September 6, 2026

The SEND U Blog

Reflections and Resources for Lifelong Learning for Missionaries

All Blog Posts

Church Planting

Why Should I Leave?

“Why should I leave?” I was recently in a strategy discussion with SEND North church planters at Marsh Lake Bible Camp in the Yukon Territory of Canada when one of the participants asked, “Why should I leave?”  Why should a missionary enjoying fruitful ministry in a particular community, move out of that community prior to their retirement?   The discussion continued acknowledging that the question was important but no clear answer emerged.   Related Posts:Training for Cross-Cultural Church PlantersCritical Issues for the Cross-Cultural Church PlanterThe importance of follow-up with churchesThree Missionary Church PlantersChurch Planter TrainingStill Learning from Roland Allen 100 Years Later:…… Read the whole post
Gary Ridley1 min read
Training

Context – Important at Both Ends of Contextualization

  Context is important at both ends of contextualization.  We must not only look at the context of the culture to which we want to bring the message of the Gospel.   We also need to look at the context of the message that we are proclaiming, the context of Scripture. Related Posts:Follow-up: Keep Culture in PerspectiveBook Review: Practicing Hope: Missions and Global CrisesWhy did Jesus prohibit his disciples from going to…Preparing to Preach as a MissionaryTeaching the Bible Story-lineReview: Early Christian Mission by Eckhard J. Schnabel… Read the whole post
Gary Ridley1 min read
Confrontation

Choose to Believe the Voice of Truth

I am finishing my read-through-the-Bible-in-2-years plan at the end of this month, and so these days, I am reading through the book of Revelation in the New Testament and the last of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. Yesterday in reading Revelation 20, I noted in my journal that a single angel from heaven can seize (arrest) Satan and throw him into the bottomless pit and keep him there (Rev 20:1-3).  It seems so simple and matter of fact.   God simply sends one of his angels who immediately finds Satan and arrests him without any extended battle or resistance.  Satan is prevented from deceiving the nations any longer until his prison term is over.    In Daniel 10, we read that of a battle between the angels and the demonic forces, and the prince of the kingdom of Persia is able to withstand the angels of God for 21 days… Read the whole post
Ken Guenther3 mins read
Church Planting, DMM, Book Reviews

DMM – Book Review of David Watson’s Contagious Disciple Making

DMM’s (Disciple Making Movements) have sparked much interest in the missions world of late, particularly for ministry in challenging contexts. David Watson, as one of the leading practitioner and thinkers in the area, has written Contagious Disciple Making: Leading Others on a Journey of Discovery along with his son, Paul Watson as a practical and valuable guide to obeying the Great Commission. While David is engaging in his in-person teaching, drawing on rich examples from his own ministry, his written work is even more balanced and valuable for those involved in establishing churches, particularly among the unreached. DMM is often used synonymously with CPM or Church Planting Movement. Watson defines CPM as “an indigenously led Gospel-planting and obedience-based discipleship process that resulted in a minimum of one hundred new locally initiated and led churches, four generations deep, within three years” (Kindle location 210). Related Posts:How do we disciple those of… Read the whole post
Ted1 min read
Spiritual Formation, Theology, Book Reviews

New Series from Crossway Books: Theologians on the Christian Life

  SEND U is always looking for new resources for spiritual formation. A few years ago, Crossway Books launched a new series called Theologians on the Christian Life. I am excited about this series. The editors, Stephen J. Nichols and Justin Taylor write in the series preface: Some might call us spoiled. We live in an era of significant and substantial resources for Christians on living the Christian Life. We have ready access to books, DVD series, online material, seminars – all in the interest of encouraging us in our daily walk with Christ. The laity, the people of the pew, have access to more information than scholars dreamed of having in previous centuries.         Related Posts:Stott on The Christian Life: a book reviewBook Review: Against the DarknessAre Missionaries Public Theologians Too?Practicing the Way: Living as Apprentices of Jesus…Learning About Spiritual FormationA Preventive Guide to Raising Healthy… Read the whole post
Gary Ridley1 min read
Back To Top