Breaking Barriers to Evangelism 

EMQ » Jan – March 2025 » Volume 61 Issue 1

Reviewed by Adrina Brown, Master of Arts in biblical studies candidate, South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary, Deerfield Beach, FL.

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In his book Gospel Issues for the Global Church, Brent H. Burdick addresses “gospel issues,” which he identifies as concerns that pose a hindrance to “effective global evangelization today” (xi). As a former missionary and the current director of the Lausanne Global Classroom, Burdick engages the global church with missiological and leadership expertise.

He directs our attention toward eight issues affecting evangelism and missions around the world today: diaspora (the movement and migration of people), faith and the workplace, creation care, disability concerns, mental health and trauma, media and technology, wealth creation, and the arts. The issues presented are not exhaustive but provide critical insights into some global challenges the church must resolve for effective outreach.

Chapter 1 introduces the “fictional account” (1) of Oumar, an immigrant from West Africa to New York, to explain the idea of diaspora, the migration of peoples from one place to another either by force or choice, and their engagement with the gospel. Burdick notes, “Ultimately, the movement of people is guided by the Spirit of God for fulfillment of the Great Commission of Jesus” (5). Chapters 2 and 3 discuss evangelism concerns related to interacting with diverse people groups in the workplace due to migration and how to approach topics connected to care for the earth and prudent use of natural resources with compassion from a global faith-based perspective.

Through chapters 4 and 5, Burdick dives into the subjects of visible and invisible disabilities in the church that are related to physical limitations and mental health conditions. He points out that churches tend to focus engagement on ministering to physically disabled people or those experiencing mental health concerns rather than ministering with them (101), thereby encouraging church leaders and laity to understand “that disabled people have a valuable contribution to the Kingdom of God through their insights into faith and suffering” (90).

Chapters 6–8 tackle the theological and social impact of media, technological advancement, art, and wealth creation from a global evangelism standpoint. Burdick observes the artistic relation between the creation narrative, media, and technology, noting that God spoke and created light out of darkness (135–136). Recognizing this, the global church is responsible for using creative means to further the advancement of the gospel and to produce art that publishes the truth and glory of God. As a result, the global church can use artistic and business endeavors to create wealth. With its creation, the church is tasked with establishing methods to provide necessary resources to release people from poverty-ridden circumstances so they can become active and engaged members of their communities.

Burdick skillfully and thoughtfully navigates each topic in this book, drawing connections and concluding that resolving global issues is a job for the global church. Gospel Issues for the Global Church is for missionaries, church leaders, Bible college and seminary students, and laity. It has been written to highlight today’s global issues and equip the saints with knowledge and insight to engage the culture with the gospel of Christ.

For Further Reading

Global Gospel: An Introduction to Christianity on Five Continents by Douglas Jacobsen (Baker Academic, 2015)

The Mind of a Missionary: What Global Kingdom Workers Tell Us About Thriving on Mission Today, second edition, edited by David Joannes(Within Reach Global Inc., 2024)

Rethinking Global Mobilization: Calling the Church to Her Core Identity by Ryan Shaw (IGNITE Media, 2022)

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EMQ, Volume 61, Issue 1. Copyright © 2025 by Missio Nexus. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or copied in any form without written permission from Missio Nexus. Email: EMQ@MissioNexus.org.