Pastor César Castellanos developed the G12 strategy after visiting with Pastor David Yonggi Cho, who had successfully implemented a cell-group structure in the Yoido Full Gospel Church in South Korea. With about 1,000,000 members (2007), Yoido is the largest Protestant Christian congregation in the world.[2]

Pastor César returned to his church, Misión Carismática Internacional in Bogotá, Colombia, with the revelation that he received from God while he was in South Korea — that God had given him a vision which would increase the number of Christian believers and help him to care for the growing numbers of people.[1]

 Aim of the G12 Vision

The aim of the G12 Vision is to form disciples with a Christ-like character who in turn will 'go and make disciples' as commanded by Jesus. Through prayer, encounters with God, teaching, support and encouragement, disciples are then encouraged to also make disciples. In both theory and example this process leads the church to grow exponentially, without losing accountability of Christian values due to the eventual size of the church.

 G12 Methodology

The G12 Vision is based on the methodology used by Jesus to begin his ministry, when he chose the Twelve Apostles. Following his 40 days temptation in the desert, the first act of Jesus in his ministry was to form a group of 12 disciples,who were all men. (Mark 3:14). Additionally, in the book of Acts the first action taken by the 11 remaining disciples (Judas Iscariot having been instrumental in Jesus' eventual crucifixion and therefore no longer part of the group ) was to re-establish a group of 12. Seeing fit not to leave it at 11, or allow 13, but rather to cast lots, which fell on Matthias, to fulfill the 12. Jesus of course included women in His group of disciples,Mary Magdalene and His own Mother for example but the men only are counted as Apostles. (Acts 1:26). It was only after the re-established as a 12, that the day of Pentecost came,although Jesus had already appeared to both men and women and many men and women were present,not just the 12 Apostles, when the Holy Spirit fell at Pentecost.

The G12 Vision is explained by Pastor Cesar in his self published books, Dream and you will Win the World,[3] and Successful Leadership Through the Government of 12.[4]

 Ladder of Success

"Ladder of Success" is used to describe the main steps of the G12 Vision.[5]

  • Win: Evangelism aiming to win people to a new belief in Christ.
  • Consolidate: This stage involves attending an Encounter with God weekend retreat, where a new believer is 'consolidated' in the faith by prayer,exposing of generational curses,casting out of demons and deep repentance.
  • Disciple: At this stage, individuals are expected to enroll in the School of Leaders, which will begin to train the believer to recruit new disciples.
  • Send: Leaders are 'sent' to do the work by establishing a new cell group of 12 men or 12 women depending on the gender of the "leader".

 G12 International Conference

An annual G12 International Conference is held in Bogotá, Colombia in January and is hosted by Misión Carismática Internacional church. The President of Colombia has frequently attended these events. Former President of Colombia (2002–2010) Álvaro Uribe attended in 2004,[6] 2005,[7] 2007,[8] 2008,[9] and 2009.[10][11] In 2006, Senator Germán Vargas Lleras attended and in 2010, former Minister of Defence and future President, Juan Manuel Santos spoke at the conference.[12] At the 2012 conference Álvaro Uribe returned to thank the church and delegates for their prayers and support during his time in government.[13]

 G12 Internationally

Many churches (mostly Pentecostal, particularly Neo-charismatic) around the world work with the G12 Vision.[14][15] Conferences are held each year on every continent.[16]

 Concerns

In 2002, Joel Comiskey, founder of the "Joel Comiskey Group"[17] raised concerns about the G12 Vision.[18][19]

 References

  1. ^ a b What is G12?
  2. ^ "O come all ye faithful". The Economist: p. 6. 2007-11-03. https://www.economist.com/specialreports/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10015239&CFID=25385374. Retrieved 2007-11-05. 
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ [2]
  5. ^ The Wall Street Journal, 'Spreading the Word--Fast'
  6. ^ INTERVENCIÓN ANTE LA CONVENCION INTERNACIONAL DE LA MISION CARISMÁTICA
  7. ^ Palabras del presidente Uribe en convención de Misión Carismática Internacional
  8. ^ XX CONVENCIÓN CARISMÁTICA INTERNACIONAL G – 12
  9. ^ Palabras del Presidente Álvaro Uribe en la Convención Anual de la Misión Carismática Internacional
  10. ^ Palabras del Presidente Álvaro Uribe en la Convención de la Misión Carismática Internacional
  11. ^ Christian Today, 'British pastor praises Colombian president'
  12. ^ Christian Today, 'Christians welcome Colombian presidential victory for Santos'
  13. ^ G12 Conference Photos 2012
  14. ^ The Straits Times, 'Megachurch: Colombia'
  15. ^ Charisma, 'Church-Growth Strategy Goes Global'
  16. ^ G12 Conferences
  17. ^ Joel Cominskey Group
  18. ^ Concerns about the G12 Movement
  19. ^ Cell Church Solutions - concerns about G12

 External links

Official sites