Equipping Teams

The Lord Jesus has given me a vision for teams of people, with various giftings, traveling throughout the New England region. I base this on the following passage from Ephesians 4.
“And he (Jesus) gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” (Ephesians 4:11-14 ESV) The key word “until” indicates that these gifts must function until these things are accomplished. Modern day apostles (as distinct from the original company from whom the NT came) must be itinerant in nature in order to plant churches. (1 Cor. 9:2) This suggests that the other gifts are itinerant also.
These teams should be led by those with apostolic and prophetic gifts. Why? “God has appointed first in the church apostles, second prophets, third teachers.” (1 Cor. 12:28 ESV) The church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:20 ESV) Most of the regular churches and house churches are led by those with shepherd/teacher giftings, which inevitably results in an inward focus that does not impact the perishing for the Kingdom of God. Apostles, prophets and evangelists look outward- to expand the Kingdom.
The need for equippers is acute. I weep when I hear people who have followed Christ for many years say that they don't know how to share their faith, or are afraid to do so. The Body of Christ needs evangelists to train people how to do this. I pray for God to identify and raise up those who will minister regionally, nationally and throughout the world.