The Barnabas Factor

Global Voices on Global Mission

Global mission has moved into a new era when it is no longer just "from the West to the rest" but rather "from everywhere to everywhere." But too often mission workers have not partnered well with local communities, hurting Christian witness and ministry efforts. And as the global church sends more and more missionaries, how can we learn from the past, develop new ways of partnering, and avoid repeating these same mistakes? The book of Acts provides a role model.

Many people go into global missions to be like Paul, the pioneer taking the gospel to places where people have never heard. But in an era of mission when the church is truly global, Paul's companion Barnabas is an exceptional model of mission service.

In this multifaceted volume, mission practitioners from around the world unpack the life and ministry of Barnabas. Contributors from Zambia, Bosnia, Australia, India, Ghana, New Zealand, Latin America, and the United States provide diverse experiences, global viewpoints, and best practices for effective mission partnerships that embrace humility, generosity, and mutuality.

In Barnabas's example we find answers for some of the most pressing questions in global mission partnership today:



- How should we share financial resources with generosity and trustworthiness?

- How do we advocate for, encourage, partner with, and empower mission partners across cultural and experiential differences?

- How can our mission partnerships develop as genuine communities of mutuality and visibility for all people involved?

- How do we wisely face sending, suffering, and division as we partner globally?



Barnabas entered sensitive crosscultural situations and could help without hurting. He taught, developed, and trained others while also encouraging and releasing leaders. He modeled mission partnership that is generous, trustworthy, mutual, and empowering. In today's new era of global mission, we need more people like Barnabas. Discover how The Barnabas Factor offers a fresh approach to global collaboration that fosters healthier and more effective crosscultural mission partnerships.



Josh Irby (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is a partnership director for Cru where he develops crosscultural collaboration between the United States and Europe. He is the cohost of the Mission Shift podcast, coauthor of Cross on a Hill, and author of Meeting Miss Irby. He found a love for the Balkans while living for thirteen years in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. He and his wife, Taylor, have five children and live in Atlanta, Georgia.

Foreword
Paul Borthwick


Introduction
Josh Irby


1. The Generosity Factor
Nydia R. García-Schmidt


2. The Advocacy Factor
Paul Borthwick


3. The Encouragement Factor
Ron and Star Nelson


4. The "Alongsiding" Factor
Jay Matenga


5. The Trustworthiness Factor
Mary Lederleitner


6. The Koinonia Factor
Lazarus Phiri


7. The Sent Factor
Slavko Hadžić


8. The Empowerment Factor
Delanyo Adadevoh


9. The Suffering Factor
Jun Tan


10. The Visibility Factor
H. Ladislao Leiva


11. The Mutuality Factor
Kate Pocklington


12. The Unity Factor
Madan and Deepali Valvi


Conclusion
Josh Irby


Acknowledgments