NEXTGEN Movement is a catalytic, transformational, and collaborative movement
where we come together to strengthen and develop younger leaders to care well for their
own souls and those they influence, so that Jesus is made known among the least reached
peoples. (Check website: nextgenleader.net.)
Simple obedience is not optional as one of the markers of a disciple of Jesus, so nine years ago, when my wife Junia and I heard the small, quiet voice of the Lord to lay down our jobs as professors for the sake of world mission, our joyful response was like that of Isaiah: “Here I am! Send me” (Isa 6:8, ESV).
“Please don’t post me to pastor in a rural area!” Such were the cries of many Anglican priests in one diocese of Nigeria, according to the bishop. Now they are insisting on being posted in rural areas.
For individuals who experience Perspectives, it’s often like a river that begins as a mere trickle in the high mountains. Initially, a student might not discern how the waters will shape the landscape of their life. But as the small stream continues its journey, it gathers strength from countless tributaries and swells into a powerful current, shaping everything in its path—shaping every aspect of how the student views God, the Bible, and even their own life and commitments. Ultimately, students are awash in the reality that they can walk intimately with Jesus as he brings his purposes and transformation to all peoples.
“It was the first time I said in prayer, ‘I don’t know how long I can do this.’” One of our “2nd Half Collaborative” (2HC) Campfire small group members was talking about a time of depletion and exhaustion in ministry. Another Campfire member talked of his “original dreams being pulled apart.” He had wanted to be all things to all people at all times. Now he is drawn to the potency of being patient and unhurried, with emerging rhythms and ministry contributions very different from that original version of himself.
In the spring of 2023, Andy Bettencourt, Victoria Ky, Amanda Richey, and Dave Datema started brainstorming about developing a new podcast that would highlight the realities surrounding reaching unreached people groups. After interviewing some podcasters and doing our own research, we launched our first season in fall 2023 and our second season in spring 2024. The third season began its release this past fall, 2024.
Greetings, Mission Frontiers readers! I’m Danny Hunter and I’m the new director of the Ralph D. Winter Research Center. I am very excited about what the Center has done in the past, and where we are headed in the future. The Center exists to further the missiological insights of Dr. Winter and to continue to serve the wider Great Commission community in his pioneering spirit.
The holiday season brings so many opportunities to reconnect with loved ones far and near, and this issue of Mission Frontiers is our way to introduce you to Frontier Ventures through our family of ministries.
An Introduction to the Ralph D. Winter Memorial Lectureship
The Ralph Winter Lectureship has a significant legacy! It has included speakers like Greg Boyd, Amos Yong, Rene Padilla, and Andrew Walls, and it honors the legacy, genius, and curiosity of Ralph Winter, the founder of Frontier Ventures. Each year, we attempt to put on a lectureship that probes the field of missiology and questions of the day. Like our founder, we seek to push these questions toward the edges of mission, where those who have not yet clearly heard the gospel in an understandable form lie.
"The Frontier Ventures program brought us the scriptural reflection and deep encounter with Jesus that we desperately needed. Time in God's Word coupled with intentional times of spiritual formation in Christ helped our leaders share the good news from lives overflowing."
