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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!
A Case for Missionaries Taking a Sabbatical
I recently came off a two-month sabbatical. My board at The Upstream Collective had given me the opportunity to pick a couple of months...
Larry McCrary
Aug 11, 20226 min read
The Five Love Languages of Missionary Care
A monkey was sitting in a tree during a typhoon. From the safety of his perch he noticed a fish that was struggling tremendously in the...
Bradley Bell
Jul 1, 20225 min read
Upcoming Upstream Book: Holding the Rope
This is an excerpt from the forthcoming book Holding the Rope: How the Local Church Can Care for Its Sent Ones by Ryan Martin, set to be...
Ryan Martin
Jun 28, 20226 min read
Sending Well: It Takes a Community
One of the biggest reasons church leaders hesitate when it comes to proactively sending their members on mission is the intimidating...
Bradley Bell
Jun 23, 20223 min read
10 Things You Should Think About before Planting a Church
Think before you post. Just four words, but instantly you know what I’m talking about. It may sound similar to the old ways of saying it:...
Bradley Bell
Jun 9, 20225 min read
Missionary Prayer Is Missionary Care
A Call for Churches to Care For, Not Just About, Their Missionaries Oswald Chambers once said, “Prayer does not equip us for greater...
Dave & Lorene Wilson
Jun 6, 20225 min read
Helping Sent Ones Work through Culture Shock
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." Mike Tyson I can guarantee you that, before today, we have never started an...
Mike Easton
Jun 2, 20224 min read
The Impact of the Heart Debrief
“Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place . . . They made an...
Chris White
May 30, 20225 min read
Supporting Single Missionaries in the Wake of Covid
Almost two years ago, after watching the Covid virus spread across the globe, many governments responded by closing their borders and...
Anna Daub
Feb 28, 20225 min read
Caring for Your Sent Ones in Year One
Jose Luis, his wife, Wendy, and their three small children are preparing to move to Africa next year to work with a mission organization...
Larry McCrary
Feb 1, 20227 min read
Questions to Ask a Sending Organization
What a Former Missions Pastor (Who Now Serves an Agency) Wishes He Had Known to Ask In scripture, we learn that the Church is being...
David Wilson
Jan 20, 20225 min read
Partnerships are Foundational to Missionary Care
The best way to do missionary care is to put people on great teams. There are a multitude of reasons why missionaries leave the field:...
Mike Easton
Jan 6, 20227 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
Partnership In The Gospel: Biblical Support For Missionary Care From Philippians 2:25–30
Paul's partnership with the Philippians and specifically Epaphroditus shows how missionary care serves the work of gospel proclamation.
Ryan Martin
Aug 11, 20216 min read
Missionary Care Begins with the Local Church: A Look at 3 John 5-8
The local church, both its members and leaders, should be sending and supporting well for the promotion and advancement of the gospel.
Ryan Martin
Aug 9, 20215 min read
The Sign Says Closed: Communicating With Our Sent Ones
While closed countries and security can make communication daunting, do not let it stop you from staying in contact with sent ones.
Greg Mathias
Aug 4, 20215 min read
The Sign Says Closed: Four Key Questions about Missions in "Closed" Countries
What is a closed country and what does it mean for missions and sending?
Greg Mathias
Aug 2, 20215 min read
Healthy At Home: More Resources for Healthy Minds, Bodies, Souls, and Practical Needs
Here is a list of resources to further help you care for your sent ones' mind, body, soul, and practical needs.
Shirley Ralston
Jul 1, 20211 min read
Healthy at Home: Helping Hands
Relying on the local church for travel, lodging plans, and fellowship has long been the norm for those sent out to deliver the Good News.
Shirley Ralston
Jun 28, 20215 min read
Healthy at Home: Healthy Souls
Maintaining healthy souls on reentry is a community effort that takes time and commitment.
Shirley Ralston
Jun 24, 20214 min read
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