Blog | The Upstream Collective

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

Jerry Rankin

Dec 94 min read

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...

How the Evil One Blinds Us to the Mission, Pt. I

Jerry Rankin

Dec 25 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...

Allison Young

Nov 255 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...

Navigating Language and Culture: The Journey of Third Culture Kids

Megan Norton

Nov 114 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...

Preparing TCKs for a Cross-Cultural Move

Abigail Newport

Nov 45 min read

Preparing TCKs for a Cross-Cultural Move

Setting children up to thrive during a cross-cultural move

Josh Duncan

Oct 285 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 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.

Funding Nationals or National Organizations: The How

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...

Funding Nationals or National Organizations: The Why

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....

The Benefits of Pre-Field Cross-Cultural Training with an Organization

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...

The Importance of Pre-Field Cross-Cultural Training

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...

How to Say “No” or “Not Yet” to Missionary Candidates

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...

Hope for When Missionaries Come Home Early

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

How One Sending Church Is Changing the World

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...

An Example of Starting a Missions Network in Your City

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...

The New Roman Road: Engaging in Disciple-Making Virtually

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.

The Opportunity of Digital Engagement in Modern Missions

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

Entrusting Mission Ministry to Lay Leaders

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

Navigating Missions Leadership When You Haven't Been a Sent One

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...