By Dr. Adam Grill, Founder of Family Network
The future of the Church isn’t addition. It’s multiplication.
For decades, we have operated under a "gathering" mindset. We build beautiful buildings, craft perfect services, and wait for the world to come to us. But the reality is sobering: there is a $40 billion problem where that staggering amount of annual giving maintains an inward focus for over 300,000 churches that are currently plateaued or declining. While the northern hemisphere: the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan: drowns in a sea of lostness, we are seeing the most explosive disciple-making movements (DMMs) happening in the Global South, where ordinary believers see their everyday lives as the primary mission field.
It is time to shift from maintenance to mission. It is time to move the Great Commission out of the sanctuary and into the marketplace.
Your office, your construction site, your hospital ward, or your remote Slack channel is not just a place to earn a paycheck. It is a strategic outpost for the Kingdom of God. Whether you are a CEO or a new intern, you are called to catalyze a movement exactly where you are.
Explore: The Shift from Sunday to Monday
The first step in our Explore pathway is stepping into a new vision. We must stop seeing our work as a "secular" distraction from our "sacred" Sunday activities. In The Real Jesus: Book 1, we see a Savior who didn't wait in the temple for seekers; He walked the dusty roads, visited the fishing docks, and sat at the tables of tax collectors.
Jesus’ model was never about gathering crowds; it was about sending disciple-makers.
When you begin to explore marketplace disciple-making, you start to ask: What if my job is my primary ministry? This realization is the spark of a disciple-making culture. You aren't just an accountant; you are a disciple-maker who happens to be an accountant.
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) commands us: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” The Greek word for "go" is more accurately translated as "as you are going." As you are going to the breakroom. As you are going to the board meeting. As you are going to the client pitch.
Multiply: Identifying Your "Person of Peace"
Once you’ve embraced the vision, it’s time to move into the Multiply phase. This is where we shift from "addition" (inviting one person to church) to "multiplication" (equipping someone to reach their entire network).
The most effective tool in any disciple-making movement is identifying the Person of Peace. Based on Luke 10, a Person of Peace is someone who is:
- Open: They are curious about your faith or spiritual matters.
- Hospitable: They welcome you into their life or social circle.
- Influential: When they change, others in their network notice and follow.
Instead of trying to evangelize everyone in the office at once, focus on the few to reach the many. Find that one colleague who is going through a difficult season or asking deep questions. In The Real Jesus: Book 2, we witness how Jesus invested deeply in a small core of twelve, knowing they would eventually reach the world.
✔ How to Spot a Person of Peace at Work:
- They ask you why you’re so calm during a company crisis.
- They share a personal struggle and ask for your perspective.
- They respond positively when you mention you’ll pray for them.
- They are a "connector" who knows everyone in the department.
When you find this person, don't just invite them to your church building. Invite them to a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) during lunch. A DBS is simple, reproducible, and requires no theological degree: just an open Bible and a willing heart.
Strengthen: Transforming the Workplace Culture
To move from a one-time conversation to a sustained movement, we must Strengthen the systems of support. At Family Network, we provide the proven ministry resources and church coaching needed to turn these sparks into a fire.
Marketplace disciple-making isn't just about "soul-winning"; it's about cultural transformation. When you follow the commands of Christ in the marketplace, you bring a higher standard of integrity, service, and excellence. You begin to create a disciple-making culture where others are drawn to the "Real Jesus" they see reflected in your work ethic and your love.
As Paul writes in Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV): “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters… It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
When your colleagues see that you serve a higher Master, it opens the door for strategic alignment. You aren't just "doing business"; you are demonstrating the Kingdom.
The Marketplace Pathway to Multiplication
- Explore: Change your perspective. See your workplace as a mission field, not just a paycheck.
- Multiply: Identify one Person of Peace and start a simple 20-minute weekly Bible discovery group.
- Strengthen: Connect your small group to a larger network of support, ensuring the new disciples are equipped to start their own groups.
The Future of the Movement
We are seeing a global shift. In the 1990s, there were only 6 trackable disciple-making movements. By 2025, that number skyrocketed to 1,965. These movements are successful because they don't rely on "professional" clergy to do all the work. They rely on people like you: doctors, janitors, lawyers, and teachers: who understand that the Great Commission is their job description.
The $40 billion problem of inward-focused churches can only be solved if we, the Church, decide to be sent. We are a family of movements, and we want to come alongside you as you navigate this journey.
Are you ready to stop just "going to church" and start "being the Church" at your desk?
The Real Jesus is already at work in your office. He’s just waiting for you to join Him.
Join the Movement:
If you’re a church leader or a marketplace professional ready to shift from maintenance to mission, we invite you to contact us or explore our upcoming seminars. Let’s build a culture of multiplication together.
Dr. Adam Grill
Founder, Family Network
High-Impact Social Clip:
"Your workplace isn't just where you earn a living; it's where you live your mission. 🏢✨ Stop waiting for people to come to your church and start bringing the Real Jesus to your office. The future of the movement is in the marketplace! Read the full guide here: [Link to Post] #MarketplaceMinistry #DiscipleMaking #FamilyNetwork #TheRealJesus"
