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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!

Four Church Giving Practices for Supporting Global Missions

Mike Easton

Jul 20, 20234 min read

Four Church Giving Practices for Supporting Global Missions

The budget is one of the best ways to reflect the values of a church. Giving to global missions usually falls in one of four categories.

Caleb Alford

Jun 15, 20233 min read

Sending Does Not Mean Letting Go

Sending someone does not mean letting them go. It means holding on tight to the relationship so that the nations may know the glory of God.

Three Reasons to Make Disciples in Local Languages

Matthew Bennett

Feb 16, 20234 min read

Three Reasons to Make Disciples in Local Languages

Here are three reasons that we must be committed to language learning and disciple-making in the language of the heart.

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.

Training Sent Ones for Multiplicative Discipleship

Mike Easton

Nov 10, 20223 min read

Training Sent Ones for Multiplicative Discipleship

We should teach our future missionaries the principles of multiplicative discipleship no matter which church model they encounter.

Fully Funded or Support Raised? The Pros and Cons of Each, Pt. II

Bradley Bell

Jul 11, 20226 min read

Fully Funded or Support Raised? The Pros and Cons of Each, Pt. II

I have been a support-raised missionary. It’s pretty awesome. Here are some of the challenges, along with a few pleasant surprises.

Fully Funded or Support Raised? The Pros and Cons of Each, Pt. I

Bradley Bell

Jul 7, 20226 min read

Fully Funded or Support Raised? The Pros and Cons of Each, Pt. I

Being a fully-funded missionary is pretty awesome. Here are some of the benefits, along with a few unpleasant surprises.

The Sending Pipeline Part 6: From Committed Goers to Sent

Mike Easton

Sep 30, 20213 min read

The Sending Pipeline Part 6: From Committed Goers to Sent

Here are some questions to ask to develop programs in this transition phase from Committed Goers to Sent, as members actually hit the field.

The Sending Pipeline Part 3: From Globally Aware to Global Christians

Mike Easton

Sep 20, 20214 min read

The Sending Pipeline Part 3: From Globally Aware to Global Christians

Global Christians understand that they have to orient their life around God’s mission of bringing the Gospel to those who have not heard it.

Resources to Help Guide Your Prayer for the Nations

Meredith Cook

Aug 20, 20212 min read

Resources to Help Guide Your Prayer for the Nations

Prayer is vital to the work of missionaries around the world. Here are some organizations that have developed prayer guides for the nations.

Your End of Summer Reading: Missionary Biographies

Meredith Cook

Aug 13, 20212 min read

Your End of Summer Reading: Missionary Biographies

Missionary biographies encourage us, spur us on, and teach us about God's love for all nations. Here are some you should read.

The Sign Says Closed: Communicating With Our Sent Ones

Greg Mathias

Aug 4, 20215 min read

The Sign Says Closed: Communicating With Our Sent Ones

While closed countries and security can make communication daunting, do not let it stop you from staying in contact with sent ones.

The Sign Says Closed: Four Key Questions about Missions in "Closed" Countries

Greg Mathias

Aug 2, 20215 min read

The Sign Says Closed: Four Key Questions about Missions in "Closed" Countries

What is a closed country and what does it mean for missions and sending?

Ways to Help Sent-Ones Raise Support within Your Church's Giving Structure

Mike Easton

Jul 16, 20214 min read

Ways to Help Sent-Ones Raise Support within Your Church's Giving Structure

How can a church support sent ones in fund raising in ways that are compatible with its giving structure?

Shirley Ralston

Jun 28, 20215 min read

Healthy at Home: Helping Hands

Relying on the local church for travel, lodging plans, and fellowship has long been the norm for those sent out to deliver the Good News.

Shirley Ralston

Jun 24, 20214 min read

Healthy at Home: Healthy Souls

Maintaining healthy souls on reentry is a community effort that takes time and commitment.

Shirley Ralston

Jun 21, 20215 min read

Healthy at Home: Healthy Bodies

Providing for the needs of the body lays the groundwork for rest and renewal of the mind, alleviating stress in sent ones’ reentry process.

Healthy at Home: Healthy Minds Part 2—Professional Christian Counseling

Shirley Ralston

Jun 17, 20213 min read

Healthy at Home: Healthy Minds Part 2—Professional Christian Counseling

Professional Christian counseling may be necessary for returned workers who have experienced trauma or levels of high stress on the field.

Healthy at Home: Healthy Minds Part 1—Debriefing

Shirley Ralston

Jun 14, 20215 min read

Healthy at Home: Healthy Minds Part 1—Debriefing

Debriefing helps ensure sent ones' continued health, resiliency, and well-being.

The Upstream Collective

Jun 9, 20212 min read

Introducing Upstream Sending

Local churches send missionaries. Here at Upstream Sending, we can help you send well. It’s kind of our thing.