In this two-part series, Dave sits down with Emanuel Prinz—movement researcher, author, and experienced practitioner who has witnessed God birth a disciple-making movement in a remote part of Sudan, resulting in thousands of new believers and hundreds of churches.
Emanuel is not only a pioneer on the ground but also a global researcher, having studied 147 movements worldwide, analyzing over 32,000 data points to understand what God uses to spark multiplication. The findings are captured in his latest book, What Actually Starts Movements.
In This Episode (Part 1):
Emanuel’s Journey to Movement Work
From intellectual belief to his calling to an unengaged Muslim people group in Sudan.
Learning through a ‘reverse-engineering’ of movements: discovering how to work with key influences and then learning the ‘what’ and ‘how’ to share.
Discovery Through Obedience and Prayer
Wrestling in prayer for clarity on God’s heart for a resistant people group.
A pivotal dream that directed him to a specific region in Sudan.
Vital Practices for Movement Breakthrough
Compassion ministry: Meeting felt needs and changing perceptions.
Radiating spirituality: Story-based Bible discovery before Discovery Bible Study (DBS) even had a name. Focusing on oral learners and inductive questions that lead to personal discovery.
The Importance of the Catalyst
God uses many methods, but there is a surprising consistency in the type of person He uses.
Emanuel’s research shifts our focus from just methods to the qualities and competencies of catalytic leaders.
Movements cannot be manufactured—but we can grow into the kind of people God delights to use.
“God uses different methods to start movements. Methods do matter. But it’s not just one method [that God uses]. God uses a particular kind of person”
🌊 A Tipping Point in History
Emanuel shares these staggering global insights in the first chapter of his book:
From 15,000 (1995) to 115 million new disciples involved in movements today
8+ million new churches
Movements now represent 1.4% of the world’s population
God is creating a wave in our time—the question is, how can we join Him?
🙏 Final Encouragement from Emanuel
“Frame your pursuit of movement as a pursuit of God. Movement is secondary. My first ambition each day is to say, ‘Father, let’s live this day together.’ Don’t resign yourself to thinking movements can’t happen where you are. Instead, ask daily, ‘Father, where are you at work and how can I join you?’”
🎧 Stay Tuned for Part 2 – where Emanuel dives deeper into leadership traits, multiplication principles, and how anyone can grow into the kind of person God uses.
Resources of Emanuel’s:
📘 Grab the Book: Check out Emanuel’s brand new book and INSTANT #1 BESTSELLER: What Actually Starts Movements:
