This edition of Resource Reviews features new and noteworthy missions podcasts and virtual events, plus a few extras to equip and inspire. Enjoy!
View the email edition or scroll down to read the stories below.
Sources: Various
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.
(Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission)
“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.”
(Pioneers USA)
“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?”
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.
Source: Missio Nexus
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).
Source: SEND International
…There’s not much more than this to the article, but don’t you love that they communicated it visually?
Source: Prayercast
Are you up for 15 days of prayer for the Buddhist world, January 28 to February 11? Prayercast will send daily emails with videos to spur you on.
Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar
February 1, Navigating Short-Term Trips in 2021 (online). Webinar from The Upstream Collective.
February 1 to June 6, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (online). New classes begin regularly.
February 7-19, Second-Language Acquisition Course (Union Mills, NC, USA). Provided by the Center for Intercultural Training.
February 11, Propagating: Gospel-Driven Discipleship (online). Part of The Greenhouse, a series of workshops for church mission leaders from Pioneers USA.
February 11, Your Best Kingdom Workers Are Hidden in Plain Sight (online). Webinar about engaging business people, provided by Missio Nexus.
February 11, Three Easy Ways to Drive Innovation (online). Webinar from Missio Nexus.
February 11, Speaking of Jesus: Non-evangelism to reach your neighbors (online). Ignite online training event from All Nations.
February 11, The Buddhist World (online). Regional update from Beyond.
February 16, Three Steps to Kickstart Your Fund Development Program (online). Webinar from Missio Nexus; first in a series of three.
February 17-19, Support Raising Bootcamp (online). Similar events held throughout the year in various locations by Support Raising Solutions.
February 17 to March 28, Seek God for the City (global). An annual prayer campaign coordinated by WayMakers.
February 18, Good News for Honor/Shame Cultures (online). Ignite Training from All Nations.
February 18 to March 18, Foundations of Media to Movements (online). Training course from Mission Media U.
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.
February 25, Go to the Mosque: Connecting with the Lost (online). Nugget training from Beyond.
February 25, Move (online). Virtual missions conference provided by Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.
February 25, Innovating Theological Education: How BibleMesh Can Prepare your Staff for Ministry (online). Webinar from Missio Nexus.
View complete calendar. Corrections and submissions are welcome.
This edition of Missions Catalyst News Briefs features stories with global scope. May they inform your understanding, strengthen your communications, and stir your prayers.
View the email edition or scroll down to read the stories below.
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?
Source: Wycliffe Global Alliance, December 2020
Recent years have seen a dramatic and steady increase in the number of Scripture translations available digitally via websites and smartphone apps. In October 2020 YouVersion reached a new milestone, with Scriptures now available in a total of 1,500 languages. Globally, digital Scriptures in a total of 1,968 languages became available on various sites and apps.
Faith Comes By Hearing has made similar progress, currently providing Scripture in about 1,500 languages. While their primary focus has been on audio recordings of Scriptures, in the last few years they have added videos, first in partnership with the JESUS film and now also with the Lumo partnership, through which they have committed to creating at least one gospel film in every recorded language.
We are quickly approaching 2,000 languages in which Scripture will be available digitally. This rises even higher if we include JESUS films in languages which do not (yet) have any other Scripture online.
» See also the annual numbers on global Bible translation efforts and scripture access (updated in October).
Source: Open Doors, January 13, 2021
For the 20th consecutive year, North Korea ranks as the No. 1 most dangerous country for Christians. For three generations, everything in this isolated land has focused on idolizing the ruling Kim family. Christians are seen as hostile elements in society that must be eradicated.
North Korean President Kim Jong-un is reported to have expanded the system of prison camps, in which an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 Christians are currently imprisoned.
Yet behind the news headlines, a massive underground church of an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 believers is growing in North Korea.
» Full story provides a glimpse of life in Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Pakistan, Eritrea, Yemen, Iran, Nigeria, and India. See the 2021 World Watch List Report for the 50 countries most difficult for Christians. Let’s pray for believers in these places, as well as praying for their countries and communities.
