A few months ago we did a survey with prospective missionaries and asked about what they are reading. Along with a lot of David Platt and John Piper, we noted the following titles (write-in responses from a total of about 160 respondents):
A Gleam of Light by Ila Marie Davis
Thriving in Cross Cultural Ministry by Carissa Alma
Why Jesus Crossed the Road by Bruce Main
Cross-Cultural Connections by Duane Elmer
Daws: A Man Who Trusted God by Betty Skinner
Do What Jesus Did by Robby Dawkins
Dreams and Visions by Tom Doyle
Engaging Islam by Georges Houssney
Following Jesus Through the Eye of the Needle by Kent Annan
Go and Do by Don Everts
Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret by Dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor
Kingdom Matrix by Jeff Christopherson
Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis
Many Colors by Song Cha Rah
Real Life by James Choung
Students of the Word by John Stott
The Mark of a Christian by Francis Schaeffer
The New Friars by Scott Bessenecker
To Repair the World by Paul Farmer
We’d like to respectfully add a title to the list. Crossing Cultures with Ruth by James Nelson is the first book GMI has produced specifically for those considering cross-cultural service. While accessing research is one of the “Fruitful Practices” for effective mission, not every new missionary has a bent for data and reports. So we have weaved lessons from a decade of research into a Bible study. The result offers memory hooks that connect current research with the timeless biblical narrative of Ruth, a cross-cultural servant.