Tag: missions
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What American Churches Need: A Missionary Mentality
I have pastored in the United States for over a decade, after having spent most of my life on the foreign mission field. The longer I serve in the United States, see the direction of our country, and witness the health condition of churches in America, I am convinced that we as pastors and churches must embrace…
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How Much Is Too Much?
Indigenous missions – the ultimate goal of the church-planting missionary. Every missionary-in-training has learned to describe an indigenous church as self-governing, self-propagating, and self-supporting. The question is not so much, “What is our goal?” The question is, “How do we reach it?” There are about as many answers to that question as there are missionaries.…
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Help! I Need A Furlough
There is no feeling like feeling helpless. You are in a situation that must change, but you are powerless to do anything about it. If the situation becomes prolonged, the feeling of helplessness can turn into stress, desperation, and even resentment. Something must be done. Missionaries around the world have approached their time for furlough,…
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Defeating Discouragement As A Missionary
Weeks have passed. Sometimes months. It seems like an eternity since you’ve seen someone saved in your ministry. You’ve been faithful to preach, teach, hold activities and witness. Yet “nothing” is happening. Then the questions come: What am I doing wrong? Why isn’t anyone responding? What am I going to report to my supporters? Will…
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Three Growing Trends In World Missions
It is fascinating to observe the changes that are occurring in world missions, both in the United States and around the world. The ever-changing realities of the world we are seeking to reach with the Gospel are forcing pastors and churches to have to re-think their strategies to accomplish our God-given mission. As fundamental Baptists,…
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Multiply: God’s Plan For His People
In a recent message, I opened my heart on a topic that has been building inside of me for a very long time. The concept is not mine; it’s Biblical. The terms are not mine; they’re adopted from others. But as I seek God’s direction for the future of my leadership, and the church God…
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5 Reasons Why Cross-Cultural Integration Is Necessary In The Local Church
No, I don’t have all the answers. In fact, I realized long ago that I don’t really know all the right questions to ask. So, with that disclaimer out of the way, let me give five reasons why I believe cross-cultural integration is necessary in the local church. The United States has always…
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Observations from the Ancient Mission Field
During our recent trip to the Holy Land, God allowed my wife and I to personally experience, not just the lands where our Lord walked, but also the lands of pioneer missions in Greece, the Aegean Sea and the coast of Turkey. As a missionary kid and former missionary, I cannot describe how thrilling it…
Rick Washburn, Jr. 