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Broken but Sent: How God Uses Raw Disciples to Spark Mission and Maturity
Mission work often begins in unexpected places with people who are far from perfect. The Bible shows us that God sends broken people early into His mission. From the Gerasene demoniac to the Samaritan woman, and the Twelve disciples sent out two-by-two while still arguing and doubting, God uses those who are raw and imperfect to break new ground. This post explores how participation in mission starts early, how maturity develops over time, and why broken people are essential

Anthony Ferriell
2 days ago4 min read


Exploring Diverse Micro Church Models and Their Biblical Foundations for Effective Discipleship
Micro churches represent a growing movement within the global church, offering fresh ways to make disciples, mobilize mission, and multiply churches. These smaller, more intimate communities often serve as outposts where everyday life happens, partnering with local neighborhoods to develop vibrant, disciple-making churches. This article explores different types of micro churches, their biblical foundations, how they operate and grow, and how they can be tracked for impact. Ho

Anthony Ferriell
Feb 24 min read


Five Stage APEST Plan for Developing Outposts: A Biblical and Strategic Approach
Starting a movement of outposts—small, community-centered churches where everyday life happens—requires a clear, biblical strategy. The APEST model from Ephesians 4:11 offers a powerful framework to guide harvest field workers through five stages of growth. This plan aligns with the Field USA model of making disciples, mobilizing mission, and multiplying churches. Each phase corresponds to a specific APEST gifting: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, and Teacher. Together

Anthony Ferriell
Jan 264 min read


Reimagining Church Planting: Embracing Multiplication in a Changing Cultural Landscape
Field USA exists to make disciples, mobilize mission, and multiply churches. This mission is rooted in the biblical call to spread the gospel and build the body of Christ. Yet, the landscape of church planting has shifted dramatically over the past few decades. Traditional church planting methods that flourished 20 to 30 years ago are no longer as effective in today’s cultural context. This article explores why traditional church planting is losing steam, how a new approach c

Anthony Ferriell
Jan 194 min read


From Plateau to Purpose: How One Ordinary Church Slowly Came Alive
Once upon a time, in a modest mid-sized town, there stood Grace Community Church —a plain brick building with a slightly faded sign and a parking lot that never quite filled up on Sundays. For over two decades it had functioned much like many churches do: a dedicated senior pastor carrying most of the preaching and vision, a small staff juggling programs, and a congregation of people who showed up faithfully but rarely felt truly needed. Attendance had plateaued for years. Vo

Anthony Ferriell
Jan 113 min read


Five Essential Measurements for Building Explosive Ministry Teams
In Field USA—where we’re laser-focused on making disciples, mobilizing missions, and multiplying churches—nothing fuels breakthrough like a powerhouse team. Ephesians 4:11-16 reveals the secret: Christ gave Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers (APEST) to equip His people and build a mature, unstoppable body. Yet a major national study by Discipleship.org and Exponential found that fewer than 5% of U.S. churches have a reproducing disciple-making culture .

Anthony Ferriell
Jan 52 min read


Top Five Ministry Trends Shaping Churches in 2026 and How to Embrace Them for Growth
The church today faces rapid cultural shifts that challenge traditional ministry methods. Yet, we cannot do everything at once. Instead, we focus on the next step God is leading us to take. This approach encourages faithful obedience and steady growth. By understanding the top five ministry trends shaping churches in 2026, we can respond with wisdom and strength through the APEST framework—apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd, and teacher. This article highlights these tren

Anthony Ferriell
Dec 30, 20254 min read


Built to Last: Church Growth Through Discipleship
Churches across the United States face a critical challenge: how to grow in a way that lasts and truly spreads the gospel. Many have relied on attractional models focused on numbers and programs, but these often fail to build deep, lasting faith communities. Discipleship offers a different path—one that strengthens the church from within and equips believers to live out their faith daily. This article explores why discipleship is essential for the growth, strength, and flouri

Anthony Ferriell
Dec 26, 20253 min read


Harnessing APEST to Ignite Gospel Networks in Today's Church
The rapid spread of the gospel in Asia Minor during Paul’s ministry is a powerful example of how networks can accelerate disciple-making and church planting. Acts 19:8-10 tells us that Paul spent two years in Ephesus, boldly teaching and turning many to Christ. This short period sparked a movement that reached the whole province. What made this possible? One key lies in Ephesians 4:11, where Paul describes the roles God gave the church—apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepher

Anthony Ferriell
Dec 15, 20254 min read


The Vision of Crossroads Community Church (Acts 19 8-10)
The mission of Crossroads Community Church centers on passing on an obedient relationship with Jesus to the community. This mission finds its foundation in the model described in Acts 19:8-10, where Paul’s ministry in Ephesus offers a clear strategy for building the church, reaching our community and beyond, and establishing a lasting spiritual impact of discipleship. Crossroads Community Church has been positioned by God to embrace this divine blueprint. The Biblical Found

Anthony Ferriell
Dec 3, 20254 min read


Act Like Men (Part 4): What to Do With 1 Timothy 2:8-15?
One of the key roles of men is that of protector. This role is displayed in phrases like, “Women and children first,” or customs where...

Team My Shepherd
Aug 3, 202418 min read


Act Like Men (Part 3): From Boys to Men
We have heard phrases like, “Be A Man,” “Take It Like a Man,” “Man Up.” What do they really mean? Increasingly it is a moving target...

Team My Shepherd
Aug 3, 20248 min read


Act Like Men (Part 2): The Genesis of Masculinity
There is a story of a man who went fishing, and whenever he caught a really large fish he threw it back. When an onlooker asked why he...

Team My Shepherd
Aug 3, 20247 min read


Act Like A Man (Part 1): Masculinity In Crisis
If you’ve been paying attention to the social trends, increasing numbers of boys and men are struggling in just about every area. This...

Team My Shepherd
Jul 31, 20247 min read


Worship Leads to Witness (Part 4)
As worship led to witness in the early church, the message of Christ's transforming power spread from 3,000 at Pentecost (Acts 2) to...

Team My Shepherd
Nov 20, 20238 min read


Worship Leads to Witness (Part 3)
Transformative events can happen in just one day. Has there been a life-changing day in your own life? Most likely the answer is YES. ...

Team My Shepherd
Nov 14, 20236 min read


Worship Leads to Witness (Part 2)
The greatness of God is most clearly seen when the Lord expands his reach and redemption among the nations. When outcasts are brought...

Team My Shepherd
Nov 2, 20237 min read


Worship Leads To Witness (Part 1)
Everyone seeks glory in something. It may be work performance, social status, our children's achievements, athletic ability,...

Team My Shepherd
Oct 27, 20236 min read


Creating and Sustaining Momentum
Have you ever pushed others on a merry-go-round? That first shove takes a great deal of effort and seems to make hardly any progress in...

Anthony Ferriell
Jun 27, 20233 min read


The Power of Simplicity In Leadership
In a world of increasing complexity there is a greater and greater call for simplicity. In one episode of the Simpsons, Marge visits a...

Anthony Ferriell
May 26, 20233 min read
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