DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY

The Discipleship Ministry is founded on the vision of the Navigators Church Ministry: The 2:7 Series, a course in Personal Discipleship to strengthen your walk with God. Nav27series.org  It is designed for small group intensive Bible study, which focuses on developing meaningful quiet time, how to pray, scripture memorization, witnessing through personal testimonies,  and evangelism by sharing the gospel.  Each discipleship class consists of separate groups for both men and women, led by two-three facilitators and is unique in that it offers greater intimacy to each participant and the opportunity to address issues and struggles that are gender specific.

In continuing the fulfillment of The First Baptist Church of Highland Park’s commitment to our Lord’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), the Navigator’s 2:7 Discipleship Series  is based on Colossians 2:7“Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” KJV.  It was founded with these three purposes:

• To raise up faithful men and women who will be able to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2
• To present every believer perfect in Christ. Colossians 1:28-29
• To prepare each believer for his personal mission field. Acts 1:8

Pastor James J. McCord (Pastor Emeritus) implemented a discipleship training institute at First Baptist Church of Highland Park based on Information, one of its members, Rev. Eric Redmond, brought back from a conference at The Washington Bible College.

Rev. Ronald E. Crawford, then Dean of Christian Education and three other men were the first Participants from Highland Park to attend the Navigators Leadership Training Conference held in 1991 in Fredericksburg, Va.  Those three men would go on to facilitate the first Men’s Discipleship class which had a graduation class of eight men in March 1993.As a result of the success of the first group of men, the discipleship ministry was opened to both men and women.

The Women’s Discipleship group was an outgrowth of a second leadership training session, which was held at First Baptist in the fall of 1992.  From among the group of trainees, Deacon Yvonne Felton (Dir., Christian Education) was appointed as the Coordinator of the Women’s Discipleship classes.

The Discipleship Ministry grew exponentially under the leadership of Deacons Vivian Hill and Noline Neal. During their more than 20 years of service in the ministry, a wealth of supportive material was created which continues to be used in conjunction with the 2:7 Series curriculum. Also, the implementation of a Facilitators Training Workshop which provides new and existing facilitators the opportunity to share classroom experiences and share in the growth and service of the Ministry.

The Navigators organization celebrated 50 years of disciple making, and Ministry leaders from FBHP were invited to participate in their Jubilee celebration held in Frisco, Texas on February 6-8, 2020. The Discipleship Ministry leaders, Diaconate Chair, Cheryl Crawford, & Rev. Emanuel Williams participated in various workshops and gained additional knowledge of the use of the material while in fellowship with other stewards of the 2:7 Series, worldwide.
In March 2020, FBHP was required by a Statewide mandate to close our Church Building and quarantine to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 worldwide virus. The ongoing Discipleship classes continued to meet via conference call, FaceTime, etc. and the Ministry leaders sought God’s direction for the ministry while quarantined. In His faithfulness, God answered FBHP’s need to continue the work of the Ministry by utilizing the Zoom Video-Conferencing tool. In September 2020 the Ministry offered Virtual Discipleship 2:7 classes to men and women throughout the United States. Resource material to support the 2:7 Training was tailored for virtual use. To date the Ministry supports virtual classes for students in various states as we continue the mission to equip disciples to make a kingdom difference in their churches, ministries, and individual lives.

To date there has been one thousand twenty-three (1,023) successful graduates from the Discipleship Training Program.  As a result, many graduates have moved on to leadership positions in the church, such as Diaconate Leaders, Ministers, Trustees, as well as leaders in other ministries.

The Fall and Spring discipleship training curriculum offered at First Baptist Church of Highland Park includes:

I. The Navigators Series, which consists of three 11-week training courses.

1. Growing Strong in God’s Family
2. Deepening Your Roots in God’s Family
3. Bearing Fruit in God’s Family

II.These three books focus on The Growing Disciple and the look, is more “inward” where students are focused on evangelism and ministering to others.

(Registration is currently closed)

Colossians 2:7
Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (KJV)

Co-Directors: Deacon Russell Crawford, Jr. and Deacon Lestine Graves.
Assistant Co-Director: Sister Deborah Crabbe

For more information, please contact our Church Office, at (301) 773-6655 or our Ministry Leaders  by e-mail at discipleship@fbhp.org