Development in Mission

"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

"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

"Inspirational, substantive, and comprehensive, Development in Mission shows how the way of Jesus is interwoven into current practices of holistic ministry and church engagement. This book comes at a time when Christians need to remember the creative possibilities of the gospel breaking in through history and hold fast to that hope, which is precisely called "hope” because it actively refuses to be lost in the midst of complex challenges. Herein, individuals and congregations will find a useful guide to transformational development for living into that hope both locally and throughout the globe."

- Nell M. Becker Sweeden, Director of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries