BOOK: Parents of Missionaries

Source: Parents of Missionaries Network

Parents of Missionaries: How to Thrive and Stay Connected When Your Children and Grandchildren Serve Cross-Culturally, by Cheryl Savageau and Diane Shortz. InterVarsity Press, 2012 (reprint of Authentic Media edition, 2008). 305 pages.

Find yourself in the sometimes-unwelcome position of sending your kids and grandkids overseas? Just want to help those who are? This is one of few resources we’ve found that are specifically designed to address the challenges and opportunities faced by parents of missionaries.

The book combines a counselor’s professional insight and a parent’s personal journey, plus ideas and stories from dozens of missionaries and POMs—a valuable tool for missions mobilizers and educators as well as parents and families. It may have a greater audience with believers, but much of the content is applicable to those who do not share their children’s faith or priorities as well. Little of it seems out of date.

I’m not sure to what extent their National Network of Parents of Missionaries is still active, but the website is still up. Anybody know?

» Purchase this book from Amazon (or elsewhere) at US$9.99 for the Kindle edition and US$11.22 for the paperback, or check out the authors’ Tip Sheets for Parents of Missionaries.

» See also a recent article with practical wisdom for parents of missionaries (The Gospel Coalition) and a piece we mentioned not long ago about Wycliffe Germany’s annual parents weekend.

ARTICLE: Five Surefire Ways to Start a Conversation with a Muslim

Source: Muslim Connect

We’re thankful that so many of you have signed up for our own Shane Bennett’s new 300-word weekly newsletter, Muslim Connect—now four weeks old. You might want to check out the February 16 edition on striking up connections with Muslims. If you find it helpful, share it with your friends.

» Read Five Surefire Ways to Start a Conversation with a Muslim. Handy links across the top will let you subscribe, share, or read past editions.

VIDEO: When Is Safety an Obstacle to the Great Commission?

Source: The Mission Table

God often calls his followers toward and not away from danger for the sake of the gospel, yet in our culture we have a love affair with safety… obsessed with removing all of life’s risks. Watch a round-table discussion about the tension between safety and world missions (with a focus on the American church). Length: 36 minutes.

“The Mission Table” is a designed to compel church and mission leaders to reason, to think, to dig deep into the Scriptures, and to ask important, fundamental questions about the global mission of God.

» Learn more or watch episodes on other topics. Could you use these with your group or team?

EVENTS: Highlighting Bible Translation

Source: Wycliffe Bible Translators

Taste of Translation and Linguistics (TOTAL) is a five-day course that provides participants with an introduction to the academic and ministry aspects of translation and linguistics, and is designed to help you determine if Bible translation, linguistics, and cross-cultural ministry are right for you.

Real-world translators introduce the ins and outs of Bible translation through fast-paced, stimulating presentations and fun class activities. Topics include grammar, phonetics and phonology, language and culture learning, translation and semantics, literacy and ethnomusicology, and sign-language translation.

Be inspired by a wealth of testimonies and videos that bridge the gap between academics and the real-world adventure of being a Bible translator. Events are held throughout the US:

March 6-11, Waxhaw, NC
May 15-20, Dallas, TX
May 22-27, Waxhaw, NC
June 5-10, Orlando, FL
July 25-30, Lancaster, PA
July 25-29, La Mirada, CA

» Learn more about these and other Wycliffe events.

EVENTS: Upcoming Conference, Courses, and More

Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar

March 1 to April 9, Seek God for the City (global). Annual 40-day prayer campaign. Materials available from WayMakers.

March 1 to May 10, Great Commission U (Chiang Mai, Thailand). Ten-week Bible school for fulfilling the Great Commission; provided by SVM2.

March 2 to June 4, Encountering the World of Islam (online). Twelve-week course on embracing Muslims with the love of Christ.

March 4, Bridges Seminar (Houston, TX, USA). Building bridges to reach Muslims. Provided by Crescent Project.

March 6-11, TOTAL It Up! Extreme—Taste of Translation and Linguistics (Waxhaw, NC, USA). Provided by Wycliffe Bible Translators.

March 17–18, Check-IT-Out Spring 2017 Conference (Waxhaw, NC, USA). For IT professionals and students to explore using their skills in support of Bible translation.

March 17-18, BAM Symposium of Indiana (Bluffton, IN, USA). Explore Business as Mission.

March 24-25, The Journey Deepens (Richardson, TX, USA). A weekend retreat for prospective missionaries.

March 24-25, Humanitarian Health Conference (Kansas City, MO, USA).

March 24-26, Jesus to the Nations (Halifax, NS, Canada). Free, annual, community-based mission festival for all ages.

March 25, Bridges Seminar (Phoenix, AZ, USA). Building bridges to reach Muslims. Provided by Crescent Project.

March 26 to April 21, Equipping for Cross-Cultural Life and Ministry (Union Mills, NC, USA). Prefield training from the Center for Intercultural Training.

March 27 to April 22, COMPASS Prefield Training (Palmer Lake, CO, USA). Provided by Missionary Training International.

March 30-31, Personal Support Raising Boot Camp (Charlotte, NC, USA). Provided by Support Raising Solutions.

» View the complete calendar. For additional information about a specific event, please contact the organizers.