Category: Resource Reviews

Motus Dei: The Movement of God to Disciple the Nations, edited by Warrick Farah. William Carey Publishing, 2021. 376 pages.

One of the remarkable features of global mission today is the growth of more than 1,000 disciple-making movements including more than 70 million believers. Too good to be true? Too strange to be good? While the literature about disciple-making movements is growing, this book is a big step forward in compiling some of the best thinking and research on contemporary disciple-making movements. Definitely pro-movement but with plenty of critical thinking brought to bear.

Here some 30 contributors share biblical and historical perspectives, factors that contribute to or challenge movements, meaty and diverse case studies, and areas for further research and reflection. If academic or strategic research is on your mind, this book will give you a head start as it includes lots of references and detail on research methodology. A number of the authors also offer key points from their recent or soon-to-be-published work.

The book is one outcome of a 2020 virtual movements research symposium held by Motus Dei, an international network for the missiological study of global movements to Christ.

Get the ebook for US$9.99 or the paperback for US$26.99 from William Carey or elsewhere. There’s also an affordable, accredited online seminary course designed around this book. Check out Foundations for a Missiology of Movements (Ephesiology).

Learn more about the Motus Dei network. They are particularly interested in inviting more non-Western voices into the conversation.

Source: Frontiers UK

A new podcast from Frontiers UK shares authentic stories of joy and frustration from ordinary followers of Jesus with a radical call to abandon the security and comforts of home and share the Good News to Muslims across the world. Matt, the host, interviews Frontiers members (primarily) about how they have obeyed the command to go to all nations—beyond Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria—to the ends of the earth. Though a recent episode about building relationships with Muslims in the UK was great.

Head to the podcast website or just look on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. I’ve listened to several episodes and found them inspiring!

Source: Asia Harvest

Our dear friend Brother Yun, whose testimony you may have read in The Heavenly Man, was visiting Canada a few years ago when a group of pastors and mission leaders asked him to comment on the removal of crosses in China. Thinking he would express alarm at such a ghastly act, many in the room were totally shocked when Brother Yun replied:

“I am very happy that so many crosses have been torn down! The cross was never meant to be fixed to the roof of a building. Instead, the Lord Jesus called us to carry the cross on our shoulders and in our hearts. I completely agree with the government’s decision to pull down all the crosses!”

Read more.

Note: The annual International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is coming up on November 7 (observed by some throughout November). Voice of the Martyrs has a new film about Sabina Wurmbrand, tortured for Christ in Nazi Germany. It will be in theaters November 8-10 only.

Source: Global Frontier Missions

Looking for a brief but transformative short-term mission? I hear good reviews of the three-day Global Missions Journey program GFM offers to give churches, students, and small groups a taste of global missions in the international microcosm of Clarkston, Georgia.

But what if instead of heading to Clarkston, you hosted a cross-cultural learning experience along the same lines in your own city or town? GFM is now offering a digital kit of materials that you can customize as needed along with a bit of coaching to help you plan a day-long or two-day experience for your group.

“A basic implementation includes a teaching and activity, a tour at a local mosque or Hindu temple, a meal at an ethnic restaurant, and a closing time to pray about next steps,” they say. “Prioritizing exposure and learning over any ostensible quick fix, our hope is that these activities and teachings challenge each participant and plant seeds for long-term involvement the Great Commission.”

Learn more about the Global Missions Experience.

Speaking of digital resources, you might want to take a look at online learning workshops on various topics from World Relief or the Global Missions Toolbox, a curated collection of resources for pastors, mission committees, supporters, and other “senders.”

Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar

November 1-5, ABIDE re-entry debriefing for global workers (online). These are now held almost once a month by TRAIN International; most in-person.

November 1 to March 13, 2022, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (online). New online classes begin regularly.

November 2-3, People Raising Conference (online). Be equipped for raising personal support.

November 3, The Danger of Safety (online). Webinar from Sixteen:Fifteen.

November 3-7, GO Equipped Tentmaking Course (Bratislava, Slovakia). From Tent International and Global Intent.

November 4-6, 2021 B4T Expo (Bellevue, WA, USA). Learn how you can help transform nations through business.

November 5-6, Missions Fest Seattle (Edmonds, WA, USA). Free, community-wide mission event.

November 5-6, Mission ConneXion Southwest (Scottsdale, AZ, USA). Free, community-wide mission event.

November 7, International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (global). Some will observe this on November 14.

November 8-11, Support Raising Leaders Conference (Orlando, FL, USA). Provided by Support Raising Solutions.

November 9, Integrating Children and Families in Mission Trips (online). Webinar from Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission.

November 9-10, The Mobilized Church (Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, USA). Workshop for church leaders from Sixteen:Fifteen.

November 11, Disciples Make Disciple-Makers (online). Nugget Training from Beyond.

November 11, The Pastor’s Hand in Missions Development (online). Greenhouse interactive workshop from Pioneers-USA.

November 11-13, Global Missions Health Conference (Louisville, KY, USA and online). An annual event focused on medical missions.

November 12-14, NWA for the Nations (Fayetteville, AR, USA). Northwest Arkansas missions conference provided by Global Outfitters.

November 16, Where Are the Unreached in North America? (online). A practical training session from Vision 5:9 and Global Gates.

November 17, Is This the End of the Send? (online). Webinar from Sixteen:Fifteen and Missio Nexus.

November 17-18, Standards Introductory Workshop (Richmond, VA, USA). Seminar on the Seven Standards of Excellence in Short-term Mission; provided in connection with the International Conference on Missions.

November 17-21, The International Conference on Missions (Richmond, VA, USA). An annual event.

November 18, A Case for the Practice of Vulnerable Mission in Ministry of Westerners amongst African People (online). Webinar from Missio Nexus.

November 18-21, Mental Health and Missions Conference (Pottsboro, TX, USA). A regular event for mental health and member care professionals who work with missionaries.

November 29 to December 4, Debriefing and Renewal (Palmer Lake, CO, USA). Provided regularly by Missionary Training International.

View the complete calendar. Corrections and submissions are welcome.

Source: Pioneers-USA

The Maverick Podcast explores the unexpected journeys of spiritual seekers as they buck cultural norms and religious expectations to follow Jesus. The first season follows the story of Bishara, a young Muslim man from Central Africa who had everything going for him until a chance encounter dramatically changed the course of his life.

From strange dreams and guns that misfire to imprisonments and miraculous healings, Bishara’s story may sound too wild to be true.

To get to the bottom of it all, host Sarah Lewis talks to those close to him—and experts around the world—to find out what would make a man like Bishara risk it all in pursuit of truth.

Listen to the podcast. Just two of the eight short episodes have been released so far, but they come out once a week. Disclaimer: I helped create this. But I think it’s great and would love to see the word get out! Can you help by sharing it with people you think would like it?

Check out several new mission-related podcasts from other sources:

• Doing Theology. Thinking Mission, with Jackson Wu and others from Mission ONE, launched in August. Each episode is about an hour long and digs deep into critical issues.
• On September 28, One Way Ministries will launch a new podcast called One80 featuring testimonies and stories of transformation. You can listen to the trailer now. It sounds quite inspiring.

Source: Lausanne Global Analysis, September 2021

When Leaders Drink Tea Together: A Critique of Western Christian Leadership in Light of Global Trends, by Mary Ho.

“We are living in a global era where what the global church needs are global leaders with a global mindset, not just Western leadership styles and writings exported to the rest of the world,” says Mary. Her article includes good data and analysis of leadership styles along with practical tips.

Explore this issue of Lausanne Global Analysis. It also includes articles on Christianity in the UK, reaching Israelis in Berlin, and growing churches in hostile contexts.

Source: Ergatas

Most missionaries raise the bulk of their support from people they know—or get to know along the way. But what if you’ve tapped out your networks, or what if, as a donor, you would love to support individuals in a certain kind of ministry but don’t know any?

Ergatas is basically a cross-agency directory of missionaries raising support. It can be searched using detailed filters so users can find missionaries who share their vision. The service is free to use and takes no part of any donations.

So far, it’s pretty small, and only includes about 60 workers sent out from the US, Canada, Australia, and UK (although they hope to expand). More than 100 organizations have been approved to participate.

Learn more about Ergatas. Their about page answers many questions.

In the past we’ve written about several services that connect would-be missionaries with opportunities. Mission Next is a good place to start.

Do you need to put more effort into raising support? Check out a bunch of helpful worksheets from Scott Morton or listen to the replay of a recent webinar on how to prepare for year-end giving campaigns from Tailored Fundraising.