evangelism | Upstream Collective

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

D. Ray Davis

Apr 224 min read

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

Chris Howles

Nov 6, 20235 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...

Worldview Discovery as an Evangelistic Tool

Matthew Hirt

May 8, 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...

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.

Practicing What You Preach in Evangelism

Mike Schuetz

Mar 24, 20225 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...

"God Can Use Me Right Where I Am." Encouragement or Excuse?

Meredith Cook

Nov 4, 20214 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.

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.

The Sending Pipeline Part 1: Overview of the Sending Pipeline

Mike Easton

Sep 13, 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.

Why Everyone Should Be Friends with Missionaries

Meredith Cook

Aug 30, 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.

Partnership In The Gospel: Biblical Support For Missionary Care From Philippians 2:25–30

Ryan Martin

Aug 11, 20216 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.

Heart Medium: The Precedent for Digital Media in Missions

Kyle Brosseau

May 31, 20214 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.

When Evangelism Isn't Your Spiritual Gift

D. Scott Hildreth

May 27, 20213 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.

Matthew Bennett

Apr 2, 20201 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.

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.

Truths from Scripture to Remember When We Are Weak in Evangelism

Grant Ohlmann

Mar 2, 20207 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.

Evangelism in Our Weaknesses: Taking Steps of Obedience

Grant Ohlmann

Feb 24, 20205 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.

How a Guru and a Televangelist from the 1980’s Disillusioned Majority World Christianity

Kyle Brosseau

Feb 17, 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.

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.