A Fresh Call to Advance the Wesleyan Discipleship Initiative

Something powerful is happening across the Asia-Pacific region. A movement is taking shape—one that equips leaders, deepens faith, and strengthens discipleship communities. The Asia-Pacific Discipleship Initiative (APDI) is at the heart of this work, helping United Methodists live out their faith in transformative ways.

At its core, APDI is about empowering leaders, creating resources, and fostering collaboration. The mission remains clear: making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

This year has brought an exciting development—a strengthened partnership with the Philippines Central Conference College of Bishops (PCC-CoB), Wesleyan University–Philippines (WUP), and the Philippines Central Conference Board of Christian Education, Communication, and Discipleship (PCC-BCECD). Together, these groups are advancing the work of Wesleyan discipleship in a big way.

Through this renewed partnership, the Wesleyan Discipleship Initiative (WDI) has been launched. This effort is designed to support churches at every level by focusing on three key areas:

• Equipping church leaders with practical discipleship tools and training.
• Developing a sustainable discipleship framework to help churches grow.
• Investing in future leaders through coaching, mentorship, and programs like the School of Congregational Development (SCD).

A Gathering of Leaders at the Discipleship Summit

In February 2025, Wesleyan University–Philippines hosted Discipleship Summit 2.0, bringing together forty-five to fifty key leaders from the Baguio, Davao, and Manila episcopal areas. The passion and commitment in the room were undeniable.

During the opening worship, Bishop Rodel M. Acdal set the tone for the gathering:

"We must move beyond event-based discipleship to a culture of disciple-making where every believer understands their role in God's mission."

The message was clear—discipleship cannot be a series of isolated events. It has to be woven into the fabric of church life.

The School of Congregational Development: Preparing Leaders for the Future

Just days before the summit, another important event took place. From January 28-30, 2025, a group of dedicated church leaders gathered at “A Place Called Peniel” in Capas, Tarlac, for the School of Congregational Development (SCD).

This wasn’t just another training—it was a call to action. The focus was on helping leaders “See, Create, and Disciple” in ways that respond to the ever-changing realities of ministry.

Rev. Bener B. Agtarap, Executive Director of Community Engagement & Church Planting/Path1, opened the training with a challenge. He reminded participants that discipleship isn’t just about what we know—it’s about how we live it out in our communities. The goal was to learn new strategies and put them into practice in ways that shape the future of the church.

Key Takeaways: What We Learned

Through these two gatherings, five important themes emerged:

1. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to discipleship. Different models work in different contexts, but the key is integration—finding ways for them to complement rather than compete with each other.
2. Sustainability is critical. Many discipleship efforts rely on passionate individuals, but what happens when they step away? Churches need systems in place to keep discipleship efforts going strong for the long haul.
3. Wesleyan University-Philippines has a major role to play. With its commitment to faith-based education, WUP is uniquely positioned to be a hub for training and equipping leaders, bridging the gap between theology and real-world ministry.
4. Collaboration makes all the difference. When bishops, church agencies, grassroots leaders, and institutions come together with a shared vision, the impact is multiplied.
5. Investment in leadership and financial support is essential. Other denominations pour significant resources into discipleship, and the United Methodist Church must do the same if we want to see lasting transformation.

Discipleship Is More Than a Conference—It’s a Commitment

These gatherings were more than events—they were reminders that the work of discipleship is ongoing. It requires clergy, lay leaders, and entire faith communities to commit to this journey.

During the closing worship, Mr. Irineo Alvaro Jr., President of Wesleyan University–Philippines, issued a final challenge:

"Go forth then in the full confidence of the one who called you. Go back to SEE. Go deep to CREATE. Go down to DISCIPLE. This is your calling. This is your purpose. This is your privilege. Amen."

This is our moment. Now is the time to deepen our efforts, invest in leadership, and create resources that will empower future generations.

Stay connected with Discipleship Ministries for updates, opportunities, and ways to be part of this movement. Together, we’re building a future where discipleship isn’t just something we do—it’s who we are.