A few weeks ago we completed our annual Missionary Candidates’ Briefing Course. Fifteen candidates and missionary inquirers from here and there around the country (and a few from elsewhere in the world) gathered at our offices on Clifton Avenue. We … (read more)
For the first time in the history of planet earth, the Christian church is a truly global phenomenon. And it is not barely global, either. Approximately one out of five of our Christian family is an Asian sister or brother. … (read more)
A few weeks ago, I pulled out a bit of history. And this bit pulled back. It happened one day during our annual missionary candidates’ Briefing Course, held every summer during the month of June. I was leading a Bible … (read more)
Before our family travelled to Yellowstone National Park this past summer, we knew very little about the place. We had heard of Old Faithful. We knew other geysers existed in the park. But we had no idea that half of … (read more)
I have been reading once again (believe it or not) the Schmalkald Articles. They are part of our Lutheran confessions. The articles were written by Luther himself as a brief exposition of the heart of the Gospel. They represent, in a … (read more)
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19 The work of missions is done most effectively in partnership. This is almost always the way it is practiced today. Even … (read more)
“The method for obtaining funds or goods and equipment for the temporal needs of the Mission and its workers is primarily prayer to God and trust in him to provide” (Mission Handbook, ¶108) As a college student I had the … (read more)
The third chapter of Colossians is titled “Rules for Holy Living” in many Bibles. The Apostle Paul lists some essential rules for those who aspire to live a holy life. There is a list of actions that are to be … (read more)
In June of 1910 – precisely one hundred years ago – an historic gathering took place in Edinburgh, Scotland. Church leaders and mission agencies from around the world met to evaluate the progress of world evangelization, estimate the evangelistic task … (read more)
I have recently learned a new word. For all of the years that I have written, read, and spoken the English language, I had not heard this common word before. Earworm. (Do you know it?) An “earworm” (borrowed from the … (read more)