“Baptist are really good at witnessing, but can’t make disciples.”

A while back I was in a superstore with a friend. He and I were paying for our items, and as most Pentacostals and Baptists who are in the same room do, we began to discuss our own denominations. We got into a “My horse is bigger” competition, and in the middle of the conversation he said “Baptist are really good at witnessing, but can’t make disciples.” He abruptly apologized thinking that he went too far, but I thought he had made a good point. Now as I think back on this statement, I couldn’t disagree more.

One of the best things that I love about my denomination is that we not only reach people to Christ, we also train and help others learn how to reach others to Christ. We then send them out on the mission field at home or away to reach more people to Christ. We make disciples to grow the kingdom.

I am so glad to be able to teach and minister to a youth group, and ge to know who these young people are. Today, I got to walk around with a member of my youth group as we explored this other church. We saw their Student Ministry Center, and I began to dream. I told him all of my plans for this ministry, and he looked up at me and told me his dreams for the ministry. I asked him what he wanted to do with his life, was he thinking ministry? He and I got to talk like friends, and not only did I have the chance to disciple him, he had the chance to pour into me!

Baptists can make disciples. We may not do it the same way as our brothers and sisters of other denominations, but we are making new disciples.