Conversations as you Go

What does it take not only to start a disciple-making movement, but to see it multiply and remain for generations to come?

In this episode, Aila Tasse calls us back to the heart of disciple-making: becoming before doing. Drawing again from John 15, Acts 20 and decades of experience training thousands of leaders across the nations, Aila shares why sustainable movements are ultimately “God stories” — born through abiding in Jesus, shaped by obedience, and carried forward through everyday disciples who model the life of Christ.

Aila unpacks three essential stages of movement:

Starting

Multiplying

Sustaining

He explains why the DNA present at the beginning of a movement determines what it will become generations later. “The way you start is the way you finish,” he says. If movements are not started with multiplication and sustainability in mind, they will struggle to endure.

The conversation explores:

Why every disciple is a leader in movements

How leaders are developed through modelling a lifestyle of a disciple

The danger of movements losing their DNA across generations

Why sustainability must be built in from the very beginning

The importance of preparing now for the people God will send in the future

Aila also reflects on Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20, reminding us that movements survive not because of one charismatic leader, but because healthy leaders are raised, developed and released.

“If you don’t have a movement, soon God will give you one,” Aila says. “It has already been started.”

This episode is a timely challenge for anyone longing to see disciple-making movements that not only begin well — but continue multiplying for generations to come.

People sharing from a time of waiting on God in the room before Aila shared:

Luke 11:23 — “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.” A call to gather with Jesus rather than scatter.

A challenge to keep asking God, “What shall I do with my gift or talent Lord?” rather than looking first to worldly solutions.

1 Kings 19:9-13 — Elijah encounters God not in the wind, earthquake or fire, but in the gentle whisper.

We’re celebrating our 200th episode of Conversations As You Go!

Thank you for being part of this journey. With more than 30,000 listens from people all around the world, we’re grateful for the way this podcast continues to encourage and equip people to go and make disciples.

In this milestone episode, we once again hear from Aila Tasse as he shares about abiding in the Vine from John 15:1-16.

This message gets to the very heart of what it means to become truly fruitful.

Don’t skim past this episode or think, “I’ve heard this before.” Instead, take time to listen carefully to what Aila is sharing and what God wants to speak to you. As we learn to abide in Jesus, we discover that lasting fruitfulness does not come through our own effort, but through the life of Jesus flowing through us.

Our prayer is that this, our 200th episode, will help us become people who are found abiding in Christ, so that the fruit we bear will be the result of His life at work in and through us.

Key questions Aila asks:

Discovery questions from John 15:1-16

What do we learn about disciple making?

What principles of Kingdom movement do we learn? (How can we apply these?)

Principles Aila identifies are:

Remain: abiding (with Jesus)

Bear fruit: starting (with the DNA you want to multiply)

Bear much fruit: multiplying

Bearing fruit that will last: sustaining

Final challenge from Aila: ‘If God expects fruit, then what am I doing to see fruit in my life?’

What does God want to prune in my life so I can bear more fruit?

What areas of my own personal life does He want me to grow in so I can abide more in Him?

What are the prayer items He wants me to take to Him so I can bear more fruit?

In this second episode with Aila Tasse, the conversation goes deeper into the mindset and character of a movement leader. Drawing mainly from Acts 20:17–32 and the early chapters of Acts, Aila reflects on dependence on God, obedience, Kingdom vision, leadership multiplication, and modelling the life of Jesus. At the heart of the episode is the conviction that disciple-making movements are sustained through developing obedient, reproducing leaders.

Key Takeaways

1. Dependancy on God

John 15: “Remain in me” — movement leadership begins with dependence on God, continual prayer, and following the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 gave the early church a roadmap beyond Jerusalem, but growth and internal needs distracted them from Kingdom expansion.

Acts 8:1 shows how persecution pushed the church into Judea and Samaria — God will often move His people toward obedience and mission.

2. Having a Kingdom Mindset

Keep the focus on the Kingdom of God, not methods, brands, or labels like “DMM” or “T4T”.

Kingdom leaders seek collaboration rather than tribalism or competition between ministries.

The vision is disciples making disciples until the whole world hears and follows Jesus.

3. Motivation for Movement

Habakkuk 2:14 reminds us that God desires the earth to be filled with His glory.

Movement is motivated by the Father’s heart for lost sons and daughters (Luke 15 – the prodigal son).

The mission is ultimately about God’s love for the lost, not building our own ministries.

4. Teaching Obedience

Focus on teaching obedience to Scripture, not just increasing knowledge.

Transformation comes through practicing what Jesus taught, not simply knowing more.

God often uses ordinary, obedient believers powerfully, regardless of education or status.

5. Downloading Ourselves into Others

Paul modelled transferring spiritual DNA and leadership into others (Acts 20).

“Disciple-making movement = leader development. No leaders, no movement.”

Every disciple should be developed into a reproducing disciple-maker and leader.

6. Taking Care of Ourselves

Acts 20:28: “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock” — leaders must care for themselves as well as others.

Many movement leaders burn out because they neglect rest, sabbath, and spiritual renewal.

Healthy and sustainable movements require healthy leaders.

7. Other Characteristics of Movement Leaders

Movement leaders stay teachable: willing to listen, learn, obey, and grow.

They invest deeply in others, modelling the life of a disciple rather than simply teaching principles.

Collaboration and Kingdom partnership are essential for long-term multiplication.

8. Final Encouragement

1 Peter 5:2–3: shepherd God’s people by being an example.

1 Thessalonians 2:7–8: Paul shared not only the gospel, but his very life.

Movement leadership is about modelling humility, grace, weakness, and faithful obedience to Jesus.

In this episode, Aila reflects on a DBS on Acts 20:17–32 (last episode) and what it means to think like a movement leader. At the core is the heart: movements belong to God, not us. As we follow Jesus’ example, we’re called to faithful stewardship—trusting that God is the one who begins, sustains, and multiplies.

1. Movements Belong to God 

Like Paul, leaders prepare others even if they won’t “see the results”

We don’t own or control movements—God does

Parable of the Tenants (Matt 21:33–46): we are stewards, not owners

Holding onto what isn’t ours can lead to it being “taken away”

God can spark movement anywhere—even where it seems impossible

2. Humility & Self-Emptying (Acts 20:18–19)

“I served the Lord with great humility and with tears…” (v.19)

Pride quietly kills movements—humility sustains them

Follow Jesus’ model: daily surrender and self-emptying

Be catalysts—point to God, not ourselves

Leave no trail of personal glory; make disciples of Jesus, not of us

3. Focus on the Task (Acts 20:24)

“My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task…” (v.24)

This is a marathon, not a sprint—perseverance matters

Stay focused despite pressure, praise, or hardship

Don’t chase numbers or outcomes—trust God for fruit

Depend on God daily: fruit grows naturally, not by force

“I’ve never seen a tree that forces itself to bear fruit. Trees bear fruit naturally. But there are things that you have to do with the tree so they can bear fruit.”

In this recording, Aila Tassie isn’t just speaking; he is leading a room of Australian movement leaders through a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) on the final words of the Apostle Paul. It is a raw, interactive session where the “expert” intentionally steps back to let the community discover what it truly means to lead a movement.

What does a movement leader leave behind when they know they will never see their people again?

You’ll hear a diverse group of practitioners grappling with the “mind shift” required to move from being a professional manager of a church to an “ordinary catalyst” of a movement. It’s a conversation about tears, severe testing, and the terrifying yet beautiful act of entrusting a mission entirely to the Holy Spirit.

“Paul says, ‘You saw my life. I don’t have to tell you about my life.’ As a catalyst, I lived among you… and he was not ashamed to tell them that.” — Aila Tassie

What if the greatest threat to your mission isn’t the world outside, but the ego within?

We explore:

The Power of Tears: Why humility and vulnerability are the primary currencies of a movement.

The “Stay or Go” Tension: How to know when you’ve done enough to hand the reins over to the Spirit.

The Australian Context: Real talk from local leaders on overcoming the fear of reputation and the lure of the “Comfort Zone.”

If you’ve ever wondered if your leadership is building an institution or a movement, the answer lies in how you handle your exit.