G12 Vision

The G12 Vision is a strategy for Christian evangelism to fulfill the Great Commission. It is founded upon the idea that every Christian can mentor and lead twelve people in the Christian faith, following the example of Jesus.^[1] It was first modeled in Bogotá, Colombia by Pastor César Castellanos and his wife Claudia after Castellanos had a vision from God instructing him to implement this structure of cell groups of 12.

History

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 Christlike character who adhere to the teaching of the G12(Government of 12). 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] It is important to note that none of these appearances should be considered, neither as a spiritual awakening among politicians in Colombia nor as a personal commitment of those mentioned towards Evangelical Christianity, but simply as an example of political formality. ^{[13] [14]}

G12 Internationally

Many churches (mostly Pentecostal, particularly Neo-charismatic) around the world work with the G12 Vision.^[15][16] Conferences are held each year on every continent.^[17]

Concerns

In 2002, Joel Comiskey, founder of the "Joel Comiskey Group"^[18] raised concerns about the G12 Vision.^[19][20]

Other concerns are "pragmatism" and creating a Catholic-style hierarchy among Protestant Christians. Cesar Castellano's book The Revelation of the Cross ^[21] has often been compared with writings by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus. G12 principles are similar to the Shepherding Movement, and have similar problems.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ ^{a b} What is G12?
2. ^ "O come all ye faithful". The Economist: p. 6. 2007-11-03. http://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. ^ http://www.presidencia.gov.co/prensa_new/fotos/2007/febrero/02/foto1.htm
14. ^ http://www.elcolombiano.com/BancoConocimiento/O/olac_presidente_uribe_en_procesion_riohacha_efe_lcg_02022007/olac_presidente_uribe_en_procesion_riohacha_efe_lcg_02022007.asp
15. ^ The Straits Times, 'Megachurch: Colombia'
16. ^ Charisma, 'Church-Growth Strategy Goes Global'
17. ^ G12 Conferences
18. ^ Joel Cominskey Group
19. ^ Concerns about the G12 Movement
20. ^ Cell Church Solutions - concerns about G12
21. ^ [3]

External links

Official sites

• G12 Vision, Official Site
• YouTube G12 Network
• What is G12?
• Official G12 Europe Site
• MCI Canada - Official French speaking website
• G12 Information from Faith Community Baptist Church in Singapore
• MCI Aragua - Venezuela
• G12 Venezuela - Official G12 Site in Venezuela, with church adresses, news and preachings (spanish only)
• World On Fire - Generations Church's website
• Södermalmskyrkan - Södermalmskyrkans officiella hemsida, Sodermalmschurch's official website (Swedish only)

Discussions

• Encountering G12: Analyzing the "Cellular Vision" of César Castellanos
• Concerns About the G12 Movement
• Coaching Concerns
• One opinion on G12
• Overview from G12
• Another Opinion about the G12 Movement
• Public Discussion on the G12 Movement
• Website against Generations Church in Yuma, AZ
• "Revealing the Reality of the G12"
• G12: "Control, in Order to Better Reign" By an ex-member of a G12 cell group
• The Truth About the G12 Movement One person's experience with a G12 church (blog) by Annette Colon-Alvarenga