5 Things to Expect from a Missionary
People sometimes place unfair expectations on missionaries that they support. They might expect the missionary to convert an entire nation to Christ before their first furlough. They might expect the […]
Three Paths in Ministry to Muslims: Interreligious, Interfaith, and Gospel-Centered Approaches
In an age marked by religious pluralism and global migration, Christian engagement with Muslims demands more than good intentions—it requires theological clarity, cultural wisdom, and missional conviction. At first glance, […]
Barriers to Spiritual Growth in the Book of Acts
Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey that is often shaped as much by resistance as by resolve. The Book of Acts offers more than a historical account of the early […]
Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two: 7 Reflections on How Disciples Go
He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Luke 10:2, NIV) […]
Paul the Missionary: How Contextualization Influenced His Mission
*Author’s Note: Paul’s encounter with Christ led him to a greater understanding of the faith, and from that encounter, Paul developed a theology of mission that affected everything about him, […]
What Happens When Churches Overemphasize Social Justice?
We believe in the gospel. It is not just “good news”—it is the best news a human being can ever hear. It tells us about the greatest act of redemption […]
Paul the Missionary: How Paul’s Conversion Activated His Mission
Two thousand years ago, one single individual dedicated his life to traveling around the Roman Empire, making disciples, planting churches, appointing leaders, writing letters. He established doctrine and theology for […]
You Are Standing on Holy Ground
“Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your shoes, for you are standing on holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5, NLT) “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who […]
Four Disciple Making Essentials
You want to make disciples because it was Jesus’ last command and one of the most important expressions of love you could show to another human being. I cannot think […]
Roots and Renewal: Why History Matters
Over the greater part of a decade, I served as a missionary in Central Europe, where the currents of history run deep. If you have ever traveled through that part […]
A Lesson from the Church in Croatia
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35, NLT) In the years since Croatia’s break from the Socialist Federal Republic of […]
Remembering Saint Patrick and Hope for Today
“Kiss me. I’m Irish!” That was the phrase on my friend‘s coffee mug. When I saw it, I thought, “I have no idea what that means, but I sure could […]
Flip the Script in Disciple Making
Let’s imagine that India and China go to war. Let’s pray they never do, but for the sake of this illustration, the two largest nations in the world are revving […]
Learning from Lausanne: Reflections on an Evangelical Movement of World Missions
As many of us in America turned our eyes to the recent political election, you might’ve missed what happened a couple months ago when 5,000 believers from 200 countries gathered […]
A New Missional Era
For the last year couple of years, I have been using a phrase that many people don’t seem to recognize. When referring to our task of taking the gospel to […]
The Father, Son, and Spirit Are Missionaries
In recent data presented by the Barna Group, we discover that a good percentage of young American Christians struggle greatly with the concepts of evangelism and missions.[1] This comes as […]
Renewing a Focus on Unreached Peoples
Very few laborers are going to the unreached and unharvested parts of the world. This means we must rethink why, how, and where are we sending our people. If we […]
How Beautiful Are the Feet?
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God […]
Thinking Clearly About Evangelism
It’s no secret that many American churches are struggling, particularly with a decline in church attendance. Close to home (for me at least), Churches of Christ were bleeding members prior […]
Called to Missions? Rethinking Our Language in Light of Scripture
When it comes to missions, the personal call is that which is as often cited by the missionary candidate during fund raising as is the need of the people to […]
Koinónia as a Key to Understanding Our Global Mission
Over decades of study, I have pondered many of Jesus’ pithy sayings. One that has especially intrigued me is in John 5:17, where Jesus said, “My Father is working until […]
Lessons from the Church in China
Editor’s Note: For 28 years, Mike Stone made multiple annual excursions to the People’s Republic of China, where he was blessed to teach the Bible and make disciples throughout the […]
Preaching: Drawing Lines to the Text within the Sermon
Anytime the preacher says, “Look again at verse 5. The word there means…,” the audience moves their attention to Scripture. They learn that in Bible Study, as in any other […]
Why Are There Still So Many Unreached People?
Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven over 2,000 years ago. Before he left, he empowered his disciples and asked them to take the gospel to the ends […]
The Dirty Secret of the Mission Field
I got on the airplane ready to take on the world. I was moving to India to be a missionary. I couldn’t wait to save as many lost people as […]
A Christian’s Four Mission Fields
Global missionaries often use the term “mission field” to describe where they have been called by God to take the gospel. Yet there are actually four “mission fields” followers of […]
4 Tracks in American Christianity: A Tool for Cutting Through the Smoke and Heat
Christianity in America seems more confusing than ever. Imagine American Christianity as a vehicle that seems to be breaking down on a long road trip. The check engine light is […]
Connecting Our Church’s Vision to God’s Global Mission
How do we and our churches awaken to the vision of God’s global mission to save people from every nation, tribe, and people? It starts with being a disciple of […]
Discipling the Next Generation by Inviting Them into God’s Mission
Discipling the next generation may seem daunting. But it’s in the church’s DNA. We see Jesus disciple and launch young men who changed the world with his gospel. We see […]
Five Reasons Every Church Should Love Their Community
If you drive down the street in just about any town, you are sure to see a church or two or thirty. As you pass each of these buildings marked […]
How Then Should We Live: Models of Christian Engagement of Culture
How should a Christian live his or her life in this world? We rightly assume that our Christian faith is not merely abstract belief. Our faith means something. It has […]
Lessons from Christians in Egypt
Christians in Egypt and the Hope-Filled Courage to Endure Christians in Egypt reveal how persecution and family pressure can refine faith and deepen dependence on Jesus. Their testimonies call the […]
How Does Faith Respond to the Enthronement of King Jesus?
King Jesus and Faithful Responses to His Enthronement Faith responds to the enthroned King Jesus by living faithfully and pursuing the Great Commission with compassion, hope, and worship despite hardship. […]
Learning Faithful Faith from the Church in Niger
Church in Niger and Faith That Serves Through Persecution After riots destroyed Christian buildings and homes, believers responded by caring for hospitals, prisons, and the very communities that harmed them. […]
How Do We Share the Gospel?
Sharing the Gospel: Witnessing to Jesus the Victorious King Obedience to Jesus requires sharing the gospel, even when culture resists through skepticism, narcissism, and false tolerance. Witness includes both history […]
Grieving, Praying, and Hoping for Afghanistan – Q&A with Chris Dewelt
Pray for Afghanistan: Grieving and Hoping with Afghan Believers Persecution is likely to intensify, so pray for Afghan Christians to be protected, strengthened, and faithful under pressure. Real stories make […]
Introduction to The Gospel Precisely: Surprisingly Good News about Jesus Christ the King
The Gospel Precisely: Why the Gospel Must Be Clear The Gospel Precisely equips believers to participate more fully in God’s saving mission by learning the gospel with greater nuance and […]
The Gospel Precisely Author Q&A – Matthew Bates with Bobby Harrington
Definition of the Gospel: Clear & Urgent Q&A Definition of the Gospel is clarified as the story of Jesus the saving King—sent by the Father, incarnate in David’s line, crucified, […]
Make Your Choice: Learning from the Chinese Church
Chinese Church Lessons for Faith Under Pressure Persecution in China reveals how believers endure surveillance and intimidation by standing firm in Jesus without compromise. Conviction grows when Christians count the […]
The Holy Spirit Is on the Move
Holy Spirit Is on the Move Across the Globe Holy Spirit Is on the Move as explosive growth in Africa, Latin America, and Asia shows millions turning to Jesus through […]
What Is the Result of Disciple Making?
What Is the Result of Disciple Making: Fruitful Growth and Generous Love What Is the Result of Disciple Making is a church that grows fruitfully as God brings the increase […]
Why Is Disciple Making the Core Mission of the Church?
Disciple Making the Core Mission of the Church: Inspiring Purpose Disciple Making the Core Mission of the Church brings people to Jesus and helps them become fully mature in Christ. […]
My Favorite Paragraph of Disciple Making: The Core Mission of the Church
Mission of the Church: Intentional Relational Transformation Mission of the Church is portrayed as helping people toward the next life through intentional, relationship-based disciple making that treats people as true […]
Disciple Making Author Q&A – Bobby Harrington & Scott Sager
Disciple Making Q&A Perspectives on the Church’s Mission Bobby and Scott explain that disciple making is the core mission of the church, grounded in Jesus’ model of intentional relational formation. […]
Stop Comparing Your Church: Why Contextualization, Missiology, and Authenticity Matters
Contextualization in Your God Given Church Setting Contextualization counters comparison. When pastors are tempted to measure their ministry against other churches’ highlight reels, remembering their own unique context protects them […]
Moving Mountains in Myanmar: A Guide to Prayer and Action for Myanmar
Pray for Myanmar Faith That Moves Mountains Amid violent crackdowns and fear, Pray for Myanmar reminds believers that the true enemy is the unseen powers of darkness, not the people […]
Q&A – How Does Christianity Relate to Other Cultures?
Christianity Relate to Other Cultures in Kingdom Identity Kingdom identity reshapes loyalty as leaders explain that disciples are first citizens of God’s kingdom, which frees them to appreciate and serve […]
Q&A – What Habits Can Break Barriers to Building a Multiethnic Church?
Multiethnic Church Habits That Foster Unity Leaders build trust when they intentionally enter the daily spaces of people from different cultures, following Jesus’ example of going into others’ worlds. Christlike […]
Sermon on the Mount: The Persecuted
Persecuted in the Sermon on the Mount Beatitudes Drawing from Matthew 5, this article shows that being persecuted for righteousness marks believers as visibly different Kingdom people whose lives confront […]
Q&A – What Gets in the Way of Being a Multiethnic Church?
Being a Multiethnic Church with Intentional Courage Intentionality is required, since churches naturally reach people like themselves unless leaders pray, plan, and step beyond their comfort zones. Devotion to the […]
What’s the Difference between Mission and Missions?
Missions and the Church’s Cross-Cultural Calling Defining missions separately from God’s broader mission helps churches avoid calling every activity “missions” and stay focused on cross-cultural outreach. Clarifying missions as evangelism, […]
Q&A – Why Is It Worth It to Pursue a Multiethnic Church?
Pursue a Multiethnic Church as a Visible Witness Pursuing a multiethnic church follows Jesus’ call to make disciples of all nations, proving that His vision embraces people from every culture […]
4 Observations from the Frontlines of Disciple Making
Frontlines of Disciple Making in Today’s Church Frontlines of Disciple Making begins with creating deep belonging, where genuine friendship and shared struggle move people from mere churchgoing to committed disciples […]
There Are Two Crosses in the Life of a Christian
Life of a Christian – Walking the Path of Two Crosses Carrying the two crosses reveals true discipleship. Christ’s cross brings salvation, while our cross calls us to die to […]
Why Should Christians Learn World Religions?
World Religions — Learning to Clarify, Love, and Witness Clarifying facts about other faiths helps Christians avoid stereotypes and speak truthfully in conversations. Loving neighbors well means understanding their beliefs, […]
Restoring Our City – Q&A with Kelvin Teamer
Restoring — Spirit-Led Renewal in Atlanta Monthly prayer walks through City Hall, campuses, and shuttered business corridors ask God to heal disorder and plant the kingdom’s flag in the city. […]
Sharpening Our Focus on the Great Commission
Great Commission and the Church’s Discipling Mission As Jesus frames it, discipling is the main command of the Great Commission, with going, baptizing, and teaching describing how the church carries […]
A Resilient Church in a Cancel Culture
Cancel Culture — Practicing Church Resilience Grounded in disciple making, the church develops resilient believers who hold to biblical convictions with joy and courage. Facing cultural pressure, Christians reject timidity […]
Disciple Making Shift #5 – From Competing Goals to One End Goal
End Goal in Disciple Making—All Nations Discipled Grounded in Matthew 28:18–20, the article defines the end as discipling every people group and completing the Great Commission. Facing reality, 7,414 unreached […]
Lessons from the Church in Eastern Canada: Get Creative
Canada in Post-Christian Ministry—Creative Lessons Healthy churches prioritize disciple making over size, channeling resources so disciples make disciples in any context. Bivocational and covocational models—like funding a coffee shop that […]
Lessons from the Church in Eastern Canada: Success in a Post-Christian World
Post-Christian World — Eastern Canada Field Notes In Metro Halifax where fewer than 5% attend church, success shifts from weekly shows to small missional communities living Acts 2 rhythms together. […]
Disciple Making Shift #3 – From Professionals to Everyone Reaching the Lost
Disciple Making Shift #3 — Mobilizing Every Believer Churches that rely only on attractional models see limited fruit; empowering all believers to introduce people to Jesus multiplies impact. Barna findings […]
Disciple Making Shift #2 – From Going to Church to Going to Lost People
Disciple Making Shift #2 Inspires Missional Living Through Disciple Making Shift #2, believers learn to step outside church walls and intentionally reach the lost where they live and work. The […]
Disciple Making Shift #1: From Church Members to Disciple Makers
Disciple Makers in Everyday Mission Identity reframed as disciple makers reshapes daily choices, moving believers from passive attendance to active obedience. Instead of “doing church,” followers reach the lost, train […]
Church, It’s Time to Bring Back Apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships that Shape Ministry Readiness Rooted in Scripture, Apprenticeships mirror Jesus with the Twelve, Moses and Joshua, and Paul with Timothy to form leaders through life-on-life mentoring. Beyond classrooms, they […]
5 Shifts to Return to Jesus-Style Disciple Making
Jesus-Style Disciple Making — Five Shifts in Practice Rooted in Matthew 28:18–20, this approach returns to Jesus as the Master Disciple Maker and His plan to go, baptize, and teach […]
The Stages of Disciple Making: Go and Make Disciples (Part 5)
Disciple Making — Replication in the Great Commission Rooted in Matthew 28:19–20 and John 20:21, Jesus sends trained disciples to go, baptize, teach obedience, and remember His presence. Beyond conversion, […]
The Authentic Experience Church Model with Corey Trimble
Corey Trimble — Authentic Church Culture & Disciple Making Expository teaching anchors culture, welcoming seekers while holding firm to Scripture. Leaders practice incarnational outreach, building real bridges with grace and […]
Lessons from the Church in Germany: Tsunami
Lessons from the Church in Germany Tsunami Response From Europe’s aftermath of higher criticism, Brett Seybold calls U.S. churches to pair personal relationships with strong apologetics and unity with other […]
Starting a Transparency Group Video Training: What’s Next in Disciple Making with Bobby Harrington
Disciple Making with Bobby Harrington Training Highlights Field-tested model equips churches to start small transparency groups (2–5), in person or on Zoom, for life-on-life growth. Leaders invite believers and seekers, […]
Lessons from the Church in Germany: Post-Christianity
The Church in Germany Insights for Today From classrooms to pulpits, negative higher criticism eroded confidence in Scripture, opening a spiritual vacuum filled by rival worldviews. Mission progress is slow—often […]
Should You Consider Prison Ministry?
Should You Consider Prison Ministry — Visiting & Discipling Rooted in Matthew 25:35–36, this piece shows how visiting, prayer, and steady mentoring cultivate disciples behind bars. Despite limited access and […]
In Defense of Christian Missions
Christian Missions – Humility Across Cultures Scripture condemns twisting the gospel and calls missionaries to serve without imposing culture (Romans 16:17–20; 2 Peter 3:16; Matthew 23). Across the New Testament, […]
6 Ways to Emerge from COVID Ready for Hospitality
COVID — Hospitality in Practice From solicitors at the door to neighbors in need, respond with empathy—offer a drink, a seat, a ride, or a shared meal. Scripture frames welcome […]
Emerging from COVID with a Commitment to Hospitality
Emerging from COVID — Hospitality in Practice Scripture urges welcoming strangers; Hebrews 13:1–2 and 1 Peter 4:9 present hospitality as love in action. Everything comes from God; use your home […]
We’re Doing Evangelism in Wartime
Evangelism in Wartime — Field Strategy See the battlefield clearly: people aren’t enemies but souls to rescue, so view conversations through Jesus’ lens and prioritize eternity. Use God-powered weapons by […]
Lessons from the Church in Pakistan: Boldness
Church in Pakistan and Courageous Discipleship Small groups study Scripture verse by verse and tackle core Muslim questions—Jesus as Son of God, who God is, and why the Bible is […]
Lessons from the Church in Pakistan: Persecution and Progress
Persecution and Progress: Lessons from Pakistan’s Church Persecution and Progress highlights harsh blasphemy laws and sporadic mob violence while noting recent moves toward greater religious freedom. Amid threats and required […]
A Four-Word Solution to Reach a Divided Nation
Divided Nation in Missionary Engagement Adopting a missionary posture reframes culture wars by affirming the good, naming the broken, and pointing to Jesus over partisanship. Centering on King Jesus moves […]
Some Good News in the Kingdom
Good News in the Kingdom During the Pandemic Good News in the Kingdom reveals unity across nations. From Australia to Brazil to Saudi Arabia, believers share the same struggles yet […]
Could You Be a Church Planter?
Church Planter Pathways to Multiplication Acts 1:8 frames the mission to scatter and multiply, while Acts 8:1 warns that God may disrupt comfort to move the church outward. Antioch-like churches […]
Why Plant New Churches?
Plant New Churches for Gospel Multiplication Rooted in Genesis, God calls His people to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth—church planting embodies that mandate. In Acts, the church stalled […]
4 Creative Ways Churches are Serving Their Communities
4 Creative Ways Churches are Serving Their Communities in Action Churches launched initiatives like the “Dollar Club” to meet local needs, showing that 4 Creative Ways Churches are Serving Their […]
4 Ways to Grow as a Disciple When You’re Isolated
4 Ways to Grow as a Disciple in Isolation with Faithful Practices Serving others is one of the 4 Ways to Grow as a Disciple, whether by donating food, running […]
Reaching the Unreached with Stories
Unreached Communities and Transformative Storytelling Stories mirror the method of Jesus, who used parables to engage hearts and reveal truth, showing the power of storytelling for oral cultures. Oral learners […]
Paralyzed or Mobilized?
Paralyzed or Mobilized and the Path of Faith Faith turns paralysis into purpose. When crises strike, God calls us not to freeze in fear but to trust Him and act […]
Relearning How to Reach the Unreached
Relearning to Reach the Unreached with Orality Relearning mission approaches shows that most unreached groups are oral learners who absorb truth best through stories, songs, and traditions. Embracing relearning in […]
Tornados and Grace
Tornados and Grace: Lessons of Hope and Kindness Tornados and Grace reveals how one of America’s deadliest storms devastated Joplin but also showcased God’s redeeming presence through compassion. Volunteers from […]
What Today’s Disciples Can Learn from the First Disciples
Disciples — Lessons from Lydia and Philippi From a riverside prayer gathering, Lydia’s opened heart led to baptism and hospitable ministry that birthed a house church. In Philippi, households—including the […]
Reaching the Next Generation Using the Methods of Jesus
Reaching the Next Generation — Jesus’ Methods in Action Prioritize relationships that multiply by doing life together, mentoring, and forming disciple-making bonds beyond Sunday gatherings. Proclaim a message that actually […]
Promise Keepers and the Power of Prayer
Power of Prayer That Ignited a Movement Power of Prayer shaped every decision and step of the Promise Keepers’ leadership as they relied on God’s wisdom and presence. Dedicated intercessory […]
10 Things Every Christian Should Do When Traveling Abroad
10 Things Every Christian Should Do While Immersed in New Cultures 10 Things Every Christian Should Do starts with embracing humility through language barriers and cultural differences. Supporting missionaries and […]
Why Not the Increase? (Hint: Consider First-Century Weddings)
First-Century Weddings Reveal Why Many Churches Miss the Increase Rooted in Jewish tradition, first-century weddings emphasized the groom—not the bride—helping clarify John the Baptist’s role and mindset. John’s example shows […]
Is the Church Accomplishing Anything?
Is the Church Accomplishing Anything in Today’s Challenges In disaster relief efforts, Is the Church Accomplishing Anything by transforming loss into opportunities for hope and gospel outreach. Through missions and […]
Family Resemblance in Foreign Christians
Family Resemblance: How Faith Binds Christians Across Borders Through personal stories in China and beyond, the article shows the instant connection believers share through Christ. Despite cultural and language differences, […]
Letter to a Woman Who Wants to Be a Missionary
Letter to a Woman Who Wants to Be a Missionary — Wisdom for the Journey Choose love and grace across cultures, owning mistakes with humility and showing respect that people […]
It May Not Be Your Gift, but It Is His Command
Command for Evangelism and Disciple Making Command distinguishes gifts from obedience, urging every believer to share the gospel, not only those especially gifted. Mission and purpose are clarified—enjoy God and […]
The Mission of God: the Long and Short of It
The Mission of God and His Relentless Heart The Mission of God reflects the Triune pursuit of the lost through the stories of the Good Shepherd, the searching woman, and […]
Can Your Church Love Its Community Well? Here’s How This One Did.
Can Your Church Love Its Community Well? Learn from This Example What happens when church becomes a verb? Crossroads Christian Church in Macon, MO, canceled its Sunday service to serve […]
What If the Church Just Goes?
What If the Church Just Goes – A Spirit-Empowered Mission Beyond the Pew What if the church just goes instead of waiting? This bold vision calls believers to act, trusting […]
What if Your City Had a Lower Percentage of Christians Than North Korea?
What if Your City Had a Lower Percentage of Christians Than North Korea? 3 Key Truths from the Gospel Front Lines Some U.S. cities are more unreached than nations like […]
Snapshot of Hope: Flowers of Lebanon
Snapshot of Hope – A Refugee’s Story of Resilience and Joy Snapshot of Hope captures how a mother clings to dignity amid displacement. Even while grieving her husband’s death and […]
Getting Found in the Shuffle
Getting Found in the Shuffle and Joining God’s Mission Getting Found in the Shuffle isn’t accidental—it’s intentional. God is moving people across the globe so they can seek and find […]
4 Ways to Treat the Prisoner as a Person
4 Ways to Treat the Prisoner as a Person in Light of Biblical Justice Treat the prisoner with dignity and compassion. Many incarcerated individuals are awaiting trial and deserve humane […]
What Narrative Are We Writing in the Hearts of Refugees?
What Narrative Are We Writing in the Hearts of Refugees? A Call to Christian Witness and Compassion Hearts of Refugees are shaped by our witness. Many refugees encounter Christianity for […]
Renewing and the Spirit with Shodankeh Johnson
How Renewing and the Spirit Fuel Global Disciple-Making Movements Renewing and the Spirit empower lasting disciple-making. Shodankeh Johnson shares how Spirit-led renewal through prayer and fasting becomes the catalyst for […]
Inviting the Invisible: Why the Church’s View of Prisoners Matters
How the Church’s View of Prisoners Shapes Redemption and Restoration? Why the Church View of Prisoners Matters? The Bible calls believers to see the incarcerated as made in God’s image, […]