Stephan discusses how new communities of Jesus followers become a witness to the transforming power of the gospel and make a tangible and sustainable difference in their societies. 

"I am reminded that we are called to be hospitable (Romans 12:13) and we demonstrate this by how we welcome new believers and each other," says Heather. "This is easy to do when we all have similar backgrounds and have known each other for years. But as the Church, and our movement, becomes more diverse, do we merely tolerate or do we warmly welcome newcomers?"

According to Stephan Bauer, short-term mission teams are "less a problem to be solved, but more a tension to be managed, and the aim should be for STTs to have a credible impact on the ministry and be effective in mobilising long-term workers."

"Indeed, there are so many variables as we ‘see’ vibrant communities develop among the least-reached peoples. As we work towards this vision, I nevertheless fall back on the age-old cliché that my father stressed repeatedly: 'We are not called to be successful, but called to be faithful.'"

"The messages teens hear are 'Enjoy life: no commitment, keep your choices open and choose comfort'. Is this the consequence of their own choices or of the generation that raised them? Probably both," shares Ewout.

"Indeed, the Christ-like patience which the church fathers extolled is much deeper than waiting quietly for a bus," says Arley. "Rather, it is a sacrificial and enduring compassion for others, which our Lord embodied in His life and ultimately on the cross."

"The more I look at biblical examples of ministry, the more I see a simple yet profoundly flexible grassroots approach to ministry that compels me to focus on things that really matter," shares Ben.

"Do we sometimes feel uneasy that our business-as-mission and vocation models are so dependent on the very people that we are trying to reach? Does this make us feel powerless and needy?" asks Seang Pin.

"Every time we communicate, there is potential to inform and inspire others for mission. Shall we not then covenant to ‘tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth’?" asks Greg Kernaghan.

"Everyone in the kingdom of God is essential to the mission that He has called us to," I'Ching says. "Unfortunately, while we may profess this, often we don’t practise it."

"How can we honour these 'mothers and fathers' [of OM]," asks David Greenlee. "Inclusion is one way, encouraging their ongoing participation, not forgetting them in our concern."

"Today’s stark reality is that more than 2.8 billion people have not heard this message of hope and transformation—and 57,000 people are added to this number daily. When I heard this, I was deeply impacted, and resolved that I want to be part of changing that trajectory."