When I was first introduced to T4T or Training for Trainers, I saw it as a simplified method of discipleship that would likely be effective in other countries but probably would not be adaptable to most churches in the United States. After more thorough study, I realized that it was not just another discipleship program that could be taught in most churches but that it was a comprehensive process of evangelism, discipleship, church formation and leadership development. It is in its simplicity that T4T has its greatest value. T4T is not a program or a curriculum to be taught or implemented. It is, instead, a process that must be imbedded into every part of a church-planting movement.
After we provided training to local church members and other church pastors and leaders, we saw how the principles of multiplication could have an immediate effect on the spiritual landscape of the communities around us. It was not until later that we realized that the simplicity of T4T could be taught not only in face to face classroom situations but it could also be taught through the use of social media. With only slight modification, we were able to introduce the basic concepts and methods of the T4T process to people all over the world.
In the last two years, we have introduced T4T to Christians in many different countries. More than 600 individuals have been taught the ideas and principles of this simple, yet powerful process. People have requested the training from Brazil, Nepal, India, Dubai, Pakistan, and Uganda. People who desired to receive the T4T training were encouraged to invite their friends into private Facebook Groups where they could receive the instruction and also post replies to questions and assignments. Another great advantage was the ability to conduct group chats with the members of different groups.
Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Nepal where I conducted T4T training sessions in Kathmandu and in Chitwan. There were approximately 100 people who attended these training sessions and many of these people were learning about T4T for the first time. The training was done in large group settings as well as in small group and one on one sessions.
Although this is still a work in progress, we believe that the structure and simplicity of T4T , coupled with the widespread acceptance of social media, could open the doors to a movement that could have a tremendous impact on the world in years to come.
Ed Watson
Onward Church