Encountering the History of Missions by John Mark Terry and Robert L Gallagher

Encountering the History of Missions: From the Early Church to Today by John Mark Terry and Robert L Gallagher ISBN-13: 978-0801026966 Paperback: 432 pages Publisher: Baker Academic Released: Aug. 22, 2017

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
This new addition to a highly acclaimed series portrays the sweep of missions history, revealing how God has fulfilled his promise to bless all the nations. Two leading missionary scholars and experienced professors help readers understand how missions began, how missions developed, and where missions is going. The authors cover all of missions history and provide practical application of history's lessons. Maps, tables, box inserts, sidebars, and discussion questions add to the book's usefulness in the classroom.


My Review:
Encountering the History of Missions is a textbook about missions history. The authors started at around AD 100 and went up to 2017, but the book was only loosely in chronological order. They took groups (like the Jesuits or Moravians) or movements (church growth movement, etc.) and looked at their missionary efforts. The focus was on how various individuals and groups spread the gossip (methods) and what the results where--did the church last or send out missionaries of its own?

They mainly looked at European and Asian missions efforts, though they did briefly touch on missionary work from all around the world. They looked at all Christian missions, including Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant. However, they mostly looked at Protestant missions after describing the Reformation. They talked about missionary councils and congresses, movements, various specializations within missions (radio, Bible translations, etc.), and suggested what we can learn from past missionary efforts.

Most of the early sections gave some background to explain why the missionaries acted as they did and then gave short biographies for the notable missionaries from that group. There were also case studies and side bars with discussion questions. Overall, I found the information interesting as it provided an overall arc that I've not gotten before. But while I grant that this is a textbook, it isn't likely to keep the attention of someone not already interested in the topic.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Crossing Cultures in Scripture by Marvin J. Newell

Crossing Cultures in Scripture by Marvin J. Newell ISBN-13: 9780830844739 Paperback: 272 pages Publisher: InterVarsity Press Released: October 2, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is a crosscultural book. Scripture is full of narratives of God's people crossing cultures in pursuit of God's mission. Biblical texts shed light on mission dynamics: Sarah and Hagar functioning in an honor-shame culture, Moses as a multicultural leader, Ruth as a crosscultural conversion, David and Uriah illustrating power distance, the queen of Sheba as an international truth-seeker, Daniel as a transnational student, Paul in Athens as a model of contextualization, and much more.

Missionary and missions professor Marvin Newell provides a biblical theology of culture and mission, mining the depths of Scripture to tease out missiological insights and crosscultural perspectives. This text is organized canonically, revealing how the whole of Scripture speaks to contemporary mission realities. Filled with biblical insight and missional expertise, this book is an essential resource for students and practitioners of crosscultural ministry and mission.


My Review:
Crossing Cultures in Scripture looks at the cross-cultural encounters described in the Bible and draws lessons from them for missionaries and those who work in cross-cultural contexts. The author illustrated his points with stories from his own experiences and those of other missionaries. I think this book would be useful for those who are interested in or newly involved in cross-cultural ministry.

The author started in Genesis and worked all the way through the Bible to Revelation. Some of the lessons were about understanding different cultures, like honor/shame societies, power-distance dynamics, and tribe-clan-family groupings. Most were lessons about embracing the culture you're working in and about circumstances you might encounter, like needing a favor (Abraham), the consequences of ignorance (Jacob), multicultural leadership (Moses), leading a despised cultural minority (Nehemiah), cross-cultural conflict resolution (Acts), and preaching to pagans (Acts).


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Love Casts Out Fear by Brother Nathan & David Culross

Love Casts Out Fear by Brother Nathan, David Culross ISBN-13: 9780801016882 Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: Baker Books Released: Oct. 6, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
When Brother Nathan was a child in Egypt, he witnessed the unthinkable--his own father's murder at the hands of terrorists. At first, he struggled with his powerful urge to seek revenge against his father's assassins. Today, he ministers in the very village where his father was killed, as well as in countless other cities and villages across Egypt and throughout the Middle East.

Love Casts Out Fear tells the gripping story of a deadly attack, Nathan's initial anger, and forgiveness that makes way for redemption. It also gives a firsthand account of the challenges faced today by Middle Eastern Christians, and of God's provision for a ministry that touches the lives of thousands.


My Review:
Love Casts Out Fear is a memoir about Brother Nathan's life as a Christian in Egypt. Nathan's father--a pastor in rural upper Egypt--was killed by terrorists when Nathan was 6 years old. He planned gun-wielding revenge on those killers for years until he realized that Jesus wanted him to forgive them. He then went on to do Christian ministry in Cairo, Egypt during some very interesting times. This memoir covered his life up until 2013 and included descriptions of his parent's lives as well.

Nathan's past has allowed him to reach out to those stuck in the revenge cycle to show the way to true peace. Nathan's story shows how God has been at work in his life and in Egypt. It also shows what life is like for Christians in rural Egypt and in Cairo. It's written in a casual style that's easy to read. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Too Many to Jail by Mark Bradley

Too Many to Jail by Mark Bradley ISBN-13: 9780857215963 Trade Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Monarch Books Released: December 1, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Goodreads:
In 1979, there were fewer than 500 known Christians from a Muslim background in Iran. Today there are at least 100,000 new believers. Church leaders believe that millions can be added to the church in the next few years--such is the spiritual hunger that exists. The religious violence that accompanied the reign of President Ahmadinejad drained its perpetrators of political and religious legitimacy, and has opened the door to other faiths.

This book sets the rapid church growth in Iran in the context of the deteriorating relationship between Iranians and their national religion. There is a major focus on the Ahmadinejad years, but the author also covers the history of the church before 1979, developing the central idea that the spark may have become buried in the ashes but has never been extinguished.

Careful, proportionate, well-informed, and accurate, Too Many to Jail is a powerful reminder of the Christian revival that the headlines ignore. The stories of faith, persecution, and encouragement will inspire every reader to see anew God's work in the world.


My Review:
Too Many to Jail describes the recent growth of house-churches in Iran, including the factors behind why Muslims in Iran are now choosing to follow Jesus and why house-churches work better in Iran than building-churches. The book described the politics in 1979 up to now and explained political and cultural reasons why Muslims in Iran are interested in Jesus. He also described several types of house-churches, why they work better than building-churches in Iran, and the persecution that converts and Christian preachers are facing. He also provided the history of the church in Iran up to 1979 and details of known cases of persecution against Christians in Iran.

I appreciate that the author tried to give an accurate idea of what's going on rather than going with whatever numbers sound impressive. I could easily follow and understand the author's reasoning and found the information very interesting. It was both sad (due to the suffering) and exciting (due to the growth) to read. I feel like I understand the situation in Iran much better now. I'd recommend this book to those interested in the Christians in Iran.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Rescue the Captors 2 by Russell Stendal

Rescue the Captors 2 by Russell Stendal ISBN-13: 9780931221613 Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: Ransom Press International Released: January 2008

Source: Gift from a friend.

Book Description, Modified from Amazon:
Rescue the Captors 2 follows on the heels of Russell’s first book, Rescue the Captors, which was written to his captors while they held him hostage for five months in the jungle of Columbia. How could one show love to angry guerrillas holding him hostage, threatening his life, and demanding ridiculous sums of money? Russell did just that as God showed him that he was actually no better than those thugs. He needed to offer them the same hope that Christ gave him.

Showing love during a hostile hostage situation threw open doors of ministry to rebel Colombian guerrillas and paramilitary. Russell’s missionary work persuaded some of these opposing forces to reconcile their differences, forgive one another, and resolve to let past differences go - resulting in one group even providing material relief to their long-time enemies!


My Review:
Rescue the Captors 2 is about Stendal's missionary work in Colombia from 1986 to 2006. This is the second book in a series. It probably would have been even more meaningful if I'd been able to read the first "Rescue the Captors," but I could understand what was going on even without reading that book first.

It's written in an event-based journal style--this happened and then this happened, etc. We don't get a "you were there" view of the events with emotions (fear, delight, etc.) described. This style did help keep the focus on what God was doing rather than making it about the author.

This book described the conditions for Christians (and others) in Colombia during this time period and how God was working through his people to reach out to those involved in the violence, including some of Russell Stendal former kidnappers. The final chapters were a short sermon. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those interested in what God's doing in Colombia.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

When Helping Hurts by Corbett & Fikkert

When Helping Hurts, Expanded Edition by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert ISBN-13: 9780802457066 Trade Paperback: 288 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: 2009; April 20, 2012

Source: Borrowed a friend's copy.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Churches and individual Christians typically have faulty assumptions about the causes of poverty, resulting in the use of strategies that do considerable harm to poor people and themselves. This book is a must read to help create an effective and holistic ministry to the poor.

The book covers essential steps like assessing a situation to see if relief, rehabilitation, or development is the best response to a situation. The authors explain the advantages of an "asset based" approach rather than a "needs based" approach. Short term mission efforts are addressed and economic development strategies appropriate for North American and international contexts are presented, including microenterprise development.

Questions at the beginning and end of each chapter assist in applying the material. This expanded version includes a new chapter to further explain how to apply the book's principles to your situation.


My Review:
When Helping Hurts explores how current methods of helping the poor might do more harm than good to everyone involved. They also explore methods that can be more helpful long-term.

The authors believe the Bible's explanation of what's wrong with this world. They recognize and explain how a person's worldview can be a part of what is keeping them in poverty, so it's essential to teach a correct worldview based on the Bible for lasting change. (For example, if you worship rats and therefore won't stop them from eating your stored grain, then teaching you ways to grow more grain won't really help.)

I came to some of their same conclusions long ago. They explain how poverty is not solely a lack of possessions or money, though that is a result of the problem. You need to take the time to understand the culture and the situation rather than assuming you know what they need. It's about listening--about relationships and mindsets. It's not something you can fix with a handful of money and a few hours of your time.

They talk about the problems with current methods of poverty alleviation and how other approaches work better. They explain how to apply these principles in various situations, though they give the most detail in their American poor outreach examples. They talk about what we've done wrong--the authors, too--but how not getting things perfect shouldn't stop us from trying. They do talk about the problems with short-term mission trips and similar methods, but they also explain how these methods might be modified to create more positive, long-term impact for everyone involved.

Overall, I'd recommend that everyone read this book just so that they can get be exposed to other ways of thinking. I'd especially recommend it to those involved with missions and outreaches who are open to trying new approaches or to considering that there might be better ways to help the poor.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Veil of Tears movie (+free simulcast dates)

Veil of Tears Length: 1 hour 30 minutes Director/Producer: Kenny & Kyle Saylors Release Date: March 28, 2014

Source: Free Viewing for promotion purposes from Gospel for Asia.

Movie Description:
This gripping new documentary film tells the untold story of millions of women in India who are culturally persecuted for no other reason than the fact that they are women. From birth until death, their life is a vicious cycle of poverty and oppression, from the mass epidemic of female suicides, dowry deaths, forced abortion to the high rate of illiteracy among the women and even how more than 46 MILLION widows are being cast aside and ostracized by society simply because their husband died.

But there is hope. Christian women are sharing the Gospel across the entire nation of India, and it's bringing cultural change where government laws could not. Hear the stories of these oppressed women and get a glimpse of how the love of Jesus is restoring hope and dignity to a generation of broken women and rebuilding shattered lives.

Narrated by Natalie Grant, Directed & Produced by Kenny & Kyle Saylors (Kimjongilia, The Gamebreaker, My Finish Line), this film was shot on-location across the stunning nation of India, in some of the most remote tribal villages in the world today. This is more than just a film, it is a journey into a world where few outsiders have gone before.


My Review:
Veil of Tears is a documentary on the conditions that women in India still face, especially in more remote areas. But it's also about how the gospel message is transforming lives and communities to give hope, healing, and worth to these women.

The first half of the movie went all over India, from cities to remote villages, to expose how women in India still face persecution even though laws have been enacted to protect them. Women tell their story or the story of friends who have faced this cultural oppression.

The second half of the movie covers the hope that these women have found as Christian missionaries and pastors have impacted the culture through the teachings of the Bible and through showing Christ's love. It's encouraging to see how God is at work in India and that lives are being transformed. This isn't just a movie about social injustice. It's about how the message of Christ can transform a culture.

I'd encourage you to see for yourself how God is moving to transform a culture. Sign up for your free simulcast at Lifeway for anytime on March 26-30, 2014. You can show it to your women's group, missions group, church, or even just your family or yourself. This film will also be shown in some movie theaters and will later be available on DVD.


If you've seen this movie, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the movie in the comments.


Trailer: Watch the Movie Trailer.
Behind the Scenes: Watch a behind-the-scene video.

Come, Let's Reach the World by K.P. Yohannan

Come, Let's Reach the World by K.P. Yohannan ISBN-13: 9781595890030 Trade Paperback: 260 pages Publisher: GFA Books Released: 1991; June 1, 2004

Source: ebook available through the GFA website.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
How effective are our current missions strategies? Are the unreached in fact hearing the Gospel?

The Body of Christ has the power to either advance or hinder world evangelism by her attitude: Will she cling to traditional mindsets and policies, or welcome change to stay faithful to the Holy Spirit and His Word? With deep conviction, missions leader K.P. Yohannan pleads for fresh thinking that will help effective partnership with the national missionaries who are called and anointed of God to proclaim the Gospel.


My Review:
Come, Let's Reach the World is a book about how to effectively reach areas of the world with the Gospel which have never heard of Christ before. In places that aren't open to white, Western missionaries, native missionaries are hard at work--and are rarely mentioned or are under-reported by Christian fundraiser appeals. Yet they know the culture and can effectively preach the gospel and start churches. It costs less to send them through Bible College and maintain them on the missions field, and this also allows more missionaries to be sent into these unreached areas.

This book describes how modern Western missions work is currently done, where the money is spent, and some problems that are not being addressed about its effectiveness. The author also shows how native missionaries can be a very effective way to reach people with the gospel, especially in areas where white, Western missionaries are extremely restricted in what they can do. It's a well-thought-out and well-written book that includes information on how to find trustworthy and effective missionaries to support.

Though written by the founder of Gospel for Asia, the author doesn't focus on them. He does explain what they've learned so that people can find good organizations to support. Gospel for Asia promotes a book called "Revolution in World Missions" which focuses more on Gospel for Asia. However, I personally think this book does a much better job at clearly explaining the reasoning behind this approach. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in partnering with those who are effectively preaching the Gospel to those who have never heard it.

You can get the ebook version of this book free through the Gospel for Asia website. They have many other excellent free resources there as well.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Cross-Cultural Connections by Duane Elmer

Cross-Cultural Connections by Duane Elmer ISBN-13: 9780830823093 Trade Paperback: 215 pages Publisher: IVP Academic Released: August 29, 2002

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Experienced cross-cultural specialist Duane Elmer provides a compass for navigating through different cultures. He shows us how to avoid pitfalls and cultural faux pas, as well as how to make the most of opportunities to build cross-cultural relationships. Filled with real-life illustrations and practical exercises, this guide offers the tools needed to reduce apprehension, communicate effectively, and establish genuine trust and acceptance.

Above all, Elmer demonstrates how we can avoid being cultural imperialists and instead become authentic ambassadors for Christ. Whether you are embarking on a short-term mission trip or traveling for business or pleasure, this book is both an ideal preparation and a handy companion for your journey.


My Review:
Cross-Cultural Connections is intended for missionaries or others who want to better understand and communicate with people from other cultures--including with people in our own country. It's like a class or workbook format, but it's easy to read and understand. The author covered some differences between various cultures, gave real life examples of those differences, and explained some of the "whys" behind the differences.

The book started by explaining why we should study other cultures and how to deal with culture shock. It then discussed several different cultural values: time vs event focus, relationship vs task focus, individual vs group priority, category vs holistic thinking, roundabout or straight forward or other discussion styles, achieved or assigned status, honor/shame or guilt, and outgoing or quiet worship styles.

Though the author separated out and explained the different concepts in different chapters, many cultural behaviors seemed tied together and perhaps could have been discussed together. Still, I felt he did a good job explaining differences to look out for and preparing people for culture shock.

I liked that he noted that cultures aren't necessarily going to be one extreme or another and that individuals within a culture can be different than "the norm." Another book I've read recently on a similar topic implied that all cultures were one extreme or another, which isn't been true in my experience.

I got this book because it was suggested as "further reading" to better understand other cultures because this can also help Christians understand some things in the Bible. I do think it has helped me in that way. I'd recommend this book to those going on international trips or who otherwise would like to understand other cultures better. This is a "starter book," though, so frequent travelers who feel at home in other cultures probably won't get so much out of it.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Dreams and Visions by Tom Doyle

Dreams and Visions by Tom Doyle with Greg Webster ISBN-13: 9780849947209 Trade Paperback: 286 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: September 4, 2012

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Booksneeze.

Book Description from Booksneeze:
Jesus appears to be revealing Himself to Muslims through powerful dreams and visions throughout the Islamic world today, and the results are dramatic.

Eleven years ago, Pastor Tom Doyle felt God calling him to leave the pastorate and become a full-time missionary in the Middle East and Central Asia. Through his extensive work in the region, which includes over 80 trips to places like Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Lebanon, and Turkey, Tom has met and recorded the stories of former Muslims who were first introduced to Jesus through either a dream or a vision that powerfully opened their hearts to become followers of Christ. Though they live in the most dangerous places in the world for people who leave Islam and embrace Christ, their passion for the Savior is contagious and inspirational.

These are never-before-told stories from the front lines of the world of Islam. Through these unexplained supernatural occurrences, more Muslims have become believers in the last ten years than in the last 15 centuries of Islam.

• Why would God use dreams to reach the Muslim world?
• Can dreams and visions be trusted?
• What happens after these people experience a dream or vision?

In Dreams and Visions, Tom Doyle takes the reader deep into the heart of the Middle East to meet believers who have been directly touched by the very hand of God.


My Review:
Dreams and Visions contains confirmed, first-hand accounts of Muslims who have dreamed about or had visions of Jesus. These dreams motivated them to seek out Christians and ask questions about Jesus and for a Bible to read. Christians have been able to use these visions as a way to lead Muslims to Christ. It was exciting to read about how God is powerfully working in the Middle East!

Do I believe God can send dreams and visions? Of course. There are examples of this in the Old and New Testaments, so I see no reason why God would stop doing so. I've read countless first-hand accounts from missionaries from all over the world throughout history where a vision of Christ prepared the people to accept the missionary's message.

For those who might find this a new idea, though, rest assured: No one in the book claimed that the dreams themselves caused a conversion, only that it opened the way for Muslims to start asking questions that they otherwise wouldn't have. The Christians were also careful to tell the dreamers to test what the Jesus in the dreams said against the Bible to make sure the dreams were truly from God.

The book also contained a lot of information about what it's like to be a Christian or to convert to Christianity in the various countries mentioned. The last section was about what Americans can do to reach out to their Muslim neighbors.

Overall, I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in how God is at work and how to reach out to Muslims.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

No Longer a Slumdog by K.P. Yohannan

No Longer a Slumdog by K.P. Yohannan Trade Paperback: 174 pages Publisher: Gospel for Asia Books Released: 2011 Order Free Copy

Source: Ad offering free copy.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Those with no voice—the suffering children of Asia—tell their stories. And as you listen to them, you share their anguish and rejoice in their triumphs. The whole world seems to stop as you look on.

"You girls stay here. I'm going to get something to drink." But after a few minutes, the train started moving again, and Mom still wasn't back! Our hearts were racing. The train kept going faster and faster. Where was Mom?

Hope is growing in the hearts of those who never knew such a thing existed. In this truly gripping narrative, K.P. Yohannan shares their stories—stories of lives transformed, of families learning to love, of entire communities flourishing with new life. Witness as this next great wave of transformation sweeps the nations.

A new day is dawning in some of the darkest corners of the world.


My Review:
No Longer a Slumdog is a book about how God touched the author's heart for the Untouchables of India which lead to opening Bridge of Hope schools for these forgotten and often abused children. He tells their stories and gave surprising facts and statistics about the Indian culture. I had no idea that there were so many Untouchables.

I've read some autobiographies about Untouchables and about human trafficking in India, so I was familiar with much of the information, but it's clear that this author has a passion for helping them. His writing was very clear and touching. Best of all, he gave ways that people can get involved to help these children--though it's mainly through prayer and by supporting Gospel for Asia's Bridge of Hope centers. It sounds like God is really working through these people to really make a difference. Also, all the money sent to sponsor a child actually goes directly to support that child, which is nice.

I'd highly recommend this book to anyone, and I've started sponsoring three precious girls so they can attend the Bridge of Hope centers. You can learn more at the Gospel for Asia website or by watching the videos below. Also, you can see what Francis Chan (author and pastor) had to say about this organization after having people check them out.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


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