I deeply appreciate Kevin allowing me to re-post this article which was originally published by Urbana. While these suggestions are not for everyone, I certainly think that gaining experience with a missions organization might be the way for rookie development workers to begin their careers. Experience is everything in this field. You never know, maybe … Continue reading International Development through Missions (re-posted)
Blog Posts
Reflections from Korea
What I anticipated was going to be just another conference, has been anything but that. Ya, plenty of papers have been read in fine academic style, but what has really stood out are those that I have met and become reacquainted with from previous ministry and international gatherings. In the words of Steve Bevans - … Continue reading Reflections from Korea
Toward Transformation: Bringing Together Mission, Justice & Development (Part 4)
Mission+Justice+Development Missiologist Andrew Kirk implores us to listen to two voices when reading Scripture, the voice of God (Scripture) and the voice (the cry) of the people. This process helps us to combine the central message of Scripture with the, “Reality of every situation into which the message and life of Christ comes” (2000, … Continue reading Toward Transformation: Bringing Together Mission, Justice & Development (Part 4)
A Tribute to Khen Tuang (aka TuaTuang)
This past week the Multnomah community lost a friend and fellow servant. Khen Tuang was killed in an automobile accident along with his friend Peter who was a refugee from Myanmar (who tragically lost his wife in a refugee camp in Thailand in 2008, now leaving their three children orphaned). Khen’s wife and daughter were … Continue reading A Tribute to Khen Tuang (aka TuaTuang)
Toward Transformation: Bringing Together Mission, Justice & Development (Part 3)
Mission+Justice It is clear in Scripture that God desires to use his followers in His mission. Joining God’s mission also includes developing a proper response to injustices faced by those we care deeply about. This often includes righting the wrongs that are committed against those whom God deeply loves. In his important study on urban … Continue reading Toward Transformation: Bringing Together Mission, Justice & Development (Part 3)
Toward Transformation: Bringing Together Mission, Justice & Development (Part 2)
The Mission of God Anyone who has lived and worked alongside those who are materially poor and oppressed, understands the immense complexities in seeing transformation realized. Having worked with children living on the street, I recognize that changed lives often take long-term commitment and the presence of God working in and through both the recipient … Continue reading Toward Transformation: Bringing Together Mission, Justice & Development (Part 2)
Toward Transformation: Bringing Together Mission, Justice & Development (Part 1)
It was early morning and I was huddled around a fire with ten boys, ages 8 to 13. They were preparing to work in the community market in a suburb of Cochabamba, Bolivia. Each Saturday the boys show up around 5 a.m. in preparation for a days work. The children, using wheelbarrows, follow clients around … Continue reading Toward Transformation: Bringing Together Mission, Justice & Development (Part 1)
Racial Koinonia
Most people who truly know me, would say that I am not a very outspoken person. I keep a lot of my thoughts to myself (or reserve them for my classes), but I have been wrestling for sometime with my memories. Memories of privilege. Memories of opportunity. Born in Inglewood, California, a few blocks from … Continue reading Racial Koinonia
An Incarnational Christmas
A few years ago while living in Costa Rica our family participated in neighborhood reenactments of the Christmas story called “Las Posadas.” Just prior to Christmas, families begin acting out the Christmas story in their neighborhoods. As if we were Joseph and Mary, we went door to door with fellow neighbors calling upon those in … Continue reading An Incarnational Christmas
Third Highest Peak in Oregon and Fighting Human Trafficking
Can I brag about my wife for a second? She's an amazing woman who is an incredibly self-less and caring person. Christina Grissen-Burch is about to stand on top of Oregon's third highest peak for someone she doesn't even know. Here's the details: August 28-30 she will be taking a three day fundraising climb up … Continue reading Third Highest Peak in Oregon and Fighting Human Trafficking
Development and Justice 