Stage Overview: ENTRY

​ "Begin with the end in mind." It's classic advice, as applicable to movement work as it is to parenting or business strategy. How we enter a movement work, what we do and model in the early days, how we spend our time, where we place our focus - it all matters. It is crucial in the early stages of a movement work to remember that not only are we shaping the things that will come in subsequent stages by determining our platform, our method of evangelism, our philosophy of church formation and leadership development in our particular context, but we are also being shaped ourselves. As Aristotle said, "Well begun is half done". How we enter and how we begin a movement work matters, and beginning well in the right spirit will smooth the way later on. We will certainly make mistakes - that is simply unavoidable; but starting with humility, with the attitude of a learner, with a heart centered on seeking God in desperation and brokenness, is simply irreplaceable as the foundation of any entry strategy. Too often missionaries enter their field of service full of knowledge, strategy, and eagerness, but woefully lacking in humble dependence - on God, and on the local people around them. Several years ago at a gathering of movement catalysts, these leaders were asked what they look for in potential laborers, and their number one answer was “teachability”. Prayer can help bring us back to humility, teachability, and healthy dependence on God and others.

​ It is natural for most of us to jump straight into strategic planning when faced with the enormity of the work before us, but if we look at the example of Jesus and the disciples, we see that prayer is actually at the core of how we are to begin a work. Prayer keeps us centered on the simple fact that this is God's mission in which we are invited to participate. Not only does prayer lay the foundation of new works, but it may also be the key to connecting to “God-prepared” people who are ready to respond to the good news. Prayerwalking, prayer for the sick, prayers of blessing on those we meet - these can all be entry strategies that not only help us learn more about our focus place or population, but may also become a bridge to receptive hearers. Of course sharing the gospel directly with the people in your focus area is central to catalyzing a movement work, and we should certainly share as if we have something of great value to give - because we do! But we can also easily bridge into the good news by seeking to understand the needs and hurts of those around us, and by humbly asking God to intervene around those needs and hurts. House churches and whole movements have been started in this way time and time again. Why would we expect anything less? God delights to get involved when his love is being tangibly demonstrated to those far from him.

​ As you research the background, religion, history, and social realities of your people, do so through the lens of listening prayer. God stands ready to speak to us in unexpected ways if we would but listen more regularly and more patiently! There is no aspect of movement work that cannot be engaged through a heart of prayer, and that is especially true in the entry stage of a movement work. God has been active among your people for far longer than you have been present among them. He certainly has vision for these people, desires for a redeemed expression of their culture, and a hunger for them to know and glorify him. There is no better way to grow in motivation for the work God has entrusted to us than by hearing and seeing his heart for the people around us.

​ Lastly, as a person who wants to see movements catalyzed, you also need to consider how you can pray and serve to see successful entry strategies by many others. The main question is not how you and your team can gain entry, but rather how you can help many people gain entry through existing access and through creating entry strategies for new access.

Prayer Priorities for this Stage:

• Ask the Lord to build a team of "alongsiders" and inside catalysts who will envision and equip local believers for movement work. Pray that daily!
• Seek the Lord about specific ways to pray for our focus people
• Include every team member's gifts and prayer styles in our shared times of prayer
• Increase prayerwalking among our focus people
• Become known as people of prayer in our context \ community
• Pray for our focus people with local believers or near-culture believers
• Learn about how our focus people pray