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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!
Entrusting Mission Ministry to Lay Leaders
When considering the Great Commission, is it prudent to entrust mission efforts to lay leaders? The missionary task is best accomplished whe
D. Ray Davis
Apr 22, 20244 min read
Defining Terms: The Great Commission
Once while I was living in Uganda, I watched my Bible college students destroy an old termite mound. It looked to me just like a pile of...
Chris Howles
Nov 6, 20235 min read
Worldview Discovery as an Evangelistic Tool
We all possess a unique worldview that shapes how we perceive and understand the world around us. Scripture challenges all of our...
Matthew Hirt
May 8, 20235 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.
Matthew Bennett
Feb 9, 20234 min read
Practicing What You Preach in Evangelism
After spending two years interning with Campus Crusade for Christ, and then joining the staff at a fast-growing, multi-site church, I...
Mike Schuetz
Mar 24, 20225 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.
Meredith Cook
Nov 4, 20214 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.
Meredith Cook
Nov 1, 20215 min read
The Sending Pipeline Part 1: Overview of the Sending Pipeline
The goal of a sending pipeline is to mobilize church members towards the missions vision and strategy that you have set before them.
Mike Easton
Sep 13, 20215 min read
Why Everyone Should Be Friends with Missionaries
I'm convinced that everyone should be friends with a missionary—or at least have some kind of contact with a sent one. Here's why.
Meredith Cook
Aug 30, 20215 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
Heart Medium: The Precedent for Digital Media in Missions
As missionaries utilize digital media to reach people in their heart language and heart medium, they are marching in lockstep with history.
Kyle Brosseau
May 31, 20214 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.
D. Scott Hildreth
May 27, 20213 min read
Resource of the Week: 40 Questions About Islam by Matthew Bennett
40 Questions About Islam will help you learn about Islamic theology, understand your Muslim neighbors, and help you share the gospel.
Matthew Bennett
Apr 2, 20201 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
Mar 30, 20204 min read
Truths from Scripture to Remember When We Are Weak in Evangelism
Evangelism is challenging. Often we feel too weak in our own faith to share it with others. Here are some Bible verses that help us be bold.
Grant Ohlmann
Mar 2, 20207 min read
Evangelism in Our Weaknesses: Taking Steps of Obedience
If we are in Christ, we have died to sin and are free to be obedient to share the gospel despite our fears.
Grant Ohlmann
Feb 24, 20205 min read
How a Guru and a Televangelist from the 1980’s Disillusioned Majority World Christianity
The proliferation of the prosperity gospel among Christians has probably come to be the most formidable crisis that missionaries face today.
Kyle Brosseau
Feb 17, 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.
Matthew Bennett
Jan 20, 20205 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.
Meredith Cook
Jan 6, 20203 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.
David Austin
Dec 23, 20194 min read
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