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Ann Arbor, MI S17
Spring 2017
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Welcome to the Ann Arbor Perspectives Class (Hosted by Covenant Community Church) Jesus commissioned every Christian for His global purposes. Whether people go to distant countries or stay in their own, this course will build a foundation of Christ exalting worship that compels us all into God’s mission for today. It’s His passion for “all nations” that shines through in every book of the Bible, and it’s a passion that should drive our own. We pray Perspectives will open your eyes to the heart and purpose of God, and how you can find your place in His work in the world. From here in America to distant nations, this unique experience will give you a deeper understanding of God's story and His desire for you to be a part of it. - 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.
- When is it? Saturday mornings beginning January 7, 2017 from 9:00 am - noon.
- Where is it? It will be hosted at Covenant Community Church, Ann Arbor, MI
- What does it cost? $245 which covers speakers, texts, class supplies, and activities. (College Credit is available for both high school and post high school students -- contact us for more information!)
We would love to have you join us as we... · ...hear from 15 phenomenal instructors from across the country. · ...build your confidence with a Biblical and Historical perspective on God's relentless work from the dawn of history until this day. · ...examine the Cultural and Strategic aspects of a costly, but very "do-able" task, both across the globe and here in our city. · ...read articles and complete assignments that foster life-changing interaction. · ...encourage one another in our walks with God as we learn about all that HE is doing. Questions? We'd love to talk with you! Please contact one of our class coordinators listed below:Brooks Carlson - (734) 323-3089 Todd Olsen - (734) 572-4653 Christi Wensley - (734) 255-5083 Together, let’s catch a glimpse of God’s passion for all peoples to worship Him! See below for a week to week schedule of speakers and topics.  To register click on the "Register for the class" tab on the right.
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Instructor
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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.
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Instructor
Robert Blincoe
Frontiers, Mesa AZ
Bob led a Frontiers team into northern Iraq following the first Gulf War in 1991. He is president emeritus of Frontiers USA, living in Phoenix. He has a Ph.D. in History from William Carey International University in Pasadena. He has twice lost on television game shows. He blogs at robertblincoe.blog. b
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Class Info
Date: Saturday, January 7, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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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.
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Instructor
Stan Yoder
World Partners, Maquoketa IA
Stan and his wife, Valli, served full-time with World Partners since 1978. Valli passed away in November 2021 after a long battle with M.S. Their experience includes 10 years of church planting and curative medical work in Sierra Leone, West Africa among the Yalunka People; 3 years at the US Center as Administrative Director for the Adopt-a-People Clearinghouse; 3 years mobilizing churches to adopt unreached people groups; 2 years training students at Bethel College, Mishawaka, IN; 4 years coaching workers in Africa and the Middle East; and 16 years reaching out to Middle Wast refugees in Kansas City, Missouri. They moved to Maquoketa, Iowa in October 2018 and will begin a new ministry to Middle East students.
Stan will continue to serve with World Partners as a traveling evangelist among Muslims and instructor for Perspectives. b
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Class Info
Date: Saturday, January 14, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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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.
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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
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Class Info
Date: Saturday, January 21, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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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).
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Instructor
Frank Severn
Send International, South Lyon MI
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Class Info
Date: Saturday, January 28, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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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.
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Instructor
David Cashin
Columbia Int'l University, Columbia SC
Dr. Cashin is professor of intercultural studies at Columbia Int'l University. He is fluent in Bengali and Swedish. The 1st due to investing 9 years with Bengali speakers (the 6th largest living language). The 2nd, thru marriage to Margareta, pastoring churches and earning his PhD in Indiology at Stockholm University. b
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Class Info
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM
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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.
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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
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Class Info
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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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.
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Instructor
Charles White
Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor MI
Chuck White has taught the life of Jesus to Islamic
studies majors in Nigeria, Perspectives to students in
the Philippines, Bible stories to teachers in India,
evangelism to physicians in Mexico, and hermeneutics
to pastors in Iraq. He is professor of Christian
Thought and History at Spring Arbor University where
he teaches Perspectives as a regular college class. b
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Class Info
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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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.
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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
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Class Info
Date: Saturday, February 25, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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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.
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Instructor
Georgia and Stephen Coats
SIL International, Greeley CO
Stephen & Georgia’s first love is Jesus the Messiah. Their zeal for language and people comes from the promise of Revelation 7:9—that one day people from every language will worship around God’s heavenly throne! As members of SIL International, along with their three children, they seek to intentionally love and serve their diverse neighbors in Dearborn, MI, for 17 years, and currently in Greeley, CO.
Stephen is an International Media Consultant and Director of Sabeel Media. With a lifelong passion for story, culture, and spirituality, he serves to produce and promote culturally embedded and spiritually uplifting media that is biblically guided. He has a degree in Radio, TV and Film from Biola University.
Georgia is a teacher, writer, neighbor, and language learning coach. She coaches others through language learning processes, focusing on building bridges into other people’s lives and cultures. Her Master’s Degree is from Wayne State University in Language Learning, Spanish, and Linguistics. b
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Class Info
Date: Saturday, March 11, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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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.
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Instructor
Len Bartlotti
Frontiers, Springfield MO
Leonard N. (Len) Bartlotti, Ph.D. is a well-known speaker, author, mobilizer, educator and strategy consultant to faith-based organizations in the Middle East/Asia. He and his wife Debi served 14 years among one of the world's largest Muslim people groups. Dr. Len is a passionate communicator who combines a love for students with deep empathy and understanding of other cultures. He and his wife Debi, a nurse midwife and licensed Spiritual Director, have been married for over 45 years, and have three married adult children, and six grandsons, and live in Springfield, Missouri. b
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Class Info
Date: Saturday, March 18, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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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.
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Instructor
Marti Wade
Pioneers, Hillsboro OR
Marti has been teaching Perspectives since the 1990’s and serving with Pioneers (Pioneers.org) since 2007, where she is the editorial director for the Marketing Team. Previously she was part of a ministry that sent teams to conduct ethnographic research to support strategic prayer and ministry efforts in unreached cities. She is the editor and publisher of the weekly Missions Catalyst newsletter (MissionsCatalyst.net) and serves on the board for MissionWorks (MissionWorks.global). b
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Class Info
Date: Saturday, March 25, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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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.
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Instructor
Carolyn C and Ronald L Klaus
Hope In View, Inc., Goshen IN
Drs. Ron and Carolyn Klaus work in Ethiopia under the auspices of Hope In View, Inc., to help churches convert “decisions for Christ” into wholistic sustainable transformation of individuals, churches, communities, and cultures. They have had amazing opportunities there to witness and participate in what God is doing both spiritually and economically in several of Ethiopia’s demographic sectors.
Dr. Ronald Klaus is a professor of chemical engineering turned pastor. Dr. Carolyn Klaus is an internist known as founder of Esperanza Health Center in Philadelphia and author of Prescription for Hope.
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Class Info
Date: Saturday, April 1, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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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.
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Instructor
Paul Pennington
Journey Services, Cincinnati OH
Paul Pennington and his wife Margaret have been married for 36 years. They have three grown and married children and seven grandchildren. Paul and Margaret are engaged with Indian colleagues in helping Hindus follow Jesus in culturally natural ways as incarnational believers within their own communities. b
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Class Info
Date: Saturday, April 8, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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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.
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Instructor
Michael
International Teams, Antioch IL
Michael and his wife and four children have live much of the past 23 years in the former Soviet Union. Presently they are on staff with International Teams overseeing the MWorld and acting as Security Officer for the Middle East and Russia. b
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Class Info
Date: Saturday, April 22, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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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.
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Instructor
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Stan
Grand Rapids MI
Native of Michigan
BS, MS, Ph.D. in Biology
Peace Corps in Niger Africa
Professor, Michigan State University
Executive Director - Leadership Institute,
Johnson Controls, Inc.
Assistant Director of Missions at Ward Church; coordinator for Mali and India
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Class Info
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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Instructor
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Class Info
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