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...
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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!
Josh Duncan
Oct 215 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 75 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
Sep 305 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....
Matthew Hirt
Sep 94 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...
Chris Howles
Sep 24 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...
Ryan Martin
Aug 128 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...
Mike Easton
Jul 294 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
Bradley Bell
Jul 92 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...
Dave Childers
Jul 83 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...
Adam M.
Jun 105 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.
Stuart P.
Jun 35 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...
Greg Mathias
May 65 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
D. Ray Davis
Apr 224 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
Christian Townson
Apr 154 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...
Ashlyn Portero
Apr 85 min read
Leaning into Your Giftings as a Missions Leader
Missions leaders are multi-faceted, and being one requires a diverse set of skills that reflects the diversity of the ministry of global...
Jenny Marcelene
Apr 15 min read
Resources for Cultivating Missions Awareness in Kids
My family has an obsession—the Sacramento Kings basketball team. Despite fifteen years of marriage to a hardcore fan, I didn't cross the...
Brian McClure
Mar 254 min read
Field Perspective on Advocacy Team Care
Human beings all have needs, and those who live cross-culturally are no exception. We can meet each other’s needs in many ways. I have...
Bradley Bell
Mar 183 min read
Leading the Advocates
I once had a turtle named Fred. Fred liked to eat watermelon. But I went on vacation and forgot to leave Fred any watermelon. When I came...
Mike Easton
Mar 123 min read
Microskills for Advocates
When you have a struggle in life, who do you go to? Is it a friend? A pastor? An older man or woman? A counselor? When someone in your...
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