Awakening the Need for Disciple-Makers

Billy McMahan • June 21, 2026

How Rising Spiritual Hunger is Exposing a Discipleship Gap in the Great Commission

For the last several years, I have been researching emerging leaders, writing about signs of awakening, and exploring how the Church can better engage the next generation. The more conversations I have, and the more I listen to young leaders, the more convinced I become of something simple but deeply important.

We do not have a willingness problem in the Great Commission.

We have a development problem.

God is stirring something in this generation. There are signs of awakening, renewed spiritual curiosity, and a growing openness to Jesus that feels different than what many of us have experienced before. At the same time, there is a deep hunger among young leaders for purpose, meaning, and mission. They are not disengaged from discipleship. In many ways, they are searching for it.

But awakening is moving faster than discipleship pathways can carry it.

And that creates a tension we cannot ignore.

Who will develop the people God is awakening?

Because revival without formation may create moments of momentum, but it rarely produces movements that last.

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What I keep encountering among emerging leaders is not resistance to discipleship, but longing for it. They are not primarily asking for more content, more access, or more platforms.

They are asking for long-faithful Jesus followers, to walk with them as they pursue all God that is stirring within them.

They want someone who will see them.

Someone who will believe in them.

Someone who will walk with them as they try to discern what faithfulness to Jesus actually looks like in their real life.

In my research on what I’ve called the Dreamer Generation, I keep seeing this same thread emerge. Young leaders are not only asking, “What do I believe?” They are asking, “What am I here for?”

They carry dreams of impact, dreams for the wrong to be made right, creativity, mission, leadership, and renewal. They want their lives to matter in God’s story. More often than not they are actually Kingdom dreams whether or not they know it.

But dreams, no matter how sincere, still require development.

Calling still requires cultivation.

And formation still happens best through relationships, not information, and not another church program.

This is where something important begins to surface.

The Church is not facing a lack of desire for discipleship.

We are facing the lack of proximity for discipleship to happen.

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In my article Signs of Awakening, I wrote about what I believe may be one of the most significant spiritual openings we have seen in a generation. Across campuses, churches, and ministry spaces, there is renewed interest in Jesus, renewed openness to spiritual things, and a sense that something is stirring beneath the surface.

Hunger is rising in this generation.

Awakening is stirring.

And momentum is building.

But history also teaches us something else.

Awakening alone is not enough to sustain movement.

Every awakening eventually runs into the same question: who will disciple the awakened?

Because revival does not just produce experiences. It produces people. And people must be formed.

The Church has always stood at this intersection, between what God is awakening and what God is forming. And the strength of any movement has always been dependent upon how well those two realities are held together.

Awakening creates openness. Discipleship creates depth. Awakening creates movement. Discipleship creates maturity.

And without both, something is always missing.

This is a call to every church, every organization, and every follower of Jesus.

Who are you intentionally discipling?

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For most of human history, discipleship was not primarily a system. It was a way of life. People were formed through proximity. Children learned from parents as they worked in the home and on the farm. Apprentices learned from masters. Faith was not crammed into an hour on Sunday morning and separated from everyday life, it was woven into it.

Over time, cultural shifts slowly changed those patterns. Work moved away from the home. Communities became more mobile. Life became increasingly segmented into institutions and systems designed for efficiency and scale.

The Church, often unintentionally, began to reflect those same patterns. Discipleship gradually became something we attend rather than something we inhabit. We became more skilled at communicating truth than we were at creating environments where truth is embodied through shared life.

And yet Jesus’ model never changed.

He did not primarily distribute content…

He invited people into His life.

They walked with Him.

Watched Him.

Learned from Him.

Ate with Him.

Served with Him.

And over time, they were shaped by proximity to Him.

This is why Dallas Willard described discipleship not as information transfer, but as apprenticeship under Jesus. Not just learning about Him, but learning to live like Him through life with Him.

That distinction matters more than we often realize.

Because it is the difference between being informed and being formed.

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We have a desire to send.

We are less intentional about forming.

But discipleship is what makes deployment possible.

And underneath that tension is an even deeper question about formation itself.

Are we forming missionary hearts… or just hoping they form themselves?

That question sits beneath much of what I see in the Church right now. It is one thing to celebrate mission, to champion going, to call people towards the nations with courage and conviction. But it is another thing entirely to shape the kind of people who actually carry that obedience over the long arc of their lives.

We cannot assume missionary conviction will simply appear over time. We cannot assume that passion for Jesus will automatically mature into willingness to leave comfort, risk security, and live sent lives for the sake of the gospel. That kind of heart is not accidental. It is formed.

And formation has always required proximity, investment, and intentional discipleship.

Before Jesus ever sent His disciples into the world, He formed them by showing them a new way of life. He shaped not only what they believed, but how they lived. He built within them a capacity for obedience that could endure both fear and failure, both sacrifice and uncertainty.

The formation came first.

The sending came later.

I am convinced that this is part of what we are feeling in this season, the gap between those two realities.

We are eager to send. We are not always as intentional about forming the kind of hearts that can sustain that sending.

And yet this is exactly where discipleship becomes most essential, not as information transfer, but as apprenticeship. A shared life that slowly forms courage, conviction, and clarity around following Jesus wherever He leads.

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The encouraging reality is that I believe God is already moving us toward the answer.

I see older leaders who are beginning to rediscover the joy of investment. Not just building things, but building people. I see churches beginning to recover the beauty of intergenerational relationships. I see young leaders who are not rejecting discipleship, but actively searching for it. And I see God quietly aligning those desires in ways that feel like grace.

This is where I find real hope.

Because I do not believe the solution is more complex.

I believe it is a return to something simple, but profoundly powerful.

Life on life discipleship.

The kind of discipleship that happens in conversation, in shared ministry, in everyday obedience, and in relationships where someone is willing to say…

“Come with me as I follow Jesus.”

Over the years, this conviction has shaped much of my work. It is also what led me to develop the DREAMER Discipleship framework, a simple pathway designed to help emerging leaders move from God-given potential to purposeful Kingdom impact. Not as a replacement for relationship, but as a tool that helps relationships become more intentional, more focused, and more fruitful.

Because when discipleship becomes intentional again, potential does not stay hidden. It gets developed.

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The Great Commission was never just about going.

It was about making disciples who make disciples.

Because without discipleship, going will never last.

And disciples are still formed the same way they have always been formed, through proximity, through investment, through shared life, and through people willing to walk with others as they follow Jesus.

If God is indeed stirring awakening in this generation, then perhaps the question before us is not whether He is moving.

The question is whether we are ready to disciple those He is awakening.

Because awakening is not the finish line.

It is the beginning of responsibility.

And how the Church responds in this moment may shape far more than a season.

It may shape generations.

This blog was written and generously contributed by Billy McMahan. Billy McMahan is the president of the Great Commission Research Network and SW Mobilizer with Africa Inland Mission. If you want to learn more about the Dreamer Generation, check out our conversation with Billy McMahan on the Global Missions Podcast in Episode 240: Mobilizing the Dreamer Generation.

Notes:

- McMahan, Billy. Signs of Awakening: Sparks of Revival and the Opportunity to Ignite the Next Great Missional Movement.

- McMahan, Billy. Crafting Leaders of Tomorrow.

- McMahan, Billy. Innovations in Engaging the Next Generation Towards Discipleship and Mission. Great Commission Research Journal, Vol. 16, Issue 2,

2024.

- Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’s Essential Teachings on Discipleship

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Our Imperfect Departure

By Ann Bowman • May 25, 2026

The day my daughter and her family left for their new role in missions was the proudest and saddest day of my life. They were traveling to the opposite side of the globe to serve in a third world country—with three children ages four, two, and newborn. At the airport, I pasted a smile on my face as I kissed the grandchildren and hugged my daughter and son-in-law. I stood watching outside the TSA barrier until they turned a corner and I had the last view of them. I walked slowly to the parking garage and started the four-hour drive home, but after only a few miles I had to pull over and weep. After all the planning and packing, my daughter and I had left too much unsaid. Perhaps we feared our words would hurt each other. I know I was trying so hard to be this strong, mature Christian mom—or whatever I thought that was supposed to look like. I had deep emotions that I didn’t know how to process. My daughter and her husband later told us that someone along the way during training had told them that parents were the biggest obstacle to young missionaries going onto the field. That kept them from opening up to us about their fears and concerns. They carried all of that alone. How much stronger we could have been by sharing our feelings, perhaps crying together and praying for one another and reaffirming our love for each other. My husband and I raised our daughter in a church that supported missions. We often hosted missionaries in our home for fundraising. So in a way, it was natural for our daughter to choose to serve overseas. Yet, when they left, we were still gut-wrenched. I felt guilty for hurting when my daughter and her family were obviously following God’s leading. I came to realize that my emotions weren’t a sign of spiritual immaturity but instead an opportunity and an indication that I needed to draw near to God and let Him teach and heal me. Learning from our experience, I would offer the following advice for a more healthy departure. For parents who are sending off their missionaries, I would encourage lots of open dialogue in the season leading up to leaving for the field. Be honest about your feelings even if they may be hard for your children to hear. Be careful to maintain a non-manipulative manner. The goal is not to change their mind but rather to get on the same team and be supportive. I would be careful to respect your adult children’s decisions and convey that to them. If you have reservations, you might express that once, but then be quick to listen to their response. Ask how you can pray for them. Work out ways to stay in communication and video chat with the grandchildren. I certainly had concerns about the third-world environment where my daughter and her husband were taking the young children. What if they got sick? I worried about the lack of car seats where they were going. I had such a long list of concerns caused by my fears. The bottom line was that I had to trust my daughter and her husband and their ability to listen to God. Most importantly, I had to continuously put my faith in God’s ability to protect my missionary family. If you are the goer, or person leaving for the field, I urge you to be patient with your parents. It may take time for their emotions to catch up as they deal with the loss of being in close contact with you. Let your parents know that they are still important to you and your grandchildren. As unreasonable as it may seem, I felt a sense of rejection and of being unneeded by my daughter and her family. Your parents may feel the same way, and conveying their continued importance in your life will go a long way toward healing the hurts. Missionaries often mention lack of emotional support or approval from their parents as a major detractor while on the field. If your parents are not believers or do not offer their blessing to your work, it is good to continue giving them love and respect. As kindly as possible, explain your convictions and let them know that serving overseas is something you must do as you follow God’s leading. Perhaps your example and continued love and respect for them will be a catalyst in their life to become believers or go deeper in their faith. If conversations between parents and those leaving become unhealthy or heated, seeking help from a professional counselor can be a great step to take. I spoke with two counselors and asked their advice before writing this article. I was reminded that there are certain guidelines to use when having difficult conversations. Often it isn’t what is said but how it is said. Be sure to start statements with “I feel,” showing that you own your emotions, rather than “you always,” which sounds like an accusation. Once the other person feels attacked, they will shut down and likely not hear anything that you have to say. Keep the goal of the conversation in mind and not your list of frustrations. The goal is to have unity and mutual respect and to become a support to each other while living on different sides of the world. As goers, you need your parents’ support; let them know how important that is to you. As the senders, it helps your adult children to receive your emotional and spiritual blessing after any contentious conversation. I have learned to frequently convey to my children on the field that I am proud of them. They need to hear it every time we talk because they are following God into difficult situations with plenty of criticism coming from other arenas. We are told in 1 Peter 5:8 that there is an enemy, Satan, who is constantly circling among us, seeking ways to devour believers. May we learn to stand firm, freely giving encouragement and support to help our missionaries serve without the added weight of discord from home. This blog was written by and generously contributed by Ann Bowman. Ann Bowman is the author of I Never Signed Up for This: One Mother’s Journey to Surrender Her Children to Their Calling . Her author website, NeverSignedUpforThis.com , has an email contact form and links to her articles and podcasts.

The Sending Triangle: Helping Global Workers Launch Well

By Greg Salvo • April 27, 2026

The sending triangle is a crucial element in making sure a cross-cultural worker thrives from start to finish. Each entity (or corner of the triangle) is vital to the success of the mission. The sending church is tasked with commissioning workers, gathering the human resources for Advocacy Teams (more on these team later), mobilizing financial partners and prayer partners, and providing the spiritual and pastoral care for each commissioned worker. The sending agency is responsible for clear and consistent strategy, coaching, and ongoing spiritual care through the entirety of the global worker’s career. The global worker is responsible for recruiting partners in prayer, financial, and other supportive relationships that will sustain them on the field. The global worker is also responsible for pursuing the mission, obediently following Christ, and in time, becoming an expert on the field. When all three parties communicate and co-labor well, the mission at hand has the greatest chance for effectiveness and success. The sending church remains actively engaged, the sending agency actively supports the mission and the worker, and the global worker has their ongoing needs for community, advocacy, and support met. Sending Church Responsibilities (Shepherd Focus) Initial Commissioning This initial period is for the church to identify the sent ones among them and launch the global worker well. Resources are collected to support them, advocacy teams installed for their ongoing care, and a plan is established for the spiritual care of the worker. Develop an Advocacy Team An Advocacy Team is the most tangible expression of the body of Christ’s commitment to support missionaries. This team coordinates, supports, and encourages the missionary units (single, couple, or family). The Advocacy Team also serves as the global workers’ representatives to their local body. The team exists to provide strong personal relationships, where the cross-cultural workers can be open and honest, allowing them to share needs, wins and losses, and provide a confidential environment of support and trust. Ongoing Spiritual, Relational, and Congregational Support The entire local church needs to be involved in supporting missionaries. Just as NASA would not simply light a rocket’s fuse without providing operational support, the role of the church and the global worker is to consistently communicate regarding the mission. After all, it is a shared mission between those carrying out the work and those facilitating it from the ground, ensuring adjustments in trajectory are made along the way. This is where the ongoing work of the Advocacy Team is critical to a well-executed mission. Sending Agency (Apostolic Focus) Clear Strategy The sending organization helps the candidate create a clear strategy aligned with the overall mission of the sending agency and sending church. The mission agency commits to continuing to provide clear strategy throughout the global worker’s terms on the field and into resettling. Coaching Success comes through committed coaches empowering the global worker to flourish on the field. The mission agency collaborates with the worker to create ministry action plans, language acquisition strategies, and cross-cultural training. Ongoing Strategic, Coaching, and Spiritual Alignment Global workers need to receive regular spiritual guidance from the sending organization while on the field. This means the mission agency provides ongoing support through counseling, spiritual direction, and pastoral support. Providing ongoing spiritual alignment is vital for the global worker to abide in community, abide in Christ, and stay steadfast in mission readiness. Global Worker: (Field Focus) Sent Ones The global worker determines that they are called by God to become a cross-cultural servant. They wait and grow in faithfulness while their sending church and sending organization is established and begins working towards developing a support structure. This includes financial partners, advocacy teams, and advice from church leaders, as well as with the leaders in the sending organization. Co-Laborers Co-laboring with Christ starts before, during, and after the worker arrives on the field. Language acquisition and orientation to cross-cultural life bring great ministry opportunities. The global worker begins to execute the vision God gave to go and make disciples. Becoming Experts on the Ground In time, the global worker becomes the expert on the ground for the sending church. The worker communicates with the sending church (and the sending agency) about local needs and how both the church and agency can support the mission through advocacy, funding, in-person visits, or technical support from afar. A sending triangle framework where all three parties are uniquely responsible for the success of the mission is often neglected in missiology today. We believe it is important to recognize the needs and responsibilities of all three entities. The local church is not simply responsible for sending dollars overseas, but to be fully devoted to sending and supporting global workers well. The sending agency is responsible for providing strategic, missional, and spiritual support while consistently communicating with the other parties involved. Finally, the global worker is responsible for being intentional in their relationship with their sending church and in routine communication with the sending agency regarding important life events and mission critical adjustments. When these three entities work together, we will see the fruits of our shared missional success as Europe (and beyond) is transformed by Jesus. This blog was written by Greg Salvo and generously contributed by Greater Europe Mission US. You can read the original post here .

Our Top 10 Favourite Episodes

By GMT Admin • March 21, 2026

As we reflect on this, we want to say a big thank you to all of our listeners; whether you’ve been here from the start or if you’ve just discovered us, we’re so thankful for you! The reason we can provide resources like this is because of God’s grace and your commitment. To celebrate this milestone, we’ve put together a list of our top ten favourite podcast episodes for you to enjoy. We hope they will both encourage your heart and further equip you as you continue to explore your involvement in the Great Commission. Happy listening! 10. #040: Well Sent – What is the Church’s Role in Sending Missionaries? In this episode, we explore Steve Beirn’s book Well Sent and take a look at what church involvement looks like in missions. We discuss the key roles of the churches in being active participants in identifying and preparing potential missionaries in their congregations. You’ll also learn tips on how to better support missionaries overseas as well as the work they are doing. 9. #238: Loving the Pieces of Purple in Our Midst Michèle Phoenix dives into her own story to share personal experiences and practical insight on the challenges and beauty of growing up as a Missionary’s Kid. In her book Pieces of Purple, Michèle offers guidance for churches and individuals on how to better understand, support, and care for Third Culture Kids with empathy, intentionality, and grace. 8. #099: What is the Great Commission? Paul Borthwick, the author of Great Commission, Great Compassion, guides the listener into a deeper understanding of the Great Commission and how it can apply to all Christ-followers regardless of their own personal context. In this discussion, Paul shares practical advice and examples on how believers can be participating in the Great Commission in their daily lives. 7. #242: The Case for Co-Vocational Ministry This episode explores the growing movement of co-vocational ministry, which is a model that intentionally integrates one’s everyday work with missional engagement and can be applied to both local churches and global contexts. Dr. Brad Brisco takes this time to unpack the theology of work, clarify the differences between bi-vocational and co-vocational ministry, and share why this long-term approach can strengthen church planting, missionary sustainability, and missional imagination. 6. #065: Is Every Christian a Missionary? Denny Spitters and Matthew Ellison explore their book When Everything is Missions to help us re-discover what a missionary is. Pointing to Scripture, they challenge Christ-followers to be intentional in developing a biblical understanding of missions as they consider their own role in participating in the Great Commission. 5. #203: How Local Churches Can Care for Missionaries at Every Stage In this conversation, Ryan Martin shares different components of member care that churches can be involved in. He discusses aspects of what member care can look like during the pre-field, on-field, and post-field stages of a missionary’s life, and this episode will help you spark ideas and take practical steps to care well for those who are sent by your church. 4. #128: 5 Things Everyone Should Understand About Missionaries Jonathan Trotter, co-author of Serving Well, helps the audience grow in their understanding of what life can be like for missionaries. Gleaning from his own experience as a mission worker and counselor, Jonathan shares five ideas that can help sending churches better empathize with and support their cross-cultural workers as they walk through life alongside them. 3. #179: Sending Churches and Partner Agencies: Finding a Great Match Ellen Livingood, founder and director of Catalyst Services, shares from her own experiences about what factors should contribute to a church’s decision of which mission agency to partner with. Ellen takes a look into this decision making process and provides several helpful questions that will guide your church as they navigate these important choices. 2. #121: 3 Principles for Growing a Healthy Church Pastor Bradley Bell of The Upstream Collective highlights some tools that are specifically designed for pastors and church leaders to help them lead their church in missions. Our host, Mags, and Bradley discuss three elements that characterize a healthy sending church along with practical resources that can help busy church leaders be more effective in their missions ministry. 1. #166: What does the Bible Say About Missions? Author of On Mission Together: Integrating Missions into the Local Church, Richard Noble, shares his insights on the biblical foundations for missions throughout the Old and New Testaments. Through an in-depth exploration into the theology of missions, you will be encouraged and inspired as this episode reflects on God’s promises and commands throughout Scripture. Once again, thank you so much for your support! We’re committed to providing excellent resources for you and your church, so feel free to check out our other podcasts and blogs. As always, if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, we would love to connect with you; feel free to reach out at info@globalmissionstoolbox.com.

Honouring and Supporting Single Mission Workers

By GMT Admin • February 6, 2026

Single mission workers are a key part of God’s Kingdom work. Even though they play such a crucial role in fulfilling the Great Commission, they can often be a demographic that is overlooked. With that in mind, here are some practical things to consider when caring for singles in missions.

A Holistic Approach: Involving the Whole Church in Missions

By GMT Admin • January 19, 2026

While only a few people might actually go overseas or into a specific ministry, the mission work isn’t only for them; it’s God’s work and He invites all those who follow Him to partake in fulfilling the Great Commission. There are countless ways to incorporate missions into every aspect of the local church, and we’ve listed a few here for you to help you get your creativity flowing! We want to help you discover ways to involve your whole church in God’s Kingdom work.

Advice for Debriefing Short-Term Mission Trips

By GMT Admin • December 8, 2025

Going on a short-term mission trip is a wonderful opportunity for people of any age to see the work that God is doing in the world. While there are countless things to be learned throughout the trip, one crucial aspect that can be easily overlooked is the debriefing process. Without taking proper time to reflect, […] The post Advice for Debriefing Short-Term Mission Trips appeared first on Global Missions Toolbox.

5 Tips for Sending Care Packages this Christmas

By GMT Admin • November 25, 2025

Care packages can be a key way to support overseas mission workers. The holidays can be an especially difficult time for those who are a long way from their home and family. Receiving a care package can be a way to both provide for a need they have and encourage them. As the Christmas season […] The post 5 Tips for Sending Care Packages this Christmas appeared first on Global Missions Toolbox.

A Guided Reflection on the Ultimate Mission: Easter

By GMT Admin • April 17, 2025

As we prepare our hearts for Easter, our team wants to offer a space for you to reflect on Jesus’ ministry as the perfect template for missions. Indeed, He was sent (Jn 20:21), He left (Jn 3:13), He loved (Jn 15:8), He served (Mk 10:45), He sacrificed (Eph 5:2), He commissioned (Mt 28:18-20), and He […] The post A Guided Reflection on the Ultimate Mission: Easter appeared first on Global Missions Toolbox.

Why Should We Care About Missions?

By GMT Admin • March 7, 2025

This blog was written by Leanne Monge Barrera and generously contributed by Greater Europe Mission Canada. You can read the original post here. Do you remember your first exposure to missions? If you grew up in a Christian church, perhaps the idea was first planted in Vacation Bible School. There we would be regaled of […] The post Why Should We Care About Missions? appeared first on Global Missions Toolbox.

A Month of Missions-Minded Prayer

By GMT Admin • February 20, 2025

This blog and accompanying resource were developed by Leanne Monge Barrera and generously contributed by Greater Europe Mission Canada. You can find the original post here. Click on any of the following categories to download this prayer guide for pastors, for missions committees, or for friends and families. Prayers are vital to the longevity and […] The post A Month of Missions-Minded Prayer appeared first on Global Missions Toolbox.