The 2023 Media4Movements Consultation marked a pivotal moment in the global landscape of Disciple Making Movements (DMM). These rapidly expanding movements have witnessed over 2,000 multiplying movements among the Unreached Peoples, resulting in an astounding 115 million new believers and 9 million churches within the last decade.
In May, the first-ever in-person Media4Movements Consultation brought together key players from the M4M Coalition and Movement Leaders representing church planting movements in Africa, South Asia, and South East Asia. The primary aim was to learn from movement leaders how to best harness the powerful potential of media, technology and the arts in catalyzing and advancing DMM efforts. Movement leaders shared how all media needs to be adapted for use among their movements.
One particularly inspiring success story shared during the event was a movement network reporting a staggering 800,000 new believers from a Muslim background over the past 5 years. This remarkable growth highlighted the unprecedented work of God among the Unreached, igniting a wave of transformation and hope.
The consultation emphasized the critical role of Coalition ministries in supporting and empowering movement leaders through various media tools. Many of the unreached people cannot read and yet need consistent mentoring materials. Collaborative efforts, such as providing solar-powered audio Bible players, equipping leaders with smartphone skills for producing their own videos, setting up small production studios, and offering coaching on media integration, have significantly boosted the impact of DMM strategies.
Plenary sessions featured stirring testimonies from the field, recounting how media adoption has led to the rapid multiplication of movements. Notably, the use of indigenous worship music and Scripture songs, along with leveraging social media platforms, paved the way for the establishment of new house churches. These media forms resonated deeply with local cultures and bridged literacy barriers, conveying messages effectively through music and visuals.
A highlight of the consultation was the roundtable discussions, fostering meaningful interactions between movement leaders and supportive ministries. The event concluded with a powerful time of collective prayer, with participants standing on a large world map, offering heartfelt prayers for the millions who still await the message of Jesus. There was a profound sense of urgency to accelerate efforts in translating and recording the Bible in the mother tongue languages, ensuring universal access to God’s word.
As the 2023 Media4Movements Consultation concluded, a resounding sense of hope and determination permeated the atmosphere. Empowered by collaboration and media integration, participants left inspired to amplify the growth of Disciple Making Movements, coming alongside and serving Movements leaders who are multiplying disciples and churches among the unreached.
