contents
18 NAMB is an SBC entity supported by the Cooperative Program and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.® The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering is a registered trademark of Woman’s Missionary Union.® Postmaster: Send address changes to: On Mission, North American Mission Board, P.O. Box 292, Williamsport, PA 17703-0292. Because of your valued support of the Cooperative Program, we are able to offer you a free copy of On Mission. To subscribe, call toll free 800-431-7571 or visit namb.net/ OnMission. On Mission grants permission for any original article to be photocopied for educational or church use. Include the following credit: “Used by permission of On Mission, North American Mission Board, ©2018.” For special requests, email us at help@ namb.net, or call 800-634-2462.
Art Director Shawn Elledge
Executive Vice President Carlos Ferrer
Designer Steve Beaver
Chief Marketing Officer Dustin Willis
Photo Editor Hayley Catt
Senior Creative Director Adam Bain
Managing Editor Meredith Yackel
Editor K. Faith Morgan
Section Editor Tony Hudson Assistant Editor Josie Bingham
On Mission Magazine 4200 North Point Parkway Alpharetta, GA 30022
Contributors Kent Bateman, Bob Bickford, The Brave Union, Matt Carson, Claudine Chausse, Clint Clifton, Mark Clifton, Trent DeLoach, Brandon Elrod, Samuel Greenhill, Daley Hake, Kris Isom, Casey Jones, Eben-Esia Kamusuvise, Jason Lagi, Ed Litton, Meredith Lyons, Patricia McCarty, Brett Porter, Thom S. Rainer, Bob Regus, Greta Reynolds, Matt Rogers © 2018 ON MISSION
On Mission highlights missionaries, chaplains and churches working to reach North America and the world for Christ. On Mission is a publication of the North American Mission Board (NAMB), Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).
NAMB President Kevin Ezell
summer 2 018
2 President’s Letter
4 The Pulse
8 Because You Give
10 The Five
12 Q&A
14 People Groups
16 Neighborhood Portrait
26 18 Growing a
32
legacy of giving 26 A Resounding echo 32 Fitting the world in a city 42 The parallel 42 of vocations
48 How a church can plant efficiently and effectively
52 Recommended
56 My Turn
57 Now What?
Your gifts to the Annie Armstrong Easter OfferingÂŽ give missionaries the resources they need to spread the gospel across North America. Give online at AnnieArmstrong.com/Give. volume 2 1 | number 2
1
presi dent’s letter
Multiplication By Kevin Ezell, NAMB president (@kevezell)
G
od multiplies in ways that far outpace our wildest imaginations. When Jesus suggested feeding a crowd of thousands, His disciples could not imagine it was possible. Andrew offered Jesus a young
boy’s lunch, doubtful of its worth. “There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish—but what are they for so many?” (John 6:9, CSB). Jesus multiplied the fish and loaves, and thousands of people ate their fill with 12 baskets of leftovers. Jesus can multiply whatever we bring Him, even if it seems inadequate. Multiplication is set into motion as He sends His followers into the world with the gospel. Jesus expects us to share the gospel and multiply by leading others to Christ. That kind of multiplication spread the gospel across the Roman Empire in the first century and is still the approach to reaching the next generation for Christ. Southern Baptists face two major challenges when it comes to taking the gospel to North America: 1. A lack of disciple-makers 2. A lack of churches being planted Multiplication is the answer to both. If every believer embraces multiplication and begins leading people to Christ who in turn lead other people to Christ, we will see a surge in salvations, baptisms and church attendance. If every new church Southern Baptists plant is established with the expectation that it will plant new churches,
2
we may begin to close the church-to-population gap prevalent outside the South. NAMB is here to assist, but ultimately the decision to multiply rests with every believer and every church. Jesus asks us to be willing to bring Him what we have, even if it is meager, so He can multiply it. When we trust in His faithfulness, we will see the spiritual hunger across North America satisfied as churches grow exponentially.
Learn how your church can multiply your influence through compassion ministry at SendRelief.org or church planting at SendNetwork.com.
Churches plant churches. The Send Network partners with churches to plant healthy, multiplying churches. Church Planting Process
Assessments
Orientation
Training
Coaching
Care 3
Learn more about how we can help at SendNetwork.com
the pulse
Heard To be able to know you aren’t alone, but can have access to brothers and a community who will walk with you, even though they’re not in close proximity, is absolutely necessary.” Muche Ukegbu, a church planter in Miami, on Send Network Orientation. Source: NAMB, 2018
Lacking diversity in megachurches According to a study by Church Clarity on megachurches in the U.S., only 7% of megachurches are pastored by someone of color. The poll also discovered megachurch congregations are 62% white with only 38% of members being people of color. Source: Relevant, Mar/Apr 2018
Social stress
4
T
he United Kingdom’s Royal Society for Public Health recently named Instagram the
most stress-inducing social media platform. After surveying around 1,500 young people, they found Instagram was the worst platform for mental health and led to sleep loss, body-image issues, anxiety and a fear of missing out. Source: TIME, June 19, 2017
As a pastor’s wife, it’s important to initiate time with people you have identified as life-giving people.” Christine Hoover, a church planter spouse in Virginia, on cultivating friendships in the church. Source: NAMB, 2018
The sole purpose of the Send Network is to provide assistance for the church and the ones they reproduce, so generations of churches are birthed that then give birth to the next generation of churches.” Tim Wheat, executive director of operations, NAMB Source: NAMB, January 18, 2018
Teen depression
T
he American Academy of Pediatrics is now recommending teens between ages 12 and 21 be assessed
every year for mental health disorders. Suicide has become the third leading cause of death among young people in
Measured Modern-day slavery
the U.S. An estimated 20% deal with depression during their teen years, but only half are ever diagnosed. Source: The Week, March 16, 2018
Stress and prayer Although Americans report an average stress level of 4.5 out of 10, according to the American Psychological Association, only 29% say they turn to prayer in times of stress. Ten years ago, it was reported that 37% turned to prayer when stressed. Source: Relevant, Mar/Apr 2018
27 million The estimated number of modern-day slaves
$32 billion Americans in counseling
F
orty-two percent of U.S. adults have seen a counselor
The average amount the human trafficking industry generates annually
at some point, and 36% are open to it. The top reason
people saw a counselor was because it was recommended by a doctor. Other reasons include trauma, treatment for a mental illness, couples' counseling and life transitions.
Source: Barna, February 27, 2018
Mobile friendly Since 2015, web traffic has increased by 68% thanks to smartphones. While traffic from desktops and tablets has declined, smartphone traffic has consistently grown. Source: The Week, September 22, 2017
18-24 The average age of those who are trafficked
80% The percentage of people trafficked into forced labor for both economic and sexual exploitation who are women and children Source: EndItMovement.com, 2018
5
the pulse Technology They almost always
Gen Z
B
arna recently released their first insights into Gen Z—those born between 1999 and 2015. Here are some highlights of this emerging generation. Source: Barna, 2018
have a device on them, and their devices are constantly on their minds.
Worldview Out of 69 million children and teens in Gen Z, only 4% have a biblical worldview.
Identity One-third say gender is
how a person feels on the inside and not their birth sex.
Security Having come of age in a
post-9/11 nation, many are anxious about the future. Their goals revolve around success and financial security.
Diversity Two in five interact with people who are different than them.
6
The era of side hustle
F
orty-four percent of workers between the ages of 25 and 34
earn extra cash on the side. Many do this through freelancing, and some are working second jobs.
Source: Love & Money, 2018
America’s homeless crisis
A
bout 554,000 people in the U.S. faced homelessness on any given night in 2017. Around 58,000 of
those are families with children. 2017 marked the first year in seven years that there was an uptick in homelessness. Many associated homelessness with begging; however, about 25% of today’s homeless have jobs.
Source: The Week, March 16, 2018
The age of automation As more and more functions once accomplished by humans are now becoming automated, Americans generally express
Noted Old friends A study of 270,000 people worldwide showed
worry about the future. Seventy-two
having close friends in old age was a stronger
percent worry about robots and computers
predictor of physical and emotional health
doing more human jobs, and 67% worry about
than close family connections.
algorithms that can evaluate and hire job candidates. Only 47% worry about robot caregivers for older adults. Source: PewInternet.org, October 4, 2017
Where Americans get their news
I
Source: TIME, June 26, 2017
Down syndrome and abortion Across the Western world, abortion rates
t probably doesn’t come as a surprise that two-thirds
for people with Down syndrome is climbing
of Americans get some of their news from social media.
toward 100 percent. This epidemic is reach-
According to Pew Research, 78% are under 50. Facebook
ing a 67% termination rate in the United
is where a majority (45%) receive their news. YouTube
States. Pro-life activists have worked to pass or
(18%) and Twitter (11%) followed, and Instagram (7%) and
introduce legislation to ban abortion for this
Snapchat (5%) came in last.
reason in Utah, North Dakota, Ohio, Indiana
Source: TIME, September 25, 2017
and Louisiana. Source: The Week, March 23, 2018
Health and wellness Over 50% of Americans report they exercise at least three times a week. According to Gallup, almost 70% of Boulder, Colorado, residents exercise at least three times a week and Anchorage, Alaska, residents reported 61%. Other highly active cities include Austin and St. Louis, who both reported over 50% of their residents exercise at least three times a week. Source: TIME, October 2, 2017
Overdoses rising Between July 2016 and September 2017, opioid-related overdoses rose by 30% in 45 states. Since 2004, hospitalizations for overdoses in children between 1 and 17 years old have doubled. Source: The Week, March 23, 2018
ccording to Pew Research, 86% of women at the
The U.S. STEM workforce
end of their childbearing years are choosing to
There are nearly 2 million foreign-born work-
A possible baby boom
A
have children. This is a 7.5% rise since 2006 and a reversal
ers in the U.S. pursuing careers in science,
in the trend of the past decade. The average age of first-
technology, engineering and math fields. This
time mothers has also risen from 23 to 26, and women are
is nearly a quarter of the entire STEM indus-
less likely to be married for the reason of motherhood.
try—an industry almost doubling in foreign-
Source: TIME, February 5, 2018
born workers since 1990. Source: The Week, June 30, 2017
7
the pulse
Because you give… Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and Send Relief’s Disaster Response Here’s how your generosity has been put to work in Puerto Rico, Texas and Florida through disaster response.
8
3,668,562 meals distributed 1,001,215 volunteer hours worked 68,136 showers provided 33,244 loads of laundry done 4,899 gospel conversations 3,181 properties cleaned out 1,824 Crisis Buckets provided to disaster areas 841 professions of faith 791 roofs covered
Give to disaster response at SendRelief.org. Give to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief through your state convention.
YOUR CHURCH AND RACIAL RECONCILIATION
J.D. GREEAR & DHATI LEWIS
5-week video series and discussion guide
IF THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN ALL AGREE ON, IT’S THAT OUR NATION IS DIVIDED. We’re divided along party lines, poverty lines and, especially, racial lines. That division has crept into our churches as well.
YOUR CHURCH & RACIAL RECONCILIATION
J.D. GREEAR & DHATI LEWIS
But that’s not how God designed the Church. We are meant to be an undivided example in a divided world. This 5-week video series and discussion guide will help you move your church toward genuine gospel community.
For more information and resources related to racial reconciliation, visit
undivided.net
9
the five
5 Myths
about foster care By Kris Isom
I’ve spent my career working in social services in four states. I’ve helped families and foster youth navigate this journey and find healing because I’ve already walked through it—I was in foster care.
1 10
best they can with what they have. Sometimes they weren’t taught parenting skills and how to be good parents. They need support and guidance, too. And regardless of what our parents do, as kids in foster care, we still love them. They’re our parents.
3
Children in foster care are problem children.
Many people assume kids in foster care are
Kids in foster care fit a certain demographic.
somehow worse than other kids, and they’re not. They’re just kids, and all kids have growing pains. They have to learn through structure and appropri-
I didn’t fit the stereotype for kids in foster care. I
ate discipline how to become responsible people.
lived in a middle-class neighborhood and went to
Foster kids have challenges just like biological chil-
a middle-class school with middle- to upper-class
dren do. And where they do struggle, it’s through
friends. I came into care because of my father’s
no fault of their own. It’s what’s happened due to
addiction. Addiction doesn’t have a name, race or
trauma within their own family system.
socioeconomic background. Kids come into foster
4
care from every type of community.
2
The biological families are the bad guys.
It’s too late for teens in foster care.
I was a teen in foster care. I came into care when I was 14 and stayed with my foster parents until I
I hear a lot of times, “I don’t understand how they
aged out of foster care. Even though I was never
could do that to their kids.” “They should never
adopted, they gave me permanency. I still have a
get their kids back.” “They shouldn’t have anything
room at my foster parents’ to come home to. I’ve
to do with them.” But often, parents are doing the
heard people shy away from older kids because
they think that they’re hard to manage and won’t listen. I worked with teens as a social worker for many years, and I can tell you they’re not bad kids. They’re only one caring adult away from remarkable success.
5
ou have to fit a certain Y description to be a foster parent.
A lot of people have preconceived ideas of what it takes to foster. They think they need to be wealthy or married or already have kids. There’s nothing wrong with those things, but you don’t need them. Middleclass people can foster a child. Single people can foster a child. People who have never been parents can foster a child. You just have to have the heart for these children. Kris Isom is director of quality and compliance for FaithBridge Foster Care, an organization working to solve the foster care crisis through the Church.
Learn how your church can serve children in foster care at SendRelief.org/Foster-Care-Adoption.
11
12
If you’re a member of a church that’s clearly dying and leadership can’t see it, won’t address it or allow it to be discussed, what do you do? Is it a stewardship issue to continue financially supporting a church when the leadership refuses to make necessary changes to move the church forward? — Barb T.
Mark Clifton
B
eing a member of a church in decline, where leaders are in
denial or won’t discuss the challenges,
Thom S. Rainer
I
n this situation, there are three possible paths for church members to
take. First, consider the power of one.
Bob Bickford
U
nfortunately, you’re not alone. Leaders sometimes refuse to face
reality because it’s painful. Their reluc-
is frustrating. At one time, God called
What can you do individually to help con-
tance might be due to fear or because
you to be part of that body—the only
tribute to the revitalization of the church?
they simply don’t know what to do to
reason to leave is if God calls you away.
It’s possible that through the power of
reverse the decline. If leaders are unwill-
When members leave because they are
one, more might join your efforts and
ing to face the issues or even talk about
frustrated, impatient due to slow change
encourage the staff to move toward
them, members have few options. If you
or when their leaders aren’t leading,
change. Second, you can consider your-
have humbly expressed your concerns,
the church loses something it needs.
self a hospice worker—a caretaker in the
asked for their perspective, offered to
Members should pray for the pastor and
ministry you serve as the church slowly
help and confirmed they will take no
leaders, for the Spirit to remove obsta-
dies. Finally, things may come to a point
action, it is likely time to pray about
cles, for the church to become burdened
where you have to leave the church. This
moving your membership. Our financial
over its condition and for God’s glory to
decision should not be taken lightly and
giving is an act of worship to God. While
become the sole focus of the church. Ask
only made if other efforts have failed.
it’s tempting to withhold giving, I would
God to speak clearly to you regarding
As for your giving and stewardship, our
encourage you to give faithfully until you
your membership. Stay, pray and give
obedience to the Word calls us to give.
determine God is leading you to leave
until God moves or releases you to join
Tithes and offerings shouldn’t be used to
that body to join another church.
another church.
get your way in the local church. Bob Bickford, associate director of
Mark Clifton, director of Replant at NAMB
Thom S. Rainer, president and CEO
Replant at NAMB
at LifeWay Christian Resources
Learn more about how you can help your own church or another church in decline on the Revitalization and Replant Podcast at namb.net/Podcast.
13
Men and women in uniform have a common language and close communities—communities that can be reached with the gospel.
14
The Military
people gr ou ps
“T
here’s something unique about men and women willing to volunteer their lives to support and defend our land,” says Retired Major General Doug Carver, executive director of chaplaincy for NAMB. “They lay their civilian status aside to become an American member of the military. Those who serve come from all walks of life. Our armed forces are multiethnic, mulitcultural and multi-generational. This makes for a community of support, respect and dignity.” The men and women in the military begin their day before sunrise, standing at attention moments after the sounding of reveille. They train the way they fight— hard. Then they report for duty. Sometimes, it’s maintaining their load-bearing equipment or working on professional development. Sometimes, smaller units of 10 to 12 personnel participate in teambuilding exercises. “They do everything together,” Carver says. “The accountability is unbelievable. How many of us say we know our church family but can’t say if they have food in their cupboards or where they live? The military as a people group is so unique because they live in and work among their people. They go to work, live next to, deploy with and are developed alongside those in their units.”
Military chaplains serve the military service members with their presence. Chaplains go where service members are. The United States armed forces send men and women to over 170 nations. In each of those nations, there are chaplains serving, too. There are many in the military who don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ, but because the access to military bases is limited, most Christians cannot access the base and start sharing the gospel. “It’s a bit of a closed culture, but our chaplains are doing a terrific job reaching the men and women in the military,” Carver says. “The military is starting to shift away from living on post. It’s cheaper to live off base in communities, and that’s how we, as Christians, can start reaching out to our neighbors. Now more than ever, there is a chance to reach them off base and to be part of their lives.” Church planting in military communities is a strategic way to reach people where they are. One of NAMB’s strategies for providing spiritual support and resources to military communities, in partnership with local Southern Baptist churches and other kingdom partners, is to plant dynamic, growing Southern Baptist churches near every major United States military installation. There are about 275 military church plants in North America and 150 military church plants overseas.
Learn more about military chaplains at namb.net/Fort-Benning. Get involved in military church planting at namb.net/Military-Church-Planting.
15
Jorge Santiago, Church Planter When Jorge Santiago returned home after several years away, people asked, “What happened to you?” Learn the answer at namb.net/Comerio.
Comerío 16
n e igh bor h ood portrai t
PHOTOS BY CASEY JONES
I
n Comerío, Puerto Rico, almost everything can be defined as “before” or “after.” On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria tore through the town of 22,000. Once the sky cleared and the shoulder-deep floodwaters receded, no building or life was untouched.
Edmari Diaz, Homeowner
Edmari Diaz lives on a hill overlooking Comerío. She thought her home would be safe. Learn what happened to her at namb.net/Comerio.
Jorge Santiago began preparing to plant a church in Comerío just weeks before the hurricane. “I was so heartbroken because I knew my people needed help,” he says. “But we didn’t feel left behind because the first responders were Send Relief.” Before Hurricane Maria, Comerío was one of almost 40 cities in Puerto Rico with no Southern Baptist church. After the storm, Send Relief provided supplies and volunteer teams for pastors and church planters like Jorge and helped create opportunities for gospel conversations. As a result, Jorge was able to launch One Church a year earlier than planned.
Christian Reyes, New Believer
For Christian Reyes, Hurricane Maria was not the end. It was the beginning. Learn why at namb.net/ Comerio.
Like most in Puerto Rico, the majority of people in Comerío claim Catholicism, but few attend church. For Jorge, that meant the gospel was something new to many people in his community. So there’s another “before” and “after” for Comerío. “We didn’t know how hard Maria was going to be for Puerto Rico,” says Jorge. “But God was doing something. When I think about all that happened in Comerío, I can’t see anything else but a new opportunity to start over again and to build strong.”
The Laundry Man
See more stories of hope at namb.net/Comerio.
After Hurricane Maria hit Comerío, Jorge Santiago found a creative way to help people and open doors for gospel conversations. Learn more at namb.net/ Comerio. Visit SendRelief.org/PuertoRico to learn more about how you can help missionaries like Jorge share the gospel with people still trying to recover from Hurricane Maria. For more information about church planting in Puerto Rico, visit namb.net/Puerto-Rico.
17
ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE BRAVE UNION
18
By Josie Bingham
eborah and Ralph Bradshaw sat around the restaurant’s table with their three sons. The air was tinged with anticipation; the family had been praying for this moment for over two weeks. “I had previously suggested to my parents that they give me and my brothers an opportunity to direct the funds they had already set aside for kingdom work,” Joshua Bradshaw says. “My parents requested that the charities we chose meet three criteria: presenting the claims of Jesus, making disciples of Jesus and meeting needs in the name of Jesus.”
Growing a legacy of
giving
19
The gospel is the advantage of the Christian charity and something that secular charities cannot offer. Our family wanted to prioritize ministries that put Jesus at the forefront of their outreach.”
t was difficult to find charities that meet
their recommendations and email them to the
all three criteria because a lot of them are
parents for review before discussion.
meeting needs in the name of Jesus but not many are also making disciples.”
“It gave our parents time to research and pray over the ministries we presented them,” Joshua says.
Joshua and his brothers combed through a variety
“Many were unfamiliar to my parents.”
of charities, looking to meet the criteria their parents had specified for their year-end giving.
At lunch, Ralph and Deborah Bradshaw wanted to know which son had picked which organization
“The idea came from a book written by David
and if the ministry met all three criteria: presenting
Green, the founder of Hobby Lobby,” says Joshua.
the claims of Jesus, making disciples of Jesus and
“The book described how David Green and his
meeting needs in the name of Jesus.
wife formed a committee of family members from younger generations to allocate charitable
“The three criteria are important because there are
giving for their family foundation. The commit-
many organizations that are doing ‘good works,’”
tee required criteria to determine which charities
says Joshua. “The gospel is the advantage of the
would receive funding.”
Christian ministry and something that secular charities cannot offer. Our family wanted to prioritize
20
The book had been a gift from Ralph and Deborah
organizations that put Jesus at the forefront of
Bradshaw to their three sons earlier.
their outreach.”
“We discussed it as a family hoping to apply some
Ralph and Deborah Bradshaw listened carefully to
of the principles in Green’s book,” Joshua says.
all nine options, then chose Send Relief. Joshua had been the one to suggest the organization for
His parents’ year-end giving was the perfect
his parents’ year-end giving.
opportunity for the sons to act out David Green’s principle for giving. The family agreed each son
The Bradshaw family had served with Send Relief
would pick a ministry and present their findings to
on several occaisions.
the family during a lunch two weeks from the date. Each son decided it would be best to assemble
“I became aware of Send Relief when we visited
21
things in Clarkston through Send Relief.”
Samaritans. Send Relief also meets all three criteria on our list, which made the decision for me to
The Bradshaw family met with the pastor of
present Send Relief to my parents quite easy.”
Clarkston International Bible Church, Trent
22
DeLoach, to discuss the vision for the Send Relief
“They all did such a great job with their presenta-
ministry center there.
tions,” Deborah says. “My husband and I were proud. We take numerous service trips as a fam-
“I thought the Send Relief model would align with
ily—local, statewide, national, international. It’s
my parents’ heart for the nations, so I proposed
our lifestyle. The year-end giving was just another
it in our year-end giving discussion,” says Joshua.
opportunity to present Christ, and we were thrilled
“Send Relief and their work in Clarkston was one
our sons had wanted to do this.”
of the few organizations we found that reached out to people in the Samaria category—people
For Joshua, missions was instilled by his parents’
that live near us but are culturally different from
influence but grew after his first encounter with life
us. Since we live a short distance from Clarkston, it
on mission during a service trip to Peru.
made sense to focus on that area as our ministry to
“I went on a mission trip to Peru a few years ago and, although I
granted in the United States, but the believers in Peru were filled with joy anyway.
took some Spanish classes in high school, I wasn’t really able to communicate well,” says Joshua. “We were there to support a local church planter in a rural area outside Lima, so we
“The believers in Peru were filled with the joy of the Lord despite lacking many things,” says Joshua. “And although we could not communicate directly with each other, there was a connection
walked from house to
between us because the same Holy Spirit was
house encouraging the
working in their lives and mine. I always knew that
believers that went to
God was omnipresent because that principle was
his church and sharing
taught to me at a young age, but it really changed
the gospel with the people we met. The
my perspective to see God working in people’s lives on another continent in another language.
weather along the Peruvian coast is
“In contrast to my own abilities which are limited
mild and it never
in many ways, God is not limited by political
rains, so the people
boundaries, language barriers, financial con-
live in shacks made
straints or even laws of the natural world. To
from used shipping
see God at work beyond the scope of my own
pallets and other
involvement was humbling and truly changed my
building scraps. They
perspective of His power.”
had electricity but no running water, no
The Bradshaw family plans on being involved
paved roads and no
in the Clarkston community with Send Relief for
government services like
many years to come.
schools or medical care.” “The important thing to remember is that God Joshua saw that many
doesn’t need our money, but by giving to His
people in Peru lacked
purposes, we get to be involved in what He is
the things he took for
doing,” Joshua says. “In addition to that, keep in
23
The important thing to remember is that God doesn’t need our money, but by giving to His purposes, we get to be involved in what He is doing.”
How giving impacts a community “When donations are given that are in response to a request or an ongoing need, refugees and those who serve them are deeply encouraged. Giving affirms them mind that the amount of the gift is less important
in God’s call and strengthens
than the attitude of giving, as evidenced by the
them in tangible ways to carry
widow’s offering in Luke 21. Regardless of the
out their ministries. Donations
amount or the recipient, it’s important to pray
remind refugees they are not
about the gift and follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. “We look forward to seeing the ongoing impact of our year-end gift,” Deborah says. “We don’t have any specific hopes for our gift because we prayed over it, and we trust God to use it for His 24
work.” Josie Bingham is the assistant editor of On Mission.
alone—that God sees their needs and provides through His people. An ethnic pastor recently took some of his leaders on an out-ofstate trip to train other churches’ leaders. Donations enabled him to purchase food, a van and gas for their trip. He was deeply appreciative of those who supported his work in expanding the gospel through and beyond Clarkston.” – Lorna Bius, Send Relief missionary, Clarkston, Georgia.
Learn more about Send Relief Ministry Centers at SendRelief.org.
The next generation of is sitting in your congregation!
missionaries
The Church Planting Pipeline is an intentional development resource for the local church to discover, develop and deploy church planting teams from within. Learn more at namb.net/Pipeline
A Resou echo
26
Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area serves as an innovation center for high tech and social media that impacts the world.
nding I
t’s a place of innovation and influence. A place where a simple idea or concept can explode into a culture-shifting phenomenon. This is where people dream, create and push boundaries in hopes of producing the next big thing.
27
By Meredith Yackel
B
urrowed in the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley continues to innovate new technology that infiltrates culture worldwide—steering us toward new
ways of living. Major conglomerates
like Lockheed Martin, Tesla, Apple, Facebook and Google call the Bay Area home, and that’s barely scratching the surface. Silicon Valley is arguably the most influential community in the world. That is the exact reason Andy Wood and Filipe Santos moved their families across the country to start Echo.Church in 2009. “It’s a place that’s not just influential, it also has a lot of resources—both financial and technological,” says executive pastor Filipe Santos. “We felt that if the church could leverage those resources to expand the message of the love of God, the
High risk, high reward Admittedly, moving to the Bay Area was far from practical.
Pastors Andy Wood and Filipe Santos saw planting a church in Silicon Valley as an opportunity to impact the world in a positive way.
“I was working at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, at the time, and our family was in a really
28
good season,” says Filipe. “When Andy came to
“My wife and I both felt the Spirit move while Andy
me and asked us to move across the country to
was telling us his vision,” says Filipe. “We knew
one of the most expensive cities in the nation, it
God was calling us to plant there. Silicon Valley is
wasn’t necessarily the most attractive scenario. We
one of the most unchurched metropolitan areas
were going to have to raise all of our support—
in the country, and very few church planters were
over double what I was making at the time—to live
there at that time. We spent the next few months
a much simpler lifestyle.”
raising support, with no guarantee the church would be able to pay us, but there was no denying
But, not unlike start-up entrepreneurs, church
it was what we needed to do.”
planters like Filipe and Andy understand that high risk can yield high reward.
Despite the uneven odds, they took a chance with faith God would do something great. And, He did.
PHOTO BY DALEY HAKE
potential could be enormous.”
Amidst the hustle of the booming tech sector
in their lives. Reaching this community is a big task,
and overpriced coffee shops, Echo.Church began
but Filipe and Andy have a plan.
reaching one of the most affluent areas in the world with the love of God.
“Most of the people in our church are young entrepreneurs,” says Filipe. “They work for big com-
Leveraging skills for the kingdom
panies like Google, Facebook, Apple and Netflix. They are programmers, designers and engineers. They are dreamers. They would love to start their
In 2017, Barna Research named San Jose the
own companies one day. The potential for their
eighth most post-Christian city in the U.S., mean-
influence is so great.
ing a majority do not believe in God, the accuracy of the Bible or that faith is even an important factor
29
Entrepreneur Darren Allarde uses his knowledge of data to serve his church and advance the gospel of Christ.
“Our dream, and the thing for which we spend
as soon as possible.”
a lot of time casting a vision, is how our congregation can leverage their entrepreneurial skills,
Every year, Echo.Church holds an event called
the platforms they have and the products they
Echo Conference where they talk through the idea
produce for something greater than themselves.
of leveraging entrepreneurial endeavors toward
We know that if we want to reach this commu-
making a difference in the world.
nity, and possibly even influence the world, it has to come from them.”
This vision is in line with their dream that their congregation would not just create products for profit
A few years ago, entrepreneur Darren Allarde 30
but also change peoples’ lives.
started attending a community group at Echo. Church. Born and raised in the area, Darren began
Darren has taken that mindset to heart. Not only
working in the tech sector as a high school student.
is he working to create apps and products that
Highly driven and tenacious, he took a standard
positively impact lives all over the world, he is
Silicon Valley approach to finding God.
leveraging his skills to serve his church and reach his community.
“I got all the books I could get,” says Darren. “I talked to people I respected. I asked, ‘Why do
“He is studying all of our data,” says Filipe. “He’s
you believe in God? I’d love to hear your story.’
using what he knows about data to strategize
Within weeks, I was convinced, and I got baptized
better ways we can do ministry and maximize our
Our dream is how our congregation can leverage their entrepreneurial skills, the platforms they have and the products they produce for something greater than themselves.”
resources toward our mission. We don’t want to
now the Bay Area could be a totally different place
put people in a box. We want them to creatively
if churches partner together and embrace the
serve with their unique gifts because we know a
gospel vision of multiplication excites me more
lot of them are smarter than us in many ways. They
than anything.
think differently, and we can use their skills to bet-
PHOTO BY DALEY HAKE
ter reach our community.”
“God is really moving in the Bay Area. There are more church planters here than ever before, but
Darren has a heart for the people behind all the
we’re still in the very beginning of a movement.
analytics. As a way to reach a community of curi-
We must be unified and work together; there’s no
ous, yet often skeptical people, he leads a round-
sense for competition.”
table discussion group about God and faith that is open to everyone.
Beyond their own city, Echo.Church is also dedicated to help plant churches across North America,
“It’s geared toward people who are skeptics and
and they are in the beginning stages of helping
non-believers,” says Darren. “It’s a safe environ-
plant internationally. By leaning into their culture,
ment where people can say whatever they want—
they are influencing the influencers who can reach
no judgment. They’re people who are exploring. A
the world for Christ.
lot of them have never attended church.”
We are in one of the most diverse places in the world, so it feels like heaven in a sense. It’s important to us that our church reflects this diversity.” Filipe Santos, executive pastor at Echo.Church AfricanAmerican
Multi Races
“It’s all about the Great Commission,” says Andy.
A Vision for the city and the world
“The reason we are a multiplying church is because
Hispanic
White
Jesus cares about every single human being who is lost and heading toward an eternity apart from
Since 2009, Echo.Church has planted two more
Him. And so, starting churches focused on people
campuses in the Silicon Valley area.
who are lost and apart from God, is the most effective way to reach the world for Jesus.”
“What really gets me excited is to think about the long-term impact we can have as a local church,”
Meredith Yackel is the managing editor for On
says lead pastor Andy. “To think that 30 years from
Mission magazine.
Asian
Ethnicity 35% White 33% Asian 26% Hispanic 4% Multiple races
2% African-
American
Learn how Echo.Church member and venture capitalist, Luke Roush, uses his unique gifts to serve at namb.net/SiliconValley.
Source: SiliconValleyIndicators.org
31
By Brett Porter
W
hen we first
moved to
Toronto, we
lived in a row of 10 houses. Behind those 10 doors, seven countries and six languages were represented. Over half of Toronto’s residents were born outside of Canada. According to some estimates, it’s the most diverse city in the world.
PHOTO ESSAY BY CLAUDINE CHAUSSE
32
Fitting the world inside a city 33
When it comes to influence in Canada, Toronto is like New York, LA and Nashville combined. It’s a strategic city, nationally and globally because of the diversity. Toronto church plants are locally focused with world-wide impact.�
34
The idea of forgiveness is difficult for many refugees. The idea of being accepted for who you are when you’ve been told you’re nobody for years, takes time.
35
36
37
We have churches as diverse as the city— churches of 80 to 100 people with 20 to 30 countries represented in each congregation.�
When you share the gospel with refugees, they don’t usually respond the way most North Americans respond. The push back is the reality of their situation. There’s heartache. There’s pain. It’s raw and emotional.”
38
When a refugee or a newcomer to Canada gives their life to Christ, it’s an all-in thing. You see such a shift in their hearts and lives.
39
Forgiving the Unimaginable By Eben-Esia Kamusuvise
I grew up in a Christian house, but I did not know
I
Jesus as my personal Savior. I went to church to came to Canada from Namibia because of
meet my friends, and most of the time we would
my mother-in-law. She practiced witchcraft for
sneak out of the service. After I married, I rarely
years—even before I married my husband—but I
went to church, and my husband never went. But in
didn’t know how serious and dangerous it was until
the middle of our struggle, I told my husband we
it happened to me.
should pray.
My mother-in-law told us she wanted to sacrifice
After praying, we decided my daughter and I should
our daughter in a ritual to earn great wealth. The
leave the country as refugees until his mother
sacrifice had to be a close relative who was very
calmed down. He bought the plane ticket on a
young. She said my daughter was the perfect
Tuesday, and we left Thursday night for Canada.
size and told us it was for our own good since the 40
money would be my husband’s inheritance.
I came to Canada lost and afraid. We found a place to stay and waited for things to get better at home.
After she made several attempts to kidnap my
Instead, my son followed us to Canada three
daughter at school, my husband and I lived in fear
months later after my mother-in-law attempted to
and hopelessness. The police didn’t help us. The
kidnap him, too.
traditional chiefs in the village told us it was a family matter. Even my own parents didn’t have power
My heart was hardened. I was full of anxiety, and I
to take the children because, according to our
wondered why this was happening to my family.
customs and tradition, only the husband’s family has custody rights over the kids.
I met some members of a small church plant—
Sanctuary Church Mississauga. They taught
rage, anger and anxiety were part of my life. But
forgiveness. Sometimes after church, I went home,
God is peace, and He calls His disciples to be
closed the door to my room and cried. I would
peaceful and forgiving.
think, “They talk about forgiveness because nothing bad has happened to them.”
If it was not for Jesus using Sanctuary Church, I would be back home and childless, but God had
While I fought forgiveness, God continued to show
a bigger plan. Coming to Canada was a hard and
His love through Sanctuary Church. When I did not
a good thing. I realize now it was God calling us
have a stable job or a place to stay, they helped.
to know Him. After all the years of struggling, I
They assisted with hospital bills and immigration
can truly say I forgive my mother-in-law. Glory to
cases and lawyers. They put food on my table.
God.
I came to know Jesus as my Savior through Sanctu-
Today, Eben and her children continue to be disci-
ary Church. I made a decision to follow Him and
pled as followers of Jesus. They received permanent
get baptized. The journey of learning to forgive
residency to Canada after many court hearings and
truly started in that moment. At first, I wanted to
countless prayers. God has provided Eben and her
condemn my mother-in-law by learning the Bible.
son with long-term jobs and her daughter is doing
Instead, God used the Bible to help me forgive her.
very well in school. Her husband, Max, recently had his visa approved and will be re-joining the family
In Mark 11:25, I learned to forgive before asking
after several years of being separated.
anything of God.
41
On a recent trip back to Namibia, Eben’s motherMicah 7:18-19 showed me God does not retain His
in-law invited Eben, along with other family and
anger forever, so who am I to hold anger forever?
friends, to her house for a huge bonfire where she burned all her witchcraft paraphernalia. What God
And Ephesians 4:31-32 exposed that bitterness,
is doing in Toronto is impacting the world.
Learn how you can help refugees in your community at SendRelief.org/Refugees. Find out how to get involved in church planting in Toronto at NAMB.net/Toronto.
The parallel of vocations:
A bivocational story Derrick Taylor was familiar with the brokenness of his community. He came face-to-face with it every day. As a state trooper, he had seen it all, but one call to settle a domestic violence dispute changed everything.
“I
By Meredith Yackel
these conditions in his community, he knew God was calling him to do something about it. “I couldn’t get it out of my mind. I kept telling myself that serving in my local church and my service as a police officer was enough. But, I knew God was calling me to do more. I promised God I would do anything but be a pastor.”
An unavoidable call
had run a domestic violence call to a
“I’m a police officer. I’m not a pastor,” says Derrick.
home, and upon my arrival, I was met with
“That was the inward struggle I continued to have
a family living in a double-wide trailer with
as God grew me into various leadership positions
feces all over the floor and no running
at church.”
water,” says Derrick. “The family was so impover-
ished, and I left the call deeply bothered.
God slowly developed Derrick into his role as a church planter—starting as a Sunday school
“I had never encountered something that caused
teacher, then a deacon, then a campus coordinator
me to lose sleep, but God kept telling me, ‘You
for a multisite church. Derrick finally decided it was
claim to be a believer; what are you going to do
time to start a church, but there was one stipulation.
about this?’”
PHOTOS BY SAMUEL GREENHILL
42
Overwhelmed with the fact that people lived in
43
Police officer Derrick Taylor felt an undeniable call to plant a church with the stipulation he would not be the lead pastor. God quickly changed his heart.
Net Community Church serves the rural, blue-collar community of Staunton, Illinois.
“I remember praying, ‘God, I will plant this church,
“Again, I still struggle with my calling to be bivo-
but please send me a lead pastor,’” admits Derrick.
cational. But as I journey with NAMB, I continue to run into more and more people in the same boat
44
God didn’t send Derrick exactly who he was ask-
as me. Like me, they had a late call to ministry in
ing for but exactly what he needed—a friend,
their life, but they submitted to God, and He has
an encourager and the push he needed to step
worked in and through them in mighty ways. I
beyond what he thought he was capable of.
don’t feel alone in my calling. I am surrounded by brothers just like me.”
Derrick met Eddie Pullman, a Church Planting Catalyst with the North American Mission Board
In 2017, Derrick started Net Community Church in the
(NAMB), and the two began a friendship that led
town of Staunton, Illinois, with a small core team who
to Derrick’s surrender to bivocational ministry.
had the same vision for reaching their community.
“I prayed for months for God to send a lead pastor,” says Derrick. “Finally, Eddie sat me down and said, ‘That person’s not coming. You are that person.’
I had prayed for months that God would send a lead pastor,” says Derrick. “But finally, Eddie sat me down and flat out said, ‘That person’s not coming. You are that person.’”
It takes a team
his sermons. He studies and makes sure all his
“My two vocations parallel very well. Both pastors
which means turning off all his devices so he can
and police officers deal with people on their worst
write his Sunday message.
research is completed in preparation for Friday,
days. I get the opportunity as a police officer to enforce the law with grace, and I always look for
“We also utilize church software that helps easily
opportunities to share my faith. I let them bring it
track people and make sure we don’t lose folks in
up, but generally God gives me the opportunity.”
the busyness of life,” says Derrick. “There is nothing more important than letting people know we
Last year, Derrick transitioned from a state trooper
love them.”
to the Master Sergeant for Internal Investigation. No longer having to work the night shift, the promotion
Derrick’s wife, Ailee, also plays an integral part in
has been a blessing and an answered prayer.
the ministry. Ailee serves the church as the administrative director.
“I believe this blessing was due to our entire team’s faithfulness to prayer. When times were tough, they
“Her administration skills are off the charts,” says
prayed, supported me and stood behind me to
Derrick. ”She keeps me on task and keeps track of
help me. It is through their prayers that God has
all the reports I simply can’t get to. She has truly
continued to sustain and grow our ministry.”
come alongside of me and helps me not only lead our church but lead our family well.
Derrick attributes his sanity and success to the supportive team at Net Community and to the
“As a bivocational pastor, I have to be disciplined in
organizational structure he has put in place to bal-
not only my two vocations, but also my walk with the
ance the demand of two full-time vocations.
Lord, my study time, my family time and my physical health. We are by no means perfect, but she makes
“You must put systems and routines in place
balancing that so much more reasonable.”
early on to ensure your success,” says Derrick. “For instance, I have a nonnegotiable sermon
Derrick relies strongly on a diverse core team to
writing day.”
ensure he can sustain the responsibilities of bivocational church planting.
After working 10-hour days Monday through Thursday, Derrick dedicates every Friday to writing
45
But as I journey with NAMB ... I don’t feel alone in my calling. I am surrounded by brothers just like me.”
“Burnout is inevitable if you try to do it all by yourself.
ship, I started healing. I didn’t realize it at that point,
We were very prayerful in selecting the people who
but I thank God for not giving up on me.
serve on our core team. Everyone serves a purpose. Without them, we would not be sustainable.”
“There was a lot of buzz in our area about Net Community. Because of my relationship with Ailee,
A place to belong
I decided to give it a chance, and I haven’t missed a Sunday since. They take care of people. They
Lori Semanik had faithfully gone to church for 40
genuinely love people and want to do everything
years and taught Sunday school for nearly two
that they can to get them to God.”
decades. She had served on the committees and boards and had volunteered countless times. She
Although she had been in church her whole life,
had done it all, but something was still missing.
she finally saw God’s love on display through the faithful service of His people.
“I finally woke up one day, and thought ‘I can’t give this anymore,’” says Lori. “I was so unhappy.”
“I hear it a lot. People come up and say, ‘Oh my goodness, I can see such a change in you.’ I get
Feeling hurt and burned out, Lori wasn’t sure
teary-eyed when I think about it, because God has
where to go next. She continued to serve her
healed me so much. I decided to get baptized and
community through a local food pantry, but church
rededicate myself to being a true Christ follower.”’
became out of the question. “I had a big chip on my shoulder,” says Lori. “I had
On mission, wherever you are
a lot of hatred in my heart. I would not let go of the 46
grudge I held for the Church.”
In a town of just over 5,000 people, Net Community is making their mark in small-town America. In just
It was through an unexpected relationship with
over a year, they have seen over 40 baptisms.
Ailee Taylor, who also volunteered at the food pantry, that Lori’s heart began to warm up to the
“People aren’t beating down the door to come to
idea of going to church again.
Staunton, Illinois, to plant a church,” says Derrick. “We are a small, rural, blue-collar community
“I had not been to church in over four years when I met her,” says Lori. “But it was through our relation-
riddled with opioid addiction.”
Before Lori was introduced to Net Community, she had given up on the church. She now actively serves and recently recommitted her life to Christ.
But just like everywhere else, people are living
“The thing that excites me the most is seeing peo-
without hope. Derrick proves you can make a dif-
ple grow in the Lord. We have had folks come who
ference for Christ where God has currently placed
truly did not know who Jesus was a year ago, and
you. Sometimes big moves look less like crossing
they are now co-leading a class. God is stretching
borderlines and more like opening our eyes to our
them like He stretched me and pulling them out
own communities.
of their comfort zone to serve. It’s been amazing to watch people connect, learn and grow and do
“We are always on mission. Whether you’re a
exactly what God has asked them to do.”
police officer, a mechanic, a local barista or you name it, you are on a mission,” says Derrick. “God
Meredith Yackel is the managing editor for On
will place people before you who need to hear the
Mission magazine.
gospel, and it’s our job to faithfully share.
Are you ready to take your next step? Let us connect you to your next opportunity to live on mission at namb.net.
47
This article was excerpted from Deploy to Multiply by Clint Clifton.
How a church can plant efficiently and effectively By Clint Clifton
I
that would multiply, but the work was more difn 2004, at 24 years old, I started working
ficult than I had anticipated. I chose to multiply.
to plant a church near Marine Corps Base
Everything in me was urging me to focus on
Quantico in Northern Virginia. Prior to planting,
growth and delay my plans to multiply. Here are
I was a church musician serving at a medium-sized
three reasons to prioritize multiplication over
church. Like most church planters, I thought I
growth:
would be pastoring hundreds, if not thousands, 48
My aim from the beginning was to plant a church
within a few years. That is not what happened. The church I planted, Pillar Church, grew much slower than I expected. I still wanted to lead my church
1
No exceptions in the Great Commission
to do our part to fulfill the Great Commission, but
The Great Commission does not contain exceptions
giving away resources didn’t seem advisable in our
for small, young and poor churches. In fact, there
young, vulnerable state. Our church was broke. I
is a case to be made that the most generous
was broke. Yet, every time I read my Bible there it
New Testament churches for the advancement
was, in black and white, the New Testament call to
of the gospel were the poorest. Consider Paul’s
advance the gospel.
description of the churches of Macedonia.
“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace
The culture of a church is difficult to change.
of God that has been given among the churches
Imagine spending years working to help your
of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction,
church become established in your community.
their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty
You get a facility, bring the church to a good place
have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their
financially, staff all of the programs and ministries
part� (2 Corinthians 8:1-2).
and have a vibrant worship service every weekend. By the time all of this is accomplished, you’ve
As American Christians, we are led without excuse
spent years teaching that the growth and stability
from the Scriptures or our circumstances. Our
of your own congregation is a higher priority than
churches are larger and more stable, by far, than
the growth of the kingdom of God in your city and
churches worldwide. Our financial accessibility is
world. Then, once you have reached a point of
unmatched, and pastors are better educated than
stability, you begin teaching the congregation that
anywhere else in the world.
the growth of the kingdom is a greater priority
2
than the growth of your own congregation.
Culture is tough to change
Large organizations do not change easily or quickly. Transitioning a self-focused church to a
49
50
Giving away resources did not seem advisable in our young, vulnerable state. Our church was broke. I was broke. Yet, every time I read my Bible there it was, in black and white, the New Testament call to advance the gospel.
kingdom-focused church will be a long and diffi-
team would be ideal, but three or four highly
cult process even for the best of leaders. Church
committed Christians can get the job done. Do
planters, on the other hand, have the opportu-
we need a place to meet? There are plenty of
nity to “build into the beginning what you want
free or cheap public spaces and private homes
in the end.”
to use until we can afford something better. As for leaders, we do need them! There is no way to
If you are starting a new church, let me encourage
get around that one! In my observation, only one
you to build kingdom priority into the church’s
resource is really necessary for a church to begin
focus from the earliest stages. Even those start-
planting another church, and it has nothing to
ing a new role at an established church have an
do with buildings or budgets. The one necessary
opportunity to shape your church’s culture toward
resource is a capable leader.
kingdom growth.
3
To date, our church is almost 12 years old and
Everything I need to multiply, I already have
today we are just shy of 20 churches in our family tree. The church that felt so fragile and vulnerable in the beginning is now a vibrant family of
As I started to consider what I actually needed
faith.
in order to lead my congregation to plant new churches, I noticed the fundamental needs for
Clint Clifton is the founding pastor of Pillar Church
me to send church planting teams already at my
in Dumfries, Virginia. Since being founded in 2005,
immediate disposal. What do we need to plant
they have planted at least one church every year.
new churches?
Clint also serves as the Send City Missionary for Baltimore and Washington, D.C., for NAMB.
Money would be helpful, but churches all over the world get started with little to no money. Money follows vision. Churches with a clear and compelling vision will gather assets over time. A large
Your church can plant churches. We can help. Explore your next step to becoming a multiplying church at namb.net/ChurchMobilization.
51
r ec ommended
Ministry Undivided: Your Church and Racial Reconciliation J.D. Greear and Dhati Lewis (NAMB, 2018) There is a deep and painful divide that exists in our nation over race. I am amazed we have moved so slowly to address these issues when we have the gospel to help guide us. Undivided walks readers through Acts 10 where the Apostle Peter struggled to build relationships with other ethnicities. Our lack of connection with one another forms a greater barrier to the gospel than I ever imagined. Undivided is a much-needed first step for racial reconciliation in and through the Church as it is a simple, biblical approach to being stronger together—especially across racial lines. In my own community of Mobile, Alabama, I have seen the power of listening, caring and understanding and how willingness develops friendships with people who do not look, vote or think like me. Through video lessons and a study guide, Undivided explains how we can learn from Peter’s journey of reconciliation and begin to connect with and care for one another. My hope is we will all humble ourselves before the mighty hand of God and 52
repent of our attitudes about people we do not know. The issue is not what terrible act have you committed toward someone of another race, but do you care about your neighbor? Ed Litton is the senior pastor at Redemption Church in Saraland, Alabama.
Gospel The Gospel for Muslims: An Encouragement to Share Christ with Confidence Thabiti Anyabwile (Moody, 2018) In The Gospel for Muslims, Thabiti weaves his life experience as a former Muslim with his passion for the gospel to create a practical guide for evangelism to Muslims. Most Christians are intimidated by the idea of sharing Christ with our Muslim neighbors. Many don’t know where to start or how to handle complex topics like the Trinity or the divinity of Jesus. Thabiti speaks into these issues with great clarity and encourages believers to share Christ with confidence. Readers will appreciate the biblical foundation of The Gospel for Muslims. Each chapter is saturated with Scripture illustrating how the gospel has the power to transform lives. Readers will also appreciate the compassionate tone that characterizes each chapter. Thabiti never attacks Islam. With tremendous love and humility, he demonstrates how Christians can respond to Muslims with love and truth. Thabiti’s words are true and timely. As he says in his book, “We know enough in the gospel itself to help Muslim people find eternal life through the Son of God. Let us joyfully tell the good news.” If you find Muslim evangelism intimidating, read The Gospel for Muslims. You will find yourself equipped and encouraged to share Christ to Muslims with confidence so you can see the power of the gospel at work. Trent DeLoach is the pastor at Clarkston International Bible Church and Send Relief’s Clarkston ministry center manager.
53
Leading Reset David Murray (Crossway, 2017) “I know you’re super busy, but…” I’ve heard sentences start this way far more often than I’d care to admit. Whether it’s true or not, there’s no doubt my life gives others the impression of a fast-paced lifestyle I’d love to avoid. I’m always moving to the next thing, constantly running frantic, seemingly too busy for those I’m called to love. I know I’m not alone. Far too many of those in our pastoral fraternity live at an unsustainable pace, often priming themselves for physical, emotional and spiritual collapse. David Murray’s book serves as a needed voice among the chaotic pace of pastoral ministry. The book rightly critiques the present culture and points attention to the primacy of a pastor’s central calling, yet in a way that leaves the reader encouraged and challenged, not beaten down and defeated. The winsome, pastoral tone of David’s writing doesn’t merely call pastors out, it also calls them up to live in the freedom and joy that comes from an unhurried life.
Reset provides pastors and ministry leaders with practical tools to downshift to a 54
more sustainable pace derived from working with many on the brink of burnout. Those who genuinely humble themselves to receive the counsel this book provides can find help to live countercultural lives in a relentlessly busy world. Matt Rogers is the pastor of The Church at Cherrydale in Greenville, South Carolina. He and his wife, Sarah, have three daughters, Corrie, Avery, and Willa and a son, Hudson.
Mission People Are the Mission Danny Franks (Zondervan, 2018) As a church leader, I’m always looking for resources to help us think intelligently about welcoming our guests. Church planting specifically runs on the fuel of hospitality, so churches that want to grow need to know how to welcome people in well. This is precisely where Danny Frank’s People Are the Mission steps in. Alternating seamlessly between theology and practice, Danny presents a holistic approach to welcoming guests into your church. His insistence on both excellence and authenticity in approaching guest services is refreshing. As the subtitle of the book references, you don’t have to treat guests like royalty in order to make them feel accepted, and being a Bible-believing church doesn’t necessitate a cold, disconnected approach to first-timers. Danny is one of the most thoughtful voices on hospitality and guest services in the Church today. I have personally benefitted from phone calls and emails with him on these topics numerous times, and this book is a well-written presentation of all those ideas. For anyone looking to grow their church in welcoming guests well, this is a must-read. Kent Bateman served as a communications director and pastor at Midtown Fellowship in Columbia, South Carolina, for four years before being sent out to plant City Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Kent has been married to his wife Ana for four years, and they have one son, Whitaker.
55
my turn
Uncomfortable for the gospel By Bob Regus
the Pipeline methods to help us as disciples who
I
make disciples. was Catholic for most of my life. My wife, Kelly, introduced me to the Bible 15 years ago
when we were dating. We were both baptized in
As part of the Pipeline, I’ve learned to explain the gospel using the 3 Circles. I shared it with
November 2015. I’ve asked
one person, and he was very
the Holy Spirit to place a
receptive to it. I drew it out on
burden in my heart to show
a piece of paper. He asked if
me open doors, so when
he could take it, and Kelly and
the Church Planting Pipeline
I have started building a rela-
came along, I said yes to it.
tionship with him. He’s come
I knew I was going to feel
to church with us. It’s hum-
a little uncomfortable, but
bling to be able to present
that’s okay.
the gospel. And then you see God work in the lives of other
I’m the oldest one in a group
people. It’s just awesome! I
of 16 in the Church Planting
know I can’t do it on my own.
Pipeline at my church. I read
it’s God’s job to save people.
the section on calling and
It’s my job to introduce the
it’s easy to think, “Well, that
gospel to them.
would be for younger people,” but I have to be open
56
We tend to build comfortable
to what God wants me to do next. It’s been really
chairs and environments, and we need to push
good to get different perspectives on what we’re
beyond that comfort. This is an endeavor that’s
learning, and I can share from my life experience.
going to make you uncomfortable, but you never
We have millions of different circumstances we
know how God will use it.
go through every day, and those things shape our lives. We have pressures and stresses at home, in
Bob Regus is the city administrator for Alpharetta,
the office and in church. It’s cool to see how other
Georgia, and a current trainee in the Church
people deal with those and how they’re applying
Planting Pipeline.
Learn more about the Church Planting Pipeline at namb.net/Pipeline. Download the 3 Circles app to learn how to share the gospel in an easy-to-understand way.
1 in 7 reported
runaway children
ARE LIKELY victims of sex trafficking. 88% of those trafficked runaways were in foster care when THEY WENT MISSING.
NOW WHAT? 57
Learn how you can fight trafficking and support youth in foster care at SendRelief.org.
volume 21 | number 2