Vision Rediscovered

GEN: A Call to Rediscover Jesus’ Vision

What do millions of spiritual seekers—migrants, post-Christian youth, and the curious—long for but rarely find in the American church? True Ekklesia. Today, a generation is captivated by Jesus, not institutions. Bible sales are soaring, but people crave the living Body of Christ, not a polished business. They yearn for authentic relationships, not religion. This is our moment! Imagine a movement where every heart finds belonging, every home becomes a sanctuary, and the Spirit moves freely. Let’s cast a vision for the Ekklesia—a vibrant, Jesus-centered community that transforms lives and cities alike.

Imagine stepping into a home in Ephesus or Philippi, where the early believers gathered as the Ekklesia, the called-out community of Jesus. These were not grand cathedrals but simple homes filled with the warmth of fellowship, the power of the Spirit, and the hope of the gospel. The Ekklesia was a living, breathing movement, pulsing through multiple homes in a city, each gathering a unique expression of Christ’s body.

A Tapestry of Homes

In places like Ephesus, the Ekklesia wasn’t confined to one building. It thrived in clusters of homes—each a hub of worship, prayer, and shared life. Families, neighbors, and even strangers welcomed one another, breaking bread together, their voices rising in songs of praise. These gatherings were intimate, often no more than a dozen or two, creating space for every voice, every gift, and every heart to connect deeply with Jesus and each other.

Sharing the Word

When a letter from Paul or another apostle arrived, it was a sacred moment. Picture a small group huddled around a scroll, the reader’s voice carrying words of encouragement, correction, and hope. The letter wasn’t just read—it was savored, discussed, memorized, and obeyed. Messengers carried these precious words from house to house, ensuring every gathering in the region heard the same truth. Copies were made, and the message spread like wildfire, uniting the Ekklesia across homes in love and purpose.

Spiritual Gifts in Action

The Spirit moved freely in these gatherings. Someone might prophesy, sharing a word from God that stirred hearts. Another might pray in tongues, while a third offered an interpretation. Healings and miracles were not rare spectacles but common expressions of God’s power, as believers laid hands on the sick or spoke words of deliverance. Every person was a vessel, their gifts weaving together to build up the body in real-time, Spirit-led harmony.

The Depth of Fellowship

Fellowship in the Ekklesia was not a casual handshake after a service. It was a family forged in vulnerability and sacrifice. They shared meals, possessions, and burdens, confessing sins and praying for one another. No one was left on the fringes; the poor, the widow, and the outcast found belonging. This was a community where “one another” was a way of life—loving, serving, and bearing each other’s joys and sorrows.

Miracles and the Power of God

Miracles were woven into the fabric of the Ekklesia. Healings, deliverances, and divine provision were regular occurrences, testifying to a living God who was near. These acts weren’t reserved for apostles but flowed through ordinary disciples empowered by the Spirit. The sick were restored, the oppressed set free, and the impossible became reality, fueling their faith and drawing others to Christ.

Apostolic (and full APEST) Coaching

Apostles like Paul didn’t lord over these groups but coached them with love and wisdom. They visited when possible, sent letters, or dispatched trusted coworkers like Timothy or Titus. Their guidance was practical—correcting errors, encouraging perseverance, and equipping leaders to multiply disciples. They modeled humility, empowered local believers, and trusted the Spirit to lead each Ekklesia into maturity.

Why Is It So Hard to Let Go?

Today, the Western church often clings to a clergy-led, cathedral-building model that feels worlds apart from the New Testament Ekklesia. Why? Tradition anchors us to familiar structures—big buildings, professional pastors, and Sunday services feel safe and organized. We’ve built systems around control, where a few lead and many spectate, making it hard to imagine a church without pulpits or pews. Fear of change, cultural expectations, and the comfort of predictability keep us tethered to a model that often prioritizes programs over people and buildings over relationships.

God’s Movement Today

Yet, God is stirring something new, reminiscent of the early Ekklesia, in places like India, Africa, and China. In Northern India, within Victor John’s Disciple Making Movement (DMM) network, churches are exploding in homes and villages. Picture a small group of 10-15 disciples gathered under a tree or in a mud-walled home. A farmer, newly baptized, shares a story from Scripture he’s learned by heart. The group discusses how to obey it, prays for a sick neighbor, and sees her healed. They share a simple meal, laugh, and plan to start a new group in the next village. Everyone participates—men, women, even children—using their gifts to serve and multiply disciples. These groups are nimble, relational, and unstoppable, spreading rapidly as ordinary people become disciple-makers.
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This is the Ekklesia reborn—a movement of Jesus’ followers living out the gospel in simplicity and power. Let’s be inspired to loosen our grip on tradition and embrace a church that looks more like the vibrant, Spirit-filled communities of the New Testament, where every home is a sanctuary and every disciple a minister.