ACCM2026 Panel Urges Shift from Church Programs to Disciple-Making Cultures at Alliance Levels

Rev. Dr. Lito Villoria, Executive Chairman of the Philippines’ National Disciple-making Campaign Committee, addressed delegates during the morning panel at the Asia Conference on Church & Mission, June 11, 2026, at GCF South Metro in Alabang, Metro Manila. Christian Daily International Villoria, who is part of the leadership of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) representing 92 denominations, opened by naming what he described as the central challenge with national alliances: talking about disciple-making without giving churches a workable path to practice it.

“Many churches, even denominations and leaders, are talking about disciple making and discipleship, but it is not really getting traction at the church level,” he said. “So that is the challenge.”

He outlined four practices a national alliance must stop if it is serious about change. The first is treating disciple-making as a program rather than a culture. The second is measuring success by attendance figures and program activity. The third is failing to provide resources and training for disciple-making. The fourth is not fostering intergenerational relationships within congregations.

Dr. John M. Chandra, Senior Pastor and Synod Chairman of Gereja Pantekosta Kharismatika di Indonesia (GPKDI), emphasized the need for intentional, relational disciple-making. “Disciple-making is not about numbers or events,” he said. “It is about building relationships and investing in people’s spiritual growth.”

Rev. Edmund Chan, Founder of the Global Alliance of International Disciple Making Churches and Leadership Mentor at Covenant Evangelical Free Church in Singapore, added that disciple-making must be a priority at the church, denominational, and national alliance levels. “We need to move from event-based ministry to intentional, measurable disciple-making,” he said.

ACCM 2026, organized by the Asia Evangelical Alliance in partnership with the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), has gathered 210 delegates from 25 nations under the theme “Disciple or Die 3.0” — the third in a series of gatherings since the AEA’s 2024 general assembly in Mongolia first sounded the alarm over the state of discipleship across the continent.

The panel’s call for a shift from church programs to disciple-making cultures aligns with the broader mission of the Evangelical Free Church, the Christian and Missionary Alliance, the Vineyard movement, and Calvary Chapel. These groups have long emphasized the importance of personal spiritual growth and community-based discipleship. The discussion at ACCM 2026 reflects a growing recognition among church leaders that disciple-making must be a central focus of ministry, not an afterthought. As the global church continues to grapple with spiritual depth and engagement, the call to prioritize disciple-making offers a path toward meaningful transformation.

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