Video: Understanding the Kingdom of God

Source: Global Frontier Missions

Jesus said, “this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end would come.”

How many of us have a good understanding of what the Kingdom of God is and how we can proclaim that to others? What would it look like not only to share the Good News that Jesus died on the cross for our sins but that “the Kingdom of Heaven is near”?

Take a few minutes to get a better understanding of the Kingdom of God and how to share it with others by watching this whiteboard video.

It’s also part of GFM’s Missions 101 series designed to inspire and activate the global Church in the Great Commission. They’re also used in a free five-week missions Bible study for students. And the videos are available in a growing list of languages. See the playlist. Thanks, GFM!

Another new-ish video you may find helpful: How to Communicate Safely About Your Missionary (Pioneers-USA).

Prayer Guides: Get Ready for Ramadan

Sources: Various

It’s been more than 30 years since the launch of a global effort to invite Christians to pray for the Muslim world during their season of fasting, Ramadan (this year, March 10 to April 8). Maybe you’ve participated in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World. Why not join in again this year and bring your church, small group, or family along? Consider using one of these resources:

Would you rather focus your prayer and mobilization efforts? Missionaries and ministries all over have set up campaigns focused on the people and places they serve. Pray4Movements.org has put together a list of 100 campaigns that cover Muslim countries, regions, and major cities. Why not pick one of them and sign up for a daily prayer slot? Organizers will send you a reminder email with content specific to that campaign.

Learn more. The video below makes it easy for people to see how it works, and many of the campaigns have versions which easily walk people through the signup process for that campaign.

Menu: Feast Your Way across the Muslim World

One more thing. You may know the month is noted for feasting as well as fasting, since good food always shows up when the sun goes down. A few years ago, our friend Shane Bennett threw down a tasty challenge to try.

“My family plans to make and enjoy a special meal once a week during [Ramadan]. Each meal will represent a significant Muslim population and we’ll remember them in prayer.”

Ask a Muslim friend for tips (and a possible dinner invite), see what Google can tell you, or just download this ready-made, four-meal menu for the Muslim world. You might also appreciate Shane’s article with 4 things every Christian should know about Ramadan.

Music: 10 Worship Songs for Your Family’s Playlist

Source: Via Families

God is worthy of our worship! He desires the worship of our families, our churches, and the nations. We sing of God’s might, holiness, justice, and love, but how often do we sing about his heart for the nations? Let’s give God the praise he deserves as he fulfills his mission to be known and worshiped by people from every nation, tribe, and tongue.

We invite you to listen to, learn and sing these 10 worship songs with your family. The lyrics speak of God’s love for the whole world, his worthiness to receive praise from all peoples, and the hope he brings to all nations. Check out the full playlist on YouTube.

See if your favorites made the list and get five tips on using worship songs with your family.

Events: Missions Conferences and More in March

Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar

March 4 to July 7, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (online). New online classes begin regularly.

March 5-7, Standards of Excellence introductory workshop (online). Provided regularly to help short-term mission leaders and mobilizers make their mission trips better. Also offered May 7-9.

March 10, Virtual Prayer Gathering: Call to Prayer (online). Join others to engage the Muslim world through prayer on the second Sunday of each month. This month, hear a testimony from Saudi Arabia.

March 10 to April 8, 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World (global). An annual global prayer event coinciding with the observation of the Ramadan fast.

March 11, Coast to Coast: Covering Ramadan in Prayer (online). Join Frontiers in covering the Muslim world in prayer during this four-hour event.

March 11 to April 6, COMPASS (Palmer Lake, CO, USA). Language and culture acquisition provided by Missionary Training International.

March 12 to May 14, Frontier Filmmaking Seminar (online). Learn to make cross-cultural evangelistic films with Create International.

March 18-22, Storytelling Training (online). Get hands-on experience with oral Bible storytelling with five three-hour sessions provided by Story Runners.

March 19, Contend: Monthly Day of Prayer For Mission Mobilization (global). Coordinated by GMMI. Held on the third Tuesday of each month.

March 21, Digital Storytelling: How to Build an Effective and Engaging Story Site (online) Peer2Peer webinar for marketing and communication staff from Missio Nexus.

March 25-26, Support Raising Bootcamp (Orlando, FL, USA). Provided by Via, formerly Support Raising Solutions. More classes held around the world throughout the year.

March 28, A Journey toward Polycentric Missions Leadership (online). A webinar from Missio Nexus.

View the complete calendar, updated regularly. Submissions welcome.

Data: New Numbers on Global Christianity

It’s a lot to process, so you might want to look for secondary sources citing this resource. See, for example, 8 Encouraging Trends in Global Christianity for 2024 (Lifeway Research). Also consider these tips from Lifeway: How to Use Statistics in Your Sermons.

Of course, there are also some less-than-encouraging trends to be aware of. Voice of the Martyrs also has a new 2024 Global Prayer Guide focused on the persecuted church. Looks like everything is on the website or available in booklet form.

The 2024 World Watch List, an annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution, is now out. Watch and consider how you can share their video, Top 10 Countries Where Christians Face Extreme Persecution (Open Doors).

Sources: Various

Need numbers? The Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary has released its 2024 Status of Global Christianity Report. A related article in the International Bulletin of Missionary Research is a bit pricey for non-subscribers, but you can download the one-page summary for free.

It’s also worth looking for secondary sources citing this resource. See, for example, 8 Encouraging Trends in Global Christianity for 2024 (Lifeway Research). Also from Lifeway: How to Use Statistics in Your Sermons.

Of course, there are also some less-than-encouraging trends to be aware of. Voice of the Martyrs also has a new 2024 Global Prayer Guide focused on the persecuted church. Looks like everything is on the website or available in booklet form.

The 2024 World Watch List, an annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution, is now out. Watch and consider how you can share their video, Top 10 Countries Where Christians Face Extreme Persecution (Open Doors).

Book: 50 Years of Mobilizing for Frontier Missions

Propelled by Hope: The Story of the Perspectives Movement, by Yvonne W. Honeycutt. William Carey Publishing, 2024. 270 pages.

Coming out of the turbulent 1960s, the Jesus Movement revived a generation and led to a new optimism about spreading the gospel to the nations. Explo ’72, sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ, drew an unprecedented 80,000 students. Then, at the 1973 Urbana Student Missions Conference, thousands of students responded to a challenge from Billy Graham to pursue God’s call in missions. Who would help them find and take their next step? That’s where the story of Perspectives begins.

This new book describes the original residential summer and semester-long courses for young adults and the many changes later made to reflect new emphases and reach new audiences. It explores how Perspectives on the World Christian Movement was both shaped by and shaped people, events, and priorities in the modern mission movement worldwide, despite significant obstacles and setbacks.

Hear the personal stories of Perspectives leaders, contributors, and students and give God glory for what he has done through this movement and the many ministries it has birthed or influenced. I knew some of those stories and had connected some of the dots, but was so encouraged to hear more. An inspiring read.

Learn more or buy the book from William Carey Publishing, available in paperback or ebook.

Infographic: Crossing Cultures for the Gospel

Source: FieldPartner International

Do you think missionaries today are well-trained? What happens if they aren’t? FieldPartner International did a survey exploring this questions and more.

Read their full report, peruse the infographic below, or check out an article about the survey from A Life Overseas: What Missionaries Need Today.