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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!
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
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
Developing Leaders and Missionaries through Short-Term Trips
Most churches channel their efforts into cross-cultural missions through short-term trips, enabling church members to experience the...
Christian Townson
Jan 9, 20244 min read
Why Missions Organizations Utilize Psych Evaluations
Mental health has become a major focus in our post-COVID world, as rates of depression, suicide, and anxiety are climbing at alarming...
Steve Allison
Apr 17, 20234 min read
Training Sent Ones for Multiplicative Discipleship
We should teach our future missionaries the principles of multiplicative discipleship no matter which church model they encounter.
Mike Easton
Nov 10, 20223 min read
Training Church Members for Cross-Cultural Living in Everyday Life
Discipleship 101: Pray, read your Bible, go to church, participate in cross-cultural training . . . Wait, what? Isn’t that the kind of...
Luke T.
Nov 7, 20223 min read
So You Wanna Be a Missionary—Who Are You Discipling?
I love the enthusiasm I encounter among aspiring missionaries. It drips from them like water from your hands when there are no paper...
Bradley Bell
Nov 3, 20225 min read
The Importance of Local International Ministry in Mobilization
As missions leaders, we work hard to get our people overseas on short-term trips and as long-term missionaries. This is an awesome...
Mike Easton
Apr 28, 20223 min read
Evaluation Tools & Personality Tests for Potential Sent Ones
As we begin this month’s focus on Missions Mobilization, we wanted to provide some helpful tools for you to use in evaluating those who...
Mike Easton
Apr 4, 20226 min read
Suggested Resources for Raising Families Overseas
Raising families overseas is not easy, but you're not alone. Here are some helpful resources for raising families overseas.
Susan McCrary
Aug 27, 20211 min read
Resource of the Week: Security Tips for Your Short-Term Teams
While it's never fun to consider how to respond to crises, it's important to learn how to equip your short-term teams for such occasions.
The Upstream Collective
Aug 6, 20211 min read
The Role of Theological Education in the Missionary Task
The global church needs theological educators committed to missionary efforts and missionaries committed to theological education.
Matthew Hirt
Jun 7, 20215 min read
When Evangelism Isn't Your Spiritual Gift
The best way to learn to share Christ is by doing it. The challenge is to anchor our faith in Christ and step out by faith.
D. Scott Hildreth
May 27, 20213 min read
Overview of Sending Church Element 9: Developing Sent Ones
Working hard to develop character prior to going overseas is best for the Sent-One and for the team receiving them on the field.
Mike Easton
Mar 22, 20213 min read
Suggested Resources for Missionary Development
In my last two articles, I talked about helping missionaries attain emotional health and training them in multiplicative discipleship....
Mike Easton
Aug 13, 20202 min read
Developing Emotionally Healthy Sent Ones
In short, we believe emotionally healthy spirituality is key to missionary flourishing and longevity.
Mike Easton
Aug 6, 20204 min read
Unlocked, Part 3: Questions for Discussion and Application
If you’ve experienced lockdowns, disrupted lives, and are still experiencing uncertainty, we encourage you to consider these questions.
Anonymous
Jul 23, 20201 min read
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