Develop a Discipleship System
We Are Ready to SEE-CREATE-DISCIPLE
By Bener Agtarap
More than 450 United Methodists from the United States and Asia gathered August 4-7, 2024, in Schaumburg, Illinois, for SCD 2024 to ignite their leadership and discipleship journeys. This diverse group of God’s people from different walks of life shared a strong bond of faith, love, and service to God and the world.
Participants were equipped, inspired, nurtured, and commissioned for the work ahead. Many said they felt that they now belong to a United Methodist movement that is going forward again. They will return to their ministry settings empowered by the Holy Spirit to SEE and reach out to all the people Christ has called them to reach, to CREATE and foster a new United Methodist movement that loves and serves the present age and beyond, and to make DISCIPLES who make disciples who will faithfully participate in God’s mission of loving, caring, and transforming the world with the love of Jesus.
The initial feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. Many participants highlighted the practical insights, actionable strategies, and spiritual growth they experienced during SCD 2024. It is amazing to see and hear the impact of this event in the lives of the participants and leaders.
The following participant testimonials share how God touched their lives during the SEE//CREATE//DISCIPLE event.
Precious Mangubat is a leader of a youth group and praise team at Daly City United Methodist Church in Daly City, California. We asked her, “In what ways has participating in SCD impacted your faith and commitment to serving God and the church?” She said:
SCD has broadened my perspective on discipleship and deepened my understanding of how we, as church leaders, can extend our outreach beyond the walls of our congregation into the wider community. Hearing the inspiring testimonies of fellow believers and their journeys in discipleship motivated me to return to my local church with a renewed commitment to actively engage and serve within the community.
One of the clergy participants mentioned her experience at SCD in her sermon:
It felt like Pentecost. It was a dynamic conference. People were there from all over the world. We were together in one space because we love Jesus. We love Jesus because we know that Jesus is the living bread, and we know that we have a world that is so hungry for that living bread. I saw a church that is ready to put this season of disaffiliation and our denomination’s divisions and fighting behind us. I saw a church that is ready to move forward. We are ready to include everyone because we want every soul out there who is hungry, who is broken, who is hurting to know the love of Jesus Christ.
Our siblings from the Pacific Islands family shared:
While inclusiveness is often discussed, meaningful representation, especially from the Pacific Islands, is rarely seen. This year at SCD, we felt at home and valued, with the opportunity to share our culture and identity. For many of us, it was our first time attending and participating in leading a ministry track, which has allowed our Lay Servant Ministry Tongan Language team to feel like we belong and are connected. It means so much to us to be included and to feel truly welcomed.
If you were one of the 450 SCD participants, we would like to hear your experiences so others can be inspired by your witness.
Check out Discipleship Ministries' Facebook page for more pictures from this amazing event!
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