Day: June 27, 2018
BOOK: Inside the World’s Greatest Revival
Source: Asia Harvest
Most of us have heard about the phenomenal growth of the Church in China over the last century, and we may know that this growth came in the furnace of intense persecution. But how did it all happen?
The China Chronicles series is an ambitious project to document the advance of Christianity in each province of China, decade by decade, from the time the gospel was introduced there to the present day.
Author and friend of the Chinese church Paul Hattaway has spent hundreds of hours interviewing Chinese believers so their stories can be shared and remembered.
Volume One takes us to Shandong Province, home to almost 100 million people. It includes narratives about foreign missionaries (e.g., Lottie Moon) and Chinese movements (the Evangelistic Bands, the Jesus Family), as well as never-before-published testimonies from Chinese church leaders. So inspiring; I loved reading this book.
» Read an excerpt from Shandong: The Revival Province. Purchase from Asia Harvest, Amazon, or elsewhere. The Kindle edition is US$7.19. Also see an interview with Paul Hattaway (Christian Today).
BOOK: Unpack Your Cross-cultural Experience
Source: InterVarsity Press
“Cross-cultural encounters leave us with vivid memories, writing seemingly unforgettable stories on our brain with permanant ink.
“But as time progresses, memories and good intentions fade when they aren’t an active part of our life…
“So how do we move the memories from our head to our heart and finally to our feet and hands?”
Cory Trenda’s short book—just 128 pages—packs a punch. As the author admits, research suggests that mission trips, on their own, have virtually no measurable long-term effects on the lives of participants (despite our hopes and promises). What you do after, though, can make a difference.
I particularly liked chapter 6. It explores concrete ways you can learn from the disappointments and discoveries of your trip in order to make your next trip the best one yet.
» Learn more or purchase After the Trip for US$14.00 from Amazon (or elsewhere). Looks like it will be available as an ebook as well. The foreword is by Tim Dearborn, whose classic Short-Term Missions Workbook is scheduled to be revised and republished later this year.
VIDEOS: Primer on Worldviews, Caught in a Terror Cell
Source: Global Frontiers Missions, Middle East Women’s Leadership Network
Worldview varies from one culture to the next and is one of the biggest obstacles in the presentation and understanding of the gospel. By increasing our understanding of each worldview, we will learn the most effective ways to share the gospel with people from different cultures.
» Watch the seven-minute video, 3D Gospel. It’s based on The 3D Gospel: Ministry in Guilt, Shame, and Fear Cultures by Jayson Georges. Could you use honor-shame resources or GFM 101 videos and teaching to mobilize or train others in your ministry context?
Here’s another video to help us see the world through different eyes. This one’s a drama. Caught in the middle of a terrorist plot in Los Angeles, a young Arab woman grapples with God’s will when she makes a surprising discovery.
» Watch the 10-minute film, Cellular, or its one-minute trailer. For more information or to screen it for a group, contact Middle East Women’s Leadership Network. See their website for more films or to learn about this interesting network.
BOOKS: Serving God in Today’s Cities … or in a Migrant Crisis
Source: InterVarsity Press
From Operation World creator Patrick Johnstone and collaborator Dean Merrill come two new books on topics that demand our attention: the shifting dynamics of today’s global cities and the rise of the migrant crisis.
First published in 2015 and 2016, and now republished by InterVarsity Press, Serving God in Today’s Cities and Serving God in a Migrant Crisis are short, punchy books offering biblical perspective and practical advice. If I had to pick just one, I’d recommend the cities book. Use the preview feature on Amazon to get a taste.
» Visit the publisher’s website to learn more about both books and related titles. Looks like a long-awaited revised edition of the kid-friendly Operation World resource Window on the World is also in the works.
EVENTS: What’s Coming up in July and August
Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar
July 2 to November 4, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (online). Additional classes start August 6 and August 13.
July 8-27, Manarah (Detroit, MI, USA). Training for ministry to Muslims, from Christar.
July 9-13, Cubs to Lions (Boulder, CO, USA). Discipleship for Christians with a Muslim background.
July 10-15, ABIDE (Joplin, MO, USA). Debriefing and reentry help for returning missionaries.
July 20-27, New Wilmington Mission Conference (Western Pennsylvania, USA). Annual, week-long multi-generational mission conference; a tradition for more than 100 years.
July 23-25, Crisis Management Seminar (Auburn, AL, USA). Provided by Crisis Consulting International. Followed by one-day Security Orientation Workshop, July 26.
July 23 to August 3, Engaging Islam Institute (Boulder, CO, USA). Training program from Horizons International.
August 4-11, ReBoot Re-entry Program (Calgary, AB, Canada). For returning missionary kids, ages 17-20, transitioning to life in Canada.
August 5-10, Check-IT-Out Summer Conference (Charlotte, NC, USA). For IT and software professionals and students on using technology in missions, particularly Bible translation.
August 6-7, Support Raising Bootcamp (Plano, TX, USA). Provided by Support Raising Solutions.
August 13-17, Cubs to Lions (Edmonton, AB, Canada). Discipleship for Christians with a Muslim background.
August 23-24, Support Raising Bootcamp (Edinburg, TX, USA). In Spanish.
» View the complete calendar. Please let us know about mistakes or omissions. For more details, contact the event organizers.