Profile of a 4th Soil Person

ByThird Angle

The feeling of inadequacy torments cross-cultural missionaries. As a result, we focus time on equipping ourselves: becoming adept at language, understanding culture, learning how to present coherent evangelistic messages, etc. These efforts are necessary but time-consuming–so much so that missionaries have trouble advancing the mission beyond their own efforts.

Effective cross-cultural missionaries, however, have a knack for raising up, finding, and/or developing indigenous missionaries. Kevin Greeson, our Finding Fourth Soil Team Leader in Texas, has been used by God to identify and come alongside “fourth-soil people” (a Parable of the Sower reference in which some ground produces a hundredfold) whose ministries have led thousands of Muslims to Christ. Below, he lists biblical and extra-biblical characteristics he has observed in effective indigenous missionaries.

What do you need to stop or start doing to find fourth-soil people?

Characteristics of a 4th Soil Person:

  • They are saved.
  • They successfully pass through persecution.
  • Are generous (Good and noble combined = generous*) and not lovers of money
  • Not consumed or overwhelmed with the cares of the world
  • They attempt to produce 100 fold of fruit (souls).

Additional extra-biblical characteristics:

  • They tell their oikos (community) about Jesus.
  • Have sin in their lives. They come up from hell, not drop down out of heaven. Messy people.
  • Their vision is often bigger (passionate) or more focused than yours for their community. Their heart beats for their oikos.
  • Assume ownership for a large block or segment of people. You will hear their sense of ownership in their prays, “MY PEOPLE need salvation . . .,” or “MY PEOPLE are believing a lie.”
  • Their security level makes you feel uncomfortable.
  • When they are first saved, they are hot and ready for action.
  • They seem to have a plan for their people that exceeds your own.