True discipleship at WGC prioritizes the role of each candidate’s sending church leadership with a focus on transforming the inner man—the heart—rather than merely modifying external behaviors. Is the Lord truly your delight and satisfaction? That’s the issue.
This approach ensures that the spiritual growth of students is genuinely Christ-centered and Spirit-rooted, leading to a life that honors God. In your most important areas of life this discipleship enhances the shepherding and oversight of the local church with WGC Disciplers aimed at complementing that primary relationship.
The Three-Tier Discipleship Process
Continuous Life-On-Life Mentorship
Disciplers and mentors at WGC commit to working closely with at least one sending-church elder or missions overseer. Together they guide students throughout their character development and cross-cultural preparation through the student’s time at WGC and well beyond. On the field, who better to continue to disciple missionaries than those who have gone before them and are also trusted—those who know them deeply already and care genuinely for their godliness in ministry? [Note: Men will disciple men and women will disciple women.]
In year one, a Whitefield Discipler and your church leader focus directly on your spiritual well-being, character, personal holiness and maturity.
In year two, Whitefield adds an additional Discipler who, Lord willing, is an experienced current or former missionary. Spiritual health and challenges that come (both spiritual and practical) from cross-cultural ministry are in view.
In year three, WGC will aim to add a third Discipler from a specific realm (or role) of ministry that is as close as possible to the realm you are striving to be in.
All three Disciplers will coordinate and work together in close connection with the primary sending church leader and elder board for the good of the graduate and the reputation of Christ in all things. These relationships don’t need to stop with graduation either. That accountability and encouragement will ideally carry on into ministry for many years to come.
Spiritual Growth
Disciplers at WGC emphasize being controlled by the Holy Spirit and dying to self which enables missionaries to live a life pleasing to the Lord as they walk in grace. What does it look like in shoe leather? It’s an increasing dependence on prayer and saturation in the Word of God. It’s prayer and then more prayer. It’s focused time being transformed by Scripture. It’s thinking and speaking in congruence with the fruit of the Spirit and an evident love for the body of Christ. Those are the trajectories that senders, faculty and Disciplers aim for with each student.
Pattern of Life and Attitude
The goal is for students to develop a consistent pattern of life and a hope-filled outlook that reflects their commitment to Christ. Life patterns and thought habits are molded, in part, by personal spiritual disciplines that keep one’s mind on the Lord’s return, who God is, what Christ accomplished and the eternal realities of heaven. It involves the mortification of worldly motives, sinful propensities and growth in living humbly by grace under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Long-Term Commitment
WGC remains dedicated to the lifelong spiritual development of each student as we are able, ensuring they are equipped to faithfully fulfill God’s calling in their lives and ministries. By adhering to these principles, WGC aims to facilitate graduates who are not only doctrinally equipped but are spiritually mature and prepared to make a significant impact for God’s kingdom and glory. And a component of that impact is cultivating the grit and commitment to serve long-term in gospel ministry cross-culturally, as the Lord calls them to persevere for decades to come.