Midland, MI S18
Spring 2018
Looking for your assignments?
Sign In
Welcome to the Midland, MI Perspectives website!
God has a "world-sized" role for every Christian in His global purpose.Whether people go to distant countries or stay at home is a secondary issue. The primary issue is what most people are hungry to discover: vision to live a life of purpose. Discovering that vision makes this course valuable, and perhaps crucial, for any Christian.
Why Perspectives?
Perspectives helps believers from all walks of life see how they can get threaded into God’s story of redeeming people from every tribe, tongue, and nation to Himself. From Genesis to the prophets, Jesus Christ to the early church, and Constantine to today, you will see how God has been moving, how the global Church has responded, and what the greatest needs in world evangelization remain today. It isn’t a class about missions, but a course on how every believer can be intimately woven into the story of God using His people to be a blessing to all the peoples of the earth.
What is it?
Perspectives is a fifteen week course designed around four vantage points or "perspectives" — Biblical, Historical, Cultural and Strategic. Each one highlights different aspects of God's global purpose. The Biblical and Historical sections reveal why our confidence is based on the historic fact of God's relentless work from the dawn of history until this day. The Cultural and Strategic sections underscore that we are in the midst of a costly, but very "do-able" task, confirming the Biblical and Historical hope.
When is it?
Thursday nights beginning January 4, 2018 from 6:00-9:00pm.
Where is it?
The class will be hosted by Midland Evangelical Free Church in Midland, MI.
Who is Perspectives for?
The short answer is anyone who wants a closer walk with the Lord, who is serious about gaining a deeper understanding of His ultimate purpose in the world. It's for anyone who wants to learn how to strategically invest their lives in seeing God glorified; for anyone who wants to gain insight and direction that will help them to impact their generation. If this describes you, no matter what your age or position, Perspectives is for you!
-
-
-
Instructor
-
-
-
Lesson 1
The Living God is a Missionary God
God's purpose is three-fold: against evil—kingdom victory; for the nations—redemption and blessing; and for God—global glory in worship. God's purpose revealed in promise to Abraham. Exploring God's purpose for the nations: Blessing to the nations described.
-
Instructor
Jake B.
The Traveling Team, Riverside CA
Jake grew up in Kansas and earned a degree in Animal Science from Kansas State University. For the past 9 years, he has been on staff with The Traveling Team, serving as a team leader and Director of Projects. The Traveling Team is a ministry that speaks to students all across the country to cast missions vision and challenge them to get involved in finishing the Great Commission. During his time on staff, Jake has spoken to over 35,000 students on 400+ campuses in 49 states. He’s also spent time doing ministry in India and hopes to do long-term ministry in the Middle East in the near future. b
-
Class Info
Date: Thursday, January 4, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
-
-
Lesson 2
The Story of His Glory
Exploring God's purpose for Himself: How God has been steadily unfolding a plan throughout all nations and generations to bring about His greater glory, ultimately drawing to Himself the worship of all the peoples. Passion and prayer for God's glory.
-
Instructor
Joseph Shane Bennett
Healing Nations , Rye CO
Shane helps Christians love Muslims and Muslims love Jesus. He has served in missions mobilization since 1987, recruiting, training, and sending short term research teams. He's been on teams in Bangkok, Bombay, and Turkey and he's lived among Muslim migrants in Europe.
Shane writes a weekly email called Muslim Connect that helps Christians think about Muslims the way God does and love them like Jesus does.
He works with Healing Nations and he and his family live in southern Colorado.
b
-
Class Info
Date: Thursday, January 11, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
-
-
Lesson 3
Your Kingdom Come
Exploring God's purpose regarding evil: How God has accomplished a defeat of evil powers in order to open a season of history in which the nations can freely follow Christ. The kingdom of God as the destiny of all history. Christ's mission seeks a hindering of evil to bring about a sign of the coming peace of the kingdom of God. Our prayers contend with evil in order to bring about the transformation of society with Christ's kingdom in view.
-
Instructor
Brent Slater
Highland Park Baptist Church, Farmington Hills MI
"Brent Slater grew up as a “missionary kid” in rural Africa. After
studies at Denver Seminary, he returned to serve in church planting,
evangelism and leadership development for 22 years. His teaching at
Kampala Evangelical School of Theology and his PhD studies at the
University of Edinburgh represent his passion for developing
culturally appropriate learning systems among African peoples. He is
presently pastor of Highland Park Baptist Church in Metro-Detroit". b
-
Class Info
Date: Thursday, January 18, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
-
-
Lesson 4
Mandate for the Nations
Jesus shows great strategic interest in Gentiles; wise strategic focus by initiating a global mission on a few disciples among the Hebrew people. The Great Commission and the ways of God's sending in relational power. Dealing with the ideas of pluralism (all religions the same) and universalism (all persons saved).
-
Instructor
Craig Johnson
Grand Rapids MI
Craig and his wife Dorothy spent twenty wonderful years in the Philippines with SEND International. During their time there they assisted in church planting, national leadership development, and mission administration.
The Johnsons returned home to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2010, and the Lord has led them along a different path: Craig now works as a financial advisor, partnering with families and business owners to help them strengthen their financial plan.
Craig and Dorothy are excited to serve as coaches, mobilizers, and missionary encouragers through their home church, Calvary Church in Grand Rapids.
The Johnsons have four children--all of whom were born and raised in "The Pearl of the Orient"--and a growing number of delightful grandchildren. b
-
Class Info
Date: Thursday, January 25, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
-
-
Lesson 5
Unleashing the Gospel
The first followers of Jesus: obedient in costly, foundational ways. The climactic act of the book of Acts is the freeing of the gospel to be followed by Gentiles without Jewish traditions as a requirement. A foundational act of God which speaks to the situations where the gospel is hindered today. Strategic suffering and apostolic passion.
-
Instructor
Luke Fetters
Huntington University, Huntington IN
Luke Fetters is the Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of the Faculty at Huntington University. Previously, he served as professor of Ministry & Missions and founder/director of Huntington University's Institute for TESOL Studies. Luke served in Macau from 1986 until 1997 as the director of the English Language Program, a conversational English program for adults in Macau. While in Macau, he helped to establish the United Brethren Mission and plant two local churches. For nearly 30 years, Luke has consulted on English teaching methodology for numerous school districts and universities in China. b
-
Class Info
Date: Thursday, February 1, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
-
-
Lesson 6
The Expansion of the Christian Movement
The story of God's purpose continues relentlessly from Abraham's day until the present moment. An overview of the largest and the longest-running movement ever in history—the world Christian movement. How the gospel surged through the peoples and places of the world. Important insights for our own day.
-
Instructor
Brad Gill
Frontier Ventures, Livonia MI
Brad and his wife, Beth, helped launch the U.S. Center for World Mission after meeting at the early Perspectives course in 1975. They served in student mission mobilization and in 1980 gave leadership to the Int'l Student Consultation on Frontier Missions in Edinburgh, Scotland. They then served among the Muslims of North Africa for 13 years. They returned to the States (Detroit) in 1998 due to medical needs, and worked initially in the development of training programs for Muslim ministry. Brad is presently the senior editor of the International Journal of Frontier Missiology and has served as president of their society. He speaks and teaches on mission history and Muslim culture in campus and church settings. b
-
Class Info
Date: Thursday, February 8, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
-
-
Lesson 7
Eras of Mission History
The greatest explosion of growth ever has taken place in last 200 years in three "bursts" of activity. Why we could be in the final era of missions. The global harvest force comprised increasingly of non-Western missionaries.
-
Instructor
Bruce Winter
Indianapolis Theological Seminary, indianapolis IN
Bruce has always been an avid reader, interested in theology, history, and missions. Bruce and his wife Carole met in Greensboro, NC, have been married for 39 years; have two married sons, and 7 grandchildren so far. Bruce and Carole took Perspectives in 1998 and it really shaped their view of God’s purposes for the nations. Bruce and Carole have served on Short term Missionary Teams to Mexico, Haiti, and Russia where they have participated in adopting and reaching the Muslim Tatars. Bruce spent 32 years in international business for a Fortune 500 company and enjoys using his strategic interest to work on strategy for non-profit teams. He recently retired and earned an MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served for six years as a member of the Pastoral Team in preaching and administration at Sunrise Church of Midland, MI. Currently Bruce is Director of Operations of Indianapolis Theological Seminary. b
-
Class Info
Date: Thursday, February 15, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
-
-
Lesson 8
Pioneers of the World Christian Movement
Today we anchor the race by continuing what others have begun. It's a day of finishing. All the more reason to learn the wisdom and the heart of ordinary people who did extraordinary things in earlier generations. Reading the writings of William Carey and other leaders to discern what these people have left to us. Exploring the contribution of women in missions throughout the centuries.
-
Instructor
Barbara Yandell
Hope for the Nations, Round Rock TX
President Hope for the Nations, director of Engage Course and teacher at Horizons International, ordained minister and board member of the Alliance of Reformed Churches, Interserve USA, founder of Legacy Muslim Ministry conference. b
-
Class Info
Date: Thursday, February 22, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
-
-
Lesson 9
The Task Remaining
God's pressed His purpose forward until the present hour of amazing opportunity. Understanding the concept of "unreached peoples" to assess the remaining task. Recognizing the imbalance of mission resources shapes strategic priorities. The basic minimal missiological achievement in every people group opens the way for working with God against every kind of evil so that the gospel of the kingdom is declared and displayed with clarity and power. The need and opportunity of urban mission.
-
Instructor
Hudson Smith
The Traveling Team, Conway AR
Hudson Smith is from the United States, and grew up in Arkansas, earning a degree in history from the University of Arkansas. For 10 years, he served as the Director of Operations for The Traveling Team. The Traveling Team is a mobilization organization that recruits college students from all major US universities toward Christ's global cause. During his time on staff, he traveled to 49 states and 3 countries and spoke to over 40,000 college students, sharing God's heart for the world. He also spoke extensively at Perspectives classes and missions conferences for churches.
In 2021, he and his family moved to Dubai, UAE to serve as the Director of Operations for Redeemer Church of Dubai. He has Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary. b
-
Class Info
Date: Thursday, March 1, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
-
-
Lesson 10
How Shall They Hear?
Culture and intercultural communication of the gospel. Communicating the gospel with relevance at the worldview level helps avoid syncretism (blending of cultural error with God?s truth) and also enables powerful movements of the gospel. Sensitive missionaries will look for ways that God has preserved or prepared people to hear the gospel, often finding redemptive analogies for God's truth.
-
Instructor
Samuel Vinton, Jr
Grand Rapids MI
Dr Sam Vinton Jr was born and raised in Congo, Africa, where his parents served for 76 years. After graduating from Grace Bible College in 1955, he and his wife Rebecca were married and five months later left for Congo where they served for 21 years: training pastors, writing textbooks, and heading a Swahili translation project. From 1976 to 1990 Dr Sam taught missions and theology at Grace, was the academic dean for 2 years, and the president for 5. He then assumed the presidency of Grace Ministries International from 1990 to 2010. Dr Sam earned two masters degrees from Grand Rapids Seminary and a doctorate in missiology from Trinity Seminary. b
-
Class Info
Date: Thursday, March 8, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
-
-
Lesson 11
Building Bridges of Love
The incarnation as a model of missionary humility. How missionaries can enter appropriate roles in order to form relationships of trust and respect to develop a sense of belonging, and thus to communicate with credibility for understanding. Explore the intricacy of identification in another culture. Explore the even greater complexity of presenting identity with integrity in a globalized, terrorized, pluralized world. Recognizing the dynamics of social structure in order to initiate growing movements of ongoing communication throughout the society.
-
Instructor
Mohammad Abdul
Madison Heights MI
Mohammad Abdul is a former professor at Wayne State University in Detroit MI. where he taught in the Department of Anthropology. He is a frequent contributor to various International and national events promoting meetings for better understanding. He is a former professor of Comparative Religions and has studied and lectured internationally. He is a Viet Nam era Veteran and is married. He and his wife of forty-nine years, have three boys twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Mohammad is very personable and enjoys the give and take of interactive discussions. b
-
Class Info
Date: Thursday, March 15, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
-
-
Lesson 12
Christian Community Development
A survey of world need. Dynamic balance of evangelism and social action. Hope for significant transformation as a sign of Christ's Lordship by Christian community development. Exploring the charge that missionaries destroy instead of serve cultures. Healing the wounds of the world between the peoples.
-
Instructor
Andrew Minch
Wycliffe Bible Translators, Dixon IL
Andy Minch is an Associate editor for the Perspective's Reader 5th edition and a 5 star instructor. He has instructed well over 100 Perspectives lessons over the past 30 years. He has spent 20 years working as a Bible translator in Papua New Guinea with Wycliffe Bible Translators. For eleven years he was an international administrator helping oversee about 20% of the world's remaining translation needs. Presently he is part of Wycliffe’s National Speaker’s bureau speaking on college campuses and other venues. He is author of the book 'Words Can Not Express'. b
-
Class Info
Date: Thursday, March 22, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
-
-
Lesson 13
The Spontaneous Multiplication of Churches
Look beyond institutional features of churches to understand churches as dynamic movements of Christ Himself being followed. Such a view of churches as organic, living things opens up the practicality of seeing them multiply rapidly as movements and also flourish in society bearing the fruit of social transformation. Churches as counter-communities, acting as salt and light, bringing change to their cultures. How movements multiply by connecting with entire families and larger social structures.
-
Instructor
Vicky Warren
MissionNext, Mena AR
Vicky spent 33 years working in innovative and creative environments from multimillion dollar technology deployments, alliances with technical luminaries such as Steve Jobs, Nicholas Negroponte's MIT media lab, Stanford Research Institute (SRI) and The Walt Disney Studios to entrepreneurial startup businesses. Her primary focus in these organizations included leadership and business development, strategic planning, research and development, innovation and creativity. She became "known" in these organizations for her heart for the Gospel through her daily walk in these high paced and demanding environments. Her passion for Christ took her on a 30-year journey of adventure as she walked on burning coals, assisted with eye clinics in Mexico, participated in medical relief efforts in Bolivia, planted pioneer businesses in Asia and Africa, came face to face with the persecuted church in Orissa, and served widows in the rainforest of Panama. Now she is committed full time to taking the Gospel to the nations through Pioneer Business Planting, building Kingdom businesses, and gobalization! b
-
Class Info
Date: Thursday, March 29, 2018
Time: 1:00 AM to 1:00 AM
-
-
Lesson 14
Pioneer Church Planting
The hope of planting churches among unreached peoples. How the breakthrough of the gospel in an unreached people requires that the gospel be "de-Westernized". The difference of contextualizing the message, the messenger and the movement. Distinguish and appreciate people movements, church planting movements and insider movements.
-
Instructor
Jeff Whitaker
Pastor, Kalamazoo MI
I came to faith in Christ late in High School, and began walking with Christ as a university student. I met my wife, Linda, while we were both at Moody Bible Institute preparing for cross-cultural ministries. The Lord directed us to a church planting ministry with SEND International in Taiwan, where we served for 18 years. We served another 7 years in SEND's interanational office in Personnel and Member Care. Since Dec. of 2008 we have ministered together in our home church, mobilzing the congregation for obedience to our Lord's mandate to declare His glory among the nations. b
-
Class Info
Date: Thursday, April 12, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
-
-
Lesson 15
World Christian Discipleship
What it means to integrate life for Christ's global purpose as a "'World Christian". Into the great story for His glory: a Person-driven life as a way of. pursuing a purpose-driven life. The basic practices of world Christians: going, sending, welcoming and mobilizing. The essential disciplines of World Christian discipleship: community, giving, praying and learning. Simplifying your lifestyle as if in "war-time". Exploring the practical ways of pursuing God's purpose. Business and mission. Short-term mission. Welcoming international visitors. Wisdom in working with local churches and in partnership with Christians in different parts of the world.
-
Instructor
Todd Ahrend
The Traveling Team, Fayetteville AR
Todd Ahrend graduated from Northeastern State University, has a Masters from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Doctorate from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
He is the founder and international Director of The Traveling Team, a national missions mobilization movement. He and his wife, Jessica, have spent almost two decades traveling both nation-wide and abroad, speaking to thousands of people about involvement in world evangelization. Todd has exposure in over sixty countries and has lived in the Middle East. He is the author of The Abrahamic Revolution and In This Generation. Todd and Jessica have six children: Camden, Brody, Axel, Noble, Quincy and Cruz!
b
-
Class Info
Date: Thursday, April 19, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
-
You have not set your Security Questions and Answers. Do you want to set it now?
|