Will we risk?

Tomorrow begins a two-part series of sermons on missions at our church. And thinking about missions (overseas missions, anyway), often invites a question something like, “what will you risk for the cause of Christ?” John Piper has addressed the topic of risk in sermons and articles. But several years ago he gave two sermons entitled, […]

Worship and missions

In what may be the best paragraph to begin a book on missions, John Piper writes this: Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the […]

Book Review: Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ

Title: Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ: The Cost of Bringing the Gospel to the Nations in the Lives of William Tyndale, Adoniram Judson, and John Paton Author: John Piper Publisher: Crossway, 2009; 126 pp. $17.99 Recommendation (4-star scale): In college and seminary I had very little affinity for history or biography. Now I naturally […]

Grab Bag

A few links of interest that I’ve come across in the past couple weeks: “Great Cloud of Witnesses” — missionary stories compiled by Urbana. I’ve not read much on this site, but what led me to it was an interest in a pair of articles about Jim Elliott, written by his brother-in-law, David Howard (Pt […]

Making short-term missions more effective

In a recent series of articles on Desiring God, the question of how to make short-term mission trips valuable and effective for both church and missionary was addressed. In one article, John Piper affirmed his church’s commitment to short-term trips: I said in a previous question that everybody should want to do short-term missions. One […]

Why go to Cambodia?

A couple weeks ago Elizabeth’s world history teacher began a new section on Asia and one day began talking about Cambodia — “one of the poorest countries in the world — a place you probably wouldn’t want to go on vacation.” A hand went up. “Yes, Elizabeth.” “I’m going to Cambodia in two weeks!” “Why????” […]

Missionary Myths

Christianity Today recently published a brief article debunking a number of myths about missions and missionaries — “Missionary Myths.” Among the myths the article countered were: “There are pressing needs right here.” “Short-termers can do it.” “Let the nationals do it.” “The task has been completed.” “Maybe there are other ways to God.” “Missionaries have […]

Missions and children

Do you ever wonder how to stimulate your children (or yourself) to a greater love for missions? A few weeks ago, Desiring God offered a list of 10 ways to help kids love missions. [These ideas might work for adults, too.] Here is the list, without the additional notes of explanation: 1. Pray for missionaries […]