Note: This article was originally posted on ABWE’s blog. Goals and resolutions are helpful tools in the discipleship toolbox. The Christian life demands self-discipline and an orientation towards the future (Philippians 3:12-16). But resolutions aren’t without their difficulties. Often, we, like Israel, pledge obedience and fail to deliver (see Joshua 24:24). The power of our … Continue reading Pray This Missions Prayer in 2020
Great Commission Christianity Is Cosmic-Redemptive Christianity
Charles Spurgeon famously commented, “Of two evils, choose neither.” Well, to borrow from the prince of preachers, I’d like to argue: Given a choice in a false dichotomy, choose both. Recently, an scholarly evangelical voice took to the web to denounce what he termed “Great Commission Christianity,” defined loosely as “a truncated view of the … Continue reading Great Commission Christianity Is Cosmic-Redemptive Christianity
Why Do Missions When Our Own Nation Is in Flames?
Author’s note: This article is cross-posted on ABWE.org. If you’re anything like me, it’s been hard to pray for the nations when our own is in such turmoil. I speak from the perspective of an American, but I recognize that this conversation extends to people in any number of Western countries. As I write this post, the state of New York has … Continue reading Why Do Missions When Our Own Nation Is in Flames?
3 Reasons Definite Atonement is Basic to Biblical Missions
“Sit down, young man. When God decides to save the heathen, he will do it without your help.” These were the words of John Ryland to a passionate, young English Particular Baptist named William Carey, now known to us as the father of the modern missionary movement. Since then, the temptation to pit Reformed theology … Continue reading 3 Reasons Definite Atonement is Basic to Biblical Missions
Learn How to ‘Adult’ Before You ‘Missionary’
Author's note: This article is cross-posted on Founders.org and ABWE.org. Every head bowed, every eye closed. Good. Now, do you feel a stirring deep in your soul when I talk about missions? If so, stand up. If you’ve spent any time in evangelicalism, you know all too well this familiar scene, when the trajectory of one’s life boils down to a single, mystical moment … Continue reading Learn How to ‘Adult’ Before You ‘Missionary’
The Great Commission Isn’t a Farewell Address
Can you identify the sources of these famous last words? “Money can’t buy life.” “I’m so thankful for the active obedience of Christ. No hope without it.” “Last words are for fools who haven’t said enough.” The answers are Bob Marley, J. Gresham Machen, and Karl Marx, in that order. A person’s deathbed words are … Continue reading The Great Commission Isn’t a Farewell Address
John Chau: Missions, Methodology, and Marytrdom
In the wake of the death of John Chau on the Indian island of North Sentinel, lots of questions have been raised about colonialism, conversionary missions, and a theology of sacrifice and martyrdom. Scott Dunford and I addressed these critical topics today in a special episode of The Missions Podcast. We humbly submit this interview … Continue reading John Chau: Missions, Methodology, and Marytrdom
Why We Don’t Send More Missionaries
The math of missions doesn’t add up. If about 7,000 people groups are unreached, and there are as many as 350,000 evangelical churches in the U.S. alone, that if each church sent just one missionary, every people group could be engaged. True, statistics never tell the complete story. As a missions mobilizer for ABWE, I … Continue reading Why We Don’t Send More Missionaries
The ‘Critical’ Threat to Mission
Author’s note: This article is cross-posted on Founders.org. There is a real, positive trend in evangelical churches (as unlikely as that statement seems as an opening for an article). “Missions” is no longer seen, by and large, as “from the West to the rest.” Christians are thinking beyond simply crossing arbitrary geopolitical borders and are reflecting upon … Continue reading The ‘Critical’ Threat to Mission
3 Things Evangelism Isn’t
Dear all, I contributed a little piece titled “3 Things Evangelism Isn’t” for the most recent issue of ABWE’s Message Magazine. If you check it out, I’ll give you a cookie. (Not really.) Yours, Alex
