AG World Missions global workers are constantly seeking better ways to disciple and support new believers around the world. Some of the key voices behind this effort were global workers who served as initiative directors for LIVE|DEAD Iran, where they experienced the challenges of ministry in complex and sensitive environments. As they and others shared the gospel, a clear need emerged for secure, accessible, and sustainable discipleship tools beyond printed materials or short-term communication.

If new believers are to grow in their faith, global workers need to strengthen churches and resource them with discipleship material. In looking for ways to accomplish this, they discovered a unique, efficient, and secure way to provide access to the gospel. This vision first took shape through Pattern for Life, an English app that provides Bible study tools for anyone to use.

Even in restricted nations around the world, millions of people carry smartphones in their pockets with access to vast amounts of information, yet they have never heard the gospel. For the global workers aiming to reach these people, this gap represents both a challenge and an opportunity. However, the goal was not to create just another Bible app or sermon streaming platform, but to develop something people anywhere in the world could use that is built specifically for their unique needs.

Working with a Europe Region AG World Missions worker, the initiative directors created Pattern Platform as a way for others to connect with the Pattern team and build an app similar to Pattern for Life. These apps include Bible studies and group discussion questions while allowing users to customize the content and language for their specific context. The team provides the platform structure, while missionaries and national leaders guide and control the content. The app is secure, simple to use, and encourages participants to listen and engage with one another rather than focus on the device delivering the material.

Pattern also provides a step-by-step pattern in how to share the gospel, disciple believers, and plant a church. Believers can securely share this app with others. The goal is to make learning the gospel easy to understand and disciple other believers. What began as a solution for one restricted nation has grown into a global platform supporting approximately 30 languages.

In some countries, downloading a Christian app could draw unwanted government attention. Pattern is so secure that people can transfer the app from phone to phone without the internet.

An app created on Pattern Platform avoids tracking statistics and encrypted chat functions because such features could raise red flags with authorities and endanger users. “We can do almost anything technologically,” one team member explains, “but minimizing risk is a priority.”

In some places, a pastor or missionary who wants to create an app specifically for his/her region cannot use certain Bible study content due to the risk of exposure. As a missionary couple in Nepal started building their app, they had to comply with local regulations that restrict digital distribution of religious material, such as the Bible.

These missionaries overcame this obstacle by creating audio stories of Scripture — especially the Gospels and Jesus’ teachings. Once they finished their app, they traveled into unreached areas. A network of house churches utilized the app. New Christ followers had written worship songs in a language from Southern Asia. With their permission, the couple recorded these songs, and uploaded them onto the app. These songs told Bible stories which helped engage the Nepali people with the Word of God in a way they might understand without the danger or fear of being apprehended. This people group, who once had no access to the gospel, has now received this good news in their own heart language in a form they can share through singing, bringing encouragement and hope.

“Max”, a missionary in Central Asia, and his team, built three apps, in three different languages, to help reach people groups in their closed country. The team has received positive responses from the local people using this app. They have gone into new villages and started small groups. Max loves the fact he can update content within the app according to the needs of the growing believers. It has been such a success that He and his team plan to upload 40 new lessons to increase user engagement and strengthen their faith.

Many churches are struggling to have enough help for discipleship in these difficult places Pattern focuses on interaction between believers in small groups to communicate with each other, while studying Scripture. It helps empower believers to disciple other believers, even in a restricted country.

Missionaries in India spent nine weeks learning to use the Pattern app. After that, they went into apartment buildings and onto the streets and started organizing small groups. Pattern equipped these missionaries with a tool that helped them begin life-changing conversations in the lives of those they meet.

Pattern Platform is an AG World Missions project and relies on donations to fund app development. Each language app can cost up to $2,500.

Pattern is currently developing a newer, improved version of the app and is seeking talented people to join the team. These volunteers will help create resources and tools that equip ministers around the world to lead more people to Jesus.

If you would like to serve with or learn more about this ministry, visit patternplatform.app or give here s1.ag.org/patternplatform

By Natalie Hartenberg