The book that reshaped modern disciple-making.

In 1963, Dr. Robert E. Coleman released The Master Plan of Evangelism.

While much of the Church focused on large campaigns and growing attendance, Coleman returned to a simple question:

How did Jesus make disciples?

His answer was rooted in Scripture. Jesus chose a few. He stayed with them. He trained them. Then He sent them to reproduce.

That pattern became one of the most influential discipleship frameworks of the last century.

A global impact measured in generations

  • Illustration of a network or interconnected nodes representing a global network or internet connectivity.

    Worldwide distribution

    Over 3 million copies have been distributed worldwide

  • Icon of translation with Chinese character and letter A connected by arrows.

    Translation

    Translated into more than 100 languages

  • Outline of a church with a steeple and cross on top, simple line drawing in blue against a black background.

    For the church

    Used in seminaries, churches, and mission agencies across six continents

  • Line drawing of a person sitting at a desk with a desk lamp.

    Study resource

    Studied for more than 60 years as a foundational text on evangelism

Few books on disciple-making have had such sustained global reach.

From rural churches to global mission movements, its influence continues to multiply through leaders who train other leaders.

Robert Coleman traced Jesus’s method through eight movements:

  • Six human icons with a magnifying glass highlighting one icon at the bottom right.

    Selection

    Choosing a few faithful people to invest in deeply.

  • Icon of a group of people connected by lines, representing teamwork or networking.

    Association

    Sharing life together so truth is caught as well as taught.

  • Two hands with open palms facing outward, with small lines above indicating emphasis or sound.

    Consecration

    Calling disciples to obedience and surrender to Christ.

  • Two people sitting across from each other at a table, engaged in conversation.

    Impartation

    Giving them your life, your teaching, and the Spirit’s truth.

  • Two stick figures exchanging a handshake, with an arrow pointing right.

    Demonstration

    Modeling ministry in real time, not just explaining it.

  • Icon of three people connected by arrows with a checkmark in a circle in the center

    Delegation

    Entrusting responsibility and sending them to act.

  • Line drawing of one person helping another climb a ladder to reach a flag.

    Supervision

    Walking with them, correcting and encouraging along the way.

  • Icon of a person with an arrow pointing to a smaller outlined person, representing adding or inviting someone.

    Reproduction

    Equipping them to make disciples who will do the same.

The message was clear:
evangelism is not about managing crowds.

It is about forming disciples who will form others. That clarity helped redirect churches toward multiplication instead of mere addition.

Why it still speaks today

The Great Commission remains unfinished.

In a world flooded with information and strategy, The Master Plan of Evangelism remains grounded in the Gospels. Its strength is not novelty. It is faithfulness to Jesus’ model.

  • Pastors still assign it.

  • Missionaries still carry it.

  • Church planters still build from it.

Because the need for reproducible disciple-making has not changed.

Preserving a proven blueprint for the Church

Through the Robert Coleman Project, this landmark work is being carefully digitized and preserved.

The goal is not simply access.
It is continuity.

So that leaders in every nation can continue studying, teaching, and practicing the Master’s plan for generations to come.

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Cover of the book "The Master Plan of Evangelism" by Dr. Robert E. Coleman, with a foreword by Billy Graham, indicating over 3.5 million copies sold, second edition, abridged.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20