The Making of an Apostolic People

Presents "Book of the Month"

THE MAKING OF AN
APOSTOLIC PEOPLE
Eyob Mamo

Introduction
"The church is now crying out for the restoration of authentic
apostolic ministry. We are praying for restoration and declaring it
prophetically. God's people are coming out of holes and prison houses. A
new liberty is coming to the church. A new freedom in ministry is being
released through the restoration of apostolic ministry". John Eckhardt;
Moving On The Apostolic, p. 28.
With the present restoration of the apostolic ministry comes the
greatest privilege of all times - the privilege of being raised up as
apostolic people. The authenticity of a movement is directly related to
the effectiveness of its leader. Likewise, the effectiveness of a leader is
measured and validated by his or her ability to raise genuine followers
that are consumed by the truth that is being restored and proclaimed.
True apostles and apostolic churches have within them God given
ability, grace and anointing to raise a mighty apostolic people. But how
does it happen? And where does it begin? How do you make apostolic
people out of ordinary disciples?
It is the purpose of this book to reveal the process by which
apostolic people emerge. What does it mean to be called by God? What
happens when we respond to the call of God? These and other questions
will be addressed in this book.
Before we think about serving the Lord, we have to accept Christ's
call for discipleship. His call to discipleship is a call to be a student,
follower and imitator of Christ's teachings and ministry. Just as He called
the original twelve disciples, Christ's call to His people today still
echoes: "Follow me." And those who respond to this call and lay down
their lives for a life of true discipleship are the ones He chooses to
remodel and reshape "into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter
to make" (Jeremiah 18:4).
It is this time of remodeling, reshaping and preparation that I call
"the process." It is a time of learning and training, of being reformed to
fit the use of the potter. No one can enter into a fruitful apostolic
anointing and ministry without going through this time of preparation.
Those who patiently go through this time of training will, in due season,
be sent out as apostolic people to impact and reclaim a territory for the
kingdom of God.
You see, there are three phases into this whole divine process. First
there is the call to true discipleship. Next there is the process of learning
and training. And then comes the commission into a mighty apostolic
ministry.
"And He went up on the mountain and
called to Him those He Himself wanted.
And they came to Him. Then He appointed
twelve, that they might be with Him and that
He might send them out to preach, and to
have power to heal sicknesses and to cast
out demons" (Mark 3:13-15).
Notice the divine order: First, "…He called to Him... ". Next is the
preparation or process which includes training and impartation, "…that
they might be with Him…". Then they were commissioned, "…that He
might send them out…".
Knowing that we have been called to be sent out is a key step in our
journey. It is most common, however, for us to eagerly desire to be sent
out right away. But often God has another plan: "…that we might be
with Him…" before He send us forth. It is our responsibility to
understand the ways of God and surrender with total submission. Then
and only then can we emerge into what God wants us to become.
This process is Jesus' evolutionary model of the call to discipleship.
When we are obedient to submit to His wisdom and follow His steps, He
remodels us to be revolutionary. We're reshaped to become a mighty
force for the kingdom of God in our region