My Driving Convictions Concerning Frontier Missions

February 21, 2012 By 1 Comment

I have spent the last 9 years in South America, South East Asia, and the South Pacific serving alongside and pioneering missions bases, discipleship training schools, church plants, and houses of prayer. My exposure to these different expressions of the Body of Christ, my reading of the Word of God, and my study of Church history have wrought convictions in me concerning the task of global missions that I cannot shake if I wanted to.

As I approach the 10-year mark in missions, the proverbial wet cement of those convictions has hardened.  They dictate how I live, love, labor, and lead. And they govern how we make decisions as a family.

As you may know, later this year we will be moving to the Middle East to pioneer a work among the unreached of the Islamic world. We will be joined in the first wave by 20 or so of the most precious people I’ve ever met [read the full story here].

The decision to move our young and vulnerable family to the Middle East was motivated by the clear and unmistakable leadership of the Lord. But if it weren’t for the convictions that drive us, we wouldn’t have been able to submit. They have defined me as an individual and set the trajectory of our family.

As we begin the next leg of our journey I want to share them with you in hopes that they would kindle in others what they have kindled in my family–the conviction that as we go to the hardest and darkest places we have have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

Soli Deo Gloria.

To be continued . . .

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The Coming Revolution in Global Missions: The Worth of Christ

February 19, 2012 By 4 Comments

Since my conversion I’ve been a student of Church history; particularly of reformers and reformations. I’ve always been stirred by those who ushered in new seasons of redemptive history and wrought revolution; especially with regard to frontier missions. While I love domestic ministry (i.e. ministry connected to an established local church) and consider it indispensable to God’s global purposes, frontier missions (i.e. ministry among unreached and unengaged peoples) has always been my passion. Apart from the Word of God, nothing stirs me like the stories of pioneers who laid down everything to preach Christ where He has never been named (Romans 15:20). Among the pioneer revolutionaries that have impacted me most is Hudson Taylor. Of his ministry Taylor said,

“My work is a very peculiar [and unique] one; in many respects it has, and can have no precedent. It may be called an experiment; to a certain extent it is so. And by God’s help it shall be, as it is being, faithfully made.” [1]

Going against the grain of conventional wisdom Taylor embarked on a lifelong journey of changing the face of global missions. Church historian Ruth Tucker described the impact of his consequential “experiment” in these terms:

“No other missionary in the nineteen centuries since the Apostle Paul has had a wider vision and has carried out a more systematised plan of evangelising a broad geographical area than Hudson Taylor.” [2]

What Taylor did was not a passing fad. What he did and how he did it still serve as a standard today. The methods and models pioneered by the likes of men such as William Carey, Adoniram Judson, and Samuel Zwemer have decisively shaped the face and trajectory of frontier ministry. These men wrought reformation. And they instigated revolution.

I believe that we are currently on the cusp of the next revolution in global missions. This revolution however, won’t have much to do with methods or models. While these will have their place and are sure to be in the mix, they will not be the primary prophetic emphasis. The coming revolution will have everything to do with motive–not what we do or how we do it but rather, why we do it. And more importantly, why we go in the first place.

As with all true apostolic revolution in Church history, [Read more...]

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The Source of Jim Elliot’s Famous Quote // Holy Plagiarism

February 8, 2012 By 1 Comment

Above is a picture of Jim Elliot’s journal entry from 28 October, 1949. These words were penned just a few years before he was killed in Ecuador.

The underlined phrase above is often attributed to Elliot. But he didn’t come up with it on his own. It is likely that the quotation originated from Matthew Henry’s biography of his father, English nonconformist clergyman Philip Henry (1631-1696). Henry said:

“He is no fool who parts with that which he cannot keep, when he is sure to be recompensed with that which he cannot lose.”

I’m sure Henry had no idea the impact that his statement would have centuries later on a young missionary. And I’m sure Elliot had no idea that his journal would have the impact that it continues to have. I’d be willing to bet he never expected anyone would read it besides himself!

Take away points: Read the writings of dead theologians, keep a journal, and live extravagantly for Jesus. We can’t lose!

 

found in The life of the Rev. Philip Henry, A.M., Matthew Henry, (ed. Sir J. B. Williams, pub. W. Ball, 1839), p. 35.

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Announcing My New Book // “Unto Death: Martyrdom, Missions, and the Maturity of the Church”

February 6, 2012 By 4 Comments

By Dalton Thomas
Foreword by Brian Kim
Release Date: TBA
Maskilim Publishing

The world is a dangerous place for Christians. All the more so for those who spearhead the gospel into spiritual strongholds where Satan has exerted his control, almost unchallenged, for centuries. As the name of Christ advances, there will always be fierce demonic backlash. How then, should we, the Church, respond to such hostility? Do we fearfully shrink back, or do we boldly proceed? Truly, our response is defined by how deeply we treasure the pearl (Matt. 13:45-46). I appreciate the way Unto Death repeatedly returns us to Christ, and encourages us not only to count the cost, but to joyfully pay it.

David Sitton, President
To Every Tribe Ministries

 

In a day when many best-selling Christian books focus on living in such a way as to get the most out of this life, Dalton Thomas skillfully articulates the Biblical mentality needed to live fully for the age which is yet to come.  Unto Death challenges, convicts and comforts all who would willingly embrace Paul’s words, “to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Scott  Volk
Pastor of FIRE Church
Charlotte, North Carolina

 

Unto Death is a trumpet call to believers everywhere to lay down our lives—even potentially literally, for the high honor of making Jesus famous in all the Earth! Joy and soberness mark this book on martyrdom as Dalton portrays both the theology and practice of following Jesus in total abandonment. Teachings like this one must be embraced if we desire to see the powers of darkness vanquished and the glorious bride enter into her finest hour at the end of the age. Surely nothing is impossible for a generation that believes and walks this message out.

Andy Byrd
Director of Fire and Fragrance Ministries 
YWAM, University of the Nations, Kona, HI

 

Written with extraordinary Biblical clarity, and drawing from a great “cloud of witnesses” spanning Church history, Dalton Thomas’ Unto Death is a tour de force on the subject of martyrdom, suffering, and the glory of God. It is a clarion blast to the saints in these last days; a rare word that must be imbibed, not merely read.

Bryan Purtle
Pastor/Preacher in the Antioch Prayer Society
Kansas City, MO

 

Jesus told us—in no uncertain terms—that unless we are willing to sacrifice everything, including our own lives, for the sake of the Gospel, we cannot be His disciples (Luke 14:26). As the majority of the Church today preaches an utter perversion of the true Gospel, Unto Death is one of the most important, timely and prophetic books of this generation. If you genuinely desire to be a disciple of Jesus and gain a deeper understanding of the undiluted Gospel message as it was proclaimed by the early Church, then you absolutely must read this book.

Joel Richardson
Author of Islamic Antichrist

 

Unto Death is a bold reminder that the call to follow Jesus is no less radical today than it was 2,000 years ago when Jesus charged His first disciples to “deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Me.” Yet many who would follow Jesus today have misunderstood this to be the goal of the Christian life – that somehow, some day, one might grow to the point where they would be willing to die for Him. But strikingly, Jesus declares “death to self” to be the starting point, the beginning of the Christian life. This life which we long to adventurously and courageously live right now is not possible until all allegiances to the world are renounced, and our own death embraced. What a bold and stirring word! Unto Death is written with the clarity and conviction that can only from one who is living its message fully. This is a must-read.

Keith Cowart, D. Min. Asbury Theological Seminary
Lead Pastor of Christ Community Church
Columbus, Georgia

 

Dalton’s thorough research, articulate message and prophetic insight define the pages of this book as a clear trumpet call to a generation willing to surrender their lives to follow Jesus—even if it be “unto death.” May this timely message go forth with speed and unction!

Sean Feucht
Founder of BURN 24/7

 

Other endorsements and more information will be posted in the coming weeks

Filed Under: Blog, Martyrdom, Ministry, Missions, Most Recent

“Does It Really Matter How Many Die or How Much Money We Spend in Opening Closed Doors?”

January 18, 2012 By 2 Comments

“If the winning of Port Arthur required human bullets, we cannot expect to carry the Port Arthurs and Gibraltars of the non-Christian world without loss of life. Does it really matter how many die or how much money we spend in opening closed doors, and in occupying the different fields, if we really believe that missions are warfare and that the King’s Glory is at stake? War always means blood and treasure. Our only concern should be to keep the fight aggressive and to win victory regardless of cost or sacrifice. The unoccupied fields of the world must have their Calvary before they can have their Pentecost.”

- Samuel Zwemer, the “apostle to Islam” (1862-1952)

Filed Under: Blog, Martyrdom, Ministry, Missions

Unto Death: Martyrdom, Missions and the Maturity of the Church

January 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Below are the notes to a message I preached on the 56th anniversary of the martyrdom of Jim Elliot and his comrades in Ecuador in 1956. Audio will be added when it becomes available.

I.          THE CALL TO MARTYRDOM AS FOUNDATIONAL TO APOSTOLIC CHRISTIANITY

 The New Testament and the witness of Church history, exalt the call to martyrdom is foundational and indispensable to authentic apostolic Christianity.[1] It is at the core of the call to Christ-exalting faith and obedience. When and where this calling is faithfully expounded, appropriately emphasized, and rightly demonstrated, the Church will mature and fulfill the high calling for which she was conceived. When and where it is avoided, omitted, and dismissed, the Church will exist beneath the intentions of God, in a state of general irrelevance before the peoples of the earth and the powers of the air.

As I aim to show, the call to martyrdom is not reserved for nations and peoples undergoing persecution. It is for every believer. When Jesus called us, He called us all to “come and die.”  [Read more...]

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Today in 1956 Jim Elliot Was Killed Along with His Comrades in Ecuador

January 8, 2012 By 1 Comment

The following article was posted at The Scriptorium. Read it and pass it on. It is excellent.

—

Today in 1956, five missionaries to the Auca indians in Ecuador were killed. Their deaths brought a sudden end to the project they called “Operation Auca,” but the tragedy became a defining moment in the history of evangelical missions. Hundreds of young people were inspired to take up missionary work, thousands were moved to deeper commitment to Christ, and millions of dollars in resources were mobilized. And the work with the Aucas went on, too.

In the headline, I name only Jim Elliot, the most famous of the group. While the other four men on the team (Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian) were all important to the work and have all received commemoration and attention (they all have Wikipedia pages, if that’s a good index of status in 2009), Elliot has somehow stood out from the group. Why? It may be that Elliot had that certain something as part of his personality, a charisma or magnetism or star power. But I think there’s another reason: Jim Elliot and his widow Elisabeth were unusually articulate. They had words on the tips of their tongues and were able to give a compelling account of why they were doing what they were doing.

Start with Jim Elliot’s most famous statement, written in his journal in 1949: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” [Read more...]

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“The Church Needs More Martyr Blood”

December 16, 2011 By 1 Comment

 

In 1908 John G. Lake spoke the following words over a group of missionaries who were being ordained.

 

“I am calling you in the name of Jesus Christ, you dear ones who expect to be ordained to the Gospel of Jesus Christ tonight, take the route that Jesus took, the route the apostles took, the route that the early Church took, the victory route, whether by life or death. Historians declare, “The blood of the martyrs was the seed of the Church.” Beloved, that is what the difficulty is in our day – we have so little seed. The Church needs more martyr blood.

. . . If I were pledging men and women to the Gospel of the Son of God, as I am endeavoring to do tonight, it would not be to have a nice church and harmonious surroundings and a sweet do-nothing time. I would invite them to be ready to die. That was the spirit of early Methodism. John Wesley established a heroic call. He demanded every preacher to be “ready to pray, ready to preach, ready to die.” That is always the spirit of Christianity. When any other spirit comes into the Church,  it is not the spirit of Christianity. It is a foreign spirit. It is a sissified substitute.

. . . we never had Church splits in our work in South Africa. . .The split business began to develop years afterward when Punkin Pie eating Pentecostal missionaries began infesting the country. Men who are ready to die for the Son of God do not split.”

(From “A Trumpet Call”)

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“Martyrdom is Not Witness Gone Terribly Wrong But Its Ultimate Paradigm”

November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

“. . . the Christian life as an adventure of faith that is rooted in the church’s witness to the world. As such, martyrdom is not witness gone terribly wrong but its ultimate paradigm. Martyrs have not failed in their proclamation; their deaths are found within the very substance of the gospel proclaimed. This is the gospel proclaimed by all Christians who include in their proclamation the work of remembering those who have died in their witness. To take part in this work and this witness is therefore to acknowledge that “martyr-church” identifies the locus of Christian life for all who follow Christ.” - Craig Hovey

(from, To Share in the Body: A Theology of Martyrdom for Today’s Church; pp. 18-19)

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You Can Almost Hear Him Saying “It Was All Worth It”

November 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Below is a piece from “The Martyrs Mirror” depicting the martyrdom of Matthew. He was nailed to the ground, and beheaded at Nad-Davar, under King Hytacus, about A. D. 70.

You can almost hear him saying, “Jesus, it was all worth it.”

Filed Under: Blog, Martyrdom, Matthew, Missions, Most Recent, Recommended
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