In 1971 the Founding President of The Way International, Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille, was inspired to set in motion an idea first employed by the Lord Jesus Christ: to send forth believers to speak and minister the Word of God in selected communities. Year after year committed believers, volunteering their time and energy, came to The Way International Headquarters to be trained and commissioned to bring the greatness of God’s Word to new areas of the world and to take advantage of the opportunity for accelerated spiritual growth.
This original inspiration matured into our present-day Disciples of the Way Outreach Program in 1995: each year teams of disciples are sent to designated areas in the U.S.A., and at times in other countries, to live the principles of the Word together and to boldly proclaim the accuracy of God’s Word. Way Disciples are graduates of the advanced class on The Way of Abundance and Power who want to maximize their spiritual growth by committing to serve in this unique six-month experience. This program is an outstanding opportunity for disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ to see the power of God at work in their own lives as they help others gain access to God’s abundance and power.
Jesus Christ is our example, and he commissioned his disciples to go forth as laborers into the harvest: they preached and brought much-needed deliverance to all who would receive.
Mark 6:7:
And he [Jesus Christ] called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits.
Luke 10:1 and 2:
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
When the seventy returned from their service as witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ, they returned with victory!
Luke 10:17-20:
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Today Way Disciples also go forth and get powerful results as witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Way Disciple life-style is an immersion in learning and living the Word. As soon as Advanced Class graduates are trained and commissioned as Way Disciples, they are provided an environment where they can be engaged in living the Word and becoming proficient in the basic principles of discipleship. Every aspect of the program is based on Biblical principles so that they are set up for success.
Way Disciples rise early in the morning, spending fruitful time in reading and studying the Bible and in prayer (Mark 1:35; Psalms 143:8). They faithfully speak the Word of God to others, disciplining their lives to forty hours a week of outreach-related activity. They go forth two by two to witness with God’s power, bringing answers and deliverance to those who seek the truth (Mark 6:7; Acts 26:18). Way Disciples hold part-time jobs to meet their basic needs, working heartily as to the Lord (Ephesians 4:28; Colossians 3:23). Within their teams (of one or more households) they work closely as they live and move the Word together, unified and strong (Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:3). They strive to see the Word elevated in their lives and in the lives of others, and God works in them mightily!
Before Jesus Christ sent out the twelve and later the seventy, he taught them the Word, prepared them, trained them, encouraged them, and gave them power. Today, Way Disciples also go forth with an abundance of instruction and training in the Word of God. As Advanced Class graduates, they are fully instructed in how to manifest holy spirit power. They also receive training in various aspects of outreach prior to being sent out in teams.
Because the Way Disciple program is so suited for accelerated spiritual growth, serving in the Way Disciple program in a leadership role is a part of The Way Corps training. This speaks loudly to the experience and learning opportunities that are afforded by serving as a Way Disciple.
The Way Disciple life-style fosters growth and development in various categories, as seen in the following excerpts from letters sent in by Way Disciples:
“I have grown in so many categories in my life: my knowledge of God and my boldness to speak the Word to someone I just met as well as to my friends are two examples. Most exciting for me, I’ve learned what it’s like to be where the Word is so clearly on the move. Being a Way Disciple also took me to a new place in my relationship with God. I know more about who I am in Christ and where I want to go with my commitment to God and His Word. I don’t think I could ever go back to where I was prior to this amazing adventure of learning and growth.”
“Before this year’s program began, I was told that I would experience accelerated spiritual growth. I could not comprehend that at the time. Now that I have completed the program I am amazed by the accuracy of that statement. I am not the same as I was six months ago. Beyond my time as a Way Disciple, I can see how dynamically the Word I learned and experienced can continue to impact my life and others. It is not just a program—it is a pattern for a more abundant and dynamic life.”
Highly honored in the ministry of The Way, Way Disciple Alumni serve in various capacities, building upon the valuable learning and disciplines they gained during their six-month Way Disciple experience.
The Disciples of the Way Outreach Program is an invigorating door of service for disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. They sharpen their spiritual abilities with others of like commitment while reaching out with the power of God’s Word. Rejoicing abounds as they bring deliverance to those who hunger and thirst for the truth of God’s Word. Way Disciples see God at work, confirming His Word with manifested power!
This is a reprint from the September/October 2012 issue of The Way Magazine.
Copyright© 2012 by The Way International. All rights reserved.
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