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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!
Matthew Hirt
Sep 9, 20244 min read
The Benefits of Pre-Field Cross-Cultural Training with an Organization
Stepping into a new cultural context for the first time can be overwhelming. The excitement of going to the mission field can quickly...
Chris Howles
Sep 2, 20244 min read
The Importance of Pre-Field Cross-Cultural Training
“The task is too urgent … forget about training, let’s just get going!” “These training schemes are not biblical … you don’t see Paul...
Christian Townson
Jan 9, 20244 min read
Developing Leaders and Missionaries through Short-Term Trips
Most churches channel their efforts into cross-cultural missions through short-term trips, enabling church members to experience the...
Ryan Martin
Jun 5, 20237 min read
Pre-Field Care: The Oft-Forgotten Element of Missionary Care
Church leaders should recruit like coaches. Successful coaches know what type of players they want, and instead of waiting for them to...
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...
Nathan Sloan
Mar 16, 20235 min read
10 Lessons I’ve Learned as a Missions Pastor
As a missions pastor, these are ten things I have learned in my role as I have served my church.
Luke T.
Nov 7, 20223 min read
Training Church Members for Cross-Cultural Living in Everyday Life
Discipleship 101: Pray, read your Bible, go to church, participate in cross-cultural training . . . Wait, what? Isn’t that the kind of...
Jonah Fox
Oct 20, 20226 min read
Getting Members Involved in Local Partnerships
Mobilizing the Body for the Community: Micro vs Macro When I first stepped into the role of Missions Pastor, I often lived in my head in...
Mike Easton
Apr 28, 20223 min read
The Importance of Local International Ministry in Mobilization
As missions leaders, we work hard to get our people overseas on short-term trips and as long-term missionaries. This is an awesome...
Kyle Brosseau
Mar 21, 20224 min read
Reminders of Great Leadership Principles
Gleaning insights from popular leadership books and then applying them in the worlds of church and missions is no novel idea. Books on...
Larry McCrary
Mar 1, 20224 min read
Organizing Your Missions Leadership Team
Many churches have a mission team or committee that is too narrowly focused in its responsibilities and primarily tasked with overseeing...
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.
Mike Easton
Mar 22, 20213 min read
Overview of Sending Church Element 9: Developing Sent Ones
Working hard to develop character prior to going overseas is best for the Sent-One and for the team receiving them on the field.
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.
Mike Easton
Aug 6, 20204 min read
Developing Emotionally Healthy Sent Ones
In short, we believe emotionally healthy spirituality is key to missionary flourishing and longevity.
Anonymous
Jul 23, 20201 min read
Unlocked, Part 3: Questions for Discussion and Application
If you’ve experienced lockdowns, disrupted lives, and are still experiencing uncertainty, we encourage you to consider these questions.
Larry McCrary
Apr 16, 20184 min read
How Churches and Organizations Develop Missionaries Together
Both the church and the missions organization have roles in developing missionaries, and they do well to work together.
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