The idea of a mobile school of mission was planted in my mind following my trip to Kenya. In 2003, amidst a period of prayerful seeking for God’s direction, the concept became a commission, as I experienced the leading of the Holy Spirit directing me to:
Start working on a School of Mission and Ministry…and be prepared to take it anywhere in the world that I lead you…
Within a matter of weeks, having shared this with trusted associates, I received invitations to visit Houston, TX, USA and Léo, Burkina Faso to conduct Schools of Mission.
The idea of a mobile and modular ‘Academy’ of mission took shape in the wake of these formative experiences. The underlying philosophy was to ‘take the teaching to the leaders, rather than the other way around…saving the precious resources of those least able to afford them.’ The following brochure was produced to promote the concept:
The experience of Burkina Faso and the relationships that developed there led to my returning in 2005, having developed the mission teaching in PowerPoint format, in order to present the teaching to an annual conference of around 250 attendants.
During my 2008 visit I received a request, from Burkinabé leaders with whom I was working, to develop the teaching in textbook format, so that leaders and learners could follow the teaching simultaneously and also take it with them for further study and teaching in their own ministry contexts.
This coincided with my acceptance at Fuller Theological Seminary School of Intercultural Studies to embark upon a Doctor of Missiology cohort degree course. The goal of my doctoral studies has therefore been to research, analyse and develop my discipleship teaching curriculum so that it is appropriate — that is: practical, relevant and accessible — to leaders and learners within Burkina Faso.
The curriculum is presently being re-authored towards this goal, under the title of Maize Plant Discipleship.
