See how your support served to multiply disciples and churches in 2019.
Dear Friend,
By the grace of God, 2019 represents one of e3 Partners’
most productive years of ministry in our entire 32-year
history. The Lord continues to fulfill His purposes on Earth
in extraordinary fashion. This past year, “this gospel of
the Kingdom” continued its powerful advance across the
globe. In fact, the broader missions community is currently
tracking more large movements of multiplying disciples
and churches than ever before. Missiologists refer to
these movements as either Church Planting Movements
(CPMs) or Disciple Making Movements (DMMs). Over the
past several years, e3 Partners has become very focused on
understanding these movements—what drives them, what
slows them down, what accelerates them. And we have
made numerous adjustments in our tactics, tools, structure,
and even our workforce in order to align our methods to the
way that God is working in these days. These changes have
not come without difficulty or cost, but their impact is clear
in the pages that follow. Thank you for your participation
and support along the journey. Whether your contribution
has come in the form of prayer, giving, going, training, or
all the above, please know that you are making a difference.
May the Lord bless and keep you as you work and long for
His return.
e3 VISION
To see a church accessible to every person
e3 MISSION
To EQUIP God’s people to EVANGELIZE His world by ESTABLISHING healthy,
multiplying, transformative churches everywhere.
Contents
What We Do...............................................................3
Partnerships.............................................................. 4
Impact......................................................................... 5
Church Planting Movements.............................. 6
4 Fields.................................................................... 7-8
A Story from Africa.......................................... 9-10
A Story from Asia............................................ 11-12
A Story from Europe...................................... 13-14
A Story from Latin America......................... 15-16
A Story from MECANA Region................. .. 17-18
A Story from North America...................... 19-20
Jim Shannon
e3 Partners CEO
Virtual Trips & Training................................. 21-22
I Am Second..................................................... 23-24
Live Second..................................................... 25-26
What We Do
We seek to catalyze, accelerate and deepen
multiplying movements of disciples and
churches everywhere — utilizing the most
effective means possible in each context.
We accomplish this through three primary
ministry divisions:
• Mobilization
• Training
• Media
Media
Through our media ministry, I Am
Second, we lift up the name of Jesus
and help people discover a different
way of life through the use of digital,
print, social, and other forms of
media. I Am Second reaches those far
from God, sharing raw stories of real
people who found and embraced the
hope of Jesus, and then connecting
them to a community who equips and
inspires them to Live Second.
Mobilization
We send Christians all over
the world to spread the
gospel, make disciples, and
help catalyze church planting
movements. Through
both short-term trips and
long-term missionaries,
we work with national
partners, coaching, training,
resourcing, and encouraging
them as leaders to advance
the Kingdom among their
communities.
Training
Gospel training isn’t just
for missionaries. Through a
strategy known as 4 Fields,
we emphasize the necessity
of moving beyond evangelism
to discipleship and church
formation. And we provide
ways for all believers to learn
how to share the gospel,
disciple others, and plant
churches themselves.
Partnerships
Interstate Batteries is passionate about missions and tries
to provide its staff with opportunities to serve locally and
abroad as often as possible. Last year, we connected with one
of the chaplains from their Dallas office, Henry, to discuss an
opportunity for them to go on a mission trip with e3.
Henry was seeking three main things:
1. An opportunity for their staff to serve in
missions together
2. A trip that would allow for each of their chaplains to
build 1-on-1 relationships with their coworkers
3. An experience that would build community within their
Interstate Batteries team
Our refugee ministry in Greece seemed to be the perfect fit,
and Henry agreed, so we began planning a trip to Greece for
the fall of 2019.
Working with their schedule, training sessions were
conducted during their lunch hour over the course of
several weeks. There were training sessions on the culture,
security and logistics, how to share their testimony, how to
share the gospel, how to lead Bible studies, and how to start
discipleship groups.
The trip was customized to remain within our strategy while
also aligning with the goals of the Interstate Batteries team.
And their chaplains were involved throughout the planning
process, empowering them to co-lead the trip.
When the time came, there were 22 Interstate Batteries
employees who joined us in Greece. Each day was filled with
ministry opportunities through eyeglass clinics, prayer teams,
sports, serving meals, and more. God worked in amazing
ways, transforming the lives of many the team ministered to
and with.
“By the end of it, this guy [refugee] had accepted Jesus, and so
had the translator we were working with to minister to him!”
— Traci
“Everybody’s going to leave changed people with a greater
desire to know Christ, and to love Him, and to serve Him.”
— Henry
Today, our relationship with Interstate Batteries continues.
Some from the team have joined one of our online Live Second
Groups, and many remain in contact with our partners they
worked with in Greece.
(This is an example of how our ministry partners with
other organzations and churches.)
3-4
Church Planting Movements
We have made it a priority to learn the principles
driving Church Planting Movements (CPMs)
around the world. The classic definition of a CPM
is, “a rapid multiplication of indigenous churches
planting churches that sweeps through a people
group or population segment.”* Sustainability
seems to be achieved when the movement
reaches multiple streams of 4th generation
churches or greater.
GEN 1
GEN 1
GEN 2
GEN 2
GEN 3
GEN 3
GEN 4
GEN 4
Stream 1 Stream 2
We are not the first generation to experience
CPMs. In fact, we can see evidence of periodic
CPMs from the first century onward. What
sets our generation apart is the sheer scale and
geographic diversity that we are seeing.
In the 1990s, missiologists could identify less
than 20 CPMs around the world. Today, we are
aware of more than 1,000 — many in some of the
most unreached places on the planet.
*Church Planting Movements, David Garrison, 2004, p. 21
This picture is an example of a generational map that demonstrates
movement to the 4th generation and beyond.
5-6
THE FOUR FIELDS
Field 1: Entry
Identifying and engaging new target areas
Field 2: Gospel
Evangelism
The 4 Fields
In order to align our efforts with the
way in which God is currently working,
we have adopted a comprehensive
movement-focused strategy called
“The 4 Fields.”
5 / LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT
Leadership Development keeps
the cycle of multiplication going
Too often, missions efforts have either
stopped at evangelism or focused on
only one or two elements of the process.
Sustained multiplication requires a
comprehensive and simultaneous focus
on all the elements using tools that are:
• Simple
• Biblical
• Reproducible
We have, therefore, adapted our
teams, tools, and training to ensure
that we are addressing all
5 elements.
Field 4: Church
Gathering believers into healthy community
Field 3: Discipleship
Assisting believers to
achieve spiritual maturity
7-8
A Story from Africa
One day, on a recent trip to Africa, an
e3 team had the opportunity to go to
Kofi’s* home to share the gospel. Kofi is a
translator who has worked with several e3
teams in the past.
God is on the move in Africa.
We’re seeing disciples
and churches multiply
and the gospel spread at
rapidly increasing rates.
God is opening doors in
hard to reach areas and
hardened peoples. Believers
are making their way
from closed countries to
neighboring countries to be
trained so they can go back
and share the gospel with
their own people.
God is working in refugee
camps, among Muslims, and
even with witch doctors. He
is working in big cities and
in rural farms. And while
we celebrate these great
advances of the Kingdom we
are reminded that a large
percentage of the African
people are still far from God
and have little access to the
gospel in a way they can
understand. So, we press on
until all of Africa hears the
Good News!
His mother in law was the only one
at home when the team arrived. Kofi
explained that his brother, who was
against Christianity, told the rest of his
family not to come and hear what they had
to say. However, after waiting about an
hour, Kofi’s uncle, two brothers, and other
family members showed up. The e3 team
began sharing the many dangers of human
trafficking. This caught the attention of
Kofi’s uncle, Zain*.
Then, the team shared the message of the
gospel. Zain listened intently. Once they
had finished, he was convinced, saying the
message of the gospel was right and true.
He was afraid to accept Jesus as his Lord
and Savior though, because of what his
community would potentially do to him.
He said that being an old man, he couldn’t
defend himself, and besides, it didn’t
matter anyway because he was too late.
Zain explained that he had spent his whole
life worshiping other gods, and because
of that, he thought he couldn’t become a
Christian in his old age.
The team shared the story of the sinner
on the cross, who became a believer
on the very day of his death. Jesus had
promised him that he would be with Him
in paradise.
Zain was moved by this story, awestruck
by the grace and mercy of Jesus.
The team then left Kofi’s house, promising
to return later in the week. When they did,
Zain professed his faith in Christ.
Kofi now disciples Zain weekly, and his
faith continues to grow.
*Pseudonyms
9-10
A Story from Asia
On Sunday, September 9th, Mr. S found
himself sitting in a local village office,
handcuffed like a criminal. Village police
guarded the door. His “crime” was opening his
house to more than 60 Jesus worshipers. His
house church had grown weekly, overflowing
with new believers, and finally, after months
of harassment and threats against him, local
authorities had seen enough.
God is moving around
the world today on a scale
that we’ve never seen.
Technology is helping the
gospel advance further and
faster than ever before.
We’re seeing multiplying
movements of disciples and
churches across the world,
and Asia is at the forefront
of it all.
In a span of just a few
months, one of our
indigenous partners and
his team saw thousands
come to Christ. Another
partner witnessed the
Spirit lead hundreds to be
baptized in the span of just
one week. The work God
is doing across Asia right
now is nothing short of
incredible. What a blessing
it is that He allows us to join
Him in His work.
“I have come back home fearless because God has
shown Himself to be altogether powerful and
trustworthy. I see His people in [Asia] and His
heart for them and that He could allow me in such a
mission is breathtaking and humbling.”
— Alanna
“I am grateful that God provided this
opportunity for me to go. I know that He is
able to accomplish His purposes without me,
but it is thrilling to see His Kingdom expand
and to meet brothers and sisters in Christ
throughout the world.”
— Cindy
But as Mr. S sat in that office with his hands
cuffed behind his back, he couldn’t help but
smile. He could hear the sound of worship
continuing on in his house. The believers sang
in unison, a beautiful song about trusting in
Jesus. No wrongful arrest, no persecution was
going to stop them from worshiping the one
true God.
Four days later, Mr. S was released. Without
fear or hesitation, he immediately joined his
mentors from e3 Partners at a 3-day training,
teaching new believers how to share the
gospel, disciple others, form churches, and
build up other Christian leaders. Everything
he learned from the e3 trainings he attended
in the past, he was now teaching himself. And
despite persecution and threats from local
police, the number of believers and churches
was growing.
Third generation churches have started in Mr.
S’s village. More people are coming to know
Christ daily, and many of them are growing
into strong, passionate Christian leaders.
Mr. S and many of his fellow leaders are now
making plans to spread the gospel in other
nearby communities. Pray for them as they
implement those plans. Pray that they would
remain steadfast for Christ. Pray for all the
Christians in Mr. S’s village, that they would
continue to worship, recognizing that this
is a miracle, and they are counted worthy to
suffer for Jesus. Pray for wisdom and power as
we encourage Christian leaders and interface
with government authorities for justice. And
pray a prayer of praise, that God is moving in
Asia and people who’ve never heard His name
are coming to know Him.
11-12
A Story from Europe
Diana* is 75. She has high blood pressure,
has suffered several mini-strokes, and
her local doctor just told her she has
Parkinson’s disease.
A team from e3 Partners met her on a
recent trip to Russia, and after hearing
her story, they asked if they could pray for
her. She responded with a question of her
own.
“How much does prayer cost?”
The team was overwhelmed. What a
perfect opportunity to share the gospel!
They explained to Diana that prayer is a
gift from God, just as salvation through
Jesus is a free gift of God’s love and grace.
Diana was shocked. That was not the
answer she was expecting. She asked to
know more about this “love and grace”,
which led to more conversation about God
and his love for each one of us. By the end
of the conversation, Diana had accepted
Jesus as her Lord and Savior.
She has now been referred to a local
Parkinson’s specialist. The e3 Partners
team connected her with a nearby church,
and one of the women from that church
has committed to helping her travel to
and from her appointments.
It’s never too late to turn back to Christ.
Please pray for the church as they
minister to Diana and disciple her as a
new believer!
*Pseudonyms
“I am already packed for next year. This was my 5th
trip. Before my first trip, I prayed that I’d impact
their lives. I didn’t realize how much it was going to
impact and change my life! God is amazing.”
— Karry, Russia Trip
“What an incredible experience. God is good.”
— Darrin, England Trip
“Trust in the Lord with all
your heart and lean not on
your own understanding;
in all your ways submit
to Him, and He will make
your paths straight.” —
Proverbs 3:5-6
Refugees are fleeing
to Europe, giving us
opportunities to reach
people with the gospel
who we otherwise couldn’t
physically reach. God
is opening doors across
Europe, and it’s amazing
to see!
Through refugee
outreach, eyeglass clinics,
medical trips, and other
initiatives, we’re seeing
the continuing spread of
the gospel. And through it
all, we continue to lean on
Christ and submit to His
ways, because we know it
is only through the power
of our Lord that any of this
is possible.
13-14
A Story from Latin America
On a recent trip to Honduras, Jess* and
George* spent the whole first day searching
for a “house of peace”. The house of peace
search was something they’d learned during
their pre-trip training. It comes from Luke
10:1-9.
The gospel is exploding
across Latin America! God
is transforming entire
communities and it’s
amazing to see. When we
step out in faith and seek to
do the Lord’s will, He uses
us to grow His Kingdom.
He’s shown us time and
time again that He can
do extraordinary things
through ordinary people.
And it’s incredible to see
how God has answered
our prayers time and time
again to raise up more
laborers for His harvest
field. We continue to find
more people whose hearts
God has prepared to receive
the gospel. And now some
of our national partners
are even preparing to
move to other countries to
continue reaching the lost
for Christ as international
missionaries!
As they walked up and down neighborhood
streets, they prayed that God would lead
them to a person whose heart was ready to
receive Christ’s love. It wasn’t long before
they knocked on Mary’s* door.
Mary welcomed Jess and George into her
home. She was incredibly hospitable and
friendly, and it was very clear that God
had led them to her. They asked her if they
could pray for her, and then they shared
the gospel. Mary listened intently and
after hearing of Christ’s great love for her,
she joyfully accepted Him as her Lord and
Savior.
The next day, Jess and George went back to
Mary’s house and led her through a Bible
study. They taught her how to share the
gospel herself and helped her practice. Mary
was overwhelmed with gratitude for what
Jess and George had taught her and couldn’t
wait to start telling others about Jesus.
By the end of the week, Mary had shared
the gospel with several others in her
neighborhood. In just a few short days, God
completely transformed her life, and was
now using her to help transform the lives of
others as well.
A few weeks after returning home, Jess
followed up with Mary to see how she
was doing and to encourage her to keep
spreading the hope and love of Christ. And
to Jess’s delight, that’s exactly what Mary
was doing. She continues to share the gospel
with others, and every time they talk, she
reminds Jess how grateful she is that God
brought them together.
*Pseudonyms
15-16
A Story from MECANA region
Just a few days before Ben left to go on his e3 mission
trip, he had an opportunity to talk with a family friend
about it. The friend wanted to contribute in some way,
so even though Ben told her he already had all of the
funding he needed, she insisted on giving him $100 to
support the trip. Ben graciously accepted her money
and packed it in his suitcase. He didn’t think much of
it. He was appreciative of her kind gesture, and just
figured he could use the money to buy souvenirs for
friends and family. But by the time he arrived in the
Middle East, he’d completely forgotten the money was
in his bag.
During the trip, Ben met a family of believers. They
were refugees with a five year-old daughter. They
didn’t have much, but they had Jesus, and it was easy
to see that He was enough for them. They were so kind
and hospitable, inviting Ben and those with him into
their home.
“There were so many memorable
moments, but the best was watching
the light come into people’s eyes when
they realize there is hope in Jesus.”
— Susan
"God was able to use me to share His
story and to be a part of a woman's
beautiful transformation. I had lots of
happy tears. I feel blessed to have been
called to serve my King."
— Anonymous
The Middle East/
Central Asia/North
Africa (MECANA) region
encapsulates some of the
spiritually darkest places
in the world. Yet in the last
year alone we’ve seen God
spread the gospel across the
region rapidly.
While everyone was talking, the family’s landlord
showed up at their door demanding that they pay their
rent. Ben watched as Ali*, the husband, explained
that they did not have the money, which just angered
the landlord. Eventually he left, but everyone knew
he’d be back again if Ali didn’t pay soon. But Ali was
unemployed. He had no way to earn the money the
family needed to live.
Ben prayed over him, along with his wife and
daughter before leaving. As he returned to his hotel
that evening, he couldn’t get Ali out of his mind. He
continued praying for him, asking God to help him.
Ben then began packing for the return trip home, and
as he opened up his suitcase, he found the $100 his
family friend had given him. He took it to one of the
national partners from the local church and explained
the situation. The partner smiled and told Ben that Ali
had called him earlier asking if the church could help
him pay his rent. They had to tell him no originally
because the church didn’t have enough money. But
now, with Ben’s contribution, they could help!
The believers here are
a testament to both the
power and importance of
the gospel. Many of them
put their lives on the line
every day for the purpose
of spreading the hope
and love of Christ to the
unreached. Their faith
and their commitment
to growing the Kingdom
is both encouraging and
convicting. It is truly a joy
to work alongside them.
The contribution Ben’s family friend made didn’t seem
like a big deal at first, but God used it to help Ali and
his family significantly. What a privilege it is to serve
our Lord!
17-18
A Story from North America
Julien* is a full-time college professor at a university
in California. His wife, Nina*, is an orthodontist.
They are both believers and have a passion for
sharing their faith. They felt a calling from the Lord
to multiply disciples and churches, but they weren’t
sure how to go about doing that. Through prayer
and God’s guidance, they were introduced to our e3
team in California, and began evangelism and church
planting training.
At e3, we are focused
on growing the Kingdom
both locally and globally.
The gospel is needed
everywhere, including
America. That’s why we have
a team focused on reaching
the lost here in the states.
The work here can be hard.
The rate of receptivity to
the gospel is lower in the
U.S. than many other places
around the world. But
despite that, we’re seeing
new disciples raised up and
new churches planted all
across North America.
The e3 team taught them how to share the gospel,
how to share their own testimonies, and once
someone accepts Christ, how to begin discipleship
and gather them with other believers into churches.
Julien and Nina soaked it all in like a sponge. Their
faith in God and their passion for reaching the lost
grew as they began putting the training into practice.
Nina led one of her coworkers to Christ and is
now discipling her. Julien led several of his former
students to Christ and is discipling them as well.
Together, Nina and Julien have started a church in
their house. So both in their professional lives, and
in their homes, Julien and Nina are spreading the
gospel and discipling other believers.
And now their work is multiplying. Many from
their house church have begun sharing the gospel
with others in their sphere of influence. And one
of Julien’s former students talked about God and
the meaning of Good Friday while presenting his
Masters’ Thesis in front of several other students and
faculty members.
Julien and Nina hope to one day move abroad to
continue sharing the Good News with those who
don’t know Christ. But for now, they remain in
California doing the work that God has called them
to do during this season of their lives. It is through
believers like them that God is expanding His
Kingdom in unprecedented ways around the world.
*Pseudonyms
19-20
A new way to, “Go and make disciples
of all Nations…”
e3 has been leading mission trips for over 30 years,
seeing firsthand how God can use those trips to make an
immense impact for His Kingdom. Many times, government
restrictions, health risks, or one of several other reasons
hinder people from participating in mission trips though.
So, when God gave us the vision to create virtual mission
trips in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, we ran with
it. e3’s virtual mission trips provide a way for anyone to
experience other cultures, connect with believers from all
over the world, and work with national partners to further
the Kingdom.
Virtual Mission Trips
e3’s virtual mission trips are unique opportunities for
believers across the country, and the world, to come
together online with the common goal of furthering God’s
Kingdom. These trips are not a temporary replacement for
our physical trips while travel restrictions are in place. They
are a new avenue through which God is using His followers
to spread the gospel.
Each virtual trip includes opportunities to:
• Learn how to tell your story and God’s story.
• Work alongside national partners and
long-term missionaries who are on the field.
• Experience the cultural distinctives
of different countries.
Virtual Training
Each virtual mission trip includes evangelism and
discipleship training from missionaries and national
partners around the globe. The training focuses on helping
believers grow in their passion and confidence for sharing
the hope and love of Christ. The virtual trip then provides
them with opportunities to put the training into practice.
And even after the trip is complete, time and time again, we
see believers from all walks of life use what they’ve learned
to further the gospel in their own communities.
A Virtual Trip Story
Recently, e3 led a virtual mission trip to
Uganda. The trip consisted of a team of 10
from a church in Texas, and a team of 5
national partners in Uganda.
Every day, the two teams mirrored each
other’s actions. While the team in Texas joined
together online for a time of prayer and Bible
study, the Uganda team did the same. While the
Uganda team led evangelism and discipleship
trainings for local house churches, the Texas
team participated in their own trainings. And
both teams spent time each day prayer walking
in their neighborhoods.
The Uganda team, along with the house
churches they were training, also spent time
sharing the gospel. By the end of the week,
they had shared with over 600 people, more
than 200 accepted Christ, and 25 new house
churches were planted!
Every night, the Texas team watched videos
from the Uganda team, listening to them speak
about their experiences that day and how God
was at work in their community. Many from the
team in Texas said seeing God use the boldness
of the Ugandan team to further His Kingdom
inspired them to be bold in their own lives.
Then, on Saturday, they had the opportunity
to put that boldness into practice. They walked
around their neighborhoods, knocking on
doors, praying for others and sharing the
gospel. And even with all the fears surrounding
the coronavirus pandemic, and people being
less willing to open their doors, the team was
able to pray with over 20 people and shared the
gospel with 10!
That night, the two teams concluded the trip
by connecting online to share stories of all the
amazing things God had done throughout the
week. And practically as soon as the trip came
to an end, the church in Texas reached back
out to e3 to plan their next virtual trip. They’ll
be going back to Uganda with a new team this
month, and the Uganda team will be following
up with the new house churches that were
planted during this trip!
21-22
About
I Am Second, e3’s media
ministry, exists to lift up Jesus in
unexpected places using digital,
print, social, and other forms of
media to help people discover
a different way of living. I Am
Second reaches those far from
God helping them experience
the raw stories of real people
who found the unflinching hope
of Jesus, and connecting them
to a community who equips and
inspires them to Live Second.
Impact
People discover us starting with a curious phrase,
“I Am Second.” They see it on wristbands, social
media ads, and at events. From there they engage
with our content, whether it be one of our 135
White Chair films, blogs, books or other content
that tell the raw stories of both everyday and high
profile individuals who put Jesus first. Then they
connect with practical Live Second tools, an online
community, and/or a personal Live Second Coach.
To date, we’ve seen over 83 million page views on
our website, and last year alone, our content was
viewed 29.8 million times. God’s Kingdom is growing
and He’s using I Am Second as an agent to further
that growth.
Story
“Early this morning, while I was
working at the Admirals Club at
DFW airport, a man approached
me. I believe he saw the sadness
and despair I had in my eyes.
He handed me an I Am Second
booklet with Brian Welch on the
cover. Brian’s personal testimony
was printed on the inside. I
immediately went to the restroom
and cried. I am going through the
hardest time of my life and the
message he shared with me was
so profound. I don’t know how to
thank this mystery man because I
don’t know his name. In the past,
I have struggled with accepting
Jesus. I don’t know who this email
will reach, but I needed to express
how that man started a great
change in my life and a healing
process I didn’t expect could even
happen.” — Amber
23-24
Live Second is not a brand. It’s not
a campaign. It’s a way of life. At e3
Partners and I Am Second, we believe
we are called to Live Second, putting
Jesus and others first.
That’s why we’ve developed a bridge
that connects our I Am Second content
and events with our e3 initiatives.
We’re seeing people go from watching
an I Am Second film to receiving
evangelism training and discipleship.
We’re seeing those who connect with
us at I Am Second events show interest
in joining an e3 short-term mission
trip. God is taking them from “viewing”
to “doing”, and that’s what Live Second
is all about.
Jesus showed us how to Live Second.
Now we’re just trying to follow His
example and provide ways for others
to do the same.
25-26
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