Day: July 29, 2020

ARTICLE: COVID-19 Preparedness for Mission Teams

Source: Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission

As the world thinks about opening up to travel, there will be new expectations of those mobilizing mission teams.

A handy new COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Packet was developed to guide you in the process, when the time comes, to successfully and thoughtfully mobilize missions domestically and abroad.

» Check it out. SOE has also curated other helpful resources for navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic, including some opportunities and suggestions for virtual mission trip.

VIDEOS: The Global Voices Project

Source: One World Missions, Global Great Commission Network

A new video series offers insight on some of today’s burning mission questions from those you might not hear from often. The Global Voices Project gathers mission leaders from around the world to discuss important issues. Three episodes are available so far, each of them available in smaller segments exploring specific questions:

Mobilization

  • What is needed most right now in this time of crisis for the Church?
  • How will this crisis create shifts in mobilization?
  • Is it time to rethink how we do church and missions?
  • How can we leverage our greatest assets to see a unified Church?

Mission Agencies

  • How have priorities changed as you face new realities post-COVID?
  • How are agencies rethinking their strategies for training and sending?
  • How are agencies facilitating member care during this crisis?
  • How is funding impacted, both in terms of receiving and sending?
  • How important will partnerships be as we move beyond this crisis?

COVID and the Church

  • How is the Church being impacted by COVID?
  • How is the role of the Church being redefined?
  • How do we ensure that we are being the Church in terms of ministry?
  • What opportunities do you see emerging for the Church in mission?

» The series has no website  or webpage, just a YouTube playlist.

» You might also be interested in listening to a new episode on The Mission Matters podcast on Mission Trends in a Post-COVID world (Missio Nexus and Sixteen:Fifteen) or reading TrendReport 2020, on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the future of church and mission (Christian Trendwatcher; donation required).

BOOK: Tibet, The Roof of the World

Source: Asia Harvest Ministries

Tibet: The Roof of the World, by Paul Hattaway. Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2020. 338 pages.

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 to the present day. This is the fourth volume.

Tibet is vast—three times the land area of the United Kingdom or the US state of Texas, but with only a small fraction of the population. The gospel first reached Tibet some 1,500 years ago. Though their numbers remain small, more Tibetans follow Christ now than in any time in history.

This book tells the story of the courageous believers God has used to expand his kingdom in Tibetan regions (not just today’s autonomous region). As the first attempt to present an overview of all Christian activity in Tibet throughout history, it begins with accounts of Nestorian, Catholic, and Moravian missions and describes some indigenous efforts as well as the work of foreign missionaries. It’s written more as an inspirational book than an academic one but includes thorough documentation, a bibliography, and appendices.

» Learn more or purchase from Asia Harvest for US$18 or get a Kindle edition from Amazon for US$9.59. You can get a good taste of the book through the Amazon Kindle preview.

» Another new missions book promises thrilling stories and just came out this week. Read Do This for Love: Free Burma Rangers in the Battle of Mosul, by David Eubank with Hosannah Valentine (and let me know what you think). The Kindle edition is US$9.99.

EVENTS: Happening in August, Mostly Online

Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar

August 3-7, ABIDE re-entry debriefing for global workers (Joplin, MO, USA). From TRAIN International; also offered October 18-23 and November 8-13.

August 3 to December 6, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (online). A second online class starts a week later. More traditional, regionally based classes will also be offered virtually and begin in August. Find a class you can go through with others near you and invite a friend.

August 5-7, Support Raising Bootcamp (online). Virtual training from Support Raising Solutions; also offered September 22-24, October 20-22.

August 6, Reaching Nations in the USA Through Sports (online). Webinar provided by Missio Nexus.

August 7-21, ABIDE re-entry debriefing for global workers (online). From TRAIN International; also offered online September 14-18, September 28 to October 2, and December 7-11.

August 9 to September 4, Equipping for Cross-Cultural Life and Ministry (Union Mills, NC, USA). Provided by the Center for Intercultural Training; next offered October 4-30.

August 11, Can STM Really Be A Gateway to Long-Term Missions? (online). Webinar from the Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission.

August 12-13, How to Inspire God’s People for Their Global Destiny (online; two time slots). Webinar on mobilization from GlobalCast Resources and YWAM Frontier Missions.

August 20, A World Without Orphans: Understanding the Movement Away from Orphanages (online). Webinar from Missio Nexus.

August 27-29, Virtual Field Security Seminar (online). From Crisis Consulting International.

August 31 to September 13, ORIENT pre-field training for global workers (Eminence, MO, USA). From TRAIN International.

» View complete calendar. Submissions and corrections welcome. We will continue to make updates about canceled and postponed events.