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01 · Trailhead — Movement Foundations

Understanding the DNA of Disciple-Making Movements

Understand the DNA.

Movement Foundations is a two-day introduction to disciple-making movements (DMM), taught by some of the best practitioners in the world. You will learn what DMM is, how it works, and what your first steps could look like. It is also the starting point for The Ascent, our coaching path. An optional third day, a mini Base Camp, goes deeper into putting DMM into practice.

Grace Community Church · Arlington, VA · January 28–29, 2027

Register for Movement Foundations See the agenda

Sponsored by

Partners

Movement Foundations is sponsored by Global Ekklesia Network (GEN), The Surge Community Church, and Mercy Alliance.

Speakers

Meet the speakers.

Four practitioners from movements across Asia, Africa, and North America.
Shodankeh Johnson

Shodankeh Johnson

Executive President, New Harvest Global Ministries

New Harvest Global Ministries

Shodankeh Johnson is the Executive President of New Harvest Global Ministries in Bo, Sierra Leone. New Harvest is an indigenous disciple-making movement (DMM) organization that plants churches across the region. Its work also covers compassion ministry, business development, leadership development, skills training and advanced education. He is on the Core Team of New Generations, where he mobilizes intercessors and trains DMM leaders in pioneer places. He previously served as President of the Evangelical Fellowship of Sierra Leone and is a graduate of Christ’s Life Theological Seminary. His ministry continued through Sierra Leone’s civil war. He is a recipient of the Colson Center’s William Wilberforce Award.

Victor John

Victor John

Vice President, Strategy Development

Asian Partners International (APII)

Victor John was born in Bihar, North India. He served as a pastor for 15 years before shifting to a movement strategy among the Bhojpuri people. That effort grew into one of Asia’s largest church planting movements, reported at 10 million or more believers. He is the author of Bhojpuri Breakthrough (2019) and a global strategist for church planting movements. At Asian Partners International (APII), he is Vice President, Strategy Development.

Dr. Aila Tasse

Dr. Aila Tasse

Founder, Lifeway Global

Lifeway Global

Dr. Aila Tasse was born in Kenya, came to faith from a Muslim background, and founded Lifeway Mission in 1994. It is now called Lifeway Global. Lifeway has helped catalyze over 47 DMMs in more than 30 countries, with over 18,000 churches planted. He is also East Africa Regional Director for New Generations. He holds two master’s degrees in Missions and Leadership and a doctorate in Transformational Leadership from Bakke Graduate University. In 2022 he handed leadership of Lifeway Kenya to John Dibah so he could focus on Lifeway Global’s wider reach. He wrote Cabbages in the Desert. He is married and has two sons and a daughter.

Roy Moran

Roy Moran

Executive Director, Mercy Alliance

Mercy Alliance

Roy Moran is Executive Director of Mercy Alliance. With his wife Candy, he founded Shoal Creek Community Church in Kansas City in 1992. As Directional Leader there, he has grown it to over 1,000 members by reaching people unaccustomed to traditional church. He is known for the “Hybrid Church” model, which combines the attractional church with DMM through a “Come/Go” strategy. He serves on the boards of the Institute of International Medicine (INMED) and Beyond. He and Candy live in the Kansas City area.

JAN 28–29 2027
Movement Foundations

Two days on the DNA of disciple-making movements

Grace Community Church · Arlington, VA · approx. 8 am–5 pm daily

A two-day introduction to disciple-making movements with some of the best practitioners in the world. Housing and meals are not provided.

$149 · Register
JAN 30 2027
Base Camp Preview

A deeper look at putting DMM into practice

Optional add-on day

A mini Base Camp: a more in-depth day that builds on Movement Foundations.

$59 · Add on
A group of people talking together outdoors under trees
Understanding grows in relationship, not in a classroom alone.

What to expect

Two days on the DNA of disciple-making movements.

Plus an optional third day: a mini Base Camp.
Jan 28–29 · Days 1–2

Movement Foundations

Two days of teaching from experienced practitioners on what disciple-making movements are, how they grow, and how to take a first step where you live. An optional third day goes deeper.

Jan 30 · Day 3 (optional)

Base Camp Preview

A mini Base Camp. Base Camp is the next stage of The Ascent after Trailhead, where you put what you learn into practice. This optional day is more in-depth than Movement Foundations and builds on it.

A deeper day for those who want to go beyond the basics.

Who it's for

Three contexts, one shared starting point.

Open to people new to disciple-making movements. Every track covers the same material.
Pioneer Track

Individuals & field teams

For individuals and teams pursuing disciple making among a particular people, place, or relational network.

Focus: access, receptive relationships, discovery, and emerging local leaders.

Church Track

Pastors & church leaders

For pastors and church leaders exploring how disciple-making movements intersect with congregational life.

Focus: culture, ordinary disciple makers, and multiplication beyond existing programs.

Network Track

Mission & network leaders

For mission organizations, denominations, and leaders responsible for multiple regions or countries.

Focus: regional catalysts, local ownership, and cross-cultural learning.

Partners

Organizations partnering with Movement Foundations.

Asian Partners International
The Surge Community Church
Surge Network
Global Ekklesia Network (GEN)
Mercy Alliance
New Harvest Global Ministries
Lifeway Global
DC Underground

Registration

Reserve your place.

Registration is open now — no application required.
Movement Foundations

Jan 28–29

$149

Both full days of Movement Foundations.

Base Camp Preview

Jan 30

$59

The optional third day, on its own.

Save $33 Both, bundled

Jan 28–30

$175

Movement Foundations plus the Base Camp preview, together.

Complete your registration below

Registration and payment are handled securely by Zeffy on behalf of Mercy Alliance. You can also add a donation to support Mercy Alliance International at checkout.

Grace Community Church, Arlington, VA. No registration deadline — space is available until the event fills. Housing and meals are not provided. Movement Foundations is sponsored by Global Ekklesia Network (GEN), The Surge Community Church, and Mercy Alliance.

FAQ

Questions about Movement Foundations.

Who is sponsoring Movement Foundations?

Movement Foundations is sponsored by Global Ekklesia Network (GEN), The Surge Community Church, and Mercy Alliance.

Are housing and meals provided?

No. Housing and meals are not provided. Registration covers the event itself; attendees arrange and pay for their own travel, lodging, and meals. We will share a list of nearby hotels and Ballston Quarter dining options with registrants.

Is this for practitioners or people new to DMM?

Both. Movement Foundations is an introduction to disciple-making movements (DMM), taught by some of the best practitioners in the world. You do not need any experience with DMM to attend.

What time does each day run?

Each day runs from approximately 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Thursday, January 28 and Friday, January 29, 2027.

Do I need to apply?

No application is required for Movement Foundations — registration is open now through the link above.

Can I attend just the Base Camp preview day?

Yes — Jan 30 is available on its own, or bundled with Movement Foundations at a reduced combined price.

What is Base Camp?

Base Camp is the next stage of The Ascent after Trailhead, focused on putting what you learn into practice. The optional Jan 30 day is a mini Base Camp: a more in-depth day that builds on Movement Foundations.

Is this a certification program?

No. The Ascent is a formation and coaching environment, not a credentialing program.

Can I give beyond my ticket?

Yes — an optional donation to Mercy Alliance International is available during checkout.

Where is it held?

Grace Community Church, Ballston Quarter, 4238 Wilson Blvd, 2nd Floor, Arlington, VA 22203.

Understand the DNA

Movement begins with a next step, not a finished plan.

Movement Foundations is where Trailhead begins — two days to understand the principles behind disciple-making movements, with an optional mini Base Camp on day three.

Sponsored by Global Ekklesia Network (GEN), The Surge Community Church, and Mercy Alliance.

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