I had the good fortune recently to spend a few days of strategic dialogue with regional heads of an international mission agency. One of the major topics for discussion concerned the issue of “localization” which has always been part of the heritage of this organization but has become a priority moving forward.
Wearing her hijab, “Mounia” from Yemen heard the gospel and felt the love of God in our international church because of her Rwandan classmate’s invitation and her husband’s permission. Without Arabic or visa for Yemen, instead of flying to Sana’a, we walked two meters to welcome her. From a country with 0.03% evangelicals, could she take the gospel back home?
I believe a cultural blindness exists at the core worldview level of the western missionary and Quichua student that limits the clear teaching and the student’s comprehension and learning in the area of international theological education.
The church planters filled the small building on the edge of town. Many of them were the only Christians living in their Muslim communities. More than 30 years of work in Southeast Asia had taught us that these frontline workers needed times of fellowship and prayer to strengthen them in their church planting endeavors.
In evangelism, church planting, and community development, missionaries are bound to accidentally hurt feelings and offend some people. Restoring relationships often requires apologizing. Outsiders often fail with their apologies by using forms from their home culture that don’t work in the target culture. They mistakenly assume that because the function of apology is universal, the forms are also universal. Using culturally inappropriate forms for apology undermines reconciliation, intensifies resentment, and prolongs hostility.
We live in an unprecedented period of mission history. The new paradigm of “from anywhere to everywhere” is by nature complex, resulting in an increasing need to partner with others for effective ministry. The challenge of connecting with potential partners in the global context is best done in and through the evolving world of networks.
We live in an unprecedented period of mission history. The new paradigm of “from anywhere to everywhere” is by nature complex, resulting in an increasing need to partner with others for effective ministry. The challenge of connecting with potential partners in the global context is best done in and through the evolving world of networks.
In the 1980s, young American evangelicals were optimistic about seeing the Great Commission fulfilled in our generation. The extension of the gospel over the previous decades was nothing short of miraculous. Stories of the faith of 19th and early 20th century missionaries like William Carey, Hudson Taylor, and CT Studd ignited our imaginations. But perhaps even more so, some university students of the 1980s were captivated by the faith and courage of the likes of Jim Elliott, Bruce Olson, and Chet Bitterman. Reading their exploits compelled many of us to missions.
This month marks 40 years since my wife and I, along with our 18-month-old son, boarded a plane for the south Pacific to launch our missionary career. That “career” has subsequently taken me from being a long-term field missionary on an undeveloped island, to being a regional director for East Asia, then on to becoming a professor of missions, and finally to be on staff with Missio Nexus. Meanwhile, the world dramatically changed over the course of these 40 years.
Missiographic: North American Missionaries Serving Globally. As long as there are people with no access to the gospel we must continue to send those who will proclaim Christ to the nations.
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