Resource Reviews – Page 3 – Missions Catalyst

Data: New Numbers on Global Christianity

It’s a lot to process, so you might want to look for secondary sources citing this resource. See, for example, 8 Encouraging Trends in Global Christianity for 2024 (Lifeway Research). Also consider these tips from Lifeway: How to Use Statistics in Your Sermons.

Of course, there are also some less-than-encouraging trends to be aware of. Voice of the Martyrs also has a new 2024 Global Prayer Guide focused on the persecuted church. Looks like everything is on the website or available in booklet form.

The 2024 World Watch List, an annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution, is now out. Watch and consider how you can share their video, Top 10 Countries Where Christians Face Extreme Persecution (Open Doors).

Sources: Various

Need numbers? The Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary has released its 2024 Status of Global Christianity Report. A related article in the International Bulletin of Missionary Research is a bit pricey for non-subscribers, but you can download the one-page summary for free.

It’s also worth looking for secondary sources citing this resource. See, for example, 8 Encouraging Trends in Global Christianity for 2024 (Lifeway Research). Also from Lifeway: How to Use Statistics in Your Sermons.

Book: 50 Years of Mobilizing for Frontier Missions

Propelled by Hope: The Story of the Perspectives Movement, by Yvonne W. Honeycutt. William Carey Publishing, 2024. 270 pages.

Coming out of the turbulent 1960s, the Jesus Movement revived a generation and led to a new optimism about spreading the gospel to the nations. Explo ’72, sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ, drew an unprecedented 80,000 students. Then, at the 1973 Urbana Student Missions Conference, thousands of students responded to a challenge from Billy Graham to pursue God’s call in missions. Who would help them find and take their next step? That’s where the story of Perspectives begins.

This new book describes the original residential summer and semester-long courses for young adults and the many changes later made to reflect new emphases and reach new audiences. It explores how Perspectives on the World Christian Movement was both shaped by and shaped people, events, and priorities in the modern mission movement worldwide, despite significant obstacles and setbacks.

Hear the personal stories of Perspectives leaders, contributors, and students and give God glory for what he has done through this movement and the many ministries it has birthed or influenced. I knew some of those stories and had connected some of the dots, but was so encouraged to hear more. An inspiring read.

Learn more or buy the book from William Carey Publishing, available in paperback or ebook.

Infographic: Crossing Cultures for the Gospel

Source: FieldPartner International

Do you think missionaries today are well-trained? What happens if they aren’t? FieldPartner International did a survey exploring this questions and more.

Read their full report, peruse the infographic below, or check out an article about the survey from A Life Overseas: What Missionaries Need Today.

Article: Blessed Are the Peacemakers

Source: Global Witness, Globally Reimagined

“At a recent mission conference in Africa, I sat through a sermon (disguised as a seminar paper) that sought to mobilise Africans to be drafted into God’s army, to join the missions force, and to let God deploy them to the trenches on the frontline where they can make a surprise attack on the enemy,” writes mission leader Harvey Kwiyani.

“I was told they were planning to send a battalion of young men and women as missionaries to occupy—like an occupying force—a city near me.”

How would you feel if you heard someone describe ministry in your area that way? It would not go over well in Malawi, says Kwiyani.

Events: Helpful Conferences and Courses in February

Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar

February 1, How to Double Your Next Fundraising Campaign (online). From Missio Nexus for mission communication and marketing teams.

February 1-3, Azmera Stateside Summit (Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, USA). A mission event just for women. Provided by Azmera. Be sure to also check out their Haven retreats for women serving cross-culturally. For 2024, retreats are planned for Namibia, Tanzania, Bolivia, Malta, and Israel.

February 3-4, Missionfest Manitoba (Winnipeg, MB, Canada). Community-based mission festival.

February 3, Santa Barbara Mission Conference (Santa Barbara, CA, USA). An annual regional mission event.

February 7, Missionary Care for the Local Church (online). From Missio Nexus for church mission leaders.

February 7-14, Culture Shock (online). An online course from Grow2Serve.

February 8, Finding Great Stories When You Can’t Be There in Person. From Missio Nexus for mission communication and marketing teams.

February 9-12, Field Security Seminar (Union Mills, NC, USA). Provided by Crisis Consulting International.

February 10, Generational Discipleship (online). Three-hour training event from AllNations.

February 11, Virtual Prayer Gathering: Call to Prayer (online). Join others to engage the Muslim world through prayer on the second Sunday of each month.

February 12-13, Support Raising Bootcamp (Austin, TX, USA). Provided by Via, formerly Support Raising Solutions. More classes held around the world throughout the year.Note that two virtual bootcamps will be held in February, one for folks in Australia (February 5-7) and another for the UK (February 27-29).

February 15, Winter Coordinates and The Shifting Center of the Global Church. Webinar from Missio Nexus.

February 15-17, MissionFest Vancouver (Vancouver, Canada). A free, community-wide mission conference.

February 16-17, Help! We’re Going on a Short-Term Trip (Tampa, FL, USA). Seminar for team leaders from CultureLink.

February 20, Contend: Monthly Day of Prayer For Mission Mobilization (global). Coordinated by GMMI and held on the third Tuesday of each month.

February 20-23, Critical Skills for Emerging Leaders (Winter Park, FL, USA). A Missio Nexus training event.

February 22-24, TELL Training: Bridges to Oral Cultures (Joplin, MO, USA). Provided by TRAIN International. Check out their other pre-field training and debriefing programs.

February 22-24, The International Congress on Language Learning (online). Learn about field-based language learning, best practices, coaching language learners, and connecting with experts in second language acquisition.

February 22-25, Refugee Highway Partnership Roundtable (Warsaw, Poland). An annual gathering.

February 23-24, Midwest Care Connexion (Roseville, MN, USA). An annual event, formerly Midwest Conference on Missionary Care (MC2), now a ministry of MissionConnexion and MissionWorks.

February 28-29, Move Conference (Marietta, GA, USA). Annual mission conference sponsored by Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. All are welcome.

View the complete calendar, updated regularly. Submissions welcome.

Best Books, 5 Links to Follow, Articles & Events

Missions Catalyst Resource Reviews

Thanks for reading Missions Catalyst in 2023! We love writing for you and pray your new year gets off to a great start. In the meantime, here’s a quick book review and a roundup of articles and events. Enjoy.

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Afghan Mountain Faith, Stories of Justice, Beauty, and Relationships

Afghan Mountain Faith: Stories of Justice, Beauty, and Relationships, by Miriam Adeney and Rashid Aalish. William Carey Publishing, 2023. 150 pages.

If you’ve supported work in Afghanistan, served in the country, or ministered to Afghan refugees—or if you plan to—you’ll find this book a great resource. In providing a concise introduction to Afghanistan and Afghan people, it explores the country’s history and provides keys to understanding the cultural and religious backdrop. Refugee stories and testimonies of Afghan Christians bring it all to life. This book is fairly short but provides plenty of nuance and is beautifully written. I really enjoyed it.

Learn more and get the ebook edition for US$7.99 or pay $13.99 for a paperback copy. See also the publisher’s Top Books of 2023.

Every year, Ellen at Catalyst Services polls readers about books they’ve read. See Best Missions Books of 2023. Find your next great read!

Roundup: Five Links You Might Want to Follow

What would you guess are the top-ten most religious countries? What about the top-ten least religious countries? Check out an analysis piece based on the World Values Survey from Ryan Burge’s Graphs About Religion.
What’s the most popular Bible verse these days? YouVersion Bible app tells us it’s Isaiah 41:10—again. They also report a 20% increase in daily Bible reading in 2023. Good news.
Every year, Ministry Watch publishes a list of best ministries to support based on their financial transparency, accountability, and efficiency. Take a look. Some of us have room to improve.
For a list of fun and intriguing facts—each with attribution—see Tom Whitwell’s 52 things I learned in 2023. What a cool annual project! You may find something to use in a message or presentation.
Move over, 10/40 Window. Did you know that 50% of the world’s population, including most of the least reached people, can be found in a circle of significance with just 15% of the planet’s landmass? The model and map are from John Mayer of City Vision.

Articles: For Missionary Families from A Life Overseas

Source: A Life Overseas

Parents of Missionaries

Whether they are followers of Jesus or not, typical parents are not thrilled when their kids move overseas to serve in mission. But consider what it may cost them, especially when there are grandchildren involved. Read Dear Sending Church: We Need to Get the Parents of Missionaries on Board (Amy Medina) and follow links to some helpful resources.

Another piece honors the parents of cross-cultural workers. Read Dear Mom and Dad, Thanks for Letting Us Go without Letting Go of Us (Craig Thompson).

Missionary Families

Maybe you’ve heard of “adverse childhood experiences” (ACEs). But research also suggests eight categories of positive childhood experiences (PCEs) that can make kids more resilient. Learn what you can do to make a difference for missionary kids. Read It Takes a Village—Including for Missionary Families (Tanya Crossman).

With all the potential dangers of a life overseas, should people with kids even become missionaries? One mom struggled with this question, wishing she could protect her children from everything ugly. Read The Myth of the Ideal Childhood (Abigail Follows). Thought provoking.

Events: Helpful Conferences and Courses Planned for Early 2024

Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar

January 3-5, CROSS Conference (Louisville, KY, USA). Help this generation make their lives count.

January 8 to February 8, COMPASS (Palmer Lake, CO, USA). Language and culture acquisition provided by Missionary Training International.

January 8 to April 7, Encounter Muslims (online). Online classes held regularly. The next one will be April 29 to July 28.

January 8 to May 12, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (online). An additionally January class begins January 22, with more classes launching year-round. For a good alternative, check out Kairos.

January 11, The Harvest Is Plenty—What If the Workers Were Too? (online) Webinar from Missio Nexus.

January 11, Leverage Your Website to Reach the Nations (online). Peer2Peer event for communication and marketing teams.

January 13, The Heart of Jesus in the Skin of Every Culture (online). Three-hour training event with AllNations.

January 14, Virtual Call to Prayer (online). Join others to engage the Muslim world through prayer on the second Sunday of each month.

January 14 to February 9, Equipping for Cross-Cultural Life and Ministry (Union Mills, NC, USA). Followed by a Language Learning Accelerator course. Provided by the Center for Intercultural Training.

January 15-19, Storytelling Training (online). Offered regularly by StoryRunners, a ministry of Cru.

January 16, Contend: Monthly Day of Prayer For Mission Mobilization (global). Coordinated by GMMI and held on the third Tuesday of each month.

January 17-18, Support Raising Bootcamp (Rogers, AR, USA). Provided by Via, formerly Support Raising Solutions. More classes held around the world throughout the year. Another bootcamp will be held in Kampala, Uganda, January 30 to February 1.

January 19-20, MissionConnexion Northwest (Portland, OR, USA). A free, regional missions conference, the largest event of its type in the region. Come early for Leadership Connexion, designed to equip church mission leaders. This year, a more focused event called Short-Term Mission Connexion meets at the same time with shared plenary sessions and exhibitors.

January 19-20, Help! We’re Going on a Short-Term Trip (Atlanta, GA, USA). Seminar for team leaders from CultureLink.

January 31, Critical Dilemma – a CEO Thought Leader Briefing (online). Briefings held regularly for mission CEOs only, provided by Mission Nexus.