When I first completed No Regrets’ DiscipleMaker 101 series in 2019, Matthew 28:19 struck a chord with me; “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. Those words began a spiritual journey that continues to this day.
From the beginning, I realized the skills I had come to value in my 30-year career in corporate America were not the only ones that matter. I’ve been a Network Design Engineer for financial and telecommunication companies, where a “get it done” mentality was the key to advancement. Those jobs taught me to define tasks, build teams, check boxes, and tackle problems directly. I learned to work within that rigid system and found success in designing networks and completing large-scale projects.
DiscipleMaker 101 challenged that corporate mentality with Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.”. Throughout the online course’s ten lessons, I learned that genuine relationships are built over time and personal investment, not through a strict series of checkboxes. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 also resonated with me; “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”.
With these verses in mind, I felt a calling to start a men’s study group in my current workplace. As an IT specialist, I wondered how I’d be able to relate to my manufacturing coworkers, men who cut steel and operated CNC machines. Nevertheless, I prayed for guidance, and the Holy Spirit led me towards two machinists I was already acquainted with. I approached them and they both agreed to join my small group. Empowered by the success, I began with a simple guide for new groups – the online Discovery Bible Series.
John Koster
That group is still together today and has grown to six men in all stages of life. One man named Dan is a former high school football coach who’s still in contact with a couple of his players, now in college. They didn’t have the best childhoods and Dan asked me how he could reach out to them. I advised him to listen to them, tell them he loves them, and pray for them; he said he wanted to do more. I asked if he was willing to undertake a 10-week study series that would give him the tools to disciple these young men and help them find who they are in Jesus. He leapt at the opportunity and began DM 101 – I was incredibly grateful for being able to spiritually empower him and his players as I’d been empowered myself.
Another man from the original small group that the Spirit led me towards was Ryan. He’s an active, energized person with a young family and a high-powered career, but he wanted to do more in his life. I asked if he’d like to join Dan and I in DM 101 and our spiritual journey gained a third member.
Since forming that group, I also completed DiscipleMaker 201 and learned more techniques for starting and managing men’s small groups, making disciples who make disciples and carry on the Kingdom impact in their own lives. I’m excited to see what God has in store for what I have learned in the days ahead and deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve already had to reach men for Him.”
