A leader of a Bible translation group writes the following article:  "Telling the Story of Jesus:  God's Word Translated for Oral Cultures."

It begins--"Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus spoke to groups, large and small, using stories.  In fact, the Scriptures say He always taught using stories--stories like the parable of the Good Samaritan, the parable of the Lost Sheep and the parable of the Prodigal Son.  Those stories, recorded in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, still speak to us today.  They were divinely crafted to reveal God's character and provide instructions on how we should live--in a way that's easy to understand, eaasy to remember and easy to share with others.

"In many areas of the world, cultures remain much the same as in Jesus' day.  Many communities still do not have a written language, and even if they do, literacy is very low and people learn orally.  In these oral societies, worldview is shaped by experience, as well as through stories, proverbs and songs."

I hope to continue this subject in my next post.

Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship the haystack site and blog in 2005 in anticipation of the 200th anniversary of the Haystack Prayer Meeting, from which was launched the modern American mission movement.

2010 marks another significant anniversary.  The students who prayed in 1806 applied for advice in 1810 to the General Association of Congregational Ministers of Massachusetts.

Meeting in Bradford, the presenters sought counsel as how best to fulfill Christ's specific directive, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."  On June 29, the General Association voted to establish a Board of Commissionders to implement the request made by the students who were at that time in seminary.

To learn more about what God did during the first three decades of the American Board, you can take a look at my dissertation now published as a book by William Carey Library.  "'The Field Is the World'" is available at missionbooks dot org.  Click on the dissertation series link on the lower right hand side.  And enjoy!

You've left Urbana09.  Back to the real world.  Now what?

Let me share what I did after Urbana 76.  I wrote a letter to John Stott.  And he answered!  I wrote a letter to a missionary in the country God had put on my heart.  And he answered!

In this amazing communication and technology day and age you can use e-mail, skype, or some other form to follow up with people you met and/or contact people you were told about.  I would encourage you to do so.

You could also "Ask Jack" a question at the Urbana.org page.  Sorry, Jack.  Didn't check with you about this.  But what I know about you, I know that you stand ready to help as many students (and others) that you can.

I would encourage you to follow through on any commitments you made before God.  Did He give you a holy nudge on one or more matters.  If it's confirmed by Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and godly counsel then it is from God and you need to experience the blessing of trusting obedience post haste.

One more thing.  Please share your Urbana experience with your friends back at your school.  Your IV chapter.  Your classmates.  Your professors.  Ask God to help you to "walk in those works he has prepared before hand for you to walk in." (Eph. 2:20)

One of my most enduring and endearing memories of Urbana76 (ok, I'm old) is of the concluding service of the Lord's Supper.  John Stott gave a wonderful devotional from the Bible, then all present partook of the bread and fruit of the vine.

Along with the heavenly singing, this expression of unity in Christ--instituted by our Lord--among people from around the world still causes chills to run up my back.

For those of you attending Urbana09, I understand that some of you have travel plans that require you to leave before the service.  For those of you who have the option, I urge you--for your own edification and strengthening--to attend the New Year's Eve Communion Service.

For those of you not attending Urbana09, I hope you will soon partake of the Lord's Supper.  As you do so, you look back in remembrance of His death; in the present you experience the present fellowship of the Holy Spirit; and looking toward the future, you anticipate the joy of participating in the wedding of Supper of the Lamb with millions--even billions?--of people from around the world and through time!

Not everyone can attend Urbana09 in person.  But you can do so virtually.  Just go to the Urbana website and get as involved as you want.  Drink in the opportunites and be in prayer for God's will for your life--especially in the area of missions.

Wherever you are in the world, you can participate from a distance.  You can also contact caring Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship staff--either through e-mail or at a university near you.

So, enjoy Urbana and let the Word of God transform your life!

Thousands of you are arriving in St. Louis to participate in that amazing, God-honoring gathering called Urbana.  I remember the exhiliration of the two times I attended.

The arrival, registration, the first large group meeting.  The incredible singing that is a foretaste of heaven.

Throughout the week there was also exhaustion!  I would encourage you to both pace yourself (don't wipe yourself out!) and throw yourself into as much as possible.

For many of you this will be a once in a life time event, during which you can seek God's Face with regard to His will for your life--particularly in the area of cross cultural missions.  Have your Quiet Time.  Attend the plenary sessions.  Attend workshops of interest.  Interact with mission servant leaders from around the world.  You can catch up on your sleep for a day or two afterwards!

While I do want to hear from you, I am not sure how much or whether I will be able to read your comments--due to spam problems.  But please know that I am praying for you--may you come into an ever deepening relationship with the Word Who is both Life and Light!

When this site and blog were first established, it's goal was two-fold:  missions and prayer, preferably combining the two.  There is no better way to combine these two functions than to invite you to pray for Urbana09, which takes place next week!

Pray for the 20,000 or so students preparing to meet with God as they consider His will for their life--specifically in the area of missions.  Pray for them as they are with their families during Christmas--whatever the circumstances and spiritual combinations involved there.  Pray for them as they pack (that they'd remember everything they need and not take what they don't need!).  Pray for travel mercies as they head to St. Louis.

Please pray the same things for IVCF staff involved in this glorious yet tiring meeting.  Pray for the workshop presenters and booth hosters.  For the speakers.

And, please don't forget the dear people involved as support staff--at airports, hotels, in vehicles, at venues, with the city, and so on.  Each one of them has needs.  Some know Jesus.  Others need to come into a relationship with Him.  All need to be ministered to.  May you see everyone through the eyes of Jesus.

The best way to prepare for that and do that is to... pray for Urbana!

Today I received two copies of my dissertation as a book.  Many thanks to William Carey Publishing for making this possible.

If you are interested in a book on a very important slice of mission history I encourage you to go to missionbooks dot org.  Then go to the bottom of the right hand list and click on "Dissertation Series."  You will be guided from there.

Happy reading!

If you are reading this before December 1, then you have the opportunity to register and save $20 for Urbana09 taking place at the end of December.

Even if you are reading this after that date, I urge you to prayerfully consider registering for and attending Urbana09.  It is a life transforming event for many people as they open themselves up to God in worship and in seeking His will for their lives!

OK, actually this is a shameless plug for my dissertation being published as a book by William Carey Library!   What began as a twinkle in Ralph Winter's eye in 1997 has come into the brilliant light of completion.

Sometime during the week of November 13, the book will be available at this link.  If you forget where this link is provided, you can eventually find it at the "Contact Us" section to the left.

The book will both transport you back in time and provide descriptions of mision work that is so vivid that you will think you are reading about current events of the 21st century!

One example is how the missionaries in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) area of India insisted on the need for Bible translators to live among the people into whose mother tongue they were bringing the Word of God written.

You'll meet dynamic indigenous evangelists who combine the best of their culture with the mandates of Scripture.  You'll hear preaching for conversion, discipleship, service, worship and so much more.

While the cost might seem high, it is significantly less than what it has previously cost.  You can always recommend it to a school you're part of.  Or buy it for a church library.  Or an IVCF chapter library.  The possibilities are endless!