Read or share the email edition, or just scroll down.
Source: Within Reach Global
The Mind of a Missionary 31-Day Devotional: 31 Days of Daring Faith, by David Joannes. Within Reach Global, 2024. 150 pages.
David Joannes, mission leader and author of the book The Mind of a Missionary, has produced a companion devotional that chronicles and reflects on the experiences of Christian pioneers like Amy Carmichael, Hudson Taylor, Jim Elliot, and other history-shaping kingdom workers.
Step into the lives of lionhearted missionaries who risked everything to advance the gospel.
Could you fold these inspiring stories and more than two dozen others into your own teaching and mobilization efforts? It’s not footnoted, but resources for further reader are listed at the end. This book might also make a good gift.
Learn more or purchase Kindle or paperback editions from Amazon or elsewhere, or read the entries online. The author has two more books coming out this year, also 31-day devotionals inspired by the lives of great missionaries: C.T. Studd and Amy Carmichael.
If you dig mission history, you may appreciate a podcast Chris Howles mentioned in his May edition of Mission Hits (check that out, too!) It’s called Martyrs & Missionaries. The latest episode is a two-part telling of the story of William Carey.
Speaking of companion volumes, if you loved Liturgies and Laments for the Sojourner or follow Liturgies for a Life Abroad on social, you’ll want to check out Crafting Liturgies for Life Abroad: A Guide to Processing Cross-Cultural Life Through Written Prayer, by Heather Fallis. Looks very helpful. It comes out on July 1, but you can pre-order it now.
Source: Chasm Gaming
Could you bring a missional twist to your next game night with a new set of playing cards featuring the unreached? Maybe help your family get to know UPGs in a fun way? Or what about dealing them out to your next mission class for prayer or using them as a supporter gift?
The deck features 48 unreached people groups, including the group name, home country, population size, major religion, percentage of Jesus followers, and status of Bible translation as well as additional material to provide definitions and context.
Learn more or pre-order card decks. They will be shipped in August.
You might also want to read a recent, thoughtful article on Why Some People Groups Should Be Prioritized Over Others (Joshua Project).
Source: Global Trellis
This time of year, our Missions Catalyst calendar is full of retreats and debriefing opportunities for missionaries—see below. They can super helpful, but may also be expensive and are not always convenient. Do you (or someone you know) need one but can’t make it work?
Global Trellis has developed a seven-day self-debriefing course cross-cultural workers can use anywhere anytime. Designed to be completed during two hours a day for seven days, it can also be used as a weekend intensive.
Either way, the idea is to help missionaries feel lighter and less overwhelmed as they process the good and the bad and make a record of what they’ve experienced over the last 12 months.
Know someone coming back for good? Melissa Chaplin’s book Returning Well is a helpful resource.
Don’t forget that short-termers need debriefing, too. You could start with this list of debriefing questions (SEND International).
Sources: Various
15 Bible Verses to Help You Rest
Focusing on verses about rest can offer you relief, whether from physical exhaustion, emotional strain, or spiritual turmoil (The Navigators).
Meditate on these life-giving words.
24 Pictures of The World’s Largest City
Go ahead, make a virtual trip to Chongqing in southwestern China—the world’s largest city by some measures (The Guardian).
10 Ways to Be a Great Commission Christian
Consider these concrete ways you and your church can think globally and grow in your passion for the nations (Chuck Lawless).
Up for a challenge? Consider what Lawless has to say in 7 Reasons We Older People in Church Need to Be Willing to Change.
Source: Missions Catalyst Calendar
July 9-12, International Conference on Computing and Missions (Hannibal, MO, USA). An annual event. Looks like ICCM Latin America will be online July 13. ICCM West Africa is planned for August in Nigeria.
July 9-15, TCK Young Adult Re-entry Retreat (Union Mills, NC, USA). Provided by the Center for Intercultural Training and Interaction International.
July 11-13, Rethinking Forum (Dallas, TX, USA and online). Hosted by the MARG Network for people who share both a love for Jesus and a love for Hindu people.
July 14-16, Crisis Management Seminar (Auburn, AL, USA). Followed by a one-day Security Orientation Workshop. Provided by Crisis Consulting International.
July 14-18, Abide Debriefing Retreat (Joplin, MO, USA). Help for moving forward with hope and momentum. Provided regularly by TRAIN International.
July 17, Decoding the Missionary Pipeline (online). Explore data-driven strategies for mobilizing and onboarding new missionaries. Webinar from Missio Nexus.
July 18-23, New Wilmington Mission Conference (New Wilmington, PA, USA). Annual, week-long multi-generational mission conference; now in its 120th year!
July 20-25, Debrief Retreat (Union Mills, NC, USA). Provided by the Center for Intercultural Training.
July 20-27, Wake (Boundary Waters Canoe Area, MN, USA). A deepening adventure for men working in missions. Offered by Barnabas International.
July 21 to August 16, COMPASS (Palmer Lake, CO, USA). Language and culture acquisition provided by Missionary Training International (MTI).
July 22-23, Support Raising Bootcamp (Orlando, FL, USA). Provided by Via in various locations throughout the year.
July 26 to August 2, Classic ReBoot (Calgary, AB, Canada). Eight-day re-entry retreat for MKs/TCKs (aged 17-20) re-entering Canadian society. There’s also a wilderness edition for older MKs.
July 28 to August 1, Rekonnect Kids Camp and Teen Camp (Derbyshire, England, UK). Five-day camp for TCKs who have recently returned to the UK. Two sessions, one for kids 6-12, the other for teens aged 13-18).
July 28 to August 1, Engage Spiritual Retreat (Union Mills, NC, USA). Sponsored by Mesa Global and the Center for Intercultural Engagement.
View the complete calendar, updated throughout the year. Your submissions are always welcome.