God gave Ezekiel a vision of dry bones coming to life (chapter 37). Ezekiel said, "So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet-a vast army" (37:10).

God has shown me lately that His desire is to mold His church into a mighty army. The essence of cell ministry, in fact,  is to convert hearers into leaders who continue the process. To put it in biblical terms, the vision is to make disciples who make other disciples through multiplying cell groups. Cells are leader breeders.

I saw this first-hand last week in Newark, New Jersey. Everyone of the twelve pastors on staff at Bethel International were converted in a cell, became a co-leader, cell leader, multiplication leader and an eventual pastor. And many of the 400 cell leaders aspire to eventually become pastors and missionaries (I blog about Bethel here). I was reminded afresh that God desires to turn members into ministers. At Bethel, God has taken the dry bones of unbelievers and raised them up into a life-giving army.  During my conference at Bethel, the pastor challenged the leaders to go from 400 cells to 800 cell groups by October 2010. And they were excited to do so! Dry bones can live again and be converted into a mighty army,  if there's a clear path and vision.

Sadly, many churches don't provide members with a visionary goal. Members simply come to learn about the Bible, become faithful church goers, and perhaps participate in certain programs. But to participate as leaders in an army? No.

Christ's desire is to mobilize His people to penetrate the world and take back the devil's territory. Here are some ways to make this happen:

1. Catch a clear vision and communicate it. Raising up an army starts with vision. God uses passionate leaders to blow on the dry bones. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you dream about raising up disciples who make other disciples through multiplying cell groups.

2. Focus on setting people free through training. All cell churches have clear training tracks that take the members from point A to point B. Have you every heard of an army that doesn't take new recruits through boot-camp and a clearly laid out training?

3. Run with those who are running. There will always be the naysayers and doubters. Look for those who are passionate about the vision and highlight these people as the examples. If you're starting out in a pilot group, you'll want to invite those to join you who have caught the vision. If you're farther along on the journey, leave time in your celebration service for testimonies from those who are bearing much fruit. 

The vision for cell ministry worldwide can be summed up in Christ's Words: "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matthew 9:37-38). God is ready to blow on the dry bones and convert them into a mighty army for His glory. Are you?

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Joel Comiskey