In This Issue: Mobilization Models and More
- MODEL – Missions Reading Group
- MODEL – Summer Missions Reading Challenge for Kids
- MODEL – Fellowships of Future Missionaries
- PERIODICAL – Newsletter Designed for Perspectives Alumni
- BOOK – One More South Asia Resource
- REMINDER – Ready for Ramadan?
Missions Catalyst is a free, weekly electronic digest of mission news and resources designed to inspire and equip Christians worldwide for global ministry. Use it to fuel your prayers, find tips and opportunities, and stay in touch with how God is building his kingdom all over the world. Please forward it freely!
Resource Reviews, edited by Marti Smith, are published once a month.
MODEL – Missions Reading Group
Source: Jennifer in New York
Synopsis
“The missions reading group is an informal, regional (multi-church) gathering that meets every month to discuss books related to the Great Commission. We welcome anyone with a heart for reaching those who have not heard the good news.
“Our aim is to: (1) glorify God, (2) learn more about missions in ways that inspire us to action (including sending others, prayer, and going ourselves) – even to shake up our thinking about missions, and (3) develop relationships among people with a heart for missions from churches throughout the city.”
Books Discussed
– Serving as Senders, by Neal Pirolo.
– The Celtic Way of Evangelism: How Christianity Can Reach the West…Again, by George G. Hunter III. (“This book highlights the true genius of the form of faith and evangelism among the people of Ireland in the Middle Ages – think St. Patrick. Expect a mix of biography and practical theory.”)
– Peace Child, by Don Richardson. (“A classic in missions testimony. How Jesus reached out to a people group in New Guinea that treasured treachery and deceit.”)
– A Muslim and a Christian in Dialogue, by Badru Kateregga and David Shenk. (“How are our faiths similar, and how are they distinct? Excellent authors in respectful and enlightening discussion.”)
– A Theology as Big as the City, by Ray Bakke. (“A systematic walk through the Bible highlighting how God sees cities and how strategic they have been – and still are – in Kingdom work.”)
– Today’s All Star Mission Churches, by Tom Telford. (“We read this book last year, but it’s in such demand that we are reading it again!”) [Note: link removed July 2009]
(Fliers advertising the group included dates, times and directions to the house where the group met, once a month from 7-9 pm, as well as book information: ISBN numbers, cost, and availability.)
Comments from Jennifer
“I think I got the idea from a long list of potential follow-up suggestions from Caleb Project. We tried to alternate between sort of mission-theory books and more biography-type books. We had a very diverse group, including returned long-term missionaries and staff from a Christian global relief organization, to someone just starting to think missions, to US urban missions folks, to pastors; college-aged to retired; mature Christians to new Christians.
“There was no ‘membership’ – we just tried to get the word out (by email and word of mouth) and see who showed up. We had at least eight churches represented over time. Two churches allowed us to leave the brochures in their lobby and otherwise promote the group. Different people led the discussions on different books. Some were very structured and others more informal. After discussing the book we also prayed about issues that arose because of the book as well as for attendees who had mission-related requests. Sometimes we had spontaneous singing/worship.
“About the time I went back to school and sold the house where we’d been meeting, the group kind of rolled to a stop. I think it was great when we had it. I hope I’ll be able to find something like this in Denver when I move back!”
MODEL – Summer Missions Reading Challenge for Kids
Source: Michelle in Indiana
“We have put together a summer missions reading program for our junior church, grades 1-5. We are using Outside the Lines as our curriculum this summer, and to go along with that, we put together our reading program using YWAM Publishing’s Christian Heroes: Then and Now series for our older children, and Heroes for Young Readers series for our early readers.
“We also purchased CDs to go along with the Young Readers so that our children who can’t read well yet or who can’t get a parent to read the book to them can listen to the story. In addition, we purchased the Activity Guides that go with the Young Readers series, and we photocopy a coloring page to go with the Young Readers, and a crossword or other type of puzzle to go with the chapter books.
“We issued the children ‘passports.’ If they complete the chapter book and accompanying puzzle sheet, they receive two stamps [in their passport]. If they complete one of the Young Readers and accompanying coloring sheet, they receive one stamp. We have prizes based on the number of stamps they accumulate. They can choose to earn small prizes after only two weeks of reading, or they can save up for a big prize: a DVD from the Torchlighters Series, which also features Christian heroes!
“The parents have been very enthusiastic, and the kids are coming back telling us how great the books are!
“The only thing I wish we had done differently is to have purchased twice as many of the Young Readers books. A lot of the kids aren’t quite ready for the chapter books yet and being able to listen to the book has great appeal.
“I hope this helps someone! The Lord is developing in me a passion for the missions education of our children, so I’m always looking for good ideas.”
MODEL – Fellowships of Future Missionaries
Source: David Sherbrooke, US Center for World Mission
David is exploring ways to provide encouragement and fellowship for ‘pre-candidates,’ those who think they might be called to missions but haven’t signed up with a specific agency to get them to the field. The idea is to form pre-candidate fellowships which meet monthly – under peer leadership – for help and encouragement, according to the members’ needs and interests. David has been researching and testing this idea for several years and is writing a book on the topic, which will probably be preceded in distribution by a shorter booklet and a web site.
Read more about it here. We’ll let you know when other resources become available. Meanwhile, David will be in the U.S. next January and February and would like to hold roundtable discussions with other mobilizers on how to promote this concept in the U.S. Contact him directly if you would like to meet with him during this time.
PERIODICAL – Newsletter Designed for Perspectives Alumni
Source: Brian in Arkansas
The alumni-relations office from the US office of the Perspectives Study Program has recently started a monthly newsletter for Perspectives alumni (and others) called Perspectives in Practice.
BOOK – One More South Asia Resource
Source: Reaching Indians Ministries International (RIMI)
Last week we shared resources about South Asia. A reader writes to suggest this one as well. Stories of Change by Saji Lukos is devotional guide, a collection of 13 stories demonstrating how God is changing lives in India. Each chapter includes suggestions for personal application and prayer. US$4.95 plus shipping.
REMINDER – Ready for Ramadan?
Source: David in Minnesota
The Muslim fast, and with it, the 30-Day Muslim Prayer Focus, begin in two weeks. And, as our friend David in Minnesota points out, you can get a free copy of the prayer guide booklet from Frontiers here or make your request by email. (We’re not sure if the offer is available to non-US residents, however, given the cost of postage.)
Doug Lucas, the editor of our sister publication Brigada Today, wrote a helpful description of how his church is approaching this year’s prayer focus. Read it here (scroll to the end – it’s the final item).
Questions? Problems? Submissions? Contact publisher/managing editor Marti Smith.