Resources
Thriving in Cross-Cultural Ministry
Installment 26: Resources
This is the last of the series of articles in this Thriving in Cross-Cultural Ministry Series.
Books, blogs, courses, and podcasts for further study
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.
– Proverbs 4:7
The first priority of my life is to be holy, and the second goal of my life is to be a scholar.
– John Wesley
Please help me select a title for the book these articles will become: https://forms.gle/Dy6h99bWtd8iwHYq6
Reminder: Your fellowship, sending organization, or team may not align with my advice. Trust your leaders as you respectfully share what you learn.
If you would like to see more in this series, visit bit.ly/4aXWTjQ.
I have read every book on this list (except the picture books, which were recommended by a trusted mom of young children). Podcasts I have listened to enough to support them. (I am more of a reader than a listener.) There are myriad other resources, many quite good, but as I have not read or listened to them, I will not recommend them.
Moving to a new does country not require a PhD., but does require the desire to learn and study. You will find different resources helpful at different times, but please do not think that I recommend you read them all. I quote very few of these because the information is common and aligned with what I had already written, only the packaging differs.
The ones I most recommend are followed by an asterisk (*), and I noted those specific to marriage or parenting, which may not be obvious from the titles.
Bibliography
Allberry, Sam, 7 Myths About Singleness. Crossway, 2019.
Alma, Carissa, Thriving in Cross-Cultural Ministry. Pavilion Books, 2011.*
Bradley, Zach, et al., Receiving Sent Ones During Reentry: The Challenges of Returning “Home” and How Churches Can Help. The Upstream Collective, 2017.
Bucknam, Robert and Ezzo, Gary, On Becoming Babywise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep. Parent-Wise Solutions, Inc., 2020. (Parenting)
Chandler, Lauren, Goodbye to Goodbyes (Tales That Tell the Truth). The Good Book Company, 2019. (Picture Book)
Chaplin, Melissa, Returning Well: Your Guide to Thriving Back “Home” after Serving Cross-Culturally. Newton Publishers, 2015.
Coleman, Robert E., The Master Plan of Evangelism. Revellbooks, 2010.
Corbett, Steve and Brian Fikkert, When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor…and Yourself. Moody Publishers, 2014.
Corbett, Steve, Brian Fikkert, and Katie Casselberry, Helping Without Hurting in Church Benevolence: A Practical Guide to Walking with Low-Income People. Moody Publishers, 2014. *
Dobson, James C., The Dr. James Dobson Parenting Collection (Includes The New Dare to Discipline, The New Strong-Willed Child, and Parenting Isn’t for Cowards).Tyndale Momentum, 2011. (Parenting) *
Doerrfeld, Cori, The Rabbit Listened. Dial Books, 2018. (Picture Book)
Druckerman, Pamela, Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting. Penguin Books, 2014. (See important caveat in the Parenting chapter.)
Eggerichs, Dr. Emerson, Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs. Thomas Nelson, 2004. (Mariage) *
Eenigenburg, Sue and Eva Burkholder, Grit to Stay Grace to Go: Staying Well in Cross-Cultural Ministry. William Carey Publishing, 2023.
Ernvik, Ulrika, Third Culture Kids: A Gift to Care For. Familjagladje, 2019. (Parenting)
Frazier, David, Mission Smart: 15 Critical Questions To Ask Before Launching Overseas. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013.*
Grudem, Wayne, Systematic Theology, Second Edition: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Zondervan Academic, 2020. *
Hale, Thomas, On Being a Missionary (Abridged):An Introduction to Cross-Cultural Life and Ministry. William Carey Library Publishers, 2012.
Haidt, Jonathan, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Penguin Press, 2024. (Parenting)
Harakal, David, Parenting Through the Ranks: How to Raise Successful Scouts. Falcon Guides, 2024. (Parenting) (I imagine I should recommend my own book. Though written for Scouts, the information is good for any parent.) *
Henderson, John, Catching Foxes: A Gospel-Guided Journey to Marriage. P&R Publishing, 2018. (Marriage)
Johnson, Helen and Christine Schelhas-Miller, Don’t Tell Me What to Do, Just Send Money: The Essential Parenting Guide to the College Years. Golden Guides from St. Martin’s Press, 2011. (Parenting)
Kruger, Michael J., Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church. Zondervan, 2022.
Lanier, Sarah, Foreign to Familiar, 2nd Edition: A Guide to Understanding Hot- And Cold-Climate Cultures. McDougal Publishing Company, 2022. *
Lantz, Matt, A Method for Dating: Because dating happens … and it doesn’t have to be horrible. (thedatingblook.wordpress.com)
McKie, Rusty, Sabbaticals: “How-To” Take a Break from Ministry before Ministry Breaks You. Sojourn Network, 2018.
McNabb, Dr. Bob, Spiritual Multiplication in the Real World: Why Some Disciple-Makers Reproduce when Others Fail. Multiplication Press, 2013.
Medina, Meg and Sonia Sanchez, Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away. Candlewick, 2023. (Picture Book)
Piper, John, Let the Nations Be Glad!: The Supremacy of God in Missions. Baker Academic, 2022.
Pollock, David, Ruth E. Van Reken, et al., Third Culture Kids 3rd Edition: Growing Up Among Worlds. Nicholas Brealey, 2017. (Parenting)
Reid, Dr. Alvin L. and Malcolm McDow, et al., Firefall 2.0: How God Has Shaped History Through Revivals. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2014.
Reju, Deepak, Pornography: Fighting for Purity (31-Day Devotionals for Life). P&R Publishing, 2018.
Reju, Deepak and Jonathan Holmes, Rescue Plan: Charting a Course to Restore Prisoners of Pornography. P&R Publishing, 2021.
Reju, Deepak and Jonathan Holmes, Rescue Skills: Essential Skills for Restoring the Sexually Broken. P&R Publishing, 2021.
Renée, Marci and Layken Davey, The Boy of Many Colors (Pierre’s World Traveling Adventures). The Cultural Story-Weaver, 2021. (Picture Book)
Ripkin, Nik, The Insanity of God: A True Story of Faith Resurrected. B&H Books, 2014.
Rubio, Sarah Parker and Fátima Anaya, Far from Home: A Story of Loss, Refuge, and Hope. Tyndale Kids, 2019. (Picture Book)
Saunders, Sara, Swirly. Review & Herald Publishing Association, 2012. (Picture Book)
Seeker, Meg, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know. Regnery, 2017. (Parenting) *
Shadrach, Steve and Scott Morton, The God Ask: A Fresh, Biblical Approach to Personal Support Raising. CMM Press, 2013.
Shaw, Joey, All Authority: How the Authority of Jesus Upholds the Great Commission. B&H Publishing Group, 2016.
Shrier, Abigail, Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren’t Growing Up. Sentinel, 2024. (Parenting)
Taylor, Dr. And Mrs. Howard, Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret. Moody Publishers, 2009. *
Tripp, Paul David, Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family. Crossway, 2024. (Parenting) *
Wells, Lauren, Raising Up a Generation of Healthy Third Culture Kids: A Practical Guide to Preventive Care. Independently Published, 2020. (Parenting)
Wells, Lauren, The Grief Tower: A Practical Guide to Processing Grief with Third Culture Kids. Independently Published, 2021. (Parenting)
Weyeneth, Sandy, Writing Exceptional Missionary Newsletters: Essentials for Writing, Producing, and Sending Newsletters that Motivate Readers. William Carey Library, 2013.
Winter, Ralph D. and Steven C. Hawthorne, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: A Reader.William Carey Library Publishers, 2009.
Young, Amy, Getting Started: Making the Most of Your First Year in Cross-Cultural Service. Independently Published, 2019.
Young, Amy, Looming Transitions: Starting and Finishing Well in Cross-Cultural Service. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2021.
Young, Amy, Enjoying Newsletters: How to Write Christian Communications People Want to Read. Independently Published, 2019.
Zerub, Caleb, Nations Prep Handbook. Independently Published, 2022.
Podcasts/Websites
Dumaplin, Cara, takingcarababies.com (Parenting—infant sleep training)
Sanctuary Inn, The Innkeepers
Grudem, Wayne, Systematic Theology
Antioch Waco, Resiliency
Courses/Programs
Debriefing—LeRucher.org (for individual and family)
Marriage—Re|engage—reengage.org
Marriage—A Weekend to Remember (U.S.)—familylife.com/weekend-to-remember/
Parenting—Getting to the Heart of Parenting—store.paultripp.com/collections/getting-to-the-heart-of-parenting
Parenting—Christ-Centered Parenting by Russell D. Moore and Phillip Bethancourt (Amazon)
Parenting—www.tcktraining.com/for-parents
Finance and Investments—Ramsey, Dave, “Financial Peace University,” www.ramseysolutions.com/ramseyplus/financial-peace
This article is part of a series. For prior articles, Resources, and the author’s biography, visit bit.ly/4aXWTjQ
Books by this author: www.dharakalauthor.org.
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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Reliant or any other entity with which he is affiliated.
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