top of page
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!
Creative Ways to Cultivate Awareness, Pt. I
After serving in the church as a missions pastor for more than twenty years, I am often amused when I reflect on the variety of failures...
Dave & Lorene Wilson
Aug 15, 20226 min read
Resources & Suggestions for Cultivating Missions Awareness in Your Church
Mission Vision Toolbox: Tools for Casting a Great Commission Vision in your Church I think most pastors have the desire for their church...
Matthew Hirt
Aug 4, 20225 min read
Marketplace Ministry from Experience, Pt. III
Self-Funding Missions Before and After Retirement Click here for part one of this article series and here for part two. Wise Advice When...
Shirley Ralston
Jul 21, 20225 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.
Bradley Bell
Jul 7, 20226 min read
Developing an International Ministry
One of the incredible opportunities we have right now in America is to reach an increasing number of internationals. Immigrants,...
Mike Easton
May 19, 20223 min read
Creative Ways to Fund Mission Work, Part II
The Two-Pocket Theory of Mission Support In part 1 of this series, we looked at several ways you can bring in extra income to help you...
Dave & Lorene Wilson
May 9, 20226 min read
Creative Ways to Fund Mission Work, Part I
Side Hustle: Supporting Missionaries in a Gig Economy For hundreds of years, the standard practice for funding mission work (at least...
Dave & Lorene Wilson
May 5, 20227 min read
Involving the Entire Church in Global Missions
A sending church involves the entire church by clearly and consistently teaching its missions convictions, vision, and strategy. This is...
Mike Easton
May 2, 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...
Mike Easton
Apr 28, 20223 min read
When Missions Dreams Get Crushed
If you’re a missions leader, then you’ve been stirred by the vision of Revelation 7:9: to see every tribe, tongue, and nation worshiping...
Mike Easton
Mar 28, 20225 min read
Lamentations as the Textbook for Newly Arrived Missionaries
I just finished reading Jeremiah and Lamentations. Boy, am I glad that’s over! Ever feel that way? If it weren’t for reading plans, there...
Bradley Bell
Feb 21, 20226 min read
Discouraging DIY Missions
A growing awareness of gospel needs around the world has produced a sense of urgency in the Church for reaching those far from Christ and...
David McWhite
Jan 24, 20225 min read
How to Develop a Cross-Cultural Partnership
In a previous blog post, I defined cross-cultural missional partnership as a kingdom-oriented relationship of culturally diverse groups...
Joshua Bowman
Jan 13, 20224 min read
Writing an MOU
There’s a lot of things in life that are really important but are also kind of boring: mowing the lawn, doing the laundry, filling out...
Mike Easton
Jan 10, 20224 min read
Partnerships are Foundational to Missionary Care
The best way to do missionary care is to put people on great teams. There are a multitude of reasons why missionaries leave the field:...
Mike Easton
Jan 6, 20227 min read
Discovering & Evaluating Potential Partners
As a Sending Church, does it matter who you partner with? Pretty easy question, right? Of course it matters! However, as mission leaders,...
Larry McCrary
Jan 3, 20226 min read
A Liturgy for Missionaries During the Holidays
We hope this liturgy written by Upstream's Bradley Bell is an encouragement to you. This may be prayed alone, but it could be more...
Bradley Bell
Dec 23, 20213 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
Short-term Trips and the COVID Vaccine
In considering short-term trips for 2022, there are facts about world travel and the COVID-19 vaccine that need to be considered.
Mike Easton
Oct 28, 20219 min read
bottom of page