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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!
Abigail Newport
Dec 11, 20236 min read
Helping TCKs Acclimate during Furloughs
Furloughs are a unique time that many people never get to experience, but to a third culture kid (or TCK—a child who has grown up in at...
Megan Norton
Dec 4, 20234 min read
Defining Key Terms: TCKs
For any Third Culture Kid (TCK), it can be a challenge to answer the question “Where are you from?” since it could potentially mean any...
Joshua Bowman
Nov 13, 20235 min read
Defining Key Terms: Culture Shock
Upon arriving in South Asia, I began to embrace the challenging task of driving on a different side of the road with exponentially more...
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.
Joshua Bowman
Oct 10, 20224 min read
Together on Mission with God: Principles and Practices of Healthy Partnerships
Cross-cultural partnerships happen because they mutually submit to King Jesus. Here are principles and practices of healthy partnerships.
Meredith Cook
Nov 1, 20215 min read
Sharing the Gospel Cross-Culturally: You Don't Have to Be an Expert
You don’t have to be an expert to share the hope of the gospel with someone who is much different than you.
Larry McCrary
Aug 23, 20214 min read
Questions to Ask for Understanding Culture and Worldview
Culture and worldview are complicated. Here are some questions that should guide your understanding.
Matthew Hirt
Jun 7, 20215 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.
Mike Easton
Mar 29, 20212 min read
Overview of Sending Church Element 11: Getting Sent Ones Established
Beyond flourishing personally, it is also important to help Sent-Ones live out the right rhythms for ministry from the start.
Lisa Hoff
May 21, 20206 min read
The Keys to Conducting Ethnographic Research: Part 2
Ethnographic research is a tremendous way to better understand how God is at work in the life of a person or a community.
Matthew Hirt
Apr 6, 20205 min read
Four Phases of Unexpected Culture Shock in Our Current Crisis
The COVID-19 crisis has shifted our norms so fast that we struggle to keep up. Perhaps our entire society is going through culture shock.
Matthew Bennett
Mar 30, 20204 min read
Know Thy Neighbor to Love Thy Neighbor: Three Reasons for a Christian to Study Islam
I believe that in order to communicate the gospel well to our Muslim neighbors, we need to understand our Muslim neighbors first.
Matthew Bennett
Jan 20, 20205 min read
When Business Replaces Mission: 3 Limitations of a Business as Mission Strategy
Many who have been excited about Business as Missions as the ‘strategy of a new era’ are finding it fraught with new challenges.
Meredith Cook
Jan 6, 20203 min read
6 Books You Should Read in 2020
Whether you’re looking for resources to pass on to others or wanting to learn about living as a sent one, these are 6 books worth reading.
David Austin
Dec 23, 20194 min read
Celebrating When No One Around You Is: Christmas in a Muslim Culture
Living in a Muslim culture transformed our family’s celebration of Christmas.
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