The Influence of the World’s Largest Church

Another whisper that shaped the multiplication movement came from Seoul, South Korea. Yoido Full Gospel Church, under the leadership of David Yonggi Cho, introduced the world to the power of the cell group model. Cho’s vision of decentralizing the church into thousands of small groups demonstrated that exponential growth is possible when ordinary believers are empowered to lead and multiply.

The church’s impact reverberated globally, inspiring leaders like Cesar Castellanos of the G12 movement in Colombia and sparking disciple-making movements across Asia, Africa, and beyond. Yoido’s story shows us that multiplication isn’t limited to a specific culture or context—it’s a universal principle rooted in the Great Commission.

The Whisper Reaches Around the World

In the United States, leaders like Rick Warren at Saddleback Church and Andy Stanley at North Point Community Church embraced the vision of multiplying groups. Warren’s simple “Grab Two Friends” strategy and Stanley’s mantra that “circles are better than rows” inspired thousands of churches to prioritize small groups as the heart of their ministry. Meanwhile, Francis Chan and Neil Cole championed organic, reproducible models of church planting that placed discipleship and multiplication above buildings and programs.

In India, the Bhojpuri Movement revealed the potential of multiplying groups to reach entire regions. Starting with a handful of small groups, the movement grew to impact millions, demonstrating that the gospel’s power lies in its ability to spread through everyday relationships.

In Africa, disciple-making movements continue to flourish as small groups multiply in homes, workplaces, and even refugee camps. These groups transform communities by combining spiritual growth with acts of service and compassion.

The Call to Join the Movement

The stories in this book highlight how God has used multiplying groups to advance His kingdom in extraordinary ways. These movements aren’t confined to the past—they are happening now, and they invite you to join the mission.

As you read, you’ll discover how leaders like Bill Bright, Dave Ferguson, Francis Chan and David Platt caught a vision for multiplication and lived it out. You’ll learn from modern leaders who are carrying the torch, and you’ll be equipped with practical tools to start multiplying groups in your own context.

This is more than a book—it’s a call to action. Whether you’re a pastor, a small group leader, or someone who simply wants to see God use your life, you have a role to play in this story. Like Edward Kimball, your faithfulness to invest in a few people could ignite a chain reaction of spiritual multiplication that impacts generations.

A Whisper Becoming a Roar

What started as a whisper in the ears of a few faithful leaders has grown into a global roar of multiplication. Churches around the world are discovering that the power of multiplying groups isn’t in flashy programs or large events—it’s in simple obedience to Jesus’ command to make disciples. Consider the words of some of the leaders in this movement:

We stand at a crossroads in history with the opportunity to pilot a better future. But to make this revolutionary change, we need to rethink our current operating systems and becoming courageous leaders willing to discover and embrace new ones.[1]

So, as you turn the pages of this book, listen for the whisper of God calling you to join the movement. Imagine what could happen if you answered that call. Imagine the lives that could be changed, the communities that could be transformed, and the generations that could be reached—all because you embraced the power of multiplying groups.