How to Build a Destino Movement

The early church in Acts 2:42-47 is a good model vision for a local Destino movement.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

In general what needs to be done to start a Destino movement.

Step 1. Pray

Acknowledge that God is the only one who can build a Destino movement. Without us crying out to God in prayer and dependence on Him, we’ll be treading water.
Do prayer walks around campus with some people that want to help you, friends, people in your church, etc.
Get a group praying together regularly to start a Destino movement
Pray for specific Latino student leaders on campus to come to Christ.
Pray for God to provide you a good place to meet.
Pray for laborers/leaders. In order for your movement to grow, you’re going to need co-laborers. In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus said, “The harvest in plentiful but the workers are few . Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field.” We can’t reach the campus alone, we need help!

Step 2. Mobilize

Mobilize a small group of believers that have a heart for reaching the Latino community on campus with the truth of Jesus Christ.
Begin to build relationships and spread the word about Destino
- With Christians – Look for Christian Hispanic students involved with local churches or another Campus Crusade movement to get started. Seek to find common ground between Catholics and Evangelicals but respect the fact that there are some very real differences. Some of the goals of Destino are unity, truth, and being a Christ-centered leader.
- Get involved with other Hispanic student groups on campus to build relationships and spread the word. Do community service alongside those other groups.
- Your university may have specific programs to develop Latino students. This may be a great place to get involved.

Step 3. Evangelism

The harvest field is your university. (Matthew 9:37-38) “When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them.” They were lost and had no spiritual guidance. Today, on every university there are Latino students who don’t know the truth of Jesus Christ. We need eyes of compassion like Christ. To see our classmates, friends, and peers on campus as lost and without spiritual guidance. Then we can go out as salt, light, and a witness to a lost world. Share the gospel in a process, over time, over and over again…not just once.

Gathering contacts (to invite to a meeting, to begin doing follow-up with, to begin a relationship with)
Do surveys at the beginning of the school year
Have dinners for people to bring their friends (low spiritual content). Example – Have it around a Latino holiday or other events like Easter.
Do ESC poster campaigns
Pass out Destino survival kits. Have a table on campus or give to other students who want to start up a movement to give to their non-Christian friends as gifts.
Fiestas – have a party! It is a good time to connect and build relationships.

Step 4. Discipleship

The last words Jesus spoke can be found in Matthew 28:18-20. He said to “go make disciples…” In other words, Jesus was giving a direct command to help others grow in their relationship with God. He wants us to pour out our lives into other people who need spiritual guidance.

Be relational. Latinos are people of the heart and relationships. Share your heart and invite them to share theirs.
Though it is good to follow a plan, the intimacy of your discipleship relationships weighs a lot more. Time and trust are important factors.
Invest in the F.A.S.T. (Faithful, Available, Spirit-filled, and Teachable) everyone deserves to be followed up but invest longer term in those who want to be a leader for God in the mission of win, build, and send.
If you are a student without staff on your campus, be connected with a staff person on a regular basis for coaching and support.

Step 5. Destino Movement Planning

Once you have the people and resources (do fundraisers or ask for churches to support your ministry on campus) start planning and moving ahead with the end in mind. Gather student leaders to discuss the mission, vision, values, and steps.

Destino Mission: Raising up a generation of Latino and Hispanic leaders to change the world.

Vision: How you would want this mission lived out on your campus? Dream big with others – we have a big God.

Values:

Faith – does what we do require trust in God
Effectiveness – does what we do work toward our mission?
Development – are people growing and developing?
Unity – are we united in one purpose in Christ?

Steps: How will you reach your vision?

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Destino Movement