Did you ever come across the
TED Talk by Derek Sivers called, “How to start a movement?” In this talk, he draws lessons from a famous viral YouTube video sometimes referred to as “Shirtless Dancing Guy.”
Sivers pulls out some great lessons. He rightfully establishes that it takes guts to be a leader, out front, looking ridiculous. But he also goes on to point out that the first follower transforms a lone nut into a leader. He concludes, “If the leader is the flint, the first follower is the spark that makes the fire.”
Here at Emerald Hills, Team Expansion is trying to spark a movement. How are we doing that? First, we’re training “shirtless dancing guys” (crazy enough to try missions) to be courageous with their faith.
Next, we dare bold followers to walk alongside them, igniting fires wherever unreached peoples can be found.
The results have been nothing short of amazing. If you had told me a decade ago that our workers (and the people with whom we partner) would have baptized 1,680 people in one year, my eyes would have misted with tears. But that’s exactly what happened in 2016.
So now, there are 1,680 additional “second followers” who are trying to reach and train “third followers,” who are trying to reach “fourth followers,” and so on, in hopes of sparking a huge tidal wave of new believers around the planet.
In fact, our best research now indicates that, every weekend, well over 23,000 people meet in groups to worship, learn more, and to multiply their faith in others. Just last year, they multiplied their groups 310 times… in one year!!!
All of this seems so impossible — which begs the question, why is it happening? Our conclusion: Because of prayer and good training.
Will you walk alongside of us? Will you be a “first follower” by helping transform a Team Expansion worker (a lone nut) into a leader? If so, thank you! Your prayers and partnership are what multiplies the Good News.
Thank you for your shared vision!
Financial Report for Emerald Hills: August 2017
