'Unfinished' Magazine Showcases Innovative Evangelism, Discipleship Models

Contact: Ty Mays, 770-256-8710

NORCROSS, Ga., May 11, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- While many Christians are lamenting the decline of the Christian culture in the United States, the leader of The Mission Society instead sees a major opportunity. That is, if Americans learn to see their country as the mission field it has become.

Photo: Spring issue of Unfinished examines methods of reaching out to non-believers and becoming "gospel bearers" in increasingly secularized nations – including our own.

"The way I see it, it is possible to view the wanderings of our increasingly post-Christian U.S. as an amazing opportunity to reengage the culture in mission and discipleship," said the Rev. Max Wilkins, president and CEO of the mission sending organization. "The seeming move away from our Christian moorings offers some amazing opportunities to carry out our call to make disciples."

In the spring 2015 issue of "Unfinished" magazine, Wilkins and other staff and missionaries with The Mission Society examine methods of reaching out to non-believers and becoming "gospel bearers" in increasingly secularized nations – including our own.

There are lessons we can learn and apply from other parts of the world that can help us continue to live our faith and witness to those around us, said Wilkins. 
 
Titled "Fresh lessons for gospel bearers," the current issue of Unfinished includes such articles as "Living missionally in a post-Christian context,"  "Discipled by the nations," "The cost of deeply believing" and "Getting to the barricaded heart." These and other articles look at such new methods and approaches as: 

• How missionaries in various parts of Europe are shining the light of Jesus in a continent where people are often resistant to a gospel story they see as outdated.
   
• Removing the obstacles to carrying out the Great Commission, such as people failing to understand the disciple-making process, relying on "professionals" to carry out the task, and changing the church's focus from attracting converts to making disciples. 
   
• The pattern missionaries across the world follow in making disciples, starting with a personal relationship and followed by such steps as investing time in another person, offering encouragement, and engaging in shared ministry.
   
• Adopting a different view of the church, seeing it as an outpost of heaven that can herald the gospel in a culture growing increasingly hostile to Jesus, instead of merely a place where believers gather.

"The American church has much we can learn from our brothers and sisters of other nations, if we are willing," said Richard Coleman, The Mission Society's senior director of mobilization and candidacy. "As the Apostle Paul writes, 'The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.'' We need to appreciate how much we have to learn from Christ's followers in other places."

The Mission Society's award-winning quarterly magazine, "Unfinished," informs and inspires readers about worldwide mission trends and issues. To receive a free subscription, visit www.tinyurl.com/UF5312. Copies of the spring 2015 issue may be ordered in bulk.
Founded in 1984 in the Wesleyan tradition, The Mission Society (www.themissionsociety.org) exists to mobilize and deploy the body of Christ globally to join Jesus in His mission, especially among the least-reached peoples. The Mission Society recruits, trains and sends Christian missionaries to minister around the world. Its church ministry department provides seminars, workshops and mentoring for congregations in the United States and abroad, helping equip churches for outreach in their communities and worldwide. At present, The Mission Society has 200 missionaries in 30 countries.

To schedule an interview with Max Wilkins of The Mission Society, contact Ty Mays at 770-256-8710 or tmays@inchristcommunications.com.