One of the most neglected aspects in the field of missions work is the telling of stories of how God is at work in the world. Christians rightly emphasize the Bible’s emphasis of God seeking to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Whenever I read or hear missionaries returning from the field to share about the work the Lord is doing in and through their respective ministries, I’m always greatly encouraged and blessed. These stories are faith strengthening and expand our understanding of Christ’s saving work. Further, they instill in God’s people a greater confidence in the power of God to save and sanctify a people for His own possession. With the goal of telling stories of God’s saving work around the world today, Crossway has published Dispatches From The Front: Stories of Gospel Advance In The World’s Difficult Places by Tim Keese of Frontline Missions International. Telling the story of how the Lord is working in some of the world’s most perilous countries, these stories span the globe from China to Afghanistan and highlight the courageous faith of those doing the work in their respective countries.
One of the greatest needs in countries where Christians are heavily persecuted is resources that are Bible-based. Many of the pastors in these countries have little to no Bible training. You never know when you write an article, record a podcast or video blog who will read, listen or watch your material. This is one reason why when I talk to people about blogging I tell them that their material should be biblical, practical and personal. Our brothers and sisters in places like the Middle East, Africa and other places around the world don’t have the amount of resources that Christians in America have. This is one reason why American Christians should be mindful of how blessed we are that we have an abundance of resources at our disposal. This is also one reason why we should be mission minded in our writing ministry online and in our ministries in our local churches. Our goal should be to speak the truth in love to build one another up. This is exactly why I’m thankful for Dispatches From the Front: Stories of Gospel Advance In The World’s Difficult Places.
Dispatches From The Front is a unique book in my opinion. I’m in the fortunate position where I receive copies of almost all of the latest and greatest Christian books to read and review. In my opinion this book is one of the best books I’ve read in the past five years.
As Christians especially in the West we live mostly in the bubble of our local churches. By that I mean we live in a world where we go to church Sunday after Sunday and hear the pastor preach but often miss the fact that our local church isn’t the only place where Christians are. We live in a connected world where we can now connect with Christians the world over. Our faith is not something new but old and rooted in the history of God’s redemptive plan from Genesis to Revelation. The Lord is working in and through His people using ordinary people in extraordinary ways for His glory. This book tells some of the grand story of God’s redemptive work in the world. It is for this and many other reasons I think Dispatches at the Front is my book of the year and one of the best books I’ve read in the past decade. I highly recommend this book and pray the Lord would use it to fan the flame of His global mission in His people for His glory.
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
