Posts by Jon Trotter
Authentic Disciples on Mission
A bold, irrepressible witness characterized both the Early Church and the early Anabaptist movement, who fearlessly, prophetically, and persuasively shared the good news of the Kingdom in a dangerous environment, under threat of severe persecution and even death.
Read MoreTimeline of the Anabaptist Movement
A timeline of major events in Anabaptist history from the first rebaptisms of the movement in 1525 to the present day, noting persecutions and migrations of different Anabaptist groups around the world.
Read MoreTwo-Fold Gospel Witness
Anabaptists saw the local church as the community of daily discipleship that incarnationally embodied that larger identity. Most shocking in light of the imminent threat of foreign armies was their call to love even enemies. They made the costly case to fellow Christians that the suffering of the cross is Jesus’ call to all believers.
Read MoreThree Defining Traits of Anabaptist Mission
From the beginning, Anabaptism was a missionary movement. Converts shared their faith boldly, often at great personal cost. In response to intense persecution, quietism came to characterize succeeding generations. But a resurgence of Anabaptist missional fervor led to a truly global Anabaptism today.
Read MoreFive Centuries of Anabaptist Mission
This issue of Transforming focuses on characteristics of the early Anabaptist movement and how they continue to shape mission today. It examines the theology, practice, and migration of Anabaptists which resulted in a particular approach to mission.
Read MoreFrom Brazil to Albania
Called to Albania as a mission worker 25 years ago, Norma’s ministry has made a generational impact. “We can see how the power of the word of God can transform anyone who receives it, and how that transformation brings hope, not only to individuals, but also to the community,” she writes.
Read MoreFrom Everywhere to Everyone
Many are now being sent from the developing countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, places formerly viewed as mission fields. VMMissions has been living into this shifting reality in many ways. Currently, a third of VMMissions workers come from the Majority World.
Read MoreThe Whole Church to the Whole World
God’s primary strategy for reaching the world remains the church, everyday followers of Jesus like you and me. To my joy and utter astonishment, that church now includes believers from every continent on the globe, and most of the world’s known people groups.
Read MoreWorker Profile: Joy M. (name changed)
Joy (name changed) serves on the Launch Team in Central Asia, where she is studying the local language and culture and teaches middle and high school science part-time at an international school. She sees her role as integral in the spiritual formation of these students with whom she has the privilege of developing relationships.
Read MoreThe Story of Squirrel Toys
When Anowar’s uncle was forced out of his ancestral Muslim village because he now followed Jesus, he wondered how he could help his uncle find work. Anowar had two young daughters of his own and wanted his kids to develop creativity. The idea was born to create quality wooden toys, and the business, organized around B4T principles, took off.
Read MoreCall to Prayer: Reflecting Christ in Relationships
We want to reflect Christ in our lives here; that is the most important aspect of our vision for our work in this Central Asian country. Our Muslim neighbors are often outwardly religious, but there are often underlying longings. Prayer helps us connect with what is below the surface.
Read MoreBusiness as Gospel Opportunity
Seeing business as a tool for transformation allows for a holistic approach in an authentic manner as relationships are built and cultivated over time. We believe that business is a great venue for spreading the knowledge of Christ and what it means to follow him through ongoing relationships.
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