SOM Leadership

SOM International’s leadership training is built on the example of Christ.

SOM Beginnings

David served the persecuted and restricted Church from 1994–2008 with The Voice of the Martyrs. During that time, David saw God working in great power to make disciples and grow house churches in hostile and restricted nations. Not surprisingly, the way David saw God making disciples was the same way God made disciples in the early Church of Acts.

The believers in these church planting movements depended on the Scriptures. New believers engaged in sharing the Gospel and making disciples at great personal cost, even death. Believers formed mature and intimate relationships. All they had for discipleship was the Bible, the willingness to share it with others, and the commitment to obey Jesus.

Often, the Bible that the Persecuted Church used was not written. David and Cindy saw the first example of this in their friendship with Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand. Richard Wurmbrand was imprisoned for 14 years in post-WWII Communist Romania, and Richard and the other Christians imprisoned with him never had a Bible. Each man had part of the Bible stored in memory, “in their heart.” They shared that Scripture and used the “Living Word” to encourage, exhort, and strengthen each other.

Today around the world, the underground Church has the same experience. In many places, it is illegal or dangerous to carry a Bible. They testify that their heart is the safest place to store the Word of God.

Responding to persecution and inspired by the Holy Spirit, workers around the globe have developed oral methods to share and study the Bible inductively. At SOM International, we teach discipleship and evangelism tools grounded in the Bible.

SOM Leadership

DDM Discipleship Principles

Mission Purpose

Internationally Serving Leaders Who Risk Much for Jesus

Definition of a Leader

A leader is someone who influences others in a particular direction. We are servant leaders who sacrificially serve our international leaders who risk much for Jesus.

Leadership

Definition of a Disciple

 

A disciple hears and obeys God. Mark 12:28-34.

Witness

The Importance of Listening – to God and Others

 

To “hear and obey,” we must listen well, first to God and then to others. We listen to God by putting His Word in our hearts. By listening, we learn to love God and others and trust and obey Him. We find that the best way to listen is to ask great questions. Mark 12:28-34; Deut. 6:4-5.

Listening

Co-Leading – Every Disciple Is a Leader and a Learner

 

Many leaders contribute their skills. Every leader is unique in their gift set and talent. Every leader is a learner; therefore, we refine our discipleship skills in serving each other. Using this cooperative learning model enables all leaders to develop in maturity. 

co-Leadership

Multiplication

 

All disciples are disciple-makers. 

Multiplication