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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.

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.