The old man’s desk was covered in papers. His hair was peppered with white and his eyes were yellowed and tired. He gestured at the piles of paper with a look of frustration and disdain.
The Great Commission calls us “to make disciples of all nations.” The central focus is on making mature followers of Christ, not simply converts. This requires godly models lived out in humility and grace for long periods of time.
The Joneses are busy getting ready for their home assignment, or furlough, next week. Dad may have to pull a few all-nighters to finish packing. They haven’t even thought about cleaning the house and readying it for the next occupants. They’ll have to ask their missionary friends to return borrowed items.
Following up our look at Europe on the Web in the January 2004 issue, in this issue we present Web resources for Oceania.
The number of Christians participating in short-term missions has increased dramatically in recent years. Just like long-term missions, short-term missions are essential in world evangelization. As Leon Greene puts it, “every Christian is called to missions” (159).
An Open Letter to Phil Parshall. In the July 2004 issue of EMQ (293) Phil Parshall wrote, “I do not want to end my life…known as a heresy hunter. Yes, I will continue…to voice my concerns. But if I am to err toward imbalance, I want to be on the side of love, affirmation and lifting up my colleagues as better than myself.”
“Microenterprise Development” (MED) is the new buzzword in missions today. With evangelical missionaries attempting to present a holistic gospel, economic and business development is now a component of many missions. Yet, MED remains an under-researched topic riddled with far more questions than answers.
There are few phrases more frequently spoken in church and mission circles than “church planting.” There also are few subjects around which ministry mavens work harder to be distinctive.
In our ever-changing, pluralistic world it is more than a challenge to communicate the gospel effectively to others.
“How can we sing the Lord’s Song in a strange land?” This plaintive question was asked by Israel in exile. Gone were the familiar rites and temple, chants and incense, offerings and sacrifices. Where is the “strange land”?
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