Embracing the Second Conversion
Episode Summary
In this episode of the KC Underground Podcast, we explore the concept of the "second conversion," highlighting how it moves believers from passive faith to active discipleship. Join us as we discuss the journey of becoming more like Jesus, the role of holy discontentment, and the call to action that leads to a life of mission and purpose.
Key Themes & Takeaways
1. What Is a Second Conversion?
Borrowed originally from Hugh Halter (and likely others), “second conversion” describes:
A moment of awakening
A shift from believing in Jesus to living like Jesus
A reorientation toward mission, obedience, and the everyday spaces where Jesus is already at work
For many in the West, the first conversion leads into a community of believers—but not necessarily into mission. The second conversion is when the commission becomes personal.
2. A Shared Pattern in Every Movement Leader’s Story
Whether global missionary or local disciple maker, nearly everyone has:
A holy discontent
A moment (or series of moments) that reorients their life
A shift from status quo to sentness
This is why Brian and Cory often ask guests:
“Tell us about your second conversion.”
These stories form a recognizable pattern in people God uses to spark movement.
3. Brian & Cory’s Second Conversion Moments
Brian’s Key Moments
1) His neighbor’s line:
“Christians make loving people a job.”
This exposed the gap between belief and practice—and sparked repentance and action.
2) A trainer asking:
“Have you ever made a disciple who can make a disciple?”
Brian realized he had influenced many—but not equipped anyone to reproduce.
3) A movement conversation at a conference
Cory softly challenged the fruitfulness of the dominant model compared to disciple-making movements. Brian’s “brain broke,” and the trajectory of his life shifted.
Cory’s Key Moments
1) Reading the Book of Acts in college
A realization: This is not a fairy tale. This is normal Christianity.
2) Seeing the gap in the faith of his peers
The stats didn’t lie—few actually lived as followers of Jesus.
3) Reading The Forgotten Ways (Alan Hirsch)
Every stirring he’d felt suddenly had language, theology, and clarity.
4) Sitting with Roy Moran (2012)
Hearing DMM principles: click, click, click.
“I want to do that.”
4. Scripture Reflections: Conversion as Sending
Throughout Scripture, God stirs His people, then sends them:
Abraham — Genesis 12
Holy discontent → call → leaving → obedience.
The Disciples — Gospels
Call → follow → confrontation → transformation → mission.
Peter’s arc alone is a timeline of micro-conversions.
The Early Church — Acts
Jesus’ commission (Acts 1:8) goes unfulfilled until persecution scatters believers.
Movement begins.
Then Acts 13 marks a new commissioning:
The church fasts and prays
The Spirit speaks
Paul & Barnabas are sent
An entire region hears the gospel
Conversion → Commission → Movement.
5. Moana Theology (Yes, Really)
Cory offers a brilliant metaphor from Moana:
Moana is told: “Stay inside the reef.”
She feels a holy discontent
She discovers her people’s true identity: We are voyagers
She steps into who she truly is
This is discipleship.
This is second conversion.
Leaving behind comfort to step into sentness.
6. The Mirror & The Window (Identity Tools)
Mirror — Look at your own story
What moments has God used to awaken you?
Where have you been converted further into obedience?
What have you left behind?
Window — Look for others
Who do you know that is already stirring?
Who is frustrated—but in a holy way?
Who is ready to say “What if…?”
These are the people ready to be invited into mission.
Final Thoughts
A second conversion isn’t just a moment—it’s a movement of the heart. It’s an awakening from maintenance-mode Christianity into a life that mirrors the mission of Jesus. This is where disciple makers are formed, where the pathway begins, and where ordinary believers step into their true identity as sent ones.
We remember these moments—our Ebenezer stones—because they anchor us. They remind us who we are and who we are becoming.
And they remind us that God is still calling, still awakening, still sending.
