Category: Resource Reviews

Source: Frontier Alliance International and Maranatha

“The fastest growing church in the world today has taken root in one of the most unexpected and radicalized nations on earth,” say the producers of this unusual new documentary, built around interviews and music videos.

“Muslim-background Iranians are leading a quiet but mass exodus out of Islam and bowing their knees to the Jewish Messiah—with kindled affections toward the Jewish people. The Iranian awakening is a rapidly reproducing discipleship movement that owns no property or buildings, has no central leadership, and is predominantly led by women. This is their story.”

Though this documentary stands alone, a Volume 1 came out in 2015. Volume II had its online debut just last week. I’m not sure what to make of it! Would be interested in hearing your response.

» Learn more and stream or download the film. Also available on YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook.

Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar

September 2-15, ORIENT pre-field training for global workers (Eminence, MO, USA). Provided by TRAIN International.

September 3, Missionary Story: Steve & Mary Jo (online). Part of a series of stories from Beyond.

September 8-21, Great Commission Leadership Institute (Chiang Mai, Thailand). From Global Mission Mobilization Initiative (formerly SVM2).

September 9 to October 5, COMPASS (Palmer Lake, CO, USA). Language and culture acquisition provided by Mission Training International.

September 9 to December 8, Encountering the World of Islam (online). Embracing Muslims with the love of Christ.

September 12, Whose Job Is It? The Necessity of Prayer in Missions (online). Nugget training from Beyond.

September 12 to October 10, Foundations of Media to Movements (online). Mentored course from Mission Media U on using social media for deeper conversations and disciple-making.

September 12-13, Support Raising Bootcamp (Pittsburgh, PA, USA). Provided by Support Raising Solutions.

September 16-18, Face 2 Face with Muslims (Orlando, FL, USA). Annual consultation from the Coalition of Ministries to Muslims in North America.

September 18-24, Traction (Wilderswil, Switzerland). Renewal conference for men serving cross-culturally; held annually.

September 18 to October 16, Introduction to Story in Ministry (online). Mission Media U mentored course to better communicate the message of Christ whether your story application is oral, written, or filmed.

September 18-19, Standards Introductory Workshop (Orlando, FL, USA). Training in the Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission.

September 19-21, Mission Leaders Conference (Orlando, FL, USA). Annual event from Missio Nexus.

September 20-21, People Raising Conference (Oak Brook, IL, USA). Be equipped for raising personal support.

September 25-28, Field Security Seminar (Lake George, CO, USA). Prepare to live, work, and travel in high-risk environments.

September 26-29, New Wineskins Global Mission Conference (Ridgecrest, NC, USA). Triennial conference of the Anglican Church, with preconference meetings on more than 20 topics, including business as mission.

September 27-28, The Journey Deepens (Greenwood, IN, USA). Retreat for prospective missionaries.

September 30, The Mobilized Church: Keys to Unleashing Missionary Potential (Albuquerque, NM, USA). Provided by Sixteen:Fifteen. This workshop will be offered a second time October 4-5 in Mill Creek, WA.

» View the complete calendar. Additions welcome. Want to know more about a specific event? Contact the event organizers.

In this edition:

1. VIDEOS: Missionary Explainer Series
2. ARTICLE: Senior Pastor Perspectives
3. PODCASTS: Recently Heard
4. SURVEY: Growing Global Kids
5. EVENTS: August Conferences and Training

Source: Pioneers USA

Pioneers recently released a series of videos you may find helpful. Each one addresses a mission-related question people may have a hard time asking or struggle to explain to others. The videos have some Pioneers branding, but it’s fairly low-key. Topics:

• Who are the lost vs. the unreached? (what does “unreached” mean?)
• What is church planting? (especially cross-culturally?)
• Who is a missionary? (or are we all missionaries?)
• Why go with a mission agency? (instead of going without one)
• Why do I need a sending church? (how goers count on senders)

Know someone with questions like these? Share these videos with them.

» Watch all five videos through the Pioneers USA YouTube playlist or the Facebook page. You can also find them on the Pioneers USA website with links to related content.

» See also the explainer videos from Global Frontier Missions. These are great! I’m told they’ve been updated, too.

Source: Catalyst Services, July 2019

Are senior pastors too busy to lead their churches in global outreach? In this month’s Postings, two lead pastors describe why missions is a priority for them. They also explain how they ignite vision and serve as the #1 cheerleader for missions without being #1 worker.

At the end of the article, you will find (1) practical ideas for pastors who want to better shepherd their church’s global vision and (2) suggestions for a missions team that wants to strengthen their pastor’s global vision.

» Read the article. It includes links to other resources. Then browse the Postings archives for lots more great content.

Source: Missions Catalyst

There’s still time to complete our survey about helping kids grow in their global vision. We’d love to hear your thoughts on that. Read this article to get your mental wheels turning.

» Take the survey. One respondent will get a $25 Amazon gift card.

Have you subscribed to Muslim Connect, from Missions Catalyst’s own Shane Bennett? This weekly email is written to help people like us understand and connect with Muslims and equip others to do so as well. Just 300 words, it’s practical, pithy, and fun.

If you sign up now, you’ll get a free PDF called, “Ten Simple Ways Normal People Can Be Nice to Muslims. With a Danger Rating for Each!”

» Subscribe to Muslim Connect. See back issues at shanebennett.com.

Sources: Various

If one of these topics catches your attention, click through to listen. Like what you hear? Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

• The Unstoppable, Global Gospel, with Tim Keese (The Gospel Coalition Podcast). Conference message; refers to Tim’s new book.
• The Future of the Missions Organizations, with Eric King (The Upstream Collective Podcast). Emphasizes that churches, not organizations, need to own the mission.
• The Rise and Fall of Movements, with Steve Addison (Engaging Missions Podcast). Also the title of Steve’s new book; get a taste.
• It’s Tea Time Somewhere: All about Expectations (Taking Route Podcast). Women living cross-culturally talk about comparison.

Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar

August 2-9, ReBoot Re-entry Program (Calgary, AB, Canada). For returning missionary kids, ages 17-20, transitioning to life in Canada. Held in two locations each summer.

August 5 to December 8, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (online). Another class will take place August 12 to December 15. Live classes will be launching in many locations throughout the month.

August 10, Reaching Your Hindu Neighbors (King of Prussia, PA, USA). A one-day training where you discover simple ways to share your faith with Hindus via everyday relationships.

August 12-16, Cubs to Lions (Vancouver, BC, Canada). Discipleship for Christians with a Muslim background. From Horizons International. Similar events held worldwide.

August 15, Circle Up! (online). Part of a series of “nugget” trainings for disciplemakers; this one about coaching circles. Provided by Beyond.

August 16-17, One More Conference (Rome, GA, USA). Weekend conference on missions for lay leaders as well as professionals.

August 17, An Introduction to Bible-based Trauma Healing (Clarkston, GA, USA). One-day course from the Trauma Healing Institute.

August 19 to December 6, Christian Engagement with Muslims (online). Course provided by the Lilias Trotter Center, in partnership with Wesley Biblical Seminary.

August 22, Spiritual Direction: A Growing Practice in Missions and Member Care (online). Webinar from Missio Nexus.

August 26 to September 6, Engaging Islam Institute (Beirut, Lebanon). Training event from Horizons International.

August 28-29, Support Raising Bootcamp (Charlotte, NC, USA). Provided by Support Raising Solutions.

August 28, The Sending Triangle: Missionary, Church, Agency (online). Free webinar from Sixteen:Fifteen.

August 29, Stewardship of Short-Term Missions with an Emphasis on Discipleship (online). Webinar from Missio Nexus.

» View the complete calendar. Additions welcome. Want to know more about a specific event? Contact the event organizers.

In this edition: Should we just leave them alone? Questions people ask about missions and evangelism

1. VIDEO: Happy the Way They Are?
2. ARTICLE: Five Secular Myths about Missions
3. BOOK & BIBLE STUDY: The Gospel Above All
4. BOOK: How to Bless a Missionary
5. EVENT: Mobilizer Equipping School
6. EVENTS: Conferences, Classes, and Retreats

Dear Readers,

In this issue we share a few tools that will help you tackle questions about Christian ethics and priorities. You may be grappling with these questions yourself. If you are not, perhaps they are areas of concern for friends and family, supporters, or those you seek to influence.

Let’s not be people who let ambiguity or past mistakes keep us from pressing on. Let’s be people who think deeply and communicate clearly. May today’s edition of Missions Catalyst help you respond with grace and wisdom.

Every blessing,
Marti Wade

Source: Access Truth

Should missionaries leave jungle tribes alone? Are they just fine the way they are? Certainly the vulnerable have been hurt by missionaries and mission efforts more than we like to admit, and it does us no good to cover that up. But the negative press that Christian and mission efforts get in our world is sometimes deeply flawed.

» Watch the seven-minute video Happy the Way They Are? from Access Truth (also on Facebook).