River of God: An Introduction to World Mission

Synopsis: River of God is an introduction to world missions aimed at undergraduate students. However, the readers will soon discover that the book is rich in its content far beyond the editors’ original plan. It serves as a reader for people with various levels of missiological interest and competence and deals with cutting-edge issues in missions. This book introduces a new paradigm, Kingdom Missiology, which builds on shalom in the Old Testament and as Jesus applied to the Kingdom of God in the New Testament. The first half of the book looks at Kingdom Missiology from the biblical, historical, and cultural dimensions. The second half of the book describes helpful strategies in the implementation of this paradigm. The importance of urban ministry is woven throughout the book. Endorsements: ＂Rightly and urgently calling the separation between social action and evangelism to be both unbiblical and absurd, the sixteen contributors to this encyclopedic book reward the reader with an astonishing wealth of biblical insight, theological wisdom, and critically analyzed field experiences. I rejoice in the mature perspectives presented in this engaging book and strongly recommend it to everyone who cares about the future of the kind of ’wholistic’ ministry taught and practiced by Jesus himself.＂ --S. Scott Bartchy University of California at Los Angeles ＂River of God is not like the text I remember from my Introduction to Missions class in college. This one is interesting. Inspiring, even. Here personal tales told by seasoned missionaries are juxtaposed with the solid research of expert missiologists. They are convinced that the Scriptures focus on the mission of God--and so should we. River of God makes the case that even now the kingdom can come and God’s will can be done.＂ --LeRoy Lawson Emmanuel Christian Seminary ＂River of God flows with ’kingdom missiology.’ God is shown as a ’missionary God’ who has compassion upon the world. Incarnational living is the key component expressed, demonstrating a false dichotomy between social activism and evangelism . . . River of God will inform, challenge and give direction to those concerned about missionary endeavor. I highly recommend the people and the content of this well-organized and well-crafted book.＂ --Joseph C. Grana II Hope International University ＂[This] is not dry, academic writing, but filled with gripping, real-world examples from practitioners. It covers the current world of Christian missions from biblical, historical, theological, practical, demographical, strategic, and technological perspectives. Be prepared for discussions of things like ’incarnational missions, ’ ’from everywhere to everywhere, ’ ’amateurization of missions, ’ and ’kingdom missiology’ as you enjoy this book.＂ --Mark S. Krause Nebraska Christian College Editor Biographies: Doug D. Priest Jr is the Executive Director of CMF International and has done missionary work in East Africa and SE Asia. He has written or edited several books, including Doing Theology with the Maasi, The Gospel Unhindered, and Getting Your Hands Dirty. Stephen E. Burris is a research missiologist with CMF International and the pastor of the Golden Valley Christian Church, San Bernardino, California, and has done mission service in Zimbabwe, Africa. He has edited several books, including Essentials of Christian Faith, Essentials of Christian Practice, and Completing the Task: Reaching the World for Christ.

Doug D. Priest Jr is the Executive Director of CMF International and has done missionary work in East Africa and SE Asia. He has written or edited several books, including Doing Theology with the Maasi, The Gospel Unhindered, and Getting Your Hands Dirty.

Stephen E. Burris is a research missiologist with CMF International and the pastor of the Golden Valley Christian Church, San Bernardino, California, and has done mission service in Zimbabwe, Africa. He has edited several books, including Essentials of Christian Faith, Essentials of Christian Practice, and Completing the Task: Reaching the World for Christ.