In this episode of the For the Harvest podcast, hosts John, Paul, and David Worcester dive deep into John chapters 3 and 4 to uncover the specific "movement-starting" strategies of Jesus. They move beyond the familiar Sunday school stories to examine the tactical brilliance behind Jesus’ decision to leave Judea and travel through Samaria. The conversation highlights how Jesus balanced ministry to the masses with the training of the few, and why He empowered brand-new believers to take immediate action in ministry.
The team explores the "Village Strategy," comparing ancient towns like Sychar to modern-day neighborhoods or college dorms. They discuss the power of "hyper-local" outreach and why reaching one "Person of Peace"—even someone as socially ostracized as the woman at the well—can unlock an entire community. Whether you are a church planter, a student leader, or a believer wanting to impact your workplace, this episode provides a biblical roadmap for breaking social barriers and creating contagious gospel movements.

In this episode of the For the Harvest podcast, John, Paul, and David Worcester continue their deep dive into the first four chapters of the Gospel of John. Fresh off a training trip to India where they witnessed a movement grow by 8,000 churches in just two years, the team explores the "brilliant wisdom" behind Jesus’ early ministry strategies.

The discussion focuses on the transition from John the Baptist’s ministry to Jesus’ intentional recruitment of His first disciples. The team breaks down the concept of Oikos Evangelism—reaching people through natural relational networks—and how Jesus modeled this by moving from family members to friends. They also examine the "Gospel Appointment" with Nicodemus, highlighting the importance of two-way conversations and the "MAWL" (Model, Assist, Watch, Leave) training method.

Whether you are a church planter or a believer looking to share your faith, this episode provides a biblical roadmap for starting movements that prioritize multiplication over mere addition.

Join Stephen and the Worcesters as they dive into the Book of John, specifically chapters 1 through 4, to uncover Jesus's strategy for ministry and evangelism. The discussion challenges the tendency to focus only on Paul's model for church planting, urging listeners instead to "look closely at Jesus, the apostle". The hosts emphasize that Jesus is the ultimate model for "harvesting like Jesus", providing timeless and cross-cultural principles for ministry methodology.

This episode highlights the importance of studying Jesus's early public ministry, which John meticulously details chronologically before John the Baptist was put in prison. They explore Jesus's strategy of Discovery Evangelism—going to places where people were already spiritually seeking (like John the Baptist's baptism events)—and focusing on the "ripest of the ripe". The conversation shifts into practical application, detailing how modern leaders can adopt this approach, including the power of asking key questions, paying attention to seekers, and the crucial role of Hospitality and Oikos Evangelism (family and friends).

Key Discussion Points:

• Why Focus on Jesus’s Evangelism: The importance of modeling ministry after Jesus's actions, not just his theology.
• The Chronology of John 1-4: Understanding that these chapters detail Jesus’s first few weeks of ministry and discipleship.
• Discovery Evangelism: The strategy of going where God is already working and focusing on responsive people (the "ripest of the ripe").
• Practical Steps for Engagement: Using social media, surveys, communication cards, and having spiritual-sparking questions ready.

Welcome to a special bonus episode of the For the Harvest podcast! John Worcester and David Worcester are joined in San Diego by Jinoy, a leader of an amazing move of God in India. In this episode, we dive into 14 characteristics of movements that accelerate evangelistic growth, drawing from Jinoy's powerful testimony of what God is doing in India and applying biblical principles to ministry today.

Jinoy shares how his ministry transitioned from a traditional model to a church-planting movement that has led to the growth of tens of thousands of house churches. We discuss why new believers thrive in "new wineskins," how to rapidly mobilize disciples, and the importance of simple, reproducible methods that anyone can use. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in discipleship, church planting, and seeing God's kingdom expand.

• How to handle new believers and why "new wineskins" are crucial for their growth.
• The importance of red-hot faith and how it fuels a movement.
• How to overcome discouragement when sharing the gospel.
• The power of simple, reproducible methods for evangelism and discipleship.
• Why movements need to be self-supporting and generous to be sustainable.

In this second part of What to Train a New Disciple, host Stephen is joined again by John, David, and Paul Worcester to continue the conversation on how to help new believers grow in Christ and multiply their faith. Building on part one, this discussion shifts from the foundational basics of discipleship into the practical “how-tos” of equipping new Christians to share the gospel, live transformed lives, and overcome common obstacles.

The Worcesters emphasize the importance of simplicity, reproducibility, and modeling evangelism through everyday life. They share powerful stories—from radical testimonies on basketball courts to training movements in India—illustrating how God works when disciples share their faith boldly. Listeners will also hear practical tips for creating a culture of evangelism in groups, guarding against false teaching, and helping new believers grow in prayer and life application.

Introduction
How do you help a brand-new believer not only grow in their faith but also begin reaching others? In this episode of the For the Harvest podcast, Stephen Daniel sits down again with John, David, and Paul Worcester to continue the conversation on discipleship. Building on part one, the focus shifts to the practical “how” of helping new disciples take steps in evangelism, prayer, and everyday Christian living.

Igniting Evangelism Through Testimony

One of the strongest themes in this episode is the power of testimony. The Worcesters share stories of radical conversions—from young men saved on basketball courts to movements spreading rapidly in India—and show how new disciples can begin sharing their story immediately. “The best evangelism,” they remind us, “is a satisfied customer.” When a new believer is genuinely transformed, their joy naturally overflows to others.

Simplicity and Reproducibility

A major principle highlighted is simplicity. Whether using the “bridge” illustration, three circles, or a basic gospel tract, reproducibility is key. “Simplicity is the key to reproducibility,” Paul Worcester explains. Training should be clear enough for anyone to repeat. Transitional questions and simple tools empower new disciples to move from testimony to gospel sharing.

Creating a Culture of Evangelism

The episode also highlights the importance of group culture. Beyond individual mentoring, leaders can use groups to celebrate stories, encourage outreach, and normalize evangelism. As David Worcester notes, “Discipleship is monkey see, monkey do—people will do what they see you model.” Leaders must set the tone by modeling urgency, celebrating testimonies, and keeping evangelism at the forefront of group life.

Guarding Against Obstacles

From time constraints to false teaching, the Worcesters also discuss barriers that often derail discipleship. They emphasize pointing new believers back to Scripture as the ultimate authority. As John Worcester puts it, “The Bible trumps all our bright ideas.” Encouraging consistent prayer habits, life applications, and accountability helps young disciples grow strong roots.

Conclusion
Training new disciples is about more than knowledge—it’s about movement, modeling, and multiplying. By keeping things simple, sharing testimonies, and cultivating a culture of evangelism, we can empower new believers to take their place in the Great Commission.

In the 10th episode of For the Harvest, host Stephen Daniel celebrates a milestone conversation with a powerhouse panel: John, David, and Paul Worcester. With over 40 years of collective experience in church planting and collegiate ministry, the Worcesters unpack one of the most foundational (and misunderstood) practices in evangelism—how to disciple a new believer from the very beginning.

The Importance of Starting Right
The discussion begins with a vital insight: not everyone who claims to be a Christian is truly born again. Before anything else, the priority is verifying salvation through a clear gospel presentation that emphasizes repentance, lordship, and surrender. Baptism follows as a public declaration—a defining moment of going all-in for Christ.

“A new believer is like wet cement. The habits they form early will shape their walk with Jesus for life.” —John Worcester

Helping Believers Feed Themselves
A major theme of the episode is training new believers not to become dependent on pastors or mentors, but on the Holy Spirit and the Word. By modeling daily quiet time, inviting discovery through Scripture, and fostering accountability, leaders can help believers feed themselves—and teach others to do the same.

The team also champions the idea of “ghosting discipleship,” where mentors step back intentionally to empower others to lead. It’s not about control—it’s about multiplication.

Movements Begin With One Question
Perhaps the most compelling takeaway is the power of asking a new believer: “Who else do you know that might be interested in this?” This simple question, when asked consistently, has launched entire movements in places like India—and can do the same globally. New believers are uniquely positioned to reach their networks, and when equipped, they can become catalysts for spiritual awakening.

Welcome back to the "For the Harvest" podcast! In this episode, "Strategies for Accelerating Evangelistic Growth," hosts John Worcester, David Worcester, and Paul Worcester, joined by Stephen Daniel, dive deep into the essential components of true spiritual revival and effective ministry. They explore the interconnectedness of three core biblical commands: loving God, loving one another, and loving the lost, presenting them as the "three-legged stool" of accelerating evangelistic growth.

The discussion emphasizes that while these principles may seem basic, their practical application is crucial. The team outlines four key characteristics of disciples they aim to cultivate: spirit-filled, Bible-directed, mission-driven, and family-devoted. Discover why genuine fellowship (koinonia) goes beyond mere social gatherings, fostering mutual support and shared mission. Learn why neglecting the mission to the lost can lead to inward-focused, unhealthy communities and how intentional evangelism is vital for Christian joy and dependence on God. This episode offers profound insights into building vibrant, outwardly focused Christian communities.

Additionally, a downloadable version of the Spirit-Filled Family Evaluation form mentioned at the end of this episode can be found here: https://churchplantingleadership.subspla.sh/8bx8579

Welcome back to the "For the Harvest" podcast, Episode 8: "Equipping and Encouraging Harvesters"! This episode delves into the vital art of empowering and supporting those on the front lines of evangelism – the "harvesters." Hosts John, Paul, and David Worcester, along with Stephen Daniel, share profound insights drawn from their extensive ministry experience.

They unpack what it means to "equip" (like a fisherman preparing a net) and "encourage" (putting courage into people) for the challenging yet deeply fulfilling work of evangelism. Discover why even the most gifted evangelists need consistent support, practical tools, and a strong sense of team to persevere and multiply the harvest.