auburn
Hawthorn East
North Melb
Lookout

Carlton Gardens
East Melb
Vic Uni
Southbank
Yarraville Melbourne City

Oakleigh
Port Philip Bay
 #1 Visualising the End Game

#2 Principles of CARE groups

#3 FAQ : Frequently Asked Questions

REQUENTLY

SKED

UESTIONS
10 minute rule at Gateway

F. O. R. T.
Mingling Conversation
art of asking questions

F = Family / Friends

O = Occupation / Occupies Time

R = Religion

- What does your parent belief?

- Do you share the same belief?

T = Testimony
10 minute rule at Gateway

F. O. R. T. -Testimonies
Mingling Conversation Mingling Conversation
art of asking questions art of sharing sincerely (Acts 26)

F = Family / Friends A = My Life Before Jesus

O = Occupation / Occupies Time B = How I came to know Jesus

R = Religion C = My Life Now with Jesus

- What does your parent belief? Avoid

- Do you share the same belief? Long-winded Testimonies
Glorifying sin
T = Testimony Christianise jargon
How do I start a CG?

; You have received Care Group Training !

Find 2-3 other members : Share Vision and Values Together
As a CORE group start Discipleship Training
- e.g. FAST Survival and Basic Training
- Make a list of seekers to invite and pray for them each week together
Commitment to:
- Weekly
- Location (Home)
- Being a Leader
- Being a Carer
Agree on ALL Five Mandatory Wholistic ingredients at the start
- No seeker, No Care Group !
Celebrate at the end of the 6-8 week curriculum (Prayer & Party)
- www.gatewaysda.org | click Gallery > File Archive > CG Resource
How do I know my CG is growing?

Our measure must be about Spiritual Health Watch Holy Spirit work.
Reach the heart

Your success will not depend so much upon

your knowledge and accomplishments, as
upon your ability to find your way to the
heart.
Gospel Workers p.193

Seekers inviting friends sign of acceptance and comfortable with group

Seekers asking questions and moving to personal studies.

Ask three questions during mingle time: 1. Was it clear to you? 2. Did you
understand the topic? 3. What did you learn?
How do I get people involved and own the group?

Core members clear vision why the group exist

Seekers ownership and involvement (roles)

Everyone gets to share before prayer:

-- how is your week?
-- what did learn from the topic today?
-- what can we pray for you about?

Drawing people out

-- reminder members to MINGLE
-- leaders set the example
-- Simple Fellowship dinner makes it relaxing, open environment
-- no opinion render is wrong / be open to accept that is their current view
-- facilitation skills training for leaders
-- stop domineering people

All to pray - Group sharing and pair-prayers (get seekers to pray .. May be
next week?)
CG Language

We need to be careful on the use of words / jargons at CG.

-- do not use EGW material when we have many new seekers in care
group (reference for leaders only)
-- Bible and Bible only
-- Lead people to claim Bible promises

No church gossips or rumors at CG (not a second church board meeting).

How to handle members-only CG?

Talk to the leaders about vision and values.

Share with them slow death and death of a thousand cuts examples.

Nurture No!
Training Yes! Develop people into disciples

Check 5 finger principles with leadership get agreement

Pray for seekers or shut-down & redistribute resources

Accountability card : 1. Who do you pray for? 2. What did you do about it
this week? 3. What will you do next week? (Filter out)
How to help CG see that they are part of a larger church community?

We need to be careful that CG are not clique and become a para-church.

Each August we have an evangelistic meeting

200 1 2002 2003

Develop
City CARE
Groups
Crossroad
Monthly Sat Meeting
Afternoon
Outreach Monthly (Sat 4-8pm): Morning Weekly SS/Worship:
Program Lifestyle, Health, Bible, Career, Team Building, Quality preaching, Seeker-friendly
Needs-based programme, Seeker-friendly

August
Evangelism

Managing Change Management Plan

Change at Leaders Church Call to
Home Strategy Business Service
Church Meeting Meeting
We adopt a Cycle of Evangelism each year

We have adopted a cycle of evangelism in the city

(Reference: Pr Louis Torres Evangelism Model)

Sow Cultivate Harvest Nurture

Student Services Care Groups Ground Work 1 to 1 Bible Study

Day Trips / CG Social Invite to Church Evangelistic Meeting Discipleship Training

Easter Youth Camp Uni. Activities Bible School (Summer)

Social Activities Church Summer Camp

University O-Week

Team Effort: Pastors, Counsellors, Care

Group Leaders, Youth Leaders, Parents
and supporting Adults & Speaker.
Cycle of Evangelism Each August Evangelistic Meetings in the city
Seven (7) components of Evangelism

1. Program 2. Promotions 3. Welcome

Perform welcome,
Design, print, and
Plan program for all 9 ushering and registration
distribute personal
sessions and fill roles effectively with a fitting
invitations and promote
with the right people team. Setup Information
seminar to all areas
table.

4. Technical 5. Refreshments 6. Follow up

Ensure timely follow up

Coordinate and manage Provide adequate
with guests to retain
logistics needs of the refreshments at each
relationship during and
program on the day program
after evangelism

7. Prayer
How to help CG see that they are part of a larger church community?

Soul-winning CG are always looking for new people to join in:

-- Church ushering / welcome team

-- Evangelism ground work visitation and link topics

-- Evangelism follow-up visitations and invitation
-- During Evangelistic meeting members in ushering team

CG Coordinators are key trainers in the church (involved in overall

leadership)
How do I engineer departure of some people?

Be direct with them.

Divide up the group during study time.

For the group that is to be engineered out go through vision/values

and seek their agreement to 5 fingers. Otherwise stop the group.

Leaders/Elders to chat with them personally.

What measures are important to church leaders?

% of attendees in worship going to CGs

# of CGs

Ratio of seekers : members in CGs

# of trained leaders available for CGs (people that could lead new CGs)

Seeker Type:
GOLD Have 1-to-1 studies + Goes to CG and Goes to Church
SILVER Have 1-to-1 studies + Goes to CG OR Goes to Church
BRONZE Goes to CG
How to split CG? (multiplication)

Identify leadership early pray with them.

Same home meals together; two places for study+sharing time.

Share with seekers and others they have a choice.

Decision: friends, link person, topics, needs, location

Both leaders to make a proposed list of names and pray over the names.
Encourage and sell benefit of the groups.

Meet back once in 5 weeks to share the learnings.

What if there are no seekers in my group?

PRAY

Make a list of friends pray.

Run a letter-boxing in the neighbourhood pray.

Direct Evangelism SEARCH video, door knocking, work on project

together (1-2 people initiate it)

Read Gospel Workers p.136 Dream about ripen berries

What if a seeker got lots of questions but no one can give Bible studies?

PRAISE GOD!

Make a list of friends pray.

Work with Personal Ministry Leader who knows the resources available.

A member of the CG is to be involved in the study.

Offer 3-5 sessions for Q & A session (not Bible studies)

A REFORMATORY MOVEMENT

In visions of the night, representations passed before me

of a great reformatory movement among God's people.
Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other
miracles were wrought. A spirit of intercession was seen,
even as was manifested before the great Day of Pentecost.
Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families and
opening before them the word of God. Hearts were
convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of
genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors
were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The
world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly influence.
Great blessings were received by the true and humble
people of God. I heard voices of thanksgiving and praise,
and there seemed to be a reformation such as we
witnessed in 1844.. - 9T p.126
&