In this edition: new books and booklets, events, and videos
Month: March 2015
BOOK: A New Prayer Resource from Operation World
Source: InterVarsity Press
Pray for the World, editorial advisor Molly Wall; foreword by Patrick Johnstone. IVP Books, 2015. 313 pages.
For decades, Operation World has been the world’s leading resource for people who want to impact the nations for Christ through prayer. Its twofold purpose has been to inform for prayer and to mobilize for mission.
Chock full of facts and figures, it’s seen just as much use as a reference book. And we have to admit that at more than 1000 pages, it is a bit overwhelming.
Pray for the World is an abridged and simplified paperback version of the 2010 edition of Operation World and designed to take the material to a larger audience. The maps and key data are still there, but this volume is only some 300 pages long and more easily used as a resource for prayer and mobilization. “We wrote Pray for the World especially with non-native English speakers, translators, and students in mind,” say the editors, “but we know its streamlined size and focus will help us ALL pick it up and pray!”
You could put copies in the hands of supporters, disciples, short-termers, or small group leaders. Save some money if you buy them by the case.
» Learn more, preview contents, or purchase for US$11.10 from Amazon (or elsewhere).
» Readers might also be interested in another newly released book, Serving God in Today’s Cities: Facing the Challenge of Urbanization, by Patrick Johnstone with Dean Merrill (GMI Books).
VIDEO: Alex Was an Atheist
Source: Moving Works
Alex Pan was a Chinese immigrant, a science student, and an atheist attending a prestigious university in a post-modern city. Then a friend invited him to church and things got interesting…
» Watch the four-minute video. Please feel free to use it in any way that can benefit your ministry.
Here’s another interesting film from Moving Works: Raised? is a set of videos and two-minute video shorts that follow a couple’s journey from doubt to faith in Christ. While you can use the videos on their own, they’re designed to accompany the Zondervan book Raised? Finding Jesus by Doubting the Resurrection, by Jonathan K. Dodson and Brad Watson. A free small-group study on journeying through doubt is also available, along with other tools you could use with your church.
BOOKS: Three about Generous Giving
Sources: Various
Several publications dealing with giving have come our way. Take a look!
Biblical Perspectives on Generosity
Ignite Your Generosity: A 21-Day Experience in Stewardship (revised). By Chris McDaniel. IVP Books, 2015. 80 pages.
The original 21-day devotional is now expanded with a four-week small group guide for individuals or groups. Each day’s reading features an engaging story, Scripture for further study, and personal reflection questions to grow in the area of stewardship. IVP is also offering the “Generosity Challenge” as a free download.
Historical Perspectives on Generosity
Gospel Patrons: People Whose Generosity Changed the World, by John Rinehart. Reclaimed Publishing, 2014. 117 pages.
You know about William Tyndale, George Whitfield, and John Newton, but what about Humphrey Monmouth, Lady Huntingdon, and John Thornton? This engaging book tells the stories of these three “gospel patrons” whose generosity was a catalyst for great movements of God. Download the audio book, join the author’s mailing list to get the PDF for free, or purchase hardback or Kindle editions.
Global Perspectives on Generosity
Christ-Centered Generosity: Global Perspectives on the Biblical Call to a Generous Life, edited by Scott Rodin. Kingdom Life Publishing, 2015. 200 pages.
“A theologically sound, biblically based resource for Christian leaders, pastors and the body of Christ on the theme of our call to be faithful stewards who live lives of generosity and joy.” Features 33 contributors from 22 countries. Available in early April, but you can pre-order it now. Learn more from the Global Generosity Movement.
EVENTS: Webinars for Short-term Mission Leaders
Source: DELTA Ministries
DELTA is offering a series of interactive, one-hour webinars grappling with difficult and controversial issue in short-term missions, equipping mission team leaders, and offering guidance on determining what kind of mission trip is right for your church or organization. The staff at DELTA know what they’re talking about and share it here at a reasonable price—just US$10 per webinar. Dates and topics include:
- April 28: Planning your own trainings and meetings
- May 19: How to keep social media from wrecking your short-term trip
- June 30: Four things every team leader should do after a short-term mission trip
- July 28: How to protect yourself after a short-term mission trip
- August 11: Four things every friend of a short-term missionary needs to know
- September 29: Do your short-term mission trips measure up?
- October 27: Evaluating and managing risk on your short-term mission
- November 17: Who is your mission trip really for?
- December 8: Getting the most out of The Next Mile curriculum
» Learn more or sign up. See also their online training course for short-term mission participants and other resources for training, debriefing, and more.
» Editor’s note: Several of the upcoming webinars from Missio Nexus also deal with short-term mission issues and feature subject-area experts you may know.
EVENTS: April Calendar
Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar
April 9-10, Support Raising Bootcamp (Rogers, AR, USA). From Support Raising Solutions.
April 8-11, Offering Healing and Hope for Children in Crisis (Orlando, FL, USA). A training-for-trainers event is also offered the following week. Provided by Crisis Care Training International.
April 14, Global Day of Prayer for the 4/14 Window (global). Praying for the world’s children, especially those aged 4-14.
April 16, Contributing to Poverty Alleviation Through Short-term Missions: It’s a Difficult Dance (online). Webinar provided by Missio Nexus.
April 16-18, Intercultural Fusion (Atlanta area, GA, USA). Ethnic ministries summit, sponsored by the Ethnic America Network.
April 17-18, Care ConneXion (Beaverton, OR, USA). A Mission ConneXion event.
April 17-18, Mobile Ministry Forum Consultation (Zelhem, Netherlands).
April 18, Bridges Seminar (Houston, TX, USA). Building bridges to reach Muslims. Provided by Crescent Project.
April 18, Day of Prayer for Turkey (global). Remember the three men being killed on that day in 2007 in Malatya.
April 21-24, iDisciple Conference (Gilbert, AZ, USA). On disciple-making movements.
April 22 to June 17, Mobilizer Equipping School (Chiang Mai, Thailand). Provided by Student Volunteer Movement 2.
April 23-25, Christian Community Health Conference (Atlanta, GA, USA).
April 24-26, The Journey Deepens (Charlotte, NC, USA). A weekend retreat for prospective missionaries.
April 25, Reentry Care (Holland, MI, USA). Training teams to teach churches how to care for returning missionaries.
April 27-30, Thrive Retreat (Lima, Peru). For North American women serving cross-culturally.
April 28, Planning Your Own Trainings and Meetings (webinar). For short-term mission teams leaders; provided by DELTA Ministries.
April 29 to May 1, International Wholistic Missions Conference (Peoria, AZ, USA). From the Global CHE Network.
April 29 to May 3, TENTmaking Course (Bergen, Norway). Provided by Global Opportunities and Tent Norway.
World News Briefs
In This Issue: Gains and gaps for the world’s women
- INDIA: Hope and Healing for Abandoned Girls
- WORLD: Gains and Gaps for the World’s Women
- IRAQ: Thirty Days of Prayer for ISIS
- NIGER: Addressing Fear with Faith
- CENTRAL EUROPE: Church Plant Starts with Pimps and Prostitutes
Greetings,
My sleuthing this week yielded tons of news about women. This could be because March 8th was International Women’s Day and March is Women’s History Month in the US.
My task is to pick what might be relevant for you as you think about the task of “making disciples of all nations.” Some of these stories and statistics don’t have an obvious relation to spreading the Good News but may be noteworthy for us as we strategize for the future.
May the Spirit inspire new ideas and maybe nudge some to do a new thing as we face the challenges ahead!
Blessings,
Pat
WORLD: Gains and Gaps for the World’s Women
Source: various, via Pat Noble
Concerned about issues affecting the world’s women? Take a look at these stories in the news, coming from a variety of sources and perspectives.
Four stories about women pushing the boundaries:
For India’s Widows, a Riot of Color, an Act of Liberation (NPR)
Iranian Women Are Taking to Facebook to Protest against Compulsory Hijabs (VICE News)
Meet the Surfing Girls of Iran and read about the skateboarding school for girls in Afghanistan (MessyNessy)
Three stories about women in politics and government:
Ultra-Orthodox Women Enter Israel’s Election Race to Anger and Protest (VICE News)
Afghanistan: Don’t Leave Women Out of Peace Talks (Human Rights Watch)
Bagdad’s First Female Mayor Takes Office (Muftah)
Two stories about women in dangerous places:
Protecting Women and Children in the Line of Fire (Institute for Security Studies; will tell you the MOST dangerous place to be a woman)
One Woman’s Dream (Women Without Borders). This is an amazing story, and Women Without Borders, which covers human rights for girls and women worldwide, includes others that might interest you.
Finally, some global analysis; check out this interactive map that is full of information on the “gains and gaps” of progress for women over the last 20 years (No Ceilings).
IRAQ: Thirty Days of Prayer for ISIS
Source: Email from Praying Through the Arabian Peninsula, March 2015
PTAP would ask that we would pray for those suffering under the hand of ISIS and also pray for ISIS to be convicted of sin. Our continued battle is not with flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces that cause people to act with such evil. Download a 30-day prayer guide to pray for this situation. ISIS is affecting Syria and Iraq, but also the whole world. So please pray and seek his face during these times.
» Read full story, and also check out the new Pray for ISIS Members website.
» Also watch Freeing the Slave Women of ISIS (Journeyman Pictures) and read another story you might find this interesting, Calgary Imam Creates Fatwa against ISIS (Global News).
NIGER: Addressing Fear with Faith
Source: Mission Network News, March 13, 2015
Persecuted Christians in the West African country of Niger are “very upbeat” despite recent attacks in their country.
“We’ve only lost things,” they told IMB strategy leader, Greg Dorsey. “We’ve not lost the church, just some buildings.”
Dorsey expressed gratitude that recent violence at the hands of angry Muslims was targeted at buildings, not people.
“There is a sense that this is the time for the church, that…what was meant for evil, God intends for good,” he continued. Instead of seeking retaliation or revenge, even believers who lost their homes and possessions are confident that God is good and Jesus is still Lord.
“It was also encouraging to see that at least one public statement has been made by a representative of the evangelical churches in Niamey, where they publicly stated on radio and television that they forgave those who did all the damage and the burnings. That was pretty powerful.”
The attacks appeared to be well-planned and coordinated, as small mobs ransacked and burned more than 50 structures all over Niamey in less than four hours. Both missionaries and national believers found marks on their gates, indicating their homes were potential targets.
But stories abound of members of the Muslim community who warned their Christian friends and neighbors of impending danger, protected their homes while they were in hiding, and offered them shelter—all indications there was limited support for the group perpetuating the violence. Dorsey said some Christians feel their Muslim neighbors were ashamed of what was done in the name of Islam.
» More good news from MNN: New Khmer Translation Opens Doors for Gospel.