Jesus’s words, “Blessed are you who are poor,” are the seeds of a new reality. So how can God’s people participate in this transformation of how to live and serve? Development in Mission offers a way forward and encourages readers to embrace a holistic approach to poverty alleviation.

Gathering their diverse perspectives on international development, the authors construct a solid theological foundation for global mission. They distill principles for effective Christian engagement in several key sectors, including education, income and poverty reduction, water and sanitation systems, creation care, healthcare delivery, disaster relief, peacemaking, sports ministries, and others.

Congregations, missionaries, nonprofit leaders, and Christians in the Global North will find fresh perspectives for engaging global vulnerability, poverty, and injustice faithfully and effectively. Along the way, readers will find that they are being transformed themselves as they join God’s mission in the world.

MONTY LYNN is professor of management at Abilene Christian University. He has served as a visiting researcher with World Vision (Washington, DC) and the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (UK) and is a former Fulbright scholar to Slovenia.

ROBERT GAILEY is Director of the Center for International Development and professor of business at Point Loma Nazarene University (Point Loma, CA). Previously, Rob served as director of Microfinance Consulting Services with World Relief, as Research Director for the Microcredit Summit Campaign, and as a missionary in Malawi.

DERRAN REESE is the Director of Experiential Learning at Abilene Christian University where he also teaches classes on global mission. Formerly, he worked in congregational ministry and refugee resettlement, both in Abilene, Texas. Before that, Derran served as a missionary in Thailand.

This is the definitive new resource for holistic, global mission—a must-read for every aspiring world-changer and missionary. Weaving their own vast cross-cultural experience in with solid biblical foundations and practical insights, the authors have created the best book for transformation I have read in a long time.

—Craig Greenfield,  founder of Alongsiders International and author of How [not] to be a White Savior and Subversive Jesus

"It’s time for a radical shift in our approach to global development—moving from short-term, quick fixes to relational and sustainable solutions. Development in Mission affirms Christ’s call to go into all the world—not as heroes, but as servants; not as problem solvers, but as active learners. The book unites theory and practice, biblical wisdom and global application, as we understand how to truly love our global neighbors."

—Peter Greer, President and CEO of HOPE International and coauthor of Rooting for Rivals

"Development in Mission is a tour de force into the complexity of poverty that confronts some two billion people in the world today. Lynn, Gailey, and Reese present an unvarnished look at the causes and implications of one of the world's greatest challenges, while guiding us toward proven solutions with a humility we must chase after in order to achieve results. This is more than a book; it’s an invitation to participate in one of the greatest movements in history: ending poverty for millions in our lifetime."

—Belinda Bauman, founder of One Million Thumbprints and author of Brave Souls; Stephan Bauman, former President and CEO of World Relief and author of Seeking Refuge

"Development in Mission is a timely, necessary book that examines what has often been problematic about mission work and advocates listening to, learning from, and partnering with people in vulnerable communities. By offering practical ideas, clear methodologies, compassionate approaches, and new theological insights, it feels both simple and groundbreaking. This book should be required reading for every Christian who places loving people in vulnerable situations at the center of their faith—which should be every Christian."

—Jessica Goudeau, author of After the Last Border, winner of the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize

"Churches have so internalized the message that helping can “hurt” they have become paralyzed and passive in the face of global poverty. In Development in Mission, Lynn, Gailey, and Reese share a prophetic call to action. Transformational development provides the church with a compassionate, redemptive, and effective way to join God’s mission in partnering with vulnerable communities. This is a wise, timely, necessary, and profoundly important book."

—Richard Beck, Professor of Psychology at Abilene Christian University and author of Unclean and Stranger God

"Jesus said that those who loved him would love and serve people experiencing hunger, poverty, sickness, and oppression. This book is for people ready to lead their communities into doing so. It covers the why, what, and how of global development work thoroughly and thoughtfully, from a posture of humility. It engages the evidence we have and the mysteries that remain. I warn you only that it leaves no excuse for inaction."

—Paul Niehaus, cofounder of GiveDirectly, Segovia, and Taptap Send and Associate Professor of Economics at the University of California, San Diego

"Holistic mission meets transformational development in this well-conceived, well-organized work. This would be an ideal book for courses in faith and development, theology of mission, and other courses seeking to equip the church to be the agent of change that it is called to be among the world’s most vulnerable."

—Al Tizon, Executive Minister of Serve Globally, Affiliate Associate Professor of North Park Theological Seminary, and author of Whole and Reconciled

“Building upon a rich theological foundation, Development in Mission moves into practice, outlining wise principles and solid steps to assist churches and individuals to humbly participate in Christ’s reconciling of all things. It includes a comprehensive survey of the various sectors, organizations, and educational resources in the space of poverty alleviation, providing helpful guidance to what can be a bewildering array of options. The resources listed in the appendices and bibliography alone are easily worth more than the price of the book."

—Brian Fikkert, Founder and President of the Chalmers Center at Covenant College Co-author of When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself

ISBN 9781684264216

Pages 224

Demensions (inches) 6 x 9

Weight (pounds) .5