2024 Stories
There are two things mentioned often throughout these stories that we deeply value, gospel movements and Discovery Bible Study. If you’re interested, we’ve explained a little more what we mean:
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Gospel movements happen when the good news of Jesus spreads contagiously through a network of social relationships whereby many people become committed followers of Jesus and groups of these disciples multiply. Such movements have the potential to radically impact whole towns, cities, and nations.
Learn more about Gospel Movements. -
In a Discovery Bible Study group we see spiritually-interested people read the Bible story together, discover what it says, and then are challenged to immediately live out what they learned and share it with someone else. It’s that simple!
Learn more about DBS.
Austin, Texas | A Church for Special Needs
Gail, who had worked as a special needs educator for her whole life, and Amy, the director of a special needs ministry at their church in Austin, joined Novo on a vision trip to Egypt. They saw 3,000 people in one gathering, and Gail heard God whisper, “You need to have a bigger heart for special needs.”
San Juan Capistrano, California | A Prayer-Walking Movement in Orange County’s Largest School District
“Why couldn’t every school in your district be prayer-walked?” This felt crazy to Jonné because her school district was one of the largest in California. But God was big enough.
Dallas, Texas | Young Adults Activated into Prayer and Mission
In Dallas, the Activating Prayer Cohort (previously the Spiritual Authority Cohort) has taken off among young adults. At this point around 300 young adults across Dallas-Fort Worth have participated in the Cohort and been activated into prayer and lives on mission.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania | God Is Up to Something…Everywhere
As a paramedic, Phill has countless opportunities to meet people in need of both physical and spiritual healing. Whether in the back of an ambulance or on a call, he’s learned to rely on God just as much as his professional training, offering comfort and prayer alongside medical care. Even his “not-yet-following-Jesus” partner has started referring patients for prayer.
Annapolis, Maryland | Pastoral Prayers Across Racial Divides Bring Change
Pastors around Annapolis, Maryland (near Washington, DC) have been gathering to pray together for years, joined by Novo staff Todd. In 2022, Todd suggested that in addition to praying at church buildings, they also pray in different missional spaces around the area. That same week, one of the black churches was vandalized with racial slurs.
Minden, Nevada | Christmas Candy for a Cause
Hallelujah Toffee, based in the small town of Minden, Nevada, has grown over the last 25 years from a small family-run side-hustle dedicated to paying off one family member’s medical student loans, into a volunteer-powered non-profit that contributes all of their profits (an expected 180k this year) to missions.
Indianapolis, Indiana | A One in a Million Opportunity
Zach and his friends decided to go on a prayer retreat, spending a whole day in listening prayer and asking God to speak into every aspect of their lives. Zach had been trying to “make it” professionally as a soccer player. When it was time to pray about the professional aspect of his life, Zach heard one thing clearly: “Call Reggie”
Nebraska | DBSs and Cultural Transformation in the Police Department
Police stations are like isolated, well-guarded countries; you can’t just walk in and start doing ministry. But the relationship with the police chief opened the doors for Novo to start a Discovery Bible Study at the station.
Santa Clarita, California | Horchata Milkshakes and Letting the Holy Spirit Lead
So much ministry impact comes from first paying attention to God’s leading. In Santa Clarita, Brandon had just finished up dinner when he felt a Holy Spirit nudge to go to Del Taco. I don’t know, he thought. I think I just want a horchata milkshake. But he got in his car and went.
Kansas | Wellness Shepherds for Novo Workers
Global workers can face burnout, need counseling, or experience a crisis. In fact, 50% of all global workers leave their ministry location within the first five years, and of those who leave, 71% leave for preventable reasons.
Nevada | "Dirt Church" in the Nevada Desert
Greg and some of his long-time friends who were believers in the motorcycle community decided to start a Christian club in the association. They called it “Moto Novo.” The club began with 12 members who were believers; today, there are about 60 members, and more than half aren’t Christian.