Posts Tagged ‘Missions’
A Culture of Fear or of Faith
“Grant” by Ron Chernow,1 a volume that I am currently enjoying, is the life story of the eighteenth president of the United States. One of the subplots of this well-written tome is the vast difference between the two most important Union generals during the War Between the States. Khurram Naik, in a 2020 blog, wrote…
Read MoreMotivation: Why We Serve
The intrepid newspaper reporter, Henry Stanley, and his flamboyant entourage marched into Ujiji, a rustic African village in modern-day Tanzania. Had he finally found his man? In the autumn of 1871, the western world awaited Stanley’s report. Other search parties had failed to locate the long-lost explorer, but now an African man pointed Stanley to…
Read MoreNothing Like a Millionaire: For What Are You Known?
William Borden was famous.1 His parents were millionaires. They were prominent members of the Moody Church in Chicago. The newspapers of the early 1900s reported on young Borden’s activities. Every door of opportunity swung open for this privileged youth. However, those who knew him at Yale and then at Princeton saw a very different picture.…
Read MoreYou Don’t Need a Passport to Reach the Nations
I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” – Rom. 15:20-21 I was twelve when I first…
Read MoreWhen Should a Missionary Flee?
The war in Ukraine has renewed focus on an age-old question, “when should a missionary flee?” The pages of Scripture and Christian history provide many examples for this question. For those who chose to remain in harm’s way, some reaped a harvest of souls as a direct result of their selfless identification with the people,…
Read MoreThe Correctives of Intentional Discipleship, Part III
The most well-known statement of the Great Commission is the one given in Matthew’s Gospel: Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you…
Read MoreAre You in the Wrong War?
I had the great privilege of being raised in Sunday School. Among the songs I still remember was “I’m in the Lord’s Army”: I may never march in the infantry Ride in the cavalry Shoot the artillery I may never fly o’er the enemy But I’m in the Lord’s army (Yes, sir!) [All done with…
Read MorePlanting Biblically Separated, Culturally Sensitive Churches
Baptist World Mission’s emphasis on “planting churches worldwide” is more than a slogan; it encapsulates our understanding of mission theology and praxis in the New Testament. It is the outworking of the Great Commission, as demonstrated by the apostle Paul’s tireless efforts to plant and mature churches on the mission field. But how can the…
Read MoreA Gangster for Christ
In August of 1944 POWER magazine, distributed as a Sunday School take-home paper, published the following testimony of George Mensik. George was a deacon in my dad’s church, Marquette Manor Baptist, when we arrived in Chicago in 1954. As a 13-year-old kid this amazing man made a powerful impact on my life. Here is George’s…
Read MoreEffective Senior Pastor Transitions: A Brief Overview of Orderly Transition Options
[Ed. Note: We are all weary of virus and riot talk. No doubt, though, we will continue to address these themes in the coming days. For a break, today we turn from our troubles to highlight the positive ministry of friends whose work is a blessing to the churches. We want you to be aware…
Read More