Dear friends,

Have you wondered at times what vision motivates us in International Ministries (IM)? Have you wondered, as you watch the evening news, if those events have anything to do with mission? Are there some negative stereotypes about missionaries that disturb you? Have you wondered whether you can be a part of a mission trip to share Jesus in a place far distant from your home?

Those are some of the questions I've been wrestling with for a number of months. International Ministries asked me to write a series of 13 studies helping those who support us in mission to "catch the vision," to understand mission in the 21st century and how we can all get more fully involved. The series is called: "Go Global Jesus' Way:Mission Principles for Good News People".

Stan Slade and I are currently working on the final editing, with the expectation that it will be available in English and Spanish in time for the World Missions Conference in August, where I will use it for a course.

The studies are based on IM's Go Global principles. Each one includes a Bible study, a mission story, and often an anecdote from history. That's not to mention skits, interviews, games, and discussions. Stories of a missionary who translated the Bible into 24 languages, of a US church that was transformed by receiving some refugees and another that made contact with a remote African tribe to share Jesus with them. Discussions of how to be good guests on a mission trip and how to separate the saving message of Jesus from our cultural habits. Bible studies of how the early Christians were guided by the Holy Spirit into mission that they would never have dreamed of doing.

It's been a lot of fun writing the studies, and I have learned so much about what my colleagues are doing, and the amazing ways in which God is using American Baptists be the hands and voice of Jesus around the world.Please pray with me that the material will help many people to get more involved in God's mission.

Blessings,

Ruth Mooney