Patterned After Acts

The completion of the planting season brings a reflection time. The conversation starts in the local farm field and then moves across the local church, including Young Contenders Church and the Equipping Philippians Leaders, the Western Slice’s Philippian Church Network, and the Global Dialogues. Exciting milestones mark this season as well, including the completion of the Mastering the Scriptures...

Michael sits down with George Cherian, an apostolic leader in India who oversees churches in India and in New York. They discuss his transition away from a focus on theological arguments, preaching on doctrines, and getting church plants and attendance numbers up, to helping establish a team of leaders to shepherd the churches in his field and solve real problems in those churches. He made this sh...

A conversation about a place of belonging; in our life, in our grand strategy among networks and leaders, and among those who have been with us from the beginning. We also say goodbye to a dear partner and friend. Watch this Discussion and all others on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PatternedAfterActs/videos

The conversation this month focuses on celebrating the progress of The Way of Christ and the Apostles in Ames and India. Partner progress and looking to the future made for an encouraging discussion. Watch this Discussion and all others on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PatternedAfterActs/videos

This month, the discussion starts with a personal perspective of origins and development of Michael’s stewardship as an apostolic leader. This theme runs through the conversation as leadership development workshops, celebrations, and progress are highlighted. Local and global examples are explored and used to challenge and encourage those leaders who listen Producer's Note: We had some audio...

This discussion focuses on the past month's work supporting Indian and other Asian leaders in their efforts to establish leaders across their networks. They also talk about the work at home with City Church generations and the harvest beginning for Michael.  Watch this Discussion and all others on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PatternedAfterActs/videos

Joseph and his son Joshua discuss the progress in TWCA over the last year. They describe the Family Celebration of TWCA Grads as a symbol that marked a significant milestone and served as an inspiration for others in their families to do the same. Their "heartbeat" is to see the church grow across Africa with the patterns seen in Acts, and the church to drive and sustain it.  Watch this...

After traveling through Asia, Michael provides updates on the progress of leaders in India and another large Asian country who are maturing in the TWCA paradigm. In India, he visited 13 networks across four cities and met a long-time leader who has been using our resources for 15 years to equip his city and village. Michael also reflects on the success of the new Working Workshops, which virtually...

"I cannot be out there on the far reaches of places in other networks talking about something I am not prepared to, or working hard at in my own." Gain insight into Steve's journey in understanding the patterns of Acts as a framework for the stewardship of the fields he tends globally and in his local context.  Watch this Discussion and all others on our YouTube Channel: https://www...

It's not just about curriculum or theological degrees. The Way of Christ and his Apostles paradigm requires a whole-life shift, making all believers lifelong learners and training leaders in their contexts as Paul did with Timothy, birthing new clusters of churches as they grow in establishment. Hear the excitement about what God is doing through the networks in India as they realign their st...

Springtime, the season of rebirth, always centers around Michael’s family farm enterprise and getting crops in the ground. Jay and Michael talk about the planting season and other issues that came up this season. Michael’s family endured surgeries to repair their bodies. The theme carried on with the expansion of Ames-Des Moines City Church and what needs to be done to be ready for the church-plan...

Scott and Matt (church leaders from New York and New Jersey) share their journeys of discovering a deeper, Acts-based framework for church life; moving their churches beyond traditional models to a way of living as church families rooted in the pattern of Christ and His apostles. Watch this Discussion and all others on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PatternedAfterActs/videos

Mario and his wife Amui, church network leaders in Spain, discuss their story of complete transformation within their family and church family, following The Way of Christ and His Apostles. With their scope expanded, they give insight into their vision for the churches in Spain, coworking with churches across the globe in this new way of life. Watch this Discussion and all others on our YouTube Ch...

Ali from Algeria is back for the 2025 Global Summit! In this conversation, he processes the paradigm shift from televangelism to building churches patterned after Acts. They discuss how the challenges of his field in the MENA (Middle East and North African) church networks and communities are a rewarding part of the work. God's power is shown through the action of apostolic leadership and chu...

This month's conversation engages the family of families concept from the household, local network, national network and global network. Beginning with the household, Michael discusses some significant points from his family and then transitions into broader family issues. Rounding out this month's discussion were developing leaders around the gathering and building their networks and un...

Michael discusses his work in January as Jay adds context related to expansion and establishment of the church. Accreditation of BILD’s global school, bible translation, and skills and impact for the church gatherings are framed with the expansion concept as the overarching theme. The discussion looks at the integrated nature of our work and the implications for the network. Michael lays out the a...

Michael talks about his recent trip to India and the encouraging evidence of the spirit moving before them on this trip. The Indian networks organized celebrations that engaged and encouraged network leaders around the globe.  He shares moving stories of individuals that showcase the rooting of The Way of Christ and the Apostles. He also shares exciting updates about the rooting and growth of lead...

Michael talks with Chadwick about his 15-year journey in TWCA. Chadwick’s beginnings in a megachurch present challenges that he and his leaders wrestle with as they live out the paradigm and work to become a family in the large crowd. His description of training leaders and becoming a family along the New Roman Road honestly addresses the challenges faced locally and as they dispersed their family...

Michael and Jay discuss a wide range of topics, from Michael's self-enterprising work as a farmer to the expanding field we are stewarding across the globe. They also reflect on recent insights from our network-wide discussions in the Petrine Circle and Parenting strategies that place us in a position of strength to contend for the faith. Watch this Discussion and all others on our YouTube Ch...

Michael sits down with Savannah from our 3rd Generation to discuss what excites her about The Way of Christ and His Apostles, her current understanding of her life purpose and why she is taking her faith development seriously. VIDEO CHAPTERS 00:00: Intro 00:53: What excites you most about TWCA? 01:55: What are you learning about yourself? 03:12: What is your life purpose? 03:44: What are your next...

Michael sits down with Jade from our 3rd Generation to discuss her current stage in life, what directed her decision to stay in Ames for College, and her excitement for all that the future holds. Watch this Discussion and all others on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PatternedAfterActs/videos

Watch this Discussion and all others on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PatternedAfterActs/videos

The importance of committing to a life long learning process and the power that the first principles of Christ can have on a community Watch this Discussion and all others on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PatternedAfterActs/videos

In this report we talk about: Global apostolic workers, the European Gatherings, Muslim Network and the work involved in Bible Translation. Watch this Discussion and all others on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PatternedAfterActs/videos

Discussing the journey to the churches in Ukraine during the war times. Hear about the context of the Ukrainian country and the church, including hearing about those patterning their churches according to Acts. Watch this Discussion and all others on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PatternedAfterActs/videos