In North India, a young follower of Jesus tutors in the home of a neighboring Sikh family. She learned that one of the boys could not hear or speak and that the family was being ostracized. Because of their “cursed son,” extended family members would not let them visit.
The boy’s parents had spent a lot of money trying to heal him, but nothing worked. They felt deep shame. The father had tried to kill himself several times. The whole family even ingested poison once, attempting to end it all.
For weeks, the young woman prayed with the family. Then her father, Sanjay, went to their home and read the story of creation: how God created mankind. He explained that as God’s creation, it wasn’t right for them to try to kill themselves.
The family began visiting a nearby house church and listened to the testimonies. After six weeks, they asked to learn how to start a Bible study group in their home. Their lives improved in many ways! The son began responding to his name, and now even says “Mama” and “Dada.” Though some of their extended family members still reject them, they are strong in Jesus.
Learn how God led Luke, a highly paid London attorney living in New York, to a new life loving and serving his neighbors in the oldest favela of Rio de Janeiro. Great story of a holistic, relationship-based ministry.
In recent months, several missions-related podcasts have gone dormant, while others thrive and new ones launch. Follow links below to podcast websites or find them wherever you like to listen.
(Center for Missionary Mobilization and Retention)
“The Missionary Mobilization Podcast is a resource for Christian leaders who want to increase the number of missionaries around the world. Our goal is to equip and encourage missions mobilizers and missions pastors for greater Kingdom impact.”
This podcast launched in 2019 and is going strong. Check out episode 34, “Missionaries in an Age of Global Christianity,” with Dr. Todd Johnson.
“This podcast highlights topics that every mission leader thinks about. These conversations with mission leaders are meant to spark thoughtful consideration and equip you to make your mission trips better.”
There are six episodes so far. The one I found most thought-provoking was episode three, “Doing Distribution Ministries Well.”
“This podcast interviews [Pioneers] missionaries who wrestled through tough seasons in their pursuit of God’s glory among all nations. These raw and real stories will help you learn what it looks like to pursue the Lord in your life. Come grow and be stretched.”
Episode five just launched. The strongest might be the first, “What If God Doesn’t Use Me?” and the fourth, “What If I Suffer?”
Six More Mission Podcasts
Crescent Project Radio, from Crescent Project: “A podcast about God’s miraculous movement in the Muslim world.”
Global Missions Podcast, from SEND International: “A show for Christ-followers who want to participate more effectively in God’s work both at home and to the ends of the earth.”
Mission Mobilization Chats, from Global Mission Mobilization Initiative: “A podcast of cutting-edge topics related to cross-cultural mission and mission mobilization empowering denominations, church networks, organizations, local ministries, and individual believers to engage with God’s heart for the world.”
Movements with Steve Addison, from MOVE: “Stories and insights from the field on multiplying disciples and churches. Everywhere.”
The Missions Podcast, from ABWE International: “The Missions Podcast exists to answer hard questions about theology, missions, and practice to help goers think and thinkers go.”
The 1040 Podcast, from The Go Fund: “We explore stories of ordinary people playing an extraordinary role in reaching the unreached.”
Got a favorite? Maybe another you love that’s not on the list? Let us know.
Essentials for Fundraising and Development: A Collection of Best Practices, Ideas, and Strategies, edited by Michael R. VanHuis and Heather Pubols. Missio Nexus: 2021. 192 pages.
More than a dozen fundraising experts contributed to this volume to bring practical insights and help you and your organization get your ministry funded and flourishing.
Learn more or get the book (US$10 for ebook editions, US$24.95 for print). You can also download a sample that includes the table of contents, introduction, and first chapter. Note that Missio Nexus will be holding a series of webinars on fundraising and development in coming months, with the first scheduled for February 16.
Raising “personal” support? Consider the online course Fundraising Fundamentals and other resources (including free webinars and a blog) from Tailored Fundraising, or plan to attend a Support Raising Bootcamp (more info below).
February 19-20, Short-Term Mission ConneXion (online). If you plan mission trips, lead them, are going on one, or even just considering going on a mission trip, this conference is for you.
February 22 to March 20, COMPASS (Palmer Lake, CO, USA). Language and culture acquisition provided by Missionary Training International.
February 24-26, Crisis Management Seminar (Orlando, FL, USA). Provided by Crisis Consulting International.
This edition of Missions Catalyst News Briefs features stories with global scope. May they inform your understanding, strengthen your communications, and stir your prayers.
Source: Center for the Study of Global Christianity, December 2020
Every year in the International Bulletin of Mission Research we present an annual snapshot of global Christianity, a one-page version of which can be downloaded for free. The table provides a statistical overview of the world’s 2.5 billion Christians and their activities.
» Get the table and see also an FAQ with quick facts about global Christianity. For example, did you know that by 2015, 68% of Christians (1.6 billion) and 84% of Evangelicals (270 million) were people of color?
