Missionary Families Find a Sense of Place and Identity is a community history of members of nineteen Lutheran missionary families who served in Tanzania. Based on over ninety interviews and John Benson’s extensive knowledge of cultural geography, he compares the lives of the missionary generation who grew up in the United States and went to Tanzania as missionaries to those of their children who grew up in Africa but settled in the United States as adults. Benson blends his personal experiences as a child of missionaries in Tanzania to tell the story of both generations. Missionary Families is centered on the themes of connection to place and religious development and will appeal to scholars of geography, cultural studies and religion.
"The book also features cross-references throughout, a bibliography accompanying each entry, an elaborate appendix listing biographies according to particular categories of interest, and a comprehensive index."--BOOK JACKET.
Emmett shows how Pentecostalism in Belgian Congo was pioneered by W.F.P. Burton alongside local agency. Burton had a passionate desire to see the emancipation of humankind from the spiritual powers of darkness believing only Spirit-empowered local agency would prove effective.
From the Founding Fathers through the present, Christianity has exercised powerful influence in the United States—from its role in shaping politics and social institutions to its hand in inspiring art and culture. The Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States outlines the myriad roles Christianity has played and continues to play. This masterful five-volume reference work includes biographies of major figures in the Christian church in the United States, influential religious documents and Supreme Court decisions, and information on theology and theologians, denominations, faith-based organizations, immigration, art—from decorative arts and film to music and literature—evangelism and crusades, the significant role of women, racial issues, civil religion, and more. The first volume opens with introductory essays that provide snapshots of Christianity in the U.S. from pre-colonial times to the present, as well as a statistical profile and a timeline of key dates and events. Entries are organized from A to Z. The final volume closes with essays exploring impressions of Christianity in the United States from other faiths and other parts of the world, as well as a select yet comprehensive bibliography. Appendices help readers locate entries by thematic section and author, and a comprehensive index further aids navigation.
A church planter in Cambodia seeks to help Christians reach for greater discernment in missions. He wrestles with some of the difficult issues we face in pursuing the great commission on pioneer fields. Using Scripture and personal experience from fourteen years of cross-cultural ministry, Forrest engages us all in a task that demands thoughtful methods from those going and sending. This book will challenge you to see the link between theology and practice in missions. It will also give you a window into the heart of missionaries serving in unreached places around the world. Be prepared to be challenged and blessed. Endorsements: "Pastors, read Forrest McPhail's book, and then read it again! Future missionaries, memorize it! For this old missionary, Forrest's book was written about 20 years too late. But even old dogs can, by God's grace, learn new tricks, and I've profited greatly from the humble wisdom, practical insight, and gentle rebukes of a man that I consider one of the finest missionaries I know." J.D. Crowley J.D. grew up in Japan and Hawaii. He pastored in Hawaii for 12 years before leaving for Cambodia in 1994. He has served there under EMU International doing linguistic work and training pastors among the indigenous minorities of NE Cambodia. He is the author of The Tampuan/Khmer/English Dictionary and Khmer commentaries on Matthew and Romans. J.D. has also co-authored the book Gospel Meditations for Missions "Forrest McPhail is a first-rate pioneer missionary who has written a compelling work that comprises what he has learned, lived, and taught others. The book unpacks complex cross-cultural issues with clarity and time-earned wisdom, and demonstrates how to interact intentionally with culture in order to be both relevant and faithful to the gospel. Although set in the context of Southeast Asia, this boots-on-the-ground work is a must read for pastors and missionaries everywhere." Kevin Oberlin Kevin is Associate Professor Theology and Cross-Cultural Studies, Bob Jones University and Seminary "Missionaries, pastors, and all believers will benefit immensely from your work. Why? It will give Pastors a great understanding of the minefields of ministry in third world nations. It will give greater focus to churches that take short term mission trips. It will be useful in helping missionaries lay a foundation for their ministries that will be able to stand the test of trial. The writing is bold and filled with principles rooted in Scripture. This book reflects a wrestling with the issues both written in the Word and those experienced in the villages and marketplace. This will help many now and in the future if they would take your counsel to heart!" Matthew Recker Matt has served Christ in church planting ministry in New York City since 1984, establishing churches in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. Matt has published three books, including Behold the City! and Living on the Edge of Eternity. Missionaries who "leave maps laying around" for those who are starting their mission journey are commendable. Forrest McPhail did just that--he created a map based on his journey as a missionary in Cambodia for pioneer missionaries (those going to the unreached people groups of the world). His map is as much about understanding the lay of the land and the critical points of the journey as it is about the destination. In other words, through personal stories, biblical observations. and practical insights, Forrest invites his readers to consider strategic elements and issues, such as syncretism, persecution, church discipline, poverty, and much more before they start building a foundation. Thank you Forrest for daring to share. Jean Johnson Formerly a missionary in Cambodia, Jean currently serves as Missionary * Coach * and Executive Program Director for World Mission Associates. She has authored "We Are Not the Hero: A Missionary's Guide for Sharing Christ, Not a Culture of Dependency"
Follow the fascinating true stories of one family through the Mormon pioneer era—stories that follow four generations and several of the author’s family lines as they and their fellow pioneers help shape the early history of the Mormon Church, the American West, and even Mexico. This memorable journey is the culmination of fifteen years of painstaking research as the author carefully reconstructs the pioneer struggles from before 1830 to 1918 using information from family journals, memoirs, histories and letters. Volume II (Pioneering the West/Defending Zion, 1847-1880) continues the history by recounting the family’s involvement in the opening and colonization of the Great Basin. It recounts in detail the dangerous crossing of the plains in covered wagons, with handcarts, and on foot. It tells of explorations, of planting tiny settlements in remote regions, eating roots and rawhide to survive, and fighting insect hordes and hostile Indians. Volume II also tells how the Mormons faced off the U.S. Army, and how they helped build the railroad across the plains. My Own Pioneers is an important work illuminating the legacy of the Mormon pioneers. It is a compilation of true chronological accounts through which their lives, their sacrifices, and their considerable accomplishments, despite terrible hardship, may be honored. With its extensive index, this book provides an excellent research tool for academics as well as history enthusiasts; and it uplifts every reader by showcasing the enduring strength and mighty faith of these pioneers.
