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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
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.
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.
Matthew Hirt
May 13, 20214 min read
Why Go to the Mission Field During a Pandemic
Leaving home is always emotional, especially during a time of global crisis. But crisis does not negate Jesus's Great Commission.
Mike Easton
May 3, 20213 min read
Four Types of Sending Churches: Missionary Care Sending Church
A Missionary Care Sending Church desires to make those they send feel loved, cared for, and accountable to what they are sent to accomplish.
Mike Easton
Apr 29, 20214 min read
Four Types of Sending Churches: Strategic Sending Church
Strategic Sending Churches are great at partnering with existing team leaders on the field and members that are not from their church.
Mike Easton
Apr 12, 20212 min read
Overview of Sending Church Element 15: Receiving Sent Ones During Reentry
Consider how you can serve and love the Sent-Ones from your church as they make this difficult re-entry for a short time or permanently.
Mike Easton
Apr 8, 20213 min read
Overview of Sending Church Element 14: Inviting Sent Ones' Influence
By Inviting Sent-Ones’ Influence the church is able to see its blind spots and adjust its practices to align more to the heart of Scripture.
Mike Easton
Apr 1, 20212 min read
Overview of Sending Church Element 12: Providing Ongoing Care for Sent Ones
The Sending Church can provide personalized care that keeps the Sent-One energized for the challenging work they endeavor upon.
Mike Easton
Mar 25, 20212 min read
Overview of Sending Church Element 10: Commissioning Sent Ones
Commissioning encourages the Sent-One, highlights God’s heart for the nations, provides prayer, and cultivates missions awareness.
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 18, 20213 min read
Overview of Sending Church Element 8: Assessing Sent Ones
The stakes are too high in global missions for the church to not take seriously their role in assessing potential Sent-Ones.
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
Mar 8, 20213 min read
Overview of Sending Church Element 5: Involving the Entire Church
Finding ways to help your entire church be involved in global missions will will make a real impact on the field for the sake of the gospel.
Mike Easton
Aug 13, 20202 min read
Suggested Resources for Missionary Development
In my last two articles, I talked about helping missionaries attain emotional health and training them in multiplicative discipleship....
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.
The Upstream Collective
Aug 3, 20202 min read
Missions Resources from Around the Web
We want to highlight some helpful resources from around the web. This is a mixed bag of resources about a variety of missions topics.
Matt Clark
Jun 29, 20205 min read
Empower the Saints for the Work of Missionary Care
We as missions pastors/leaders have the opportunity to equip lay members of our congregations to meet the needs of missionary care.
Larry McCrary
Jun 1, 20204 min read
Sent Identity, Part 3: Your Church’s Sending Journey
Intentionally invest in ongoing, reciprocal relationships with your missionary candidates, missionaries, and returning sent ones.
Larry McCrary
May 28, 20203 min read
Sent Identity, Part 2: What Do Sending Churches Do Differently?
I noticed some common components about strong sending churches that enabled them to have such an identity.
Larry McCrary
May 25, 20205 min read
Sent Identity, Part 1: Why is a Sending Church So Important?
To put it simply, the reason missionaries identify as sent from their local church is because it is the local church that sends.
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