Blood on Both Ends of the Rope: Reflections on the Gains and Losses of Transition
I will go down, if you will hold the rope. This great quote of William Carey has continued echoing in my soul since I first heard it. The...
top of page
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!
The Upstream Collective
Feb 20, 20232 min read
Overcoming the Distance: Crossing Barriers to the Gospel
This article is provided by guest contributor Ernest Goodman. It originally appeared under the same title on Missions Misunderstood and...
Matthew Bennett
Feb 16, 20234 min read
Three Reasons to Make Disciples in Local Languages
Here are three reasons that we must be committed to language learning and disciple-making in the language of the heart.
Ashlyn Portero
Feb 13, 20235 min read
Caring for Sent Ones in the First Year
When I served as an advocate for sent ones in my home church, there was a story I recalled often (and still do) that captured who I hoped...
Mike Easton
Feb 10, 20235 min read
Response to an International Crisis as a Church
When a crisis or disaster strikes a part of the world, we have an opportunity as sending churches to respond in ways that can provide...
Matthew Bennett
Feb 9, 20234 min read
Language Learning beyond Babel: The Biblical Redemption of Local Languages
I hope that we never let go of the strategic value of learning language as missionaries seeking to demonstrate that the gospel is for all.
Jason Apon
Feb 6, 20235 min read
Getting Sent Ones Established—As Committed Church Members
Some missionaries go up to a mountain village to evangelize secluded cattle ranchers. For a day or two, these self-invited Christian...
Larry McCrary
Feb 2, 20233 min read
How to Prepare for a Virtual Short-Term Trip
If you’re considering planning a virtual short-term trip, here are some things you might consider as you plan and prepare.
David McWhite
Jan 31, 20237 min read
Incomplete Responses to Short-Term Missions in Developing Nations
As a missions leader in my church, my first priority in organizing and executing short-term trips is to come alongside our missions...
The Upstream Collective
Jan 26, 20235 min read
Setting Expectations for Short-Term Mission Trips
The following is a guest article by Terry L. Brown. Short-term mission trips can be exciting and life-changing. From navigating...
Larry McCrary
Jan 23, 20235 min read
The Benefits of Going to the Same Place Year after Year
We have been involved in global missions for over twenty-two years now. For most of those years, we have served in Europe, though the...
Ellen Livingood
Jan 19, 20236 min read
Expect the Unexpected
Are you prepared for a crisis? As our world becomes more dangerous, what is the riskiest thing your church’s mission leaders can do? The...
Shirley Ralston
Jan 16, 20238 min read
Five Reasons to Revisit Your Partners
Trips with Purpose - Intention to Care Last year, two of my family members participated in a short-term trip to one of our church’s...
Ryan Martin
Jan 12, 20236 min read
Short-Term Fueling Long-Term Missions
Short-term missions provides the context through which the church can prepare and propel future missionaries for a lifetime of service
Mike Easton
Jan 9, 20233 min read
Evaluating Hosts of Short-Term Trips
As you finish up your short-term trips, a valuable step to take can be to evaluate the trip hosts. It’s likely that those to whom you are...
debbie4034
Jan 5, 20236 min read
Why I Wouldn’t Go on a Short-Term Mission Trip
The following is a guest article by Rachel Bell Hamm. The year was 2012, and I was never going to go on an international mission trip. My...
Mike Easton
Jan 2, 20233 min read
Entry Level Short-Term Trip Opportunities & Resources
In our article series “Redeeming Short-Term Trips,” we lay out some principles for doing short-term trips with intelligence and...
David McWhite
Dec 29, 20223 min read
The Top Upstream Blog Posts of 2022
As we come to the end of 2022, we are thankful for how God has allowed Upstream to equip the Church and encourage believers over the past...
Mike Easton
Dec 22, 20227 min read
Reflecting as a Missions Leader
The rhythms of the calendar are a gift from a good God who understands the heart and rhythms of his children. Each day provides the...
Mike Easton
Dec 19, 20223 min read
Year-End Reviews with Sent Ones
As a missions leader, you likely are having regular calls with your Sent Ones. These times are super valuable for catching up on their...
bottom of page