CHICAGO – One of the most influential missiologists in the past half century, David J. Hesselgrave, was awarded the Lifetime of Service Award at the North American Mission Leaders Conference on Friday evening.

Hesselgrave, who served as a missionary in Japan for 12 years and authored the widely acclaimed and used textbook Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally, was hailed by evangelical scholars and missiologists as having a major impact on the North American mission movement, and beyond.

"I couldn't think of a person more influential on my thinking in missiology than David Hesselgrave," said Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research and a missiologist, in a tribute video prepared by Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and shown last night. more >>

CHICAGO – Several hundred Christian mission leaders began a three-day conference Thursday with a focus on "adjusting missionary method's to today's realities."

The North American Mission Leaders Conference at Chicago Marriott O'Hare coincides with the 100-year mark since the publishing of the seminal book Missionary Methods: St. Paul's or Ours? written by Rolan Allen, a former British missionary to China.

Those attending the conference were asked to ponder the words of Allen as a way to "recalibrate" (this year's theme) and improve their work in missions. They were also encouraged by opening session speaker Paul Nyquist, who is the president of the Moody Bible Institute, to move past any opposition they may face in their work. more >>

The Christian Post recently had the opportunity to travel to India to observe the work Christians are doing throughout the country to help empower a societal group that has been neglected for the better part of recorded human history. This is the first part of a four part series detailing their work.

"You were born in the image of God." For many Christians across the globe this is a well-known and common Biblical verse from Genesis 1:27, but for Kumar Swamy and his family this would be the most radical and life-changing message they had ever heard. Though the words are simple, the power contained in them was enough to have them dedicate themselves to Jesus in an instant and compel them to spend their lives fighting for the oppressed, as well as spreading His name to everyone who would listen. Swamy and his family are Dalits.

There are over 250 million Dalit men, woman and children who are abused, neglected and exploited in what is widely considered the world's largest human rights atrocity. Currently, there is an effort to empower Dalits with education and through the grace of Jesus Christ, but the greatest challenge is a suppressive socio-religious order which has been engrained into the psyche of the Indian people. more >>

An evangelist perhaps best known for carrying his 12-foot cross around the globe during the last 44 years – often to places of tragedy – didn't have to travel thousands of miles to share his love for Jesus late last week. Denver area resident Arthur Blessitt was one of the first responders to the aftermath of the carnage perpetrated by a gunman at an Aurora, Colo., movie theater.

On Friday morning, Blessitt took his cross from the parking lot of a nearby Target and walked behind police lines to the Century 16 theater, the site where 12 people were killed and 58 wounded by suspected shooter James Holmes during a midnight showing of the new Batman movie.

"People rush to the cross, touching it, crying, praying and then we sing a song and some people bring flowers. Dozens and hundreds of people have been coming to the crosses. They find comfort and hope and see the love of Jesus. It's moving beyond words – a light in darkness," Blessitt wrote in an email to The Christian Post after finishing three days of ministering to people in grief close to the massacre. more >>

Relocating his family and business to scenic Colorado Springs, Colo., a place where several of his ministry partners were already headquartered, was something Scott Evans, president of a large-scale church marketing and publishing organization, said he felt led by God to do nearly two years ago.

Last Sunday, three days before the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history destroyed nearly 350 homes and claimed two lives, Evans and his family left their home in Vista, Calif., with their belongings packed.

The Evans began their trek to Colorado Springs knowing that their new office for Outreach, Inc., and new home were both in the Waldo Canyon fire evacuation zone. more >>

Drummer David Morrison of Christian metalcore band For Today has announced that he will be leaving the music industry in order serve as a missionary in South America.

Morrison will begin his missionary work in Ecuador in September through the Extreme Nazarene organization, which deploys thousands of people across Europe and South America to engage in various kinds of missionary work, Blabbermouth.net reported.

"[For Today] will not be missing any shows and have a replacement drummer that may end up being permanent," Morrison shared in a message to his fans, confirming his departure from the band. "David Puckett will be the drummer for the band on Warped Tour and through the fall, if all works out. I haven't seen the band with Puckett yet, but he's a great man of God and an incredible drummer and I'll be at a couple of the Warped Tour dates. Thank you guys for everything! This has been the best seven-plus years of my life! To God be the glory." more >>