Eight Steps of the Missions Continuum

The world's population is approaching 8 billion souls. Governments are becoming increasingly hostile to Christianity, and especially toward evangelicals who believe in the exclusivity of the gospel of Jesus Christ for salvation. With more than 3,000 people groups still unreached and unengaged with a gospel witness, the Great Commission is a formidable task. The world's cities are growing exponentially with refugees, im- migrants, and people seeking better lives, most of whom have had little exposure to the gospel of Jesus Christ. How can we, the church, make a greater impact on lostness?

As God raises up his church around the world in all shapes and sizes to take on this task, this book presents eight steps that will assist and encourage churches, agencies, and missionaries from every part of the world to assess and identify concrete actions that will help them more fully embrace the calling God places on their hearts.

HAL CUNNYNGHAM, associate vice president for global engagement, has served with the International Mission Board for 37 years. He is responsible for diaspora missionary task strategies, global research, and globalization. He and his wife, Cynthia, served two years in Brazil as missionaries, followed by 23 years in East Asia. Field roles included church planting, administration, education, and church leadership training. In the US office, he led the IMB missionary personnel assessment and deployment process for eight years before assuming his current role.Hal has a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Education and Biology, a master's degree in Educational Administration and Chemistry from Texas A&M Commerce, with a doctor of education degree in Educational Administration and Cognition from the University of North Texas. He also studied at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently serves as an adjunct missions professor there.

AMANDA DIMPERIO DAVIS, director of globalization at the International Mission Board, has worked with the IMB for 20 years. As a single missionary, she served as a church planter and media missionary in Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, and Colombia. She graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a bachelor's degree in Mass Media and Broadcast Communications, and earned a master of divinity degree in Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.Amanda is also an ASCP registered Medical Laboratory Scientist, having earned an associate of science degree. She recently earned a doctorate in ministry degree in Christian Leadership from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Amanda currently serves as an adjunct missions professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in both the English and Spanish programs.