June 01, 1991 by Lee Purgason

Changing the Way the World Thinks About Missions

We are out to change the way the Christian world thinks about Missions. We started from small beginnings in 1973. But today we are making a tremendous difference in peoples lives and for the cause of the unreached peoples as Perspectives courses impact over 2,500 students every year. And judging from the large Perspectives Coordinator Workshop we had July 20th with over 47 in attendance we will do even better next year.

Our course, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, helps people involved in church fellowships understand how they fit into God's plans for all the ethnic groups in the earth. As they explore the Bible and missions history, begin to understand culture and cross-cultural communications, as well as strategies for effective church planting, people see more clearly (in conjunction with the input of friends and church leaders) what role they have in furthering Christ's Kingdom work among the unreached. All, from veteran missionaries to college undergrads, leave the class with a world-view which is much closer to what God intends for us. A common response to our course: "I wish I'd gotten this material years ago... I've never had a class with a more significant impact on my life, and I can't wait to get some of my friends to take the next class in our area! "

The growth in the Perspectives course has been nothing less than explosive. This course started in response to a 1973 burst of missions interest at the Urbana missions convention. In 1981 there were 241 students in three locations. This past spring, we had 47 classes in North America, with nearly 1800 students, and about the same number of classes abroad. The growth rate has been even faster in New Zealand.

While we're excited about the great numbers of participants, our staff who supervise these courses here in Pasadena are swamped! Brad, an Ohio native and supervisor of most of the eastern and southern classes, is stretched too thinly. He's not able to enjoy many hours of spare time reading, playing basketball, or pursuing his PhD because of the work load. Lynette, a recent addition to our staff, will focus on developing courses in the Pacific Northwest. She is an avid pray-er and former international class field athlete, Lynette's warm smile and commitment to knowing God add much to our team. Craig, our supervisor of classes in New England, the northern plains and California could use your help. We could use two more office assistants for serving these extension coordinators, as well as a capable receptionist and correspondence person. We could also use hundreds of lecturers who have experience in the academic areas mentioned above. These lecturers could occasionally speak at courses in their areas. Eventually we hope to have classes available in every major metropolitan area.

We could also use someone with a flair for promotion and graphics, as we have ample opportunities to communicate in print what we're about. As we update and revise our curriculum, a person comfortable with Macintosh desktop publishing would help us revise the main textbook and accompanying study guide. Do you like to see good order in bookkeeping and accounting?... we've got a place for you, too! Such a person could help free Lee, the Director, to spend more time in management and supervisory issues (as well as having more time with his family and more time to ride his bicycle!)

The Perspectives office is characterized by laughter and a commitment to serve. Each of the current staff also had high school or collegiate athletic experience. It's a good thing we continue to stay active, because we always seem to have a snack here in the office.

We'd be glad to have you join us in equipping people to be effective in their roles in God's Kingdom work. Nearly 17,000 people have been through the Perspectives course and are making a strategic difference in the work of the Church to be a blessing to all the nations. Come and check us out. We would love to meet you.