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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!
Field Perspective on Advocacy Team Care
Human beings all have needs, and those who live cross-culturally are no exception. We can meet each other’s needs in many ways. I have...
Brian McClure
Mar 25, 20244 min read
The What and Why of Advocacy Teams: Nurturing and Supporting Sent Ones
The role of advocacy teams has become increasingly vital to global missions and church planting as a means of caring for missionaries as...
Christian Townson
Mar 4, 20244 min read
Questions to Ask TCKs
One of the best ways to show love to the third culture kids (TCKs) in your church and missionary body is to ask them questions, but it...
Abigail Newport
Dec 25, 20234 min read
Helping TCKs through Re-Entry
Reverse culture shock (also called re-entry stress) can occur when you return to your “home” country after spending time in another...
Megan Norton
Dec 18, 20236 min read
Defining Key Terms: Marketplace Ministry
The Enduring Marketplace Author Neil Johnson defines the marketplace as "the forum through which human economic commerce is conducted."...
Shirley Ralston
Jul 31, 20237 min read
Long-Term Missionary Care
I just ran into one of your missionaries and asked them to describe in one word the kind of care they have received from your church that...
Larry McCrary
Jun 29, 20231 min read
Serving Sent Ones in Hard Places
Sending missionaries from your church is exciting, but caring for your sent ones long term is often very difficult. Caring for them when...
Matthew Hirt
Jun 19, 20235 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
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...
Ashlyn Portero
Feb 13, 20235 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...
Shirley Ralston
Jan 16, 20238 min read
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
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
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
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
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
How the Local Church Can Support Single Women on the Mission Field
What can the local church do to support their single women sent ones while they are overseas?
Anna Daub
Mar 9, 20205 min read
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