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Stories of Mission

Explore mission themes in our quarterly magazine as workers tell stories of making disciples in the way of Christ.

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New Creation opening shop to combat sex trafficking

The New Creation team at a “pop-up” shop selling items at the ONE Justice Conference in Richmond this past May. Courtesy photo I grew up with the idea that to be a missionary meant going overseas to a poverty-stricken land where no one had ever heard of Jesus. I watched missionaries leave my church to…

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Living the incarnation

In the heart of the South Asian Muslim world, James and Ann (not their real names) work with a small business and with the local church in discipleship, neighborhood outreach, and developing leadership and resources. Girls from the South Asian country where James and Ann serve display traditional dress. Photo by authors Ann enjoys spending…

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Being a bridge

Richard and Elsie Bowman served with Partners in Mission at Lezhe Academic Center and as a bridge to the local Mennonite church, living the Gospel incarnationally in the city of Lezhë, Albania. Elsie Bowman (left) and Xhilda visit after a church service. Photos by Richard Bowman As I consider some of the scenes from our…

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Extending God’s embrace

Sometimes the Apostle Paul sounds absolutely crazy. For example, take these words from 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NRSV): “Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the…

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Twinkle’s journey: The education of a Kalinga missionary in the Philippines

Twinkle (right) in Kalinga with her mission mentor Rev. Daniel Pantoja (center), during a time of fellowship with her newly-organized mission community. Photo: Bryan Jay Nahag Paler . When she was five years old, Twinkle Algag Bautista gazed at the sun’s rays and wondered “Where is this? Where is my homeland? Where is Kalinga?” In…

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Learning to Walk After Jesus

In the slum outskirts of a large Southeast Asian city, Yosiah and Anita live and serve among the poorest of Asia’s people. In a place of few economic hopes, they manifest the love of Jesus and work to bring hope to their community through transformational discipleship.   A view along the street where Yosiah and…

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Come to the table

In the southern Italian context where Chris and Melody Riddle and their three sons served for eight years, sharing food and friendship around a table is where evangelism and discipleship can have the most openings. . . Micah, Adam & Isaiah enjoy a New Year’s meal with friends at the home of Elena’s sister. Photo:…

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Know them by their fruit

Last spring, I bought a new (to our family) vehicle. The 15-year-old minivan we were using at the time kept having maintenance issues. The starter faltered. The transmission was unresponsive at times. But I was prompted to action when the fuel line sprung a leak right over the exhaust manifold. The mechanic told me it…

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