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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!

Christian Townson

Sep 4, 20234 min read

Personalizing Your Awareness Strategies

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how...

10 Questions to Ask Potential Missionaries

Mike Easton

Apr 3, 20234 min read

10 Questions to Ask Potential Missionaries

I have often said that if I could give a million dollars towards global missions, it would dedicate it to figuring out who will flourish...

Liturgy for the Well-Worn Missions Leader

Bradley Bell

Mar 9, 20232 min read

Liturgy for the Well-Worn Missions Leader

We hope this liturgy written by Upstream's Bradley Bell is an encouragement to you.

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

Helping Potential Sent Ones Discern Calling

Dave & Lorene Wilson

Apr 14, 20225 min read

Helping Potential Sent Ones Discern Calling

The story of Moses and the burning bush is the iconic example of God calling someone to accomplish His purposes in this world....

"God Can Use Me Right Where I Am." Encouragement or Excuse?

Meredith Cook

Nov 4, 20214 min read

"God Can Use Me Right Where I Am." Encouragement or Excuse?

The phrase “God can use me right where I am” is a reminder to steward our time well and make disciples of all nations wherever we are.

The Sending Pipeline Part 5: From US Senders or Potential Goers to Committed Goers

Mike Easton

Sep 27, 20217 min read

The Sending Pipeline Part 5: From US Senders or Potential Goers to Committed Goers

Committed Goers are those that have been assessed by your church and the sending agency and are cleared to be sent overseas.

A Call to Missions is a Call to Suffering...But It's Worth It

Ryan Martin

Sep 1, 20215 min read

A Call to Missions is a Call to Suffering...But It's Worth It

Suffering comes in all shapes and sizes on the mission field, so we must consider it and call sent ones to it when equipping them.

When Evangelism Isn't Your Spiritual Gift

D. Scott Hildreth

May 27, 20213 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.

Using the Gifts God Has Given You to Serve Him

Alex Hawke

May 24, 20214 min read

Using the Gifts God Has Given You to Serve Him

All of us already have gifts, talents, resources, and experience given us by God that we can use to glorify Him and serve others.

Why Go to the Mission Field During a Pandemic

Matthew Hirt

May 13, 20214 min read

Why Go to the Mission Field During a Pandemic

Leaving home is always emotional, especially during a time of global crisis. But crisis does not negate Jesus's Great Commission.

Resource of the Week: Upstream Collective Cohorts

Mike Easton

May 10, 20212 min read

Resource of the Week: Upstream Collective Cohorts

Our desire is to see your church move to the next level of being a Sending Church. We can help you do that through our cohorts.

Introduction to the Four Types of Sending Churches

Mike Easton

Apr 22, 20215 min read

Introduction to the Four Types of Sending Churches

In this series of articles, I want to help your church, become the type of sending church God wants you to be.

Overview of Sending Church Element 7: Identifying Sent Ones

Mike Easton

Mar 17, 20213 min read

Overview of Sending Church Element 7: Identifying Sent Ones

Churches that actively identify sent ones are actively developing the leadership potential of their members.

A Holy Ambition: Finding Your Pathway to Mission- Part Two

Ben Ward

Nov 11, 20195 min read

A Holy Ambition: Finding Your Pathway to Mission- Part Two

The process of seeking a holy ambition helps leaders guide men and women to figure out what God is calling them to do.

A Holy Ambition: Finding Your Pathway to Mission- Part One

Ben Ward

Sep 9, 20194 min read

A Holy Ambition: Finding Your Pathway to Mission- Part One

A holy ambition provides both clarity and freedom as we submit our call to the narrative of Scripture.

Matthew Bennett

Mar 4, 20194 min read

Discerning a Call to Missions

Consider these questions when trying to discern if you're being called to missions.