Arise and Return: Restoring the Ancient Paths of Authentic Discipleship to Impact the World

Excerpt: A Call to Transformational Awakening

The hour is late. The world trembles under the weight of shifting paradigms, technological upheaval, and moral drift. Nations hang in the balance, and the Church—God’s chosen vessel—stands at a crossroads. Something must change. Our current ways of thinking, our entrenched cultures, and our shallow strategies are crumbling under the pressure of a world desperate for truth. Some must be dismantled entirely. Others must be renovated, reshaped by a vision both ancient and new. For what God is birthing in this generation is no mere tweak or adjustment—it’s a seismic shift, a return to the authentic paths of discipleship that once turned the world upside down. And you, reader, are invited to be part of it.

This is not about behavior modification or louder sermons. It’s not about trying harder or memorizing more verses. It’s about a revolution of the heart—a transformation so deep it rewires how we think, live, and love. In my new book, Arise and Return, I’m calling you to something bigger than yourself, something that echoes the cry of Esther 4:14: “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Extraordinary times demand extraordinary people. Will you be one of them?

The Problem: Stuck in the Shallow

Too many of us—leaders, believers, everyday warriors—are stuck. We’re sincere, yes, but sincerity alone isn’t enough. We lack self-awareness, clinging to old paradigms we’ve never questioned. We fixate on the “how” and “what” of growth—more classes, better programs, stricter rules—while losing sight of the “why.” Why do people stay stagnant? Why don’t they break through? Why do our efforts yield so little fruit? Frustration mounts as we push harder, blaming those we’re trying to help when they don’t “get it.” But the fault isn’t always theirs. It’s ours. We’re expending energy in all the wrong places, chasing external fixes instead of diving deep into the heart of the matter.

Behavior modification is a dead-end street. Telling people what to do or what to believe, without addressing the roots of their actions, is like pruning a tree while ignoring its rotting roots. It might look good for a season, but it won’t last. Proverbs 23:7 cuts to the chase: “As a person thinks in their heart, so they will be.” If we don’t transform how people think—their core beliefs, their internal motivations—no amount of self-will or discipline will produce lasting change. We live from the inside out. Always.

I’ve seen it too often: leaders burned out, congregations plateaued, and disciples stuck in cycles of striving. They’re irritated, loveless, overwhelmed—because they’re trying to fix fruit without tending to roots. Classes and sermons alone won’t do it. Information isn’t transformation. We need to get involved—messy, deep, relational involvement—in people’s stories. We need to ask the hard questions: Why are they stuck? What do they truly believe about themselves, about God, about their purpose? Until we uncover those answers, we’re just spinning our wheels.

But here’s the flip side: some get so lost in introspection—analyzing every motive, every wound—that they forget to look up. They become self-absorbed, missing the bigger picture of God’s mission. Balance is key. We need to excavate the roots and equip people with practical tools—skills, habits, routines—to move forward. It’s not enough to say, “You’re free in Christ.” They need to know how to walk that freedom out, step by step, with accountability and grace. Real discipleship bridges the internal and external, the heart and the hands.

A Better Way: Transformation from the Inside Out

Imagine a Church where disciples don’t just perform but become—where freedom isn’t a buzzword but a tangible reality. That starts with a renewed mind. Romans 12:2 promises that transformation flows from mind-renewal, not self-effort. When we help people see themselves as God sees them—loved, chosen, empowered—old patterns break, and new life emerges. Deliverance accelerates when we diagnose the root before prescribing the cure. It’s not about striving harder; it’s about resting in a truth that changes everything.

This requires a paradigm shift—an integrated, holistic approach to discipleship. We can’t compartmentalize anymore. Spiritual growth isn’t separate from emotional healing or practical skills. We must address the whole person: their beliefs, their character, their abilities. And we must do it in community, not isolation. God designed us for relationship, for a family-like Church where transformation happens through connection, mentorship, and hands-on practice.

Arise and Return will unpack this vision. You’ll discover how to foster real change in yourself and others—how to move beyond superficial fixes to a discipleship that impacts lives, communities, and nations. We’ll explore what it means to be a transformational leader, leveraging your gifts for the Great Commission. You’ll see how to raise authentic disciples—kingdom warriors—who don’t just survive culture but shape it. Hungry yet? Keep reading.

For Such a Time as This

We were born for this moment. History pulses with unprecedented opportunity and urgency. Globalization and technology have shrunk the world, placing the nations at our fingertips. Jesus said the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37). The question looms: Who will seize this hour? Who will live for the eternal rather than the temporal? Who will wield their influence—however big or small—for the gospel?

John Wesley dreamed of a hundred people who desired nothing but God and feared nothing but sin. Dawson Trotman believed one fully surrendered life could outshine a hundred half-hearted ones. God doesn’t need masses; He needs a remnant—consecrated, burning with holy love, forged for impact. Are you one of them? Will you be?

The world is shaking. Nations teeter on the edge. The Church, too, is being refined, stripped of celebrity fluff and called back to authenticity. This is no time for domesticated faith. As Kris Vallotton recently declared, “It’s time to unleash the Kingdom!” The Lion of Judah is off the leash, and we’re called to roar with Him—bold, faithful, unapologetic. Not to offend, but to awaken. The stakes are too high to mince words or shrink back.

Isaiah 60:1-2 rings out: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you.” Can you feel it? The seasons have shifted. The glory of God is rising on His people, even as darkness thickens. This is our call—to be a glorious Church, shining in holiness, speaking prophetically into every sphere of society. From families to industries, we’re positioned to influence, to re-image Jesus before a watching world that’s seen too many poor representations.

The Landscape: Opportunity Amid Chaos

The end of the age draws near, and the signs are clear. Technology races forward, reshaping relationships, work, and morality. AI and innovation promise progress but threaten to erode God’s design for humanity. Knowledge increases, as Daniel foretold, but only the wise will shine (Daniel 12:3-4). We can’t be silent spectators, lagging behind culture. We must be proactive—servants of all, offering wisdom and solutions, leveraging advancements for God’s glory without being swept into the world’s agenda.

This isn’t about rejecting technology (I’m writing this article with it!), but about rooting ourselves deeper in God’s unchanging mission: make disciples, be salt and light, love Him wholly. The clock of history ticks in sync with the Church’s preparation. Our response—our cooperation with the Spirit—can hasten or delay the Day of the Lord. That’s our stewardship. We must stay awake, alert, relevant—wielding the eternal Word in a fleeting world.

Glory and shaking go hand in hand. As anti-Christ systems rise and injustice festers, the Church must stand as a bold witness. This isn’t for a select few; it’s for every believer qualified by Christ’s blood. You’re called to live on mission—radically, counterculturally, supernaturally. A life of love, truth, and power that the world can’t ignore.

The Church’s Role: Back to the Ancient Paths

But here’s the rub: most churches aren’t ready. They lack an intentional discipleship process. Programs abound, but authentic followers of Christ are scarce. The goal—know Jesus, become like Him, make Him known—sounds great, but without a clear path, it’s just a slogan. A mark undefined is a mark missed. The Western Church has outsourced training to seminaries and parachurch groups, reducing discipleship to classes and studies. It’s not enough.

Look at the early Church in Acts 2:42-47—devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer. They were a family, a greenhouse for transformation, multiplying disciples and churches. That’s the ancient path we must restore. Local churches should be missional communities where hearts burn for Jesus, the Spirit moves in power, and joy overflows even amid growth’s pains. Discipleship isn’t a production line; it’s relational, customized, Spirit-led. Without His presence, the best processes fall flat.

In New England, I’ve been working with leaders to shift this tide—helping churches embrace biblical discipleship. It’s a global movement, and it starts with clarity: knowing goals (truth), being goals (character), doing goals (skills). It’s holistic, experiential—mentoring, apprenticeships, hands-on learning. The Church is a laboratory for life, equipping youth, adults, and families to mature in Christ and impact their world.

The Invitation: Will You Arise?

The book isn’t just a diagnosis; it’s a roadmap. Arise and Return will guide you through the internal and external dynamics of transformation—how to renew your mind, build godly habits, and wield influence for the Kingdom. You’ll meet biblical heroes like Daniel and Esther, who shaped culture without compromise, and modern disciples who prove it’s possible today. You’ll learn to raise warriors, not spectators—disciples who don’t just survive but thrive in gross darkness.

The hour is now. The eyes of the Lord search for loyal hearts (2 Chronicles 16:9). Will you let Him refine you, use you, position you? Will you say “yes” to a life worthy of your calling? The world awaits a Church unleashed—bold, faithful, ready.

Pick up “Arise and Return: Restoring the Ancient Paths of Authentic Discipleship to Impact the World” to keep reading. The best is yet to come.