45 and counting.

She still has my heart!! 45 years together is too short.

(Re)reading mission in light of the Bible

I’ve been published again!

Martureo — The Brazilian Center for Missiological Reflection recently published an article I wrote on The Bible and the missionary imagination after colonialism.  

My article, published originally in Portuguese, drew on my life exprience in what might best be called “an inbetween space”. I am from a place in the North that used to send missionaries to countries to the South and to the East. And yet I had a place of my own with people from another place–one that put them on the receiving end of missionary projects from the North–in their efforts to follow Christ into His mission.

My article also drew on the story of NT Wright, controversies about his work, and how those controversies have played out in Brazil and in the USA.

Out of those experiences, I found stories that reveal the effect of some “structures” that remained in effect after colonialism was dismantled. Surprisingly, those structures make it difficult for Christians to actually listen to the Bible. Too often we use the Bible to make it say what we want it to say. The structures have another related effect: they name some people as needy and other people as the ones that God somehow needs so he can meet their need.  

My story is about people who let the Bible examine them and their practices. Its about how when they let the Bible do its work, they were pushed into service for the good of others, rather than worrying about how to “defend the faith”.  

The article is in Portuguese, so I have included here an English draft version of my article. 

Drawn to God with Maori and Settler in Aotearoa New Zealand

When I spoke last week at the Annual Meeting of Missions Interlink NZ in Auckland, New Zealand, I found it difficult to figure out what to say to experienced mission leaders.  So I did something I should do more often:  I asked for a little help from my friends–and sent a quick circular letter asking for prayer.

New Zealand is a relatively new context.  The more often I come, the clearer it becomes

I’ve been published! Here’s my review of “Still Evangelical?”

I wanted to let you know that I recently wrote a book review and it was published!

Earlier this year Mark Labberton, President of Fuller Theological Seminary, edited and published Still Evangelical?: Insiders Reconsider Political, Social, and Theological Meaning.  The collection was part of an effort to address the recent problems with evangelical identity politics and has many helpful essays from many sides of the political confusion that has captured the vision of what the label “evangelical” refers to.

Join us in making changes…

I tell people I commute to Brazil.  And sometimes I do, and sometimes I work from the USA focused on the work of Martureo–The Brazilian Center for Missiological Reflection where I am Executive Coordinator.

How does Martureo work?

Martureo influences the perspective and efforts of thousands of Brazilians who bear witness to the Lord Jesus Christ, and all his teachings, around the world and in every sphere of society. In 2018 Martureo did this in three significant ways.  We offered

We are home, after the trip of a lifetime: where was the love?

Over the last month, we were on “the trip of a lifetime.” It was an opportunity for rest and renewal and, most importantly, multiple experiences of love.

The most visible experiences of love were found in the journey, which was itself a gift from God.  It is quite special that we were given the privilege of being gone for an entire month to wander around Europe.  It was love that gave us access to enough resources for us to visit Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, England, Holland, and Norway.  The surprising part was that we were on the receiving end of so many acts of generosity, that expressed love from friends toward us.

Fourteen years ago today!

Happy anniversary Shaun and Angela. A happy memory followed by many more!  Time flies when you are having fun!

40 years of unfinished projects. Thanks for sticking with us!

The story of more than 40 years of our life with Latin Americans came together in a very special way in 2017.

During the second half of the year, I learned important lessons.  Those lessons reminded me that we don’t walk through life alone.  This story would not have happened without you:

Brazilians and the good of the world

Three events took place this last week that allow a glimpse into how the world changes.  After finding the story behind the events, I remind myself and my friends about tools for acting out our hope and contributing to the good of the world. 

Martureo: some accomplishments from 2017

My main responsibility, after trying to be a loving husband, father, and grandfather, is to help coordinate the people in Martureo who are creating a Brazilian Center for Missiological Reflection

I have copied here for you the report from our Martureo site about some of our accomplishments in 2017.  In Martureo we understand how important it is for Brazilian mission practitioners to carefully consider how they give witness to Christ and participate in his mission in all spheres of society.  And I am very pleased with what we were able to accomplish.
https://www.martureo.com.br/martureo-some-accomplishments-from-2017/