Books

Wisdom for Short-Term Missionaries

Serving With Eyes Wide Open prepares short-term missionaries to be culturally sensitive.

“That group was just so American,” an African complains to his Christian friend about a group of American churchgoers sent overseas for ministry. “They didn’t ask me a single question all night long. They were loud and brash. And they have prepared for this trip just enough to be dangerous.” Short-term missions has exploded in popularity. The wisdom to go with it, unfortunately, has been in comparatively short supply. This book aims to change that.

Author David Livermore, director of the Global Learning Center at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, notes that the perspectives of non-Western Christians can differ markedly from their Western counterparts. He contrasts the light, adventuresome spirit of many Westerners with the willingness to die of young missionaries in China. “The Muslim and Buddhist nations torture us, imprison us, and starve us, but they can do no more than what we have already experienced in China,” one aspiring Chinese missionary says. “We are not only ready to die for the gospel, we are expecting it.”

Although this book’s many warnings could unintentionally paralyze some effective church teams, a missions pastor I know says Serving with Eyes Wide Open will help short-termers humbly and effectively join the global church in gospel witness.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Serving with Eyes Wide Open: Doing Short-Term Missions with Cultural Intelligence is available at ChristianBook.com and other retailers.

Dave Livermore is a co-founder of Intersect, an organization that trains emerging ministry leaders.

Our Missions & Ministry full coverage area includes an article on resurging student interest in missions, a conversation between Kurt Ver Beek and Robert Priest on the efficacy of short-term missions, and many other articles.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Our Latest

News

China Detains Influential House Church Pastor

Authorities arrested Zion Church’s Pastor Jin “Ezra” Mingri along with dozens of church leaders.

News Release

Marvin Olasky Officially Named Editor in Chief

Russell Moore becomes editor at-large and columnist.

Amazon’s New Streaming Channel Has Both ‘House of David’ and ‘Sherlock’

Major networks have invested in faith-based programming like Wonder Project before. This time seems different.

News

Cautious Optimism Surrounds the Israel-Hamas Deal

“We want an end to this, but we are wary based on past experiences.”

Wonderology

Wonderology Trailer

Check out a preview of Christianity Today’s newest podcast about the intersection of science and faith.

News

As Shutdown Strains Incomes, Church Ramps Up to Feed the Hungry

In suburban Detroit, a $50,000 ministry grant helps families keep food on the tables during furloughs.

News

Kenyan Churches Struggle to Support Childless Couples

One Christian woman hopes to destigmatize infertility.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube