To encourage is literally to put courage into another. The English prefix en- means “into,” and courage comes from the Latin cor, meaning “heart.” To encourage believers, then, is to strengthen the heart—to infuse endurance when fear and fatigue threaten to take hold. And these are days when the heart needs strengthening. We live in a world trembling under the weight of … Continue reading Courageous Faith in Days of Conflict
Persevering with Purpose: Larry and Nancy Allen (Part 1)
On this week’s episode of Cloud of Witnesses, you’ll hear the first of a two-part story featuring Larry and Nancy Allen, faithful ABWE missionaries who served in Bangladesh and later in the Philippines. From navigating the challenges of cross-cultural ministry to witnessing the transformative power of the Gospel, their journey is one marked by obedience, … Continue reading Persevering with Purpose: Larry and Nancy Allen (Part 1)
The Mission Field Is No Place for Soft Men
I recently saw a clip on social media of a friendly, calm, seemingly mild-mannered pastor preaching a sermon not long after the murder of Charlie Kirk. He made the striking comment that if there had been more “gospel sensitivity” before the barbaric killing, violence could have been averted. This raises an important question. What is gospel … Continue reading The Mission Field Is No Place for Soft Men
Building Bridges, Equipping Leaders: George Collins
On this week’s episode of Cloud of Witnesses, we hear from missionary George Collins, who—alongside his wife, Debi—faithfully served in Bangladesh before founding GAP Ministries, which later became Live Global, an ABWE ministry. While working alongside national partners, George recognized a vital need: to better connect and equip national Christian leaders with the communication, encouragement, … Continue reading Building Bridges, Equipping Leaders: George Collins
Death of an Evangelist
In 1949, Arthur Miller published Death of a Salesman, the tragic story of Willy Loman, an aging traveling salesman whose hollow pursuit of the American Dream ends in despair and suicide. For decades, Miller’s play has served as a symbol of material emptiness, generational conflict, and the human longing for meaning. Earlier this week, we witnessed not the death of a salesman but the … Continue reading Death of an Evangelist
Faith in the Amazon: Ralph Poulson
On this week’s episode of Cloud of Witnesses, we hear the inspiring story of missionary Ralph Poulson. Alongside his wife, Margie, Ralph dedicated his life to church planting among unreached tribes in the Amazon, serving with ABWE in Brazil. Their journey took them from the Port of Two Brothers deep in the jungle to Benjamin … Continue reading Faith in the Amazon: Ralph Poulson
What Should We Do With ‘Persons of Peace’?
“Everyone we meet is on a spiritual journey.” I recently came across this statement printed on a brochure for an evangelistic Bible study. When I see language like this used in church and ministry contexts, my response is twofold. On one hand, it is true that we must start with the unbeliever on his own … Continue reading What Should We Do With ‘Persons of Peace’?
Is There a ‘Vibe Shift’? How to Leverage Today’s Cultural Moment for the Gospel
Over recent years, churches in the U.S. have weathered unprecedented cultural storms and public pressures—from the challenges of the pandemic to institutional takeovers by progressive ideologues. This has led many church leaders to adopt a survival mentality, hesitating to take risks in advancing the kingdom of Christ. However, recent developments indicate a notable shift in … Continue reading Is There a ‘Vibe Shift’? How to Leverage Today’s Cultural Moment for the Gospel
Christmas and Escapism
If your Advent season has been anything like mine, it’s been absolutely dizzying—between darting about to various children’s activities, attending church functions, gift hunting, and succumbing to seasonal sicknesses. And, if you follow world news, the effect is equally disorienting—from upheaval in Syria and persecution of Christians to unidentified drones hovering over the US East … Continue reading Christmas and Escapism
Sending Missionaries by the Book: Recovering a Biblical Approach to Missions
Nowhere in church life are we more tempted to defer to the “experts” than in global missions. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the theological, sociological, and cultural complexities, especially since most church leaders aren’t directly engaged in cross-cultural work. But this mindset is a mistake. Missions isn’t just the responsibility of specialists—it’s a calling … Continue reading Sending Missionaries by the Book: Recovering a Biblical Approach to Missions
