Category: Resource Reviews

Source: William Carey Publishing

The Only One: Living Fully in, by, and for God, by Curtis Sergeant. William Carey Publishing, 2019. 216 pages.

Want to live a God-centered life?

“Read this book slowly and prayerfully, writing your responses in a journal. Then get a second copy for a friend and reread it, discussing it together. This book is transformational,” says Rick Warren.“I wrote this book to share with you what I have learned about walking with Jesus from decades of pioneering mission work in some of the darkest places on earth,” says author and DMM trainer Curtis Sergeant. “Though the locations were exotic, the principles are universal. They apply to everyone who desires to follow Jesus.”

“I believe the greatest enemy of genuine discipleship in the US is the prevailing paradigm of what it means to follow Jesus. I pray that God will use this book to change that concept.”

Packed with scripture, this guide to what the author calls “theopraxy” is all about growing as a disciple, especially in community. It emphasizes learning to listen to God and rely on his power to do what he says, accountable to others doing the same. Great book.

Because of a special arrangement with the author, you can download a copy of the ebook for free. Contact the publisher to set up a code to give it as a gift to your staff, supporters, or congregation.

Learn more and get your electronic copy. You can also purchase paperback copies to use on your own or with a group for US$14.99 from William Carey Publishing.

» The author compares this book to Steve Smith’s Spirit Walk. Readers might also be interested in some of the resources related to disciple-making movements recently highlighted in Brigada Today.

Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar

October 4-5, The Mobilized Church: Keys to Unleashing Missionary Potential (Mill Creek, WA, USA). Provided by Sixteen:Fifteen.

October 4-6, Business as Mission Conference USA (Silicon Valley, CA, USA). An annual event.

October 7 to February 16, 2020, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (online).

October 8-11, Pastors to Missionaries Conference (Ridgecrest, NC, USA). Pastoral training in member care, from Barnabas International; an annual event.

October 14-18, South Pacific Region Member Care Conference (Mosgiel, New Zealand).

October 15-18, Support Raising Leaders Conference (Scottsdale, AZ, USA). Provided by Support Raising Solutions.

October 17-19, Trauma and the Gospel (Greenwood Village, CO, USA). Seminar on offering healing and hope to children in crisis. Provided by Crisis Care Training International. More info.

October 19-20, Missions Fest Seattle (Bellevue, WA, USA). Free annual community missions event.

October 20-25, ABIDE re-entry debriefing for global workers (Joplin, MO, USA).

October 22-24, Crescent Project National Conference (Nashville, TN, USA). An annual event.

October 23-25, Refugee Highway Partnership North America Roundtable (Toronto, ON, Canada). An annual event.

October 25–27, Mountain Feet Weekend (Choctaw, OK, USA). Discern and respond to God’s invitation on your life. From Beautiful Feet Boot Camp.

October 28 to November 23, COMPASS (Palmer Lake, CO, USA). Language and culture acquisition provided by Mission Training International.

October 29 to November 26, Hands-On Media Ministry in a Mobile World (online). Mentored course to leverage ministry outreach using mobile phones. Offered by Mission Media U.

October 29-30, Support Raising Bootcamp (Fayetteville, AR, USA). Training provided by Support Raising Solutions.

October 31 to November 3, Catalyze Pacific Northwest (Camas, WA, USA). Three-day intensive designed to impart practical missional skills. Provided by Frontiers.

» View the complete calendar. Additions welcome. Want to know more about a specific event? Contact the event organizers.

Missions Catalyst Resource Reviews 08.28.19

1. VIDEO SERIES: Jesus the Game Changer
2. BOOK: Fruit to Harvest
3. DEVOTION: A 40-Day Journey to the Never Reached
4. DOCUMENTARY: The Untold Story of the Church in Iran
5. EVENTS: Conferences, Courses, and More

Like what you read? Use the links below to share it. Got this from a friend? We’d love to have you subscribe.

Jesus the Game Changer is a ten-part series exploring how the life and teaching of Jesus changed the world and why that matters. Could this bolster your faith or faith community, or is it something to share with others? See trailer and more info below (Olive Tree Media).

Source: Olive Tree Media

Jesus Christ has made an indelible mark on human history and continues to do so through his followers. Yet many people do not realize that the values western democracies are built on originate in the life and teaching of Jesus—the equality of all, servant leadership, care for the poor and marginalized, dignity of women and children, education, and more.

In this documentary series, Australian host Karl Faase travels to the UK, USA, Singapore, India, and Australia, interviewing more than 30 authors, academics and modern-day game changers about how the life and teaching of Jesus changed the world and why it matters.

Each of the ten episodes is 28 minutes long. You can rent or purchase access online for a few dollars or get the whole set on DVD for $49.95. Additional material is available to help you use the series with your church, school, or small group.

I haven’t had the chance to watch the videos, but everything I see suggests consistent high quality. See the trailer below.

» Learn more or purchase materials. You can watch a dozen extended interviews on their website. You’ll recognize some names and faces.

Source: William Carey Publishing

Fruit to Harvest: Witness of God’s Great Work among Muslims, ed. Gene Daniels, Pam Arlund, and Jim Haney. William Carey Publishing, 2019. 310 pages.

In 2008, the Vision 5:9 network published From Seed to Fruit, a ground-breaking book exploring what practices God was blessing to raise up groups of Jesus-followers among Muslims and describing global trends and emerging issues for ministry among Muslims.

Fruit to Harvest is a sequel of sorts, as the name suggests. Like the first volume, it is based on the proceedings of a global conference on reaching Muslims. Some 47 authors from 21 nations and 30 different agencies working across the Muslim world contributed case studies, information about ministry among Muslims, current challenges, and new strategies.

While many of the topics are covered in greater depth elsewhere, this book covers a lot of ground and provides inspiring, up-to-date, and readable presentations, each with footnotes and suggestions for those who want to learn more. The authors are experienced and passionate practitioners. Some are from Muslim backgrounds themselves.

I appreciated material addressing urban enclaves, Muslim migrants, and nomadic Muslims, as well as strong material on honor and shame, suffering and persecution, partnership, and more. I recommend it highly.

» Learn more or purchase. You can get the Kindle edition for US$9.99 or order a paperback copy for US$19.99.

» Other new releases from William Carey Publishing (formerly William Carey Library) include For the Joy: 21 Missionary Mother Stories of Real Life and Faith, edited by Miriam Chan and Sophia Russell, and Sacred Siblings: Valuing One Another for the Great Commission, by Sue Eenigenburg and Suzy Grumelot (which seems to deal with singleness, marriage, and expectations on a team).

Source: Assembly of God World Missions

“Jesus walked on this earth for exactly 40 days after his resurrection. During those 40 days, one word resounds: GO. Dive into the stories and perspectives of people who love the ‘never reached’ as they unpack why Jesus’s words mandate all Christ-followers to go.”

This new 40-day devotion from Assembly of God World Missions is designed to inspire you to join countless others who devote themselves to praying, giving, and going to the ends of the earth. It includes compelling stories written by missionaries who serve in some of the hardest-to-reach parts of the Asia-Pacific region.

» Learn more or buy the paperback for US$9.99; an ebook version is on the way. But what caught my eye is the (reduced?) edition available for free as a YouVersion reading plan. I plan to give it a try.

Source: Frontier Alliance International and Maranatha

“The fastest growing church in the world today has taken root in one of the most unexpected and radicalized nations on earth,” say the producers of this unusual new documentary, built around interviews and music videos.

“Muslim-background Iranians are leading a quiet but mass exodus out of Islam and bowing their knees to the Jewish Messiah—with kindled affections toward the Jewish people. The Iranian awakening is a rapidly reproducing discipleship movement that owns no property or buildings, has no central leadership, and is predominantly led by women. This is their story.”

Though this documentary stands alone, a Volume 1 came out in 2015. Volume II had its online debut just last week. I’m not sure what to make of it! Would be interested in hearing your response.

» Learn more and stream or download the film. Also available on YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook.

Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar

September 2-15, ORIENT pre-field training for global workers (Eminence, MO, USA). Provided by TRAIN International.

September 3, Missionary Story: Steve & Mary Jo (online). Part of a series of stories from Beyond.

September 8-21, Great Commission Leadership Institute (Chiang Mai, Thailand). From Global Mission Mobilization Initiative (formerly SVM2).

September 9 to October 5, COMPASS (Palmer Lake, CO, USA). Language and culture acquisition provided by Mission Training International.

September 9 to December 8, Encountering the World of Islam (online). Embracing Muslims with the love of Christ.

September 12, Whose Job Is It? The Necessity of Prayer in Missions (online). Nugget training from Beyond.

September 12 to October 10, Foundations of Media to Movements (online). Mentored course from Mission Media U on using social media for deeper conversations and disciple-making.

September 12-13, Support Raising Bootcamp (Pittsburgh, PA, USA). Provided by Support Raising Solutions.

September 16-18, Face 2 Face with Muslims (Orlando, FL, USA). Annual consultation from the Coalition of Ministries to Muslims in North America.

September 18-24, Traction (Wilderswil, Switzerland). Renewal conference for men serving cross-culturally; held annually.

September 18 to October 16, Introduction to Story in Ministry (online). Mission Media U mentored course to better communicate the message of Christ whether your story application is oral, written, or filmed.

September 18-19, Standards Introductory Workshop (Orlando, FL, USA). Training in the Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission.

September 19-21, Mission Leaders Conference (Orlando, FL, USA). Annual event from Missio Nexus.

September 20-21, People Raising Conference (Oak Brook, IL, USA). Be equipped for raising personal support.

September 25-28, Field Security Seminar (Lake George, CO, USA). Prepare to live, work, and travel in high-risk environments.

September 26-29, New Wineskins Global Mission Conference (Ridgecrest, NC, USA). Triennial conference of the Anglican Church, with preconference meetings on more than 20 topics, including business as mission.

September 27-28, The Journey Deepens (Greenwood, IN, USA). Retreat for prospective missionaries.

September 30, The Mobilized Church: Keys to Unleashing Missionary Potential (Albuquerque, NM, USA). Provided by Sixteen:Fifteen. This workshop will be offered a second time October 4-5 in Mill Creek, WA.

» View the complete calendar. Additions welcome. Want to know more about a specific event? Contact the event organizers.

In this edition:

1. VIDEOS: Missionary Explainer Series
2. ARTICLE: Senior Pastor Perspectives
3. PODCASTS: Recently Heard
4. SURVEY: Growing Global Kids
5. EVENTS: August Conferences and Training

Source: Pioneers USA

Pioneers recently released a series of videos you may find helpful. Each one addresses a mission-related question people may have a hard time asking or struggle to explain to others. The videos have some Pioneers branding, but it’s fairly low-key. Topics:

• Who are the lost vs. the unreached? (what does “unreached” mean?)
• What is church planting? (especially cross-culturally?)
• Who is a missionary? (or are we all missionaries?)
• Why go with a mission agency? (instead of going without one)
• Why do I need a sending church? (how goers count on senders)

Know someone with questions like these? Share these videos with them.

» Watch all five videos through the Pioneers USA YouTube playlist or the Facebook page. You can also find them on the Pioneers USA website with links to related content.

» See also the explainer videos from Global Frontier Missions. These are great! I’m told they’ve been updated, too.