In the past decade, two books have been profoundly important to me when it comes to world evangelism: Let the Nations Be Glad!, by John Piper, and Cities: Missions New Frontier, by Roger S. Greenway and Timothy N. Monsma. The former provides a robust theology for why we do missions*, while the latter addresses the changing focus of missions from the middle of nowhere in the bush or outback to the world's cultural centers.

I now have a third book for my list of required missions reading: The Meeting of the Waters: 7 Global Currents That Will Propel the Future Church, by Fritz Kling, releasing March 1 (click here to pre-order your copy at a discounted price.)

When it comes to how the work of foreign missions is executed, the twenty-first century has brought with it an entirely new set of trends that missionaries-in-training would do well to heed. Kling, a world traveler many times over in his role as president of a philanthropic management firm, has spent years on the ground in "the field," interacting with leaders throughout global Christendom, asking questions and analyzing his findings into seven "global currents" presently at work in the river of world missions.

From my much more modest experience doing missionary work in Asia, Central America, Africa and North America, I found myself uttering enthusiastic "amen's" throughout my reading of The Meeting of the Waters. How I wish I had the perspective this book offers when I first delved into the world of foreign missions over a decade ago. Kling is careful to honor the old wineskins, which for centuries have broken ground and reaped fruitful returns in many unreached areas. However, he is unapologetic and unflinching in his honesty when he articulates the changing tide of world evangelism and the challenges those changes pose for Christians going forward. While I could never quite get comfortable with the title he gave old-school missionaries - "Mission Marm" - neither could I deny the accuracy of his conclusions that we - those of us committed to doing the work of world evangelism - must change our perspective.

I hope every missionary, pastor, and student of the Christian faith will read this book; its message is profoundly important, both philosophically and pragmatically. I also hope those who are non-vocational Christians will also read it, as the implication of these seven global currents is every bit as important for those not called to be in full time ministry as for those who are. In fact, one of the conclusions this book makes is that the work of world evangelism will be accomplished not by a few individuals with a vocational call to missions, but rather by the students, businessmen, artists, filmmakers, educators and political leaders who shape world culture.

Order your copy of The Meeting of the Waters now, and add this excellent book to your missions library.  Besides the Bible, I cannot think of a more relevant, practical resource for those who plan to work on behalf of world evangelism in the twenty-first century.

("Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church; worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't." This is the opening line of John Piper's missiology book, Let the Nations Be Glad!)