Session 6:
Getting Crazy
Dr Douglass Norwood

Session 10:
Becoming Strong to Overcome
Pastor Cesar Castellanos

Q: How has the conference been for you so far? It has been a while and the last time you came to Singapore was in 2008. How was it then and now?

It has really been fantastic! There's really been a growth and development and the atmosphere really hits you! You feel the excitement in the air, the passion, the way people are talking and relating – it's really awesome!

Q: What are some of the key things that really stood out for you that you'll certainly take home to Hawaii?

Well, you know, my relationship with Ps Lawrence has gotten so much stronger over the years. We see each other in different conferences, and it just feels like I'm home. There's a real warmth and a real genuineness that stems from our relationship - not just the conference. And it's genuine. It's just amazing.

Q: It's obvious that you both share the same G12 Vision. Tell us more about how the G12 Vision is doing in Hawaii?

Well, you know when we first started 10 years ago, we didn't have a lot of the resources, and it was very hard getting started. We made some mistakes because we didn't have the knowledge and resources back then compared to now. But it has certainly grown with the help of Ps Cesar Castellanos and Ps Lawrence who have been so supportive. We chat and share with each other about our journeys and what we're going through – which has really been helpful.

Currently, our church is doing real well – we've got our 12, our 144, and the 1728s and we're reaching out even more than ever to the community. Everything is cell-driven, G12-driven and Ps Cesar comes yearly to do our own personal G12 in Hawaii. The key thing for us in Hawaii is that a lot of people see that discipleship is the way to go. You see, you can't add disciples until you start winning them, and our church is all about soul-winning. But you know, it's not just about the numbers - it's more about the passion!

Q: You have a deep passion for the younger generation. Why is it so important for you to expose them to the G12 vision and get them on track with it?

Well, a number of years ago, I noticed that some of my 12 were not really going the distance with me and were losing a little steam. So what I did was to begin to transition to the younger individuals to get them on the G12 track. It was a slow process, and I didn't radically change things.

It was just a matter of teaching them the language - teaching them about Christ being the center of G12. Why? Jesus was about winning souls – all about discipleship! So that's how it started and it's working. I think a key to this is that you have to be sensitive to both sides of the field. You have to understand what issues the younger generation might be facing, and learn how to relate what they have learned about the vision. So it's a learning process.

Q: How did you bring the G12 Vision message across to your members?

When we heard about G12 and even taking it further, I said, "Listen, I'm not gonna tell you what this is, but I want to work with anybody in this room, anyone in this entire church." I wanted our church to be at the cutting edge of the global ministry. And several hundred people came forward and I took about six months to basically work with the concept of small groups as a start. I didn't immediately come out 'shouting' about G12 because I hardly knew about it myself. But I was learning and we transitioned that way. So they understood my motive instead of seeing it as just another programme or something that had to be done.

I think it's important that the people need to know where the heart is and where are we going. They want to buy into you genuinely. They want authenticity. They want somebody who is real. So I tell them, "Listen, I want your time or your treasure. When you give me your time, I'll make sure I'll invest in that!"

Q: What are your thoughts about this year's Painting the Town Red theme? You certainly gave a very visual message!

It's such a powerful message that needs to be understood by any generation. You know, it's sad that some people come to church without seeing or understanding biblical truths. So what I do is deliver the same message but use different tools to communicate it. If I have to use a visual, I'll use a visual.

This year's theme is so powerful because you can't be a Christian without the power of the cross. Receiving Christ is about his understanding that it is His blood that was shed for our sins so we can be free! That means that wherever you go, you've been washed by the blood and that gives every believer - young and old, the authority over sin.

And God is saying, "Take my power, my grace, my love, my mercy - wherever you're at, that's for you, to declare, to evangelise, to command and to help people.

Q: This is your first G12 Asia Conference. Share with us some of your thoughts.

This is my introduction to G12 and I'm impressed with Pastor Cesar Castellanos – about his integrity and humility. And he speaks from the heart. That's why people appreciate him. I think Ps Khong and Nina are just awesome people, and I praise God for the friendship we've established. I was also really glad to meet the folks from England, South Africa, Hawaii and the U.S.

You know, this congregation has a unique blend of leadership that really seems to honestly care for each other. And I haven't found that in a lot of other churches in the world. This is unique. You should give thanks for the church God has created here at FCBC. It's an incredible gift from the Lord. So I'm having a ball here!

Q: What are your thoughts about the theme this year and how it ties back to the G12 vision?

You know, Jesus never tells us to go and evangelise to people. He tells us to go and make disciples. And it's a process of painting the town red or painting the country red. To me it means going and
making sufficient disciples and to have sufficient passion that it 'glues' the country it changes. I'm not talking about everybody necessarily being saved and brought on board as a kingdom disciple, but I'm talking about everybody and everything being touched by the gospel one way or the other to the point where the country's morality changes - even healthcare systems, politics, financial structures begin to change and reflect something of God!

So I like the concept of painting the town and country red. I've even heard somewhere about making a country purple, meaning you're bringing it into God's Kingdom!

Q: Are there any similarities or parallels between G12 and Broken Jars ministry?

I definitely see that we're walking parallel pathways. It's going to take time and of course plenty of dialogue to work on future projects together. But it's really exciting and I see it taking shape in the next year or so! I'm personally anxious to start dialogues with the various leaders to explore the many opportunities and possibilities.

You see, when there is a unified sense of togetherness, of purpose and joy, of affirmation and encouragement, amazing things will happen and the Lord will bless the promotion of the ministry – be it Broken Jars or G12. It's not so much resource-dependent, it's people dependent. So what worries me is the deep spiritual problem and independent aloofness from God in some cultures of Western Europe and North America. There is really a deep need to evangelise and bring people back to Christ, and I think the G12 model is the way to go - especially in the areas of consolidation and discipleship.

Q: Tell us about your G12 journey and how did you start.

I heard about the vision in 2007 where we literally started from scratch. We had very few people – only my wife, my children and three couples that I had invited to join me. It was a struggle as we already had our own structure and system. I was even thinking of just sitting down and being part of an 'ordinary' church growth. So when we implemented the vision, we had to re-structure everything. That was a transition and a journey for us. That transition was also part of my own personal life as well, together with family. Once we were confident about the vision, we began to take this into the church and our members started to pick up on the system.

Q: Tell us which aspect of the G12 vision attracted you.

Well, we were so frustrated with seeing many years of slow church growth in the Philippines, and we were really praying for God to come into the picture. We really wanted to grow! So when we encountered and learnt more about the G12 vision, I embraced it with no hesitation. You see, I've always been attracted to the multitudes. I want the multitudes – but it's not easy to get there. We also have so many things to address, and it's hard to focus when you have so many things and priorities to juggle being a church leader. So my struggle was how to give up all this and focus on one thing. The process was simple – yet hard. It was a struggle – even for my family. But now, my daughter, who was at first hesitant to be part of the vision, is now a leader building her own 144!

Q: What is the most important lesson you have learnt about the vision, and how are you growing your church?

As we continue to grow with the vision, the key factor for me is to focus on the 12. When we really started to put more emphasis on nurturing and focusing on the 12 last year, we really saw a breakthrough in growth. Now in the Philippines, we have 12 committed leaders of Pastor Cesar Castellanos and more than 300 pastors that I mentor all over the Philippines. We've also had two gatherings, which was attended by over 7,000 people. It's just wonderful. So it's all about focusing on the 12. I do not have any other agenda, just focusing on the vision. Wherever I go, even in my organisation, we have no other agenda. It's just all about the G12 vision. Nothing else.

Q: Any words of encouragement? What is your vision for your church and the Philippines?

The G12 vision has been proven and tested. And therefore there is no room for tiredness, fear or doubts. It's only a matter of making some adjustments along the journey. Focus everything on the vision, and forget models that do not work. If you are willing to do that, we can definitely reach the masses and the multitudes. There is no doubt. And I strongly believe we are not only called to attract the multitudes, but to govern the multitudes! This is our vision.

At our age, some of us are thinking of giving up and retiring. But God has given me the vision of raising 24,000 leaders before He takes me up!

Q: Pastor Oh, you are from Korea. Why did you decide to go to Mongolia?

It's quite hard to explain. Someone told me about Mongolia, and the more I read and learned about it, it just touched my heart so deeply that I just had to go. I told myself that if I go to Mongolia, I could maybe bring God's kingdom to the Mongolian people! That was one of the reasons I went to Mongolia.

Q: Tell me a little more about the history of your church and how you got started with the G12 vision.

In the beginning, my church was a traditional church with only 120 members. Church growth was stagnat and it stopped growing. There was literally no evangelism, no interest and no passion. As a pastor, I wanted to see the people growing spiritually and it was very frustrating. This was before I encountered the G12 vision.

After I studied more about G12, I became very passionate about it - about its goals, purpose and mission. I therefore made a decision to start the G12 ministry in my church. In November 2007, I had the first encounter session with just 54 people. It was a powerful experience and the amazing thing was that after the encounter, these people wanted to 'fly'… and become like 'eagles'! They wanted to evangelise and spread God's word and love. I didn't even have to persuade them at all. They were so willing to go out and evangelise! It was truly amazing!

Q: What is your hope and desire for your church in the future?

I see my leaders and I serving the church and the Mongolian people - giving them motivation and challenges so that they can grow and evangelise more. By doing this, they grow spiritually. So I really want to see these people receive the motivation to go out, evangelise and make disciples. That's what I want to see and I want to help them. By the end of this year, I want my church membership to hit 3,000 – so I will keep challenging my leaders and our church members to make this vision and the G12 vision come true!

Q: In your opinion, what are some of the challenges of initiating the G12 vision in Mongolia?

Well, it is a very unique culture with a lot of tradition - a very strong culture. So it is sometimes very difficult to bridge this culture gap, especially the language barrier. But now, I have a strong, committed group of 12 leaders who are passionate about the vision and about making disciples. So a lot of these problems and issues are getting much easier to deal with. I firmly believe that the Lord has a wonderful purpose for Mongolia and all over Asia! So I encourage anyone who wants to see their church grow, take up the G12 vision!