Stories at The Well
WELL STORIES
God Gives The Growth
DMC turns fear of evangelism into faithful gospel action.
It’s impossible to share something you haven’t experienced yourself.
For Rachelle Platis, evangelism was once a daunting word—something she wasn’t sure she wanted to be associated with. Before joining the Disciple Making Cohort (DMC) at The Well a couple of years ago, she admits she had a negative perception of what evangelism entailed. “It had a bad taste in my mouth,” she recalls. “I just didn’t want to be that person.”
Yet, deep down, Rachelle knew that sharing the gospel wasn’t just important—it was vital. It became a whisper in her heart she could no longer ignore. So, despite her fears and uncertainties, she stepped outside her comfort zone to join the DMC. What followed was more than just a program; it was a journey that would change not only how she shared her faith but also how she lived it.
Rachelle’s faith journey led her from the Bay Area to Austin in 2020. Back home, she had been part of a church that placed a strong emphasis on discipleship, so finding a church with that same priority was important to her. At The Well, the DMC seemed like the best way to dive into what discipleship truly meant—not just in theory, but in practice.
The DMC, is a ten-week commitment where participants spend time in prayer, group discussions, and, most importantly, hands-on evangelism. “It’s a commitment,” Rachelle explains. “We actually take a break from our community groups during that time because we’re being formed, shaped, and stretched in ways we haven’t been before.”
One of the most impactful parts of the DMC for Rachelle was the early morning prayer sessions. Waking up at 6 AM, she and the group would gather to pray over Austin—praying for the gospel to take root in the city and for the individuals they were reaching. “It was in these moments,” Rachelle reflects, “that Jesus met me—not just in the words, but in the stillness. It deepened my connection to the city and to Him.”
As Rachelle continued her journey, she realized that her hesitations about evangelism were not unique. Many others felt the same way, and as her understanding of discipleship deepened, she learned how to face and overcome these fears.
“It’s impossible to share something you haven’t experienced yourself,” she admits. “But once you’ve tasted the goodness of the gospel, you realize it’s not about having all the answers. It’s about showing up with honesty and letting God use you. It’s okay to say, ‘I don’t know,’ because that’s how we grow. It’s okay to stumble—just take the step forward.”
One analogy from the DMC that stuck with Rachelle was about coffee. The journey from a coffee bean to a cup of coffee involves many steps—planting, growing, harvesting, roasting, and brewing. The person handing you the final cup isn’t responsible for the whole process, but they still play a vital role.
This is exactly what Paul means in 1 Corinthians 3:6–9. He writes, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”
Paul is addressing a church divided by loyalty to human leaders. Some claimed to follow Paul, others Apollos, but Paul shifts the focus: the real hero of every spiritual story is God. The metaphor of farming drives home the point—Paul may plant the seed of the gospel, and Apollos may come along to water it through teaching and encouragement, but only God can make it grow. Human efforts are meaningful, but they’re not ultimate.
Paul’s words remind us that evangelism is never a solo act or a performance-based assignment. We’re co-laborers in God’s field, each participating in a work that belongs to Him. Whether you're sowing, watering, or witnessing a harvest, the pressure isn't on you to produce results. Your role is faithfulness—God brings the fruit.
