For the Love of God: Principles and Practice of Compassion in Missions

Compassionate missions constitutes a growing focus among evangelical denominations and agencies. Because of this there exists a growing need to be guided by sound principles and best practices. This edited volume sets forth both the biblical foundations and preferred methods for churches wanting to engage in compassion as part of their missionary efforts. The aim throughout is that compassionate missions would be guided by indigenous principles that help establish autonomous local churches capable of being salt and light in their communities. The contributors to this volume have over 200 years of missions experience. Through their first-hand knowledge of the challenges and pitfalls faced by missionaries engaging in compassion these authors set forth foundational principles and practical guidelines related to some of the most pressing issues confronting missionaries today. These include HIV/AIDS UPGs human trafficking orphans and vulnerable children gender issues and many more. Pastors missionaries missions boards and educators will find this a valuable resource as the church in the twenty-first century continues to engage in the Great Commission. I wish For the Love of God were available when I began my church-planting ministry as a missionary more than 30 years ago. It took me many years to find a framework for ministry that truly integrated evangelism and compassion made followers of Jesus and lifted poor communities out of cycles of poverty and disease. This book is a must-read for every evangelical engaging in compassionate and/or church-planting ministry. --Terry Dalrymple Coordinator Global CHE Network; Vice President Alliance for Transformational Ministry This is a must-read for pastors members of missions task forces missionary leaders and practitioners Christians involved in development projects and mission thinkers. Here we are able to join a stimulating and insightful conversation regarding Christian mission. This work is broadly global thoroughly evangelical carefully biblical theologically clear uniquely grounded in the life of the local congregation missionally transformational and wonderfully practical. --Charles (Chuck) Van Engen PhD Arthur F. Glasser Senior Professor Emeritus of Biblical Theology of Mission School of Intercultural Studies Fuller Theological Seminary Jerry M. Ireland (editor) is director of Africa AG Care promoting church-based compassion all across sub-Saharan Africa. He is author of Evangelism and Social Concern in the Theology of Carl F. H. Henry (Pickwick 2015).