Date
8-6-2025
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
Chair
Robert Massey
Keywords
Discipleship, Jesus Culture, Transitory Community, Missional, Island Transformation, Evangelism, Tourism.
Disciplines
Missions and World Christianity
Recommended Citation
Wyatt, Matthew A., "Island Transformation: A Missional Approach to Cultivating a Jesus Culture on the Transitory Island of South Padre." (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7337.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7337
Abstract
The following DMin action research project explores the transformative potential of a missional approach to cultivating a Jesus culture within the transitory community of South Padre Island. The research addresses the challenge faced by OneTwo Church, where many members, entrenched in the local island culture, find themselves ill-equipped to evangelize effectively to a transient population. This paper contends that by implementing a unique missional model, the church can instigate cultural transformation from within through strategic engagement in missional evangelism. Equipping OTC with this distinctive model will shift the community’s paradigm from passive island participants to active missional agents. Central to this project was a personalized and intensive six-week discipleship study, followed by the establishment of small groups designed to foster deeper connections and spiritual growth. Additionally, strategically placed stakeholders in high-traffic areas throughout the week significantly enhanced the church’s visibility and outreach efficacy. By adopting a model reflective of Acts 2, this research demonstrates that it is possible to establish a sustainable church community amidst a transitory demographic, facilitating a more profound commitment to the Great Commission and cultivating a vibrant Jesus culture on South Padre Island. The findings and methodologies of this project will serve as a valuable framework for other church leaders and missional thinkers seeking to engage similar transitory communities. By showcasing practical strategies for fostering discipleship and community engagement, this project encourages the replication of these methods in diverse contexts, thereby influencing the broader field of missional church development.
