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UPSTREAM BLOG
The Upstream Blog is published two times a week and contains content from missions leaders, pastors, missiologists, and the Upstream team on a wide variety of topics pertaining to being a sending church. Leave us some comments or questions!
How the Evil One Blinds Us to the Mission, Pt. II
I have many lingering impressions from forty years of missionary service and the privilege of leading the largest missionary-sending...
Jerry Rankin
Dec 9, 20244 min read
How the Evil One Blinds Us to the Mission, Pt. I
After twenty-three years of missionary work in Southeast Asia, I had a great deal of experience and insight into mission strategy, but...
Jerry Rankin
Dec 2, 20245 min read
TCKs & Pre-Field Training
Training is a vital part of every child’s life. From household chores to academic testing, there are multiple ways we train boys and...
Allison Young
Nov 25, 20245 min read
Navigating Language and Culture: The Journey of Third Culture Kids
In our increasingly globalized world, Third Culture Kids (TCKs) are becoming more common. These children grow up in a culture different...
Megan Norton
Nov 11, 20244 min read
Preparing TCKs for a Cross-Cultural Move
Setting children up to thrive during a cross-cultural move
Abigail Newport
Nov 4, 20245 min read
Vetting National Partners
See our previous articles on the why and how of funding national partners or organizations and on how to find them . Vetting indigenous...
Josh Duncan
Oct 28, 20245 min read
Finding National Partners
The importance of finding national partners is worth embracing the inevitable challenges for the sake of obeying the Great Commission.
Josh Duncan
Oct 21, 20245 min read
Funding Nationals or National Organizations: The How
In our previous blog post , we delved into why funding national work is a powerful strategy for advancing God’s mission among the...
Josh Duncan
Oct 7, 20245 min read
Funding Nationals or National Organizations: The Why
In late April and early May of 2015, the country of Nepal was struck by two devastating earthquakes, measuring 7.8 and 7.3 in magnitude....
Josh Duncan
Sep 30, 20245 min read
The Benefits of Pre-Field Cross-Cultural Training with an Organization
Stepping into a new cultural context for the first time can be overwhelming. The excitement of going to the mission field can quickly...
Matthew Hirt
Sep 9, 20244 min read
The Importance of Pre-Field Cross-Cultural Training
“The task is too urgent … forget about training, let’s just get going!” “These training schemes are not biblical … you don’t see Paul...
Chris Howles
Sep 2, 20244 min read
How to Say “No” or “Not Yet” to Missionary Candidates
Typically, when I’ve moved to a new town, I like to take some time to explore various routes from point A to point B. I’m always looking...
Ryan Martin
Aug 12, 20248 min read
Hope for When Missionaries Come Home Early
If you’ve had the opportunity to send overseas missionaries from your church for long, you have undoubtedly seen some return early from thei
Mike Easton
Jul 29, 20244 min read
How One Sending Church Is Changing the World
“Have you ever considered doing a Spanish translation of The Sending Church Defined?” That’s how Michael Boze, pastor of missions at...
Bradley Bell
Jul 9, 20242 min read
An Example of Starting a Missions Network in Your City
Do you remember the last time you started a new job or tried something that you’d never done before? Even though I had twenty years of...
Dave Childers
Jul 8, 20243 min read
The New Roman Road: Engaging in Disciple-Making Virtually
Despite present barriers to entry in countries around the world, the internet provides access to people in the most unreached places.
Adam M.
Jun 10, 20245 min read
The Opportunity of Digital Engagement in Modern Missions
Over 5 billion people, or more than 66 percent of the world’s population, use the internet, with almost the same levels using social...
Stuart P.
Jun 3, 20245 min read
The Nations in Our Own Back Yard
Our world is closer and more interconnected in ways that require us to think and act like a missionary in our communities. When we look for
Greg Mathias
May 6, 20245 min read
Entrusting Mission Ministry to Lay Leaders
When considering the Great Commission, is it prudent to entrust mission efforts to lay leaders? The missionary task is best accomplished whe
D. Ray Davis
Apr 22, 20244 min read
Navigating Missions Leadership When You Haven't Been a Sent One
The leadership of those who have “been there, done that” often goes unquestioned, even in ministry settings. When you hear of someone who...
Christian Townson
Apr 15, 20244 min read
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