I was looking for a book to educate a team of church volunteers who help develop and implement the global mission strategy of our church. This book is comprehensive for that purpose. Not a light reading for volunteers. But thorough for those serious about gaining a theological foundation for global Christian missions, an understanding of the historical context of God's mission in the world, and the need for cultural competency. All these then drive the text on mission strategy (the topic of the last six chapters). I liked the author's case studies, personal applications, Reflection and Application questions, and the narrative journey with Jim and Julie as they discover how God seeks disciples who will join him in his mission to redeem all things back to him through Christ. It has been transformational for the team that I lead.

This book on missions really didn't have much to make it stand out from other text books on missions. It comes from more of a covenant theological point of view. Yet it does talk about other thoughts theologically. It does cover a wide range of issues in the world of missions and church planting and dives right into styles of missions. For me it really lacked in the push toward missions that I hoped to find in a book on the subject. Yet I did like the fact that it spent time trying to show what missions day to day is really like. I would say if you need a text book on missions this one will work.