Joining the Movement of God Through Story, Research, and Collaboration
“If Jesus died for my sins, then that changes everything.”
– Sheno, South Asia
Years ago, Sheno was a hardened war veteran in South Asia, known for taking justice into his own hands. After his country’s liberation war, he became a vigilante—partnering with local police to do their “dirty work.” Violence was not only familiar; it was his identity.
Then, he heard the gospel.
Something in the message of Jesus pierced through his heart. If Jesus died for my sins,he thought, then that changes everything. Sheno turned from violence to peace, and—discipled by a relative planting house churches—began to walk a new path of redemption and leadership.
Despite intense persecution in his Muslim-majority country, Sheno persevered. His courage and wit became part of his testimony. He’d often joke with potential attackers, saying: “When I was a Muslim, I killed many people. If I return to Islam—who knows? Maybe I’ll kill you!” Humor, conviction, and the Spirit’s power sustained him.
Today, Sheno is a respected leader in a church multiplication movement that has planted hundreds of churches in rural areas. His network has seen fourth-generation multiplication, where churches plant churches, which plant more churches.
Why Movements Matter
Sheno’s story is not an anomaly—it’s part of a much bigger picture. Around the world, God is stirring disciple-making movements that are transforming lives and reshaping cultures. And Motus Dei exists to understand, support, and multiply these movements.
Founded by Wes Watkins, the Motus Dei Network is a global “learn tank” for researching church multiplication movements. What began as a way to crowdsource insights for Wes’s PhD work has grown into a collaborative, trust-based community of researchers, practitioners, and catalysts who believe deeply in one idea: We are better together.
“What Jesus initiated was inherently a movement. As someone with a bias for all things Jesus, the missiological study of movements feels like a natural extension of my passion for him.”
– Wes Watkins
Research as Worship
Motus Dei’s most significant contribution to date is the 2021 publication of Motus Dei: The Movement of God to Disciple the Nations—a collaborative volume of over twenty original chapters exploring the theology, praxis, and impact of movements across the globe. It has become a foundational resource for understanding how transformation happens through multiplication.
For the Motus Dei Network, research is an act of worship—a way of honoring God’s work by paying attention, asking good questions, and sharing what’s being discovered.
On a recent research trip to South Asia, Wes brought together leaders from multiple movements, including “Basri,” a catalyst from Southeast Asia. When asked how many generations of churches his movement had seen, Basri hesitated, then humbly answered:
“From what we know, we’ve seen twenty-eight generations.”
The room went silent—then erupted with excitement. That moment didn’t just share data—it expanded the vision of every leader present. This is what Motus Dei is all about: creating space for mutual encouragement, learning, and Spirit-led innovation.
From the Majority World to the West
Wes and the network are now turning their attention toward creating a proof-of-concept movement in the West, informed by insights from the Majority World. With support from leaders like Alan Hirsch and partnership with Movement Leaders Collective, they hope to translate global wisdom into local renewal.
One of the biggest challenges? Silos. Across denominations and geographies, excellent research is being done—but tribalism often limits its reach. Motus Dei is committed to breaking down those silos by fostering cross-context collaboration grounded in curiosity, trust, and a shared love for Jesus.
Why It Matters
Understanding movements is like assembling a beautifully complex puzzle. Each piece reveals something of God’s heart and work in the world.
– Wes Watkins
Movements aren’t just a mission strategy—they’re how God has historically brought about deep transformation. From the early church to modern-day revivals, multiplication is at the core of how the kingdom grows. Motus Dei exists to listen, learn, and help the church discern how to join the movement of God today.
Explore the Motus Dei Network and download the book overview.
