Crossing Cultures

Cross-cultural ministry is extremely challenging and must be entered into with eyes wide open. The aim of this book is to help better prepare cross-cultural workers to accomplish the task to which God has called them, to help churches become more proactive in recruiting potential candidates and providing ministry opportunities for assessment and development of their gifts, and to help mission agencies more thoroughly evaluate candidates in light of needed competencies.Stephen Davis delivers a wonderfully brief primer that is pointed and practical. Writing from both seasoned experience and solid research, Davis urges appropriate caution in avoiding the dangers and disappointments that come from inadequate missionary preparation. This book should be read by missionaries preparing for service as well as those who assist in their preparation.--Mark C. Vowels, Director, Center for Global OpportunitiesStephen Davis is no stranger to the challenges and difficulties of cross-cultural gospel ministry. He writes as an experienced missionary and church-man who aims to equip churches, mission agencies, and missionaries to better serve cross-culturally. My heart resonates with Davis's that the goal of missions is not mainly to do good works but preach the gospel and establish new communities that demonstrate the transforming power of God's presence. With such a high goal, missionaries need to be properly trained, and Davis is a worthy guide on the matter and the manner of such training.--Dieudonne Tamfu, Pastor, Eglise Baptiste Bethleem, Yaounde, Assistant Professor of Bible & Theology, Coordinator of Cameroon Extension Site, Bethlehem College & SeminaryMissionary life is a high calling filled with significant challenges. Stephen Davis discusses important topics to be considered when evaluating someone's preparation for cross-cultural ministry. Using insights gained from thirty years of church planting and missionary service, Davis challenges appointees to purposefully prepare for ministry. This book is a must read for future missionaries, the pastors who support them, and the mission personnel who assist them.--Jeff Straub, Professor of Historical Theology and Missions, Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Plymouth, MNMy friend Dr. Davis gives excellent advice for those who are preparing to go on the mission field and for those who are already serving. In his book, he stresses the importance of being gifted, qualified, and prepared before being sent out to plant churches. He gives practical ideas based on biblical principles for church leaders that are selecting candidates to be future missionaries.--Aaron Griggs, Church planter in MexicoStephen M. Davis is a bi-vocational elder at Grace Church (gracechurchphilly.org), a multilingual church in Philadelphia he planted with his brother John in 2010. Steve and his wife Kathy have been engaged in church planting in the United States, France, and Romania since 1982. He earned a DMin in Missiology from TEDS under Dr. David Hesselgrave and a PhD in Intercultural Studies from Columbia International University.