2022 Final Command Annual Report

Final Command Ministries 2022 ANNUAL REPORT

We are by all means going north What’s Inside to reach the most unreached. 4 Our Story 5 Letter from the Board President OUR WORK IN 2022 6 2022 Milestones 7 Where It's Happening HOW WE WORK 8 DMM in Action 10 Theory of Change 12 Exploring DMM 14 Field Impact 15 In Their Words Our Mission U.S. PARTNERS 17 Virtually Engaging China Help people discover and obey God, and train them to 18 Engaging Apartment Residents replicate what they experience by sharing with others. 19 Engaging the Homeless 19 Engaging Muslims in America Why We Exist JOIN THE JOURNEY 20 Get Involved To glorify God and obey Jesus’ final command by facilitating 22 Financials Disciple Making Movements among least-reached peoples. 23 Leadership & Board of Directors

OUR STORY LETTER FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT We stand in awe of For those who have been walking with us, God has used your faithfulness. God is on mission all around us. He has invited His Church to be involved with Looking ahead to 2023 and beyond, we are encouraged and We are grateful to you and our Father. The countless stories of our partners Him in His work. He has sent us to make disciples of all peoples to the ends of challenged to join God through: God's faithfulness. encourage us that He still does miraculous things on behalf of His people. the earth. He has placed His Holy Spirit in every believer to enable us to do the work. However, the need is massive and the laborers are few. So, Jesus told us to • A multiplication of trained disciple makers in at least 10 countries as fruit from For those who are new to the journey, we invite you to witness and join what pray that the Lord of the harvest would thrust forth laborers into the harvest field. the October 2022 DMM training in Abuja, Nigeria. In 2022, Final Command Ministries celebrated our 20th anniversary. God is doing. The Disciple Making Movements (DMM) approach is successful and efficient • A developing partnership with experienced and gifted DMM practitioners in the The ministry was born when, through prayer and fasting, its founders Blessings, at planting churches. It is built on a solid Biblical foundation. It highlights the Horn of Africa. sensed God calling them to the 19 most-unreached Muslim people significance of multiplication rather than simple addition to reach our world with • An opening door into the Arabian Peninsula. groups in sub-Saharan Africa. the gospel of Jesus Christ. Making disciples who make disciples is God’s strategy James Forlines to get the good news about Christ to every last people group on our planet. • Trained DMM partners targeting nine new UPGs (Unreached People Groups) Through providential circumstances, connecting with the Disciple Executive Director of Final Command Ministries and three UUPGs (Unengaged Unreached People Groups) in the Sahel. Making Movements (DMM) training of David Watson, and a strong Looking back on 2022, we thank God for allowing us to relationship with New Generations, movements have begun in all 19 partner with Him by: Yours for revival and harvest, people groups. We give all honor and praise to God. From the first century through the twentieth century, about twenty Christian • Releasing a new DMM training manual and training 130 multiplying leaders Claude King In 2011, the Lord redirected FCM to the Islamic strongholds of Africa: Movements were recorded. For decades, missiologists looked for how to from 10 Sahel countries meeting in Abuja, Nigeria. Co-Founder & Board President of Final Command Ministries the Sahel and North Africa. Home to nearly half of Africa’s unreached partner with God to see great Kingdom movements. Co-Author of Experiencing God, with 8 Million+ Copies Sold • Working with indigenous disciple makers in 11 countries among over 116 people groups, the Sahel holds the frontlines of the Christian and people groups to see 244 new churches started out of over 5,000 new and Islamic struggle for the continent. It has been said that whichever faith m Around the world today, there are more than 2,000 disciple making movements, primarily in Africa and Asia. existing Discovery Bible Studies. wins the battle for the Sahel will win the war for Africa. God has answered our prayers! • Participating in the engagement of the Lopawa people group, the last m In these last 11 years, our strong indigenous partners Nigerian UUPG (Unengaged Unreached People Group) where there are in the Sahel have engaged 116 predominantly Muslim But God is not just raising more disciples–He is refining His church and now over 100 followers of Christ. people groups for Christ. releasing the power of the Holy Spirit. • Introducing and spreading DMM principles and practices in North In more recent years, ministries in the United States have heard about these America and beyond. movements and sought our DMM training to penetrate the darkness in Jerry Trousdale Co-Founder & Board Member of Final Command Ministries our own culture. They are engaging the lost in their own Jerusalems today. Author of Miraculous Movements 4

2022 MILESTONES m % 15 of the remaining unreached people groups in these countries are engaged by FCM partners. 9 engaged Last year, God used you to: MALI 8 engaged MAURITANIA 43 unreached NIGER 14 unreached 30 unreached m Intercede With Prayer m Strengthen Disciple Makers Arabian Over 1,750 people across the U.S. and 1,000 We hosted our first-ever summit of key African Peninsula African prayer groups prayed regularly for our partners. In October, 130 mission leaders and DMM disciple makers. practitioners from 10 West African countries were strengthened through training, collaboration, and m Reach The Unreached encouragement from fellow believers. 3 engaged Djibouti Indigenous disciple makers engaged 41 unreached SENEGAL Ethiopia people groups—including the final Unengaged m Give Generously 26 unreached Unreached People Group (UUPG) in Nigeria. Over $2,330,723 was given to advance the gospel north into 7 engaged 6 engaged Somalia 100 Lopawa people have already given their lives the Sahel region of Africa, support humanitarian work in NIGERIA to Jesus. Uganda, and train and catalyze DMM in the U.S. 53 unreached 8 engaged CHAD CAMEROON 80 unreached m Enable Multiplication m Share 20 Years Of Field Experience 34 unreached DMM trainings led to 998 new Discovery Bible We published our first 96-page DMM Training Manual Study groups, 3,410 new believers, and 244 new to equip disciple makers and coaches alike. The manual Map of Sahel churches planted across the Sahel and northern has already been translated into three key languages of Nigeria. the Sahel: French, Hausa, and Bambara. This map displays the number of unreached people groups engaged by FCM compared to the total number of unreached people groups in that country according to the Joshua Project. An 116 3,410 244 11 998 106 600 unreached people group is defined as less than or equal to 2% Evangelical. PEOPLE GROUPS NEW BELIEVERS CHURCHES COUNTRIES NEW DISCOVERY INDIGENOUS PEOPLE TRAINED ENGAGED PLANTED ENGAGED BIBLE STUDIES PARTNERS IN DMM Where We Are Today Where We're Going Next In 2023, FCM is conducting an audit of all data across Africa. Some data audits have been completed, while other locations will be audited in 2024. 6 Our Work in 2022 7

DMM IN ACTION Who is Jeremiah? The God During a sweltering visit with our partners in Mali, I was reading who sees my Bible as I rested. One disciple maker, a young Malian woman, walked by and asked what I was reading. “I’m reading Jeremiah,” I At our October summit for our African partners across replied. I was astonished when she asked: “Who is Jeremiah?” the Sahel, 13 disciple makers came from Cameroon and I was not surprised that she had never heard of the prophet Chad. They journeyed hundreds of miles to join the DMM Jeremiah. That’s to be expected from a new disciple. What floored training, risking abduction and violence along the way. me was the affirmation that she didn’t need to know anything In their absence, massive flooding swept across northern about Jeremiah before God could use her for His miraculous Cameroon and southern Chad. purposes. When they returned home, our disciple makers discovered Standing before me was a 21-year-old female who, having only that they had lost everything. recently come to faith in a 95% Muslim country, was already medicine, and temporary housing for our leading three Discovery Bible Studies at a Fulani refugee camp and Water filled their homes as high as their waists. Nothing one among Muslim college students. The fact that she was reading could be salvaged. Dusty roads were replaced with muddy displaced partners - but also access into the the Bible with Fulanis—a historically violent and difficult-to-reach waters that stretched as far as the eye could see. lives of their neighbors. nomadic people group that introduced Islam into West Africa— The regional disaster drove thousands of people from their They went about serving with purpose by distributing food was itself a miracle. homes. As they suffered alongside their displaced neighbors, to flood victims. Along the way, they prayerfully searched for m But God wasn’t finished. It wasn’t long before He these disciple makers believed God would provide divine people open to spiritual conversations. It wasn’t long before used her to baptize four Fulani men! help—and He would use the catastrophe to draw the persons of peace were identified in several villages. people around them to Himself. Within just four weeks of their return home, seven new She did not need to know everything about the Bible before she could obey what is in it. She is qualified to make disciples because m FCM’s generous donors quickly raised Discovery Bible Study groups with over 40 participants had of her obedience to God’s Word and surrender to His leading. $11,500 for disaster relief. These funds formed—people eager to discover more about this God who provided not only food, warm clothes, sees their suffering, and loves them. James Forlines Executive Director of FCM 8 How We Work 9

m To illustrate these principles, FCM 1. Pray & Fast THEORY OF CHANGE Discovery Bible Study developed the DMM Wheel: Praying, fasting, and listening to God aligns us to His leading. A Disciple Making Movement is: The DMM Wheel Thanks • Preceded, sustained, and advanced by prayer movements What is something you are thankful for? • The Lord’s work, so we fast to tune our ears to hear from Him Although DMM is relatively new to missions efforts, its Challenge 5. Embrace Multiplication • Impossible through our own strength and strategies principles are not. Rooted in prayer, fasting, and listening to God, What is a challenge or need that you, your family, or DMM is saturated simply with the longing to join God where your community are facing this week? From the start of a Discovery Group, each member has a He is working. The early Church used these same principles to Accountability role to play. Multiplication occurs when: 2. Serve with Purpose guide new believers and churches to be faithful disciples who How did you obey, share, and meet needs expressed obey the Word. The rapid multiplication experienced by the first • Members begin to hear from God and in the previous meeting? immediately start to obey and share what Genuinely caring for people and meeting followers of Christ is the same we seek to replicate today. needs creates acceptance into a community. Read they are learning Obedience must not be overlooked in this endeavor. Throughout This allows us to: Hebrews 8:10-12 • Members find new Persons of Peace and DISCIPLE Scripture, God blesses obedience. That’s why we equip believers form new Discovery Groups • Obey Jesus’ command to love our in DMM. By shifting from the often knowledge-based Reread • Members become coaches, generations of MAKING neighbors and enemies discipleship of the West to the obedience-based discipleship of Hebrews 8:10-12 MOVEMENTS Discovery Groups become churches, and • Specifically and effectively pray for people the Bible, we have witnessed ordinary people—empowered by all disciples continue to multiply the Spirit of God—make extraordinary gains in the race to finish Retell • Build trusting relationships and find persons the Great Commission. A group member retells the passage in his or her of peace own words. “Therefore go and make Group Discussion Questions 3. Find Persons of Peace disciples of all nations… • What does this passage say about God? 4. Start Discovery teaching them to obey • What does this passage say about people? Groups As seen in Luke 10 and Matthew 10, a person of peace • How will you obey the passage this week? is an individual in whose heart God has already been everything I have After finding a person of peace, we start a Discovery working. A person of peace is: commanded you.” • Who can you share this story with this week? Bible Study (DBS) with this person and their circle of • How can we help with one of the challenges influence. A DBS promotes obedience-based, group-based • Welcoming and hospitable MATTHEW 28:19-20 (NIV) shared today? discipleship. This creates accountability to the authority of • Interested in listening to & discussing spiritual ideas the Bible, reduces persecution, is easily reproducible, and • The key to gaining influence with the community holds the DNA of an emerging church. 10 How We Work

m "The Word of God EXPLORING DMM —illuminated by the Holy 1. God can use the ordinary and untrained to Spirit of God—is enough to m 3. Leaders are developed as they lead. m 5. Movements of God start with prayer and The power of DMM m create the people of God." make disciples and plant churches. fasting. Rather than waiting for leaders to be formally trained before lies in its simplicity DMM works in the underlying conviction that every making disciples and planting churches, we have seen Before strategic plans, training, data analysis, and human believer can and should be a disciple maker. Rather than training be most effective when done in the field—especially resources, DMM asks believers to first and foremost rely DMM is something ordinary people can do with little reserving church planting and discipleship for those among oral learning cultures. Believers with no seminary on prayer and fasting. When we pray and fast first, we are education or financial investment. It empowers them to painstakingly qualified by seminaries, we have seen God use training at all can pray, fast, and sense God leading them humbled to depend on God and not ourselves. Our spiritual become vessels of God’s grace in reaching others. It is only ordinary people for his extraordinary purposes. By simply where to go, who to engage, and how. As these ordinary sensitivity is increased. God reveals Himself to us, and we possible by God’s divine intervention. obeying His Word, they are transformed into multiplying people serve, their true spiritual gifts and capacities emerge. join Him in what He is already doing. Our strategies and disciple makers who plant multiplying churches. There will As their responsibilities and efforts increase, they are coached initiatives become aligned with God’s purposes. We understand that this missional approach may be foreign always be a need for the biblical roles of overseers, shepherds, in areas needing reinforcement. m 6. The Church is its people. among the traditions of the Western world. But we’re and elders—spiritual leaders who encourage, coordinate, 4. When making disciples is the goal, okay with that. We’re not interested in the acronym. We’re and bless the efforts of the flood of believers released to obey m A limiting factor we have seen in traditional approaches is interested in getting the job done. churches will be planted. Jesus’ final command. that to be a “real” church, you must have a building. DMM Christians have hovered around 33% of the global m 2. Discovered truth is stronger than shared DMM doesn’t believe that attractional church models— is not opposed to churches having buildings. The point is population since the early 20th century. To deliver the good knowledge. people gathering in larger group settings, often in a that we are called to be disciple makers who make disciple news of Christ to every last people group, multiplication of building—should be done away with. These churches do makers. If every local body of believers must have a building, obedient disciples must be sustained. We have witnessed great The Word of God—illuminated by the Holy Spirit of have the capacity to accomplish vital objectives in Kingdom it will hinder the speed of church planting, if by no other gains toward this end through these simple biblical principles God—is enough to create the people of God. People are advancement. However, traditional approaches that operate means than finances. Believers everywhere can gather driven by prayer, fasting, and the Holy Spirit. shaped into multiplying disciples of Jesus through personal from the conviction that churches must be planted before anywhere: in a church building, in a home, beneath a tree, in and group discovery. This builds their faith on the authority disciples can be made should consider: is this the only a field, or even in prison. Overall, however, buildings will be FCM invites you to explore the following observations we of Scripture. There are appropriate times where teaching can approach needed? Is it possible that this model promotes a reality for many churches in many cultures. have made in our journey with the Lord. We ask that as you enhance continued discovery. However, an early reliance on passive attendance instead of obedient discipleship? What read, pray for God to open your eyes to what He is doing and teaching can stunt a disciple’s capacity to hear directly from should we do about the growing percentage of people who how you can join Him. God. Their faith becomes knowledge-based, dependent on are not responding to this approach, even in the West? Can teachers to reveal truth. In DMM, people simply learn to it scale globally to reach the 2.5 billion more people who will Remember that Jesus’ final command ends with this promise: be on the planet by 2050? “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” hear from God and obey. Because it was simple and led by Matthew 28:20 (NIV) the Holy Spirit within them, they are able to replicate the process and help others do the same. 12 How We Work 13 Comnimperibus erio magnis evenis nime nim quam ilic test omnim voluptat officid minullabo. It et audaest, cus dem invero beaquis

FIELD IMPACT IN THEIR WORDS It's working God is using the courage and faith of ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. We are humbled to uplift our African brothers and sisters in Christ as they go to the toughest places. Here’s what they had to For decades, Christians have tried to share the gospel We come alongside ordinary believers and free them say after the October DMM training summit: into the hardest-to-reach places in Africa. The Sahel has with the fact that they don’t need a title or degree to historically seen slow progress due to daunting factors. reach the unreached. They simply need to depend Desperate poverty and harsh terrain make accessing on God through prayer, listen to His voice, obey His remote locations extremely difficult. Spiritual strongholds commands, and help others do the same. of paganism, violence manifested among Muslim people groups, and abductions and murders by terrorist groups If we want to multiply, we must simplify. And it’s working–in ways that only God can receive the glory. “It was like I had a veil on my face, but like Boko Haram are an everyday occurrence. With now the veil has been lifted. I can’t wait Africa’s rapidly-growing Muslim population, the battle is to go back and see my people.” “I was like a car without fuel and far from over. I EZECHIEL, MALI now I have the fuel. I will not go 26,406 back and continue in the traditional But God is the m The charts included display key data ways of teaching.” we’ve collected to measure change in “I’ve been reminded that to be able to impossibility specialist. movements: see movements we have to pray and fast I IBRAHIM, MAURITANIA and learn to hear from God.” Jesus gave His Church a task, and He intends to help us I LILIAN, CHAD “The idea of making things simple in order New in 2022 Existing in 2022 to multiply was transformational. Delegating finish it. His final command before His ascension clearly responsibility to new disciples has to happen.” indicates that making obedient disciples should be our “I know that what I have learned here will highest priority. I ABRAHAM, NIGER be more effective to bring more pagan 5,988 children and families to faith in Jesus.” We believe that God has called the African Church to 4,401 reach the unreached people groups on their continent. I DANIEL, NIGERIA “In church history we see different revolutions. In the 1,973 revolutions, they wanted to get back to the works Final Command’s role is to train indigenous disciple 244 998 of the primitive church. I believe we are in a new era makers in obedience-based discipleship. “Discipleship isn’t about having a lot of where DMM is replicating the primitive church. DMM TOTAL CHURCHES PLANTED* TOTAL DBS* TOTAL ATTENDING DBS* personal disciples, but having disciples is very authentic, and I feel this is the right formula to who are making other disciples.” engage Muslims.” I SALOMÉ, NIGER I YAHYA, NIGER 14 How We Work * In 2023, FCM is conducting an audit of all data across Africa. Some data audits have been completed, while other locations will be audited in 2024.

U.S. PARTNERS U.S. Partners Gordon and this Chinese believer first started having online Can DMM Discovery Bible Study meetings together with other Chinese believers. However, it soon became evident that his Western work here? presence was becoming a crutch. After he left the meetings and began coaching the disciple maker In recent years, ministries in the United States have started independently, she started seeing multiplication among her hearing about these movements happening among resistant countrymen as they started reaching their spouses, families, and Muslim people groups. Many have traveled with us to see for friends. Today, the Chinese disciple maker has helped plant 21 themselves. They have come back and asked what lessons from house churches in China. DMM can be learned to better engage with and disciple the lost in their own backyard. As a result, God has opened the doors for FCM to train and coach ministries throughout the United States—ranging from local churches and outreaches to national organizations—to “The Discovery Bible Study is just like an acorn. embrace multiplication principles in their discipleship efforts. As an acorn contains all of the DNA of an oak We have highlighted several partners, each of whom has been tree, so does the DBS contain all of the DNA of called by God to engage a unique group of people—people a simple, emerging church. The DBS enables in desperate need of His love and positioned to see rapid the ordinary, the unchurched, even the not-yet multiplication of disciples. believer to discover the God of the Bible.” m Virtually Engaging China Gordon Baines, a DMM Coach, trains leaders from Bridges, the Gordon Baines international student ministry of Cru. He also coaches a Chinese Final Command Ministries DMM Coach disciple maker via Zoom. She longs for her country to know the God of the Bible. 17

m Engaging Apartment Residents “There are signs everywhere that m Engaging the Homeless Churches are searching for ways to better reach their neighbors living in the our model is working to build By serving the desperate needs of New Orleans’ homeless margins—refugees, international students, people in or barely staying out a foundation for sustainable population, City Life NOLA is working to see the murder of poverty, and those held captive by substance abuse. In the United States, Kingdom movements in and capital of the United States transformed through disciple making these groups share a common denominator: they live in rental properties. through apartment living. It is movements. Nationwide, 55% of Americans live in apartments, and 25% live at or below the federal poverty level. undeniable that God is moving The organization seeks to establish a DMM Lab that immerses in the lives of employees and people into disciple making core values, enabling DMM to be Do you believe that God can change hearts in lonely and desperate residents. To God be the glory!” reproduced and sustained in any context. In 2022, their DMM communities? Lab hosted 17 mission teams of 191 short-term missionaries from 6 states to provide hands-on exposure training. By serving 125 To date, eight DBS groups are meeting, two of which have grown Launched in 2020, CityLife is committed to joining God in transforming Gary Jennings individuals per week with purpose through prayer walks, trash into simple churches. Seven individuals have professed their new apartment properties into flourishing and healthy communities by serving Executive Director of CityLife Apartment Ministry pickup, and food and water distribution, volunteers help City Life faith in Jesus through baptism. with purpose. FCM is mentoring CityLife to start disciple making movements NOLA’s leadership identify persons of peace to engage in studying in America’s “villages.” Planted in the Nashville metro area, CityLife is m Engaging Muslims in America God’s Word. becoming a proof of concept for effective disciple making in the margins. Final Command has three groups seeking to multiply disciples By God’s grace, doors have opened for CityLife to partner with 18 apartment among Muslims, immigrants, and refugees in the United States. communities, creating access to 14,000 residents, 4,818 apartment housing “The Lord has truly blessed our Focused in urban centers of Michigan and Tennessee, they are units, and 78 apartment employees. In 2022, over 900 volunteers and ministry and we are beginning to serving over 250 people by meeting various felt needs including 26 churches served to bring access ministry opportunities to life, such as see community transformation in English literacy, agriculture, and relationships. Their hearts chaplaincy, prayer walks, afterschool programs, and hospitality events. Service some of the most difficult areas are burdened for their neighbors and friends who are walking teams from nine churches across five states served with City Life to glean in spiritual darkness, completely separated from the Lord. hands-on training in this ministry concept. of New Orleans.” Encouraging progress has been made in several people coming to faith in Christ, but the soil is hard. Much prayer and fasting To date, six weekly Discovery Bible Studies are going strong, 12 people Dr. Jacob Crawford continues as they ask God for breakthrough. have given their lives to Christ, and five have publicly professed their new City Life NOLA Executive Director faith through baptism. One church has been planted in an apartment community, attended by 40 residents! 18 U.S. Partners 19

Give A Gift That Multiplies $120 $2,600 "Final Command's systematic Sends one disciple Funds one access approach to building a movement maker through ministry project.* DMM training. to 'Go North' has been great to $4,700 $15,200 watch as it gains momentum. They focus on partnering with Nigerian Trains 40 disciple Supports engaging makers in group one unreached mission organizations in northern training. people group. Nigeria, the Sahel, and the Maghreb. As Final Command helps these mission organizations shift Adopt A Country from a traditional missions model to a movement model, we will see $ $ far-reaching impact." 40K - 100K Accelerates work in existing countries, or enables access Marnus Klopper into new countries and regions. Mergon Foundation Give a one-time gift or sign up to give monthly at finalcommand.com/donations 20 Join the Journey *Water, Agriculture, Medical, etc. Contact us for more information.

Leadership Board of Directors James Forlines Claude King Financials Executive Director, U.S. Board President & Co-Founder Discipleship & Church Health Specialist Heather Brand (Retired), Lifeway Christian Resources Administrative Assistant, U.S. Statement of Financial Position Statement of Activities Jerry Trousdale Joseph Fee Co-Founder Director of Finance, U.S. Director of International Ministries (Retired), New Generations Fred Miller Director of Communications, U.S. Younoussa Djou Field Team Leader, New Generations Brandon Cole Director of Global Operations, Senegal John Elam Director, The Restoration Foundation Joseph Koroma Africa Director, Sierra Leone Rick Rogers U.S. Director, Divine Care Ministries Stephen Barnett Director of Access Ministry, U.S. Wendy Taylor Spiritual Care Coordinator, Street Hope June Neu Ministries Prayer Coordinator, U.S. Larry Hargrave Terry Neu CEO, Larry Hargrave Ltd. Engage DMM Training, U.S. END NOTES Ben Bobo A certified public accounting firm has audited our 2021 financial statements. Complete financial statements Gary Jennings CEO, Bobo Construction and the independent auditors’ report are available upon request. CityLife Director, U.S. James Forlines Featured Photography courtesy of Jerry Atnip (pg. 5, 8, 12/13, 20/21) Gordon Baines Executive Director, Final Command Ministries DMM Connector & Coach, U.S. Randy Sawyer DMM in North America, U.S. 22 Join the Journey 23 23

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