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Columbus, GA S20    Spring 2020
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Experience 15 powerful lessons that have equipped thousands of every day believers with greater vision, hope, and passion. In Perspectives, scripture, history, culture, and strategy converge to reveal the unfolding of God’s redemptive purposes. He is on a mission to bless the peoples of the earth, and you’re invited to join him.

Perspectives is for believers from all walks of life: professionals, business leaders, high school & college students, military personnel, pastors, missionaries and mission leadership, retirees and many others.

 

What will I learn?

You will be challenged to see the world through God's eyes in 4 different perspectives:

  • Biblical: The Word of God is revealed with striking clarity as Perspectives illuminates God’s unchanging promises unfolding from Genesis to Revelation.
  • Historical: Discover your spiritual lineage as you learn Christian history is filled with the immeasurable power of God making His name known among the nations.
  • Cultural: The peoples of the world come alive as we eventually see, through Christ Jesus, the expressions of the New Testament church thriving among every nation, tribe, people and language.
  • Strategic: Discover God’s continuing plan for the church today and find your place in his story.

Who hosts this Perspectives class?

Perspectives is a community effort and an interdenominational course. It will include a diversity of speakers, authors, and students.

Who are the instructors?

We will have 15 dynamic & diverse instructors sharing from their knowledge and experience (pastors, lay leaders, field workers, mobilizers, senders & go-ers). They will challenge and inspire you with their wisdom and experience, opening your eyes to a deeper vision of God’s mercy, greatness and love.

What is the time investment?

Our class meets for 3 hours one night a week. The Perspectives course offers 3 levels – Certificate level is for those who want the full Perspectives experience and to earn the well respected Certificate. This requires about 2-3 hours of reading time each week and a class project due at the end of the semester. Key Readings level is the lowest level, for those who want a taste of Perspectives with less readings and homework. Credit level is for those who want accredited undergraduate or graduate-level credits, with the highest level of readings and homework.

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Our classes meet Mondays from 6:00-9:00 p.m.

January 13th – April 27, 2020

15 weeks including Celebration Night
(Follows the Columbus State University calendar)


Located at Christ Community Church
4078 Milgen Road, Columbus, GA 31907
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Register Online Today!

Cost: $275
$30
Early Bird Discount ends December 16, 2019!
$50 Family Member Discount

The 1st 2 classes are free for viewing (January 13 & 20).

So you can bring friends with you the FIRST 2 NIGHTS for free!              

Feel free to contact us if you have questions:
Erin – or (706) 653-0097 (International Friendship Ministries)

We hope you'll join us!!

Class Info

Date: Monday, January 13, 2020

Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Location: Christ Community Church 4078 Milgen Rd Columbus GA 31907

Contact: Erin

706-653-0097

 
    • 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

      Nicole Parks

      Cafe 1040, Cumming GA

      God has been calling Nicole to missions since before she was walking with Him. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBA in International Business and Risk Management. Through studying abroad twice in college, God began to open her eyes to her love of other cultures, languages, and travel. After graduation, she worked in financial services for a few years before God called her into ministry. While working for North Point Ministries, she went on her first short-term missions trip. Through 2 trips to the 10/40 window, God called her into vocational missions. In 2014, she joined the staff of Cafe 1040 first as a mobilizer and then as a team lead. She now serves on their board of directors. She is also the Missions Director at Restoration Church in Alpharetta. She is passionate about the unreached, mobilization, and God's heart for the nations.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Monday, January 13, 2020

      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

      Dennis Cochrane

      Lexington SC

      Dennis and his wife Nancy served as linguists and Bible translators among the 20,000 Duna people of Papua New Guinea. After devising an alphabet for this previously unwritten language they produced primers and readers, teaching many to read their own language. They then translated the first portions of God's Word into the Duna language. Several thousand Duna came to faith in Christ and today there are many churches among these people.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Monday, January 20, 2020

      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

      Paul Sewell

      Seven Wells, Bentonville AR

      Paul helps people Enjoy Jesus More. He remembers when he had his dream job traveling the world and selling software, but was actually empty and unfulfilled. Once Jesus gave him the true satisfaction he was longing for, Paul began spreading this joy and peace to others. He founded Seven Wells in 2015 to help people Enjoy Jesus and spread his joy to the nations. Prior to Seven Wells, Paul has served an Executive Pastor, Mobilization Coach, and Director in several mission orgs. But Paul's true heart is simply making disciples that make disciples that impact nations. Coaching goers is a huge part of this work. Paul lives in Ozark Mountains of Bentonville, Arkansas with his wife and three kids. When not working, he is ripping his mountain bike down a trail or curled up with a coffee and a book.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Monday, January 27, 2020

      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

      Nicholas Cash

      Fortson GA



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    • Class Info

      Date: Monday, February 3, 2020

      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

      David P Hemingway

      Maxeys GA

      David is married with four daughters and a son. He has served in campus ministry for 8 years followed by 13 years in several leadership roles for Cafe 1040 and Frontier Ventures.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Monday, February 10, 2020

      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

      Scott Miller

      Salem Church, McDonough GA

      Scott and his wife, Chris, have been married 40 years and are blessed with two grown children and one grandson. Scott completed a BSBA from Mars Hill University (NC), a Master of Divinity from Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY., and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Seminary in 1995 in Evangelism and Church Growth. After serving as a Lead Pastor for 34 years he has now made the transition to invest 100% of his ministry in Missions as the Pastor of Global Missions at Salem Church in McDonough, Georgia. He is personally involved in mission partnerships on four continents and serves as the Co- Director for Mustard Seed International. He has led 69 short-term mission trips to Asia, Africa, Europe, and Central America. Scott also teaches 6 Perspectives on the World Christian Movement lessons and seeks to weave stories and experiences from the front lines into the time-tested practical principles of the world of missions. He loves helping to mobilize churches and individuals to catch God's vision for the world and to develop ongoing mission partnerships between local churches and believers here with indigenous partners in unreached areas. He loves to teach God's Word in its simplicity and power and has a passion to reach the unreached and to see believers grow in Christ and become pioneers of Kingdom growth.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Monday, February 17, 2020

      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

      Grady Smith

      Gateway Baptist Church, Montgomery AL

      Grady is the lead pastor of Gateway Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, Previously, Grady was on staff for 14 years at Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn, Alabama, where he was the Associate Pastor / Minister for Internationals. Grady graduated from Auburn University in 1999 then from Southern Seminary in 2005 with a masters degree degree in missions and church growth. He also completed his Ph.D. from Southern Seminary in 2013 in the field of missions and church growth with his doctoral research being on the topic of how one's understanding of God's providence impacts how that person prays. Grady enjoys traveling to other countries as well. He has been to Cambodia, China, France, Kenya, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. Grady and his wife, Julia, were married in 2009 and have three children.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Monday, February 24, 2020

      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

      Grady Smith

      Gateway Baptist Church, Montgomery AL

      Grady is the lead pastor of Gateway Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, Previously, Grady was on staff for 14 years at Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn, Alabama, where he was the Associate Pastor / Minister for Internationals. Grady graduated from Auburn University in 1999 then from Southern Seminary in 2005 with a masters degree degree in missions and church growth. He also completed his Ph.D. from Southern Seminary in 2013 in the field of missions and church growth with his doctoral research being on the topic of how one's understanding of God's providence impacts how that person prays. Grady enjoys traveling to other countries as well. He has been to Cambodia, China, France, Kenya, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. Grady and his wife, Julia, were married in 2009 and have three children.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Monday, February 24, 2020

      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

      Brittany Woods

      SIM USA, Washington DC

      Brittany is a North Carolina native living in Washington, DC with her partner in life and ministry, Alex, a Campus Ministry Director at Howard University. Brittany serves as an Educator and Recruiter with SIM USA, an international mission organization existing to respond to need, proclaim the Gospel and equip local churches in communities where Jesus is least known. After living in South America for a season, Brittany has spent the past five years recruiting and equipping African American believers for God’s global Gospel work, training candidates of all backgrounds as they prepare for overseas service, and journeying with church and organization leaders desiring to send well. Brittany has led short-term teams to West, South and North Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and throughout Europe, serving in nearly 20 countries and she remains in awe of how God is moving among His people.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Monday, March 2, 2020

      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

      Lindsey Sprague

      TMS-Global, Norcross GA

      Lindsey received her degree in Anthropology where she gained knowledge and love for peoples and culture. She served in the Middle East a few years after college where she gained more insight on culture and passion for God's mission. Lindsey, also served with Perspectives Global as the Associate Director serving the Perspectives movement in over 30 countries. She currently works with TMS-Global as the Director of Mobilization and Candidacy where she is able to journey with people as they explore leveraging their gifts, talents, and skills to come alongside God and His mission.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Monday, March 9, 2020

      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

      Richard Kronk

      Gainesville GA

      Rick and his wife, Denise, spent 17 years in Europe as church planters with Christar in France among North African Muslim immigrants. They served on church planting teams in Lyon, Grenoble, and Mulhouse, France. In addition, Rick has been involved in the training of potential workers among Muslims and contributes to the development of pastoral leadership of the emerging North African church. Rick is Associate Professor of Global Ministries at Toccoa Falls College.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Monday, March 23, 2020

      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

      Leroy Lamar

      Atlanta GA

      Leroy is a husband, father and educator-turned-activist who has lived among sex workers in Southwest Atlanta for the past seven years. He previously graduated with a B.A. in Bible with a concentration in Youth Ministries, and has completed Master’s degree in Christian Apologetics and working on one in philosophy. When he isn’t hanging out in the neighborhood, he is either reading obscure philosophy books or watching (or re-watching) Disney movies. Go figure.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Monday, March 30, 2020

      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

      Grant Haynes

      Global Frontier Missions, Lilburn GA

      Grant Haynes founded Global Frontier Missions in 2000 while church planting among indigenous groups in southern Mexico. His passion is to see as many individuals and churches as possible praying, giving, welcoming, and going to the least reached people groups of the earth. Grant spent 14 years serving in Oaxaca, Mexico with his wife and three children church planting, hosting short-term mission groups, running an indigenous Bible school, and starting a missionary training school for North Americans. Grant now serves in Clarkston, GA, known as the most diverse square mile in America, reaching refugees from Iraq, Burma, Bhutan, Nepal, Somalia, Ethiopia, and many other nations.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Monday, April 6, 2020

      Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

    • 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

      Lesson 14 Video Instruction

      Fayetteville AR

      Brian Hogan (pictured) and Nathan J’Diim

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    • Class Info

      Date: Monday, April 13, 2020

      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

      Mike Pollard

      Pioneers, Murfreesboro TN

      Mike Pollard serves as a regional Church Partnerships Facilitator and is based in Nashville, TN. In this capacity he mentors, encourages and resources local churches to grow in missions health and send missionaries well, with an end goal of an increased, effective footprint among the world's least reached peoples.

      b

    • Class Info

      Date: Monday, April 20, 2020

      Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

    • Celebration

      Celebration

      Celebration

    • Instructor

    • Class Info

      Date: Monday, April 27, 2020

      Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

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