Impacting Eternity: A Practitioner's Guide for Sustained Movement Expansion
Ebook
Growing from 4 to 400 Generations
We’ve heard stories about disciple-making movements that are sweeping the globe, transforming the way people are coming to Christ in places like Asia, western Africa, and South America. We’ve learned specific principles and strategies to encourage such movements. If only we had a book that combined empirical research with established missiological practice. Now we do.
Impacting Eternity builds on multi-dimensional research performed over a period of years. Its findings have been refined in practice within three different movements that the author helped to facilitate. Robert Reach gives seven concrete, root principles that bear kingdom fruit. This is not merely information that might work; it has proven effective in the trenches of movement life resulting in miraculous growth. Reach has found that his 5-5-5 methodology is very effective, but instead of promoting it, he helps readers think about the underlying leadership dynamics that spark and sustain a movement.
We cannot see the Spirit, but we see his work in our lives. In the same way, the visible leaves and fruit of a movement have many hidden roots. And so, we must pay attention. This book can help you learn to recognize and follow God’s Spirit as he accomplishes his purposes among the nations.
Foreword by Curtis Sergeant
Preface
Chapter 1: A Look Inside Jesus Movements
Chapter 2: A New Testament Jesus Movement
Chapter 3: Roland Allen: A Prophet of Modern Jesus Movements
Chapter 4: Donald McGavran: A Father of Modern Movements
Chapter 5: Understanding How Movements Work
Chapter 6: The Root Principles
Chapter 7: Leadership Best Practice #1: Depend upon the Presence and Power of the Spirit
Chapter 8: Leadership Best Practice #2: Catalyze a Decentralized Movement
Chapter 9: Leadership Best Practice #3: Learning Communities Develop New Leaders
Chapter 10: Leadership Best Practice #4: Foster Obedience-Based Discipleship
Chapter 11: Leadership Best Practice #5: Empower God’s Saints for Works of Service
Chapter 12: Leadership Best Practice #6: Foster a Self-Supporting System
Chapter 13: Leadership Best Practice #7: Develop Patterns That Are Reproducible
Chapter 14: Next Steps
Bibliography
Appendix: A Comprehensive Listing of References to Jesus (‘Isa) in the Qur’an
Robert M. Reach brilliantly weaves his extensive field experience with biblical foundations. He gives the readers an overview of movements-thinking using stories and illustrations that have worked over the decades.
Steve Addison
Movement Catalyst
Author, Acts and the Movement of God
For years, mission-focused leaders have looked in awe at the Acts of the Apostles, hoping to glean understanding into how to effectively fulfill the Great Commission. Through prayer, fasting, and personal surrender, the Lord has helped Robert Reach discover what has been right in front of the church for centuries—the Book of Acts was not the beginning of the radical discipleship movement of the early church. Christ himself was the first practitioner of making multiplying disciples. The Gospels are the template for a multiplying Jesus movement. Reach and his network of movement leaders have faithfully applied, learned, and improved on the best practices of our Lord Jesus. The fruit is real, multiplying, and God-glorifying.
I personally pray that there is a global revival of obedience and faithfulness to following in the steps of Jesus to make multiplying disciples. I believe that the principles shared herein are a key piece of the puzzle. I pray that they will be read, understood, and applied to God’s glory.
Matt Brennan
CEO, DIR Holdings, LLC & GROVE
If you desire a real firsthand feel of what Jesus is up to in cities, villages, neighborhoods, and families around the globe—through faithful disciple-makers on the ground—you need to read Robert M. Reach’s Impacting Eternity. The stories throughout this book will inspire and deeply move you; the root principles revealed behind disciple-making movements will be transformative for you; and the thrust of this book will leave you challenged to discover how Jesus wants to move through you. A must-read for every disciple of Jesus that wants to make a real difference!
Dave Buehring
Founder and President, Lionshare
Author, A Discipleship Journey
Beginning with a brief history of “movements,” Robert Reach summarizes core principles gleaned and lessons learned from his work in facilitating movements, from inception to sustained expansion. Impacting Eternity is indeed “A Practitioner’s Guide.” Importantly, it is written by a seasoned practitioner who has been in the trenches, not an academician theorizing from an ivory tower. Reach’s book is grounded, not just in his experience around the world (both the successes and failures), but also in research he has conducted and the study of data he has gathered over several decades. He advocates empowering new believers to take ownership of evangelism and discipleship within their cultural context.
I commend this book to those wanting to come alongside new believers and leaders in a manner that may result in a movement, so that they, in turn, can “get out of the way” as the Lord brings the increase.
Myron F. Goodwin, PhD
Missions Pastor, Grace Chapel, Franklin, TN
Having known Robert Reach for over ten years and having been involved in investigating the principles in his book "in the field" of Southeast Asia, I have seen firsthand the fruit that is supported by the seven root factors and best leadership principles he describes. It is undeniable that this Jesus Movement he reveals, and the spirit-led strategy that is unpacked in this book, will serve as a wise counsel for those willing to humbly look beyond the traditional Western approaches and tap into the power of this incredible movement of God.
James J. Jerozal, Jr.
International Impact Pastor, Christ Community Church, South Elgin/St. Charles, Illinois
The love language of a Disciple Making Movement (DMM) is healthy and rapid multiplication of disciples, leaders, intercessors, small groups, and churches. This is the reason why I am calling passionate practitioners to join me in endorsing Impacting Eternity. With more than thirty years’ personal experience as a DMM Trainer, Coach, and Practitioner, I endorse the content of the book because of its creativity, simplicity, and the intentionality of the author in laying out kingdom principles that catalyze the rapid multiplication of disciples and disciple-makers.
The book provides an insight into Jesus’ movements, the fresh 5-5-5 methodology, the Fruit, Roots, Branches of movements, and most importantly, the recommended 7 leadership best practices. The cited examples and stories can be applicable to every disciple-making culture around the world.
Rev Shodankeh Johnson
New Harvest Ministries, Sierra Leone, West Africa
Robert Reach uses the Bible as the basis for emphasizing the power of the Holy Spirit. With this power, every disciple can fulfill Jesus's Great Commission by training, developing, and multiplying disciples.
Ying Kai
Training for Trainers (T4T) Founder
Robert Reach is a remarkable individual who epitomizes the principles he teaches and walks out in faith. As a fellow member of the board of directors, I have witnessed his unwavering commitment to his mission to advance the gospel. Personally, I had the privilege of visiting a house church in Asia, where I listened to their stories, prayed for them in the face of persecution, and saw the transformative impact of Robert's methods. His approach combines tested strategies with adaptable flexibility, enabling seamless integration into diverse cultural contexts. Robert's work is truly effective, proven, and embodies the perfect balance of structure and adaptability.
Matt McCauley
CEO LogoBrands, Franklin, TN
As someone who has journeyed with Robert Reach and his team’s ministry these past twenty years on two continents, I can testify to the stunning fruitfulness the Lord has wrought. This is due in no small part to applying the learnings, practices, and support systems described in this book. We all have to decide how we are going to relate to something new we see the Lord doing.
I commend this book to you to gain a deeper insight into this new paradigm called movement.
Brett Nordick
The R. B. Nordick Foundation
If the modern church has proven anything, it’s that our preaching, programs, and piety are not enough to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth. In Impacting Eternity, we’re not given mere rhetoric or theory, but a tested and proven strategy for multiplicative discipleship that has already been effectively reaching both Western and Eastern cultures for over fifteen years.
In the following pages, you will find a powerful convergence of real-world research and kingdom principles that are both comprehensive and applicable in any context around the globe. If you want to see the Spirit of God begin a movement of multiplicative discipleship in your part of the world, a movement that will live longer and reach farther than you can imagine, God has given you a gift in Robert Reach’s work. This book is for you.
Rob Rogers
Pastor, Grace Chapel, Franklin, TN
I’ve known Robert Reach for over thirty years as an active board member of his ministry. I’ve travelled with him, prayed with him, and seen his life up close and personal. I also know the leaders in his movements. I’ve watched these movements grow and develop from an idea into a huge reality, like the mustard seed becoming a massive tree. This book reveals the inner workings of the Spirit as he led Robert, step-by-step, in ways that often contradicted the Western worldview of how the kingdom grows. Let the Spirit speak to you as you read this book and confirm in your heart what will impact eternity in your life and context.
Harry Shields
Former Owner, International Computer Sales and Service Companies
Robert Reach's book is well documented, thoroughly researched, globally helpful, and powerfully practical for anyone desiring to be used by God to usher large numbers of lost to salvation through multiplying disciples.
As a rigorous researcher, hands-on practitioner, and historian familiar with past century seminal movement thinkers, he is uniquely qualified to systemize root principles operative from the book of Acts to modern-day South Asia.
I have known Robert for decades. From South Asia to West Africa, key local apostles follow his guidance, implement his root principles and praise God that a Westerner clothed in humility never demands credit or puts his real name on what so obviously is a genuine fruitful work of the Holy Spirit.
Bill Smith
Movement Practitioner, Trainer, Coach, and Former Strategy Coordinator
It has been said that four ingredients are necessary to start a movement: 1) dissatisfaction with the current system; 2) knowledge of a better way; 3) known first steps; and 4) possessing the first three in greater proportion than the inertia of the status quo. If that’s true, then Robert Reach has provided all the necessary ingredients used by the Spirit of God to produce and sustain disciple-making movements around the globe. That’s exciting!
Terry Tieman
Transforming Churches Network
Having served on the board of Robert Reach’s mission organization for fifteen years, I have witnessed firsthand as the Lord has inspired and led Robert’s movement work. Robert is uniquely gifted with a nimbleness and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit that allows the Lord to both use and flow through him to grow his kingdom. The exponential inspiration of the 5-5-5 strategy is nothing short of groundbreaking. Robert’s style of equipping crosses cultural barriers by embracing the culture of each community and its unique connection to Christ. I have been immensely blessed to watch Robert’s movements and strategy grow and have no doubt, regardless of your stage or position in life or in the ministry, this book will bless you as well.
Jinanne West
Chairperson and Board Member
- Title: Impacting Eternity: A Practitioner's Guide for Sustained Movement Expansion
- Author: Robert M. Reach
- Publisher: William Carey Publishing
- Print Publication Date: 2023
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781645084891, 9781645084877, 1645084876, 1645084892
- Resource ID: LLS:9781645084891
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-09-17T07:39:27Z
Robert M. Reach began foreign mission work in 1965, spending two summers training under Dr. Donald McGavran. Robert then completed college, earned a master's degree, got married, and started a family. Robert traveled to sixty-five countries ministering to national pastors and church leaders, some more than fifty times. Later in life, he began researching people movements and developed a pilot project in SE Asia. Now with the movements having more than 1.5 million disciples of Jesus, Robert has learned the fundamentals of how to initiate, facilitate, develop, and multiply a self-funding, self-propagating, and self-governing mass people movement of disciples of Jesus Christ.