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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...

Language Learning beyond Babel: The Biblical Redemption of Local Languages

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.

Together on Mission with God: Principles and Practices of Healthy Partnerships

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.

Sharing the Gospel Cross-Culturally: You Don't Have to Be an Expert

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.

Questions to Ask for Understanding Culture and Worldview

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.

The Role of Theological Education in the Missionary Task

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.

Overview of Sending Church Element 11: Getting Sent Ones Established

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.

The Keys to Conducting Ethnographic Research: Part 2

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.

Four Phases of Unexpected Culture Shock in Our Current Crisis

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.

Know Thy Neighbor to Love Thy Neighbor: Three Reasons for a Christian to Study Islam

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.

When Business Replaces Mission: 3 Limitations of a Business as Mission Strategy

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.

Celebrating When No One Around You Is: Christmas in a Muslim Culture

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.