Preparing for the International Harvest

Endorsements

Preparing for the International Harvest by Ken and Pauline Grunden is a primer on multi-dimensional aspects of international missions. The Grundens share practical steps, along with years of personal experience in missions, to help inform, guide and focus believers on God’s call on their life. The book is well rounded as it introduces its reader to the spiritual, physical and emotional impact on their lives as the result of following the call of international missions. This is a great text for believers considering international missions and a strong text book for missions-focused courses.

—Trent J. Lambert, DMin

Pastor, Educator, Leadership Trainer

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In attempting to meet the true needs of a global cross-cultural community, the educator/minister must see both the entire community and the individual as a whole: spirit, soul and body. It requires us to examine tradition, find the culture’s level and ability to receive and develop new methodologies to reach a world in need of Christ. In their book, Dr. Ken and Pauline Grunden offer fresh insights and methods to reach an ever-changing world with the Gospel of Christ.

—Jimmy DuPree, DMin

Pastor, Educator, Missionary and Leadership Trainer in Africa, Asia and Central America

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Dr. Ken Grunden writes from a wealth of training and practical experience. He shows the reader that a proper theologi­cal framework that intersects with contextual expres­sions impacts communities in both practical and spir­itual dimensions. This book emerges from hands-on experi­ence and tremendous success in fulfilling the Great Commission while embracing the call to South Korea. This book is an excellent re­source for anyone desiring to de­velop a proper Chris­tian worldview for effective prepara­tion, training, and ser­vice that glorifies God in the earth. 

—Timothy A. Houston, ThM, MDiv

Pastor, Educator, Church Planter, Missions Catalyst

Dr. Kenneth Grunden’s book Preparing for the International Harvest comes at a  pivotal time where God is pouring out His Spirit across the globe. Many Christians feel called to evangelize communities much different than their own. As a cultural anthropologist and executive pastor, I real­ize it is critically important to develop the necessary training and education on both the cultural particularities and missiological issues before one accepts the call to enter the mission field. Through his many years of personal experi­ences, Dr. Grunden explains how to combat Western­ized ethnocentrisms and prepare for a more holistic experience that is necessary for effectively reap­ing a global harvest. 

—Eric Bates, PhD

Executive Pastor, Professor of Anthropology and

Co-director of the Native American Studies at Northern Kentucky University

Reading through Preparing for the International Harvest, one can sense the heart of this godly couple who have given themselves to the educational ministry of the Christian church. Speaking autobiographically from a wealth of experience, Ken and Pauline Grunden introduce readers to follow God’s calling. If you know of a young person considering a call to international missions, this book is for them. It would also be useful for introductory college missions’ courses. 

—Matt Pinson, EdD

Former Pastor,

President and Professor of Theology and Ministry,

Welch College

Foreword

One of the most vivid memories of my life was the day when I, as an eighteen-year-old boy, sat in my pastor's office to tell him that I felt God was calling me into the ministry. He smiled and looked at me as though he already knew. Then he gave me two words of wisdom that significantly influenced my launch into this adventure that we call the Great Commission.

First, he said, Don't do ministry if you can be happy doing anything else. While some may argue that those are not the best words to say to an aspiring ministerial candidate, that was all the confirmation that I needed! I was consumed with a passion to join Christ in His mission to the world. Nothing else would satisfy.

Second, he said, There are two callings for the minister. First, there is the call to prepare. Then there is the call to go. I really needed to hear those words, but my youthful zeal made me think that all I needed was a Bible and a healthy prayer life. Internally, I was quietly thinking, Do I really need Bible college—plus seminary?

Within months, I was driving my loaded-down car to college, but even then, I was thinking, Four years of college? No way. Maybe I'll stay two years. These are perilous times! We must rescue the perishing before it is too late! I must be about my Father's business!

What an awakening. Two months into sitting at the feet of professors who had decades of ministry experience to their credit, I then realized that I knew nothing. I had no clue. I was not ready.

So, I prepared. For me, that preparation initially involved a four-year college degree, a master's degree and an internship. I am thankful for that academic foundation, but even after all of those accomplishments, I found that I needed mentors along the way to help me navigate through the challenges of urban ministry and cross-cultural outreaches to Cambodian and African refugees in our city.

Eventually, I sought further training as I faced leadership challenges in my North American context. I also needed guidance as I entered into short-term work in Africa, South Korea, South America and Haiti. Add another master's degree and a doctorate to the list.

What is the point with this autobiographical summary? I think that my story might serve as a helpful case study. I am living proof that the world mission requires more preparation than we think, and once we have entered the work to which God has called us, inevitably, the process of preparation and development will be ongoing. The minister must be a lifetime learner.

So, now that I am in the third act of my life, what am I saying to young, aspiring ministerial candidates? Prepare first, and then go. And as you go, make it your aim to be a life-time learner.

Fast-forward to 2014. In that year, while I was serving as an academic dean for a Christian college in Ohio, the founding ministry hired a new administrator for their K through 12 school: Dr. Kenneth Grunden. Shortly after his arrival, we hired his wife, Pauline, to serve in a lead role at our college. My wife and I quickly embraced Ken and Pauline as friends.

It did not take long for us to recognize the Grundens' outstanding leadership qualities and administrative abilities, but it was at least a year before their wealth of experience and knowledge concerning international minis­try even registered with me. They did not boast of their expertise. It was something that they humbly held close to their hearts. However, as we got to know each other better, Ken started sharing his stories. It became evident to both of us that Ken and Pauline's stories and insights needed to be shared. In fact, I would say that God has deposited into their lives a grace that should prove invaluable to any who are called into international ministry.

What began as casual conversations between friends a few years ago, has led to the production of the text that you now hold in your hand. With this book, Preparing for the International Harvest, Dr. Kenneth and Pauline Grunden are imparting what they carry to the rising generation of missionaries and cross-cultural leaders. I consider it a great honor to have served alongside the Grundens throughout the editorial and publication pro­cess. There have been points when their message has brought tears to my eyes and conviction to my heart. At other points, while working through the text, I have wanted to jump to my feet and shout, Hallelujah! The Lord often speaks through testimony, and I believe that He will most certainly speak to any who prayerfully ponder what you are about to read.

Is Jesus calling you into the harvest? Wonderful! Are you eager to be about the Father's business? That's great! But before you go, sit at the feet of others who may be wiser than you. Learn from these authors. Prepare.

—J. Randolph Turpin, DMin

International Leadership Trainer,

Pastor, Educator, Publisher

May 2020

1. Introduction

International Missions and Ministry

At one time, the primary responsibilities of missionaries in the field were to teach people about Christianity, train them in the practices of the faith, and to provide church services in local foreign communities. They built churches, established congrega­tions, preached the Word of God, taught from the Bible, and won souls to Christ. It was not easy, and many missionaries struggled with local cultures and the educa­tion of their children. They persevered in God’s calling to international ministry and missions for many years, and despite suffering persecution and lack of support from churches in their homeland, they survived. Developing intercessory prayer teams back home was, and still is, mandatory in touching base with members of the home church and pastors. Formation of such support teams provided:

Spiritual wisdom

Encouragement

Movement of friends and congregation to pray, send emails, and information while the missionary was over­seas

Then the nature of the mission field began to shift. Because of expanded global markets, ever-changing diplo­matic relations, and multi-national business enter­prises, more people were needed in the overseas markets to meet the needs of business operations and expanded global investments. It became increasingly common for citizens of one country to live abroad for work purposes, yet the need to educate their children was an important consideration. So, interna­tional English-speaking schools which used Western curriculum and teachers were established. With English being the universal language and with the rise of globalization, it was necessary to address the need for institutes and academies to teach English to Nationals and to teach English as a second language in local national universities. As a result, international Christian day schools began to spring up throughout the world, providing Christian academic education with a Christian worldview. After several years and much refining, the Koreans have been developing an international, global univer­sity that teaches courses both in the English language and in the native language of the foreign country. Education needs increased, so too did the need to meet the spiritual requirements of the local people. As a result, the interna­tional church with interna­tional ministries in foreign countries was developed. The nature of mis­sions in Korea is a good case study of the world trends, and much of this text will survey international missions and ministries in that nation.

The Challenge — Go Prepared

As global economies expand, a greater number of people are going abroad to work, to minister, and to teach, but they are not adequately prepared for overseas assign­ments in their non-native culture.  Commitments to work and to minister in a foreign country should lead God’s people to seek practical training and formal education in basic textual courses for improvement in understanding the Bible and its spiritual truths. Those called to live abroad should be more fully prepared for opportunities in ministry. They should complete practical classroom training for Christian service, including instruction in how to teach unbelievers. An understanding of evange­lism methods is necessary, as well as skill in developing Bible study materials and other educational materials for believers.

Further preparation should include knowledge and awareness of family health and nutrition, how to lead Bible studies and how to gain knowledge about the new culture. Missionaries and others who are called to minis­ter and teach abroad are frequently torn between the need for preparation in their homeland and the urgency to begin their work away from home.  They may feel that they do not have time to better prepare themselves for the tasks of preaching, teaching and evangelizing. They may only partially fathom the importance of training in preparation for missions. Why do I need training? they ask. Why can I not just go? Passages like Isaiah 6:8 seem to reinforce their sense of urgency: Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I. Send me."[i] Frequently, the value of initial training becomes apparent later in the maturing process with their overseas assignments. Whether they acknowledge the need early or late in the process, God’s people must be more fully prepared before going abroad.

From this writer’s point of view, with six years of personal overseas experience living in Korea and interna­tional travel in Asia, preparation for foreign service is necessary in the following areas:

Native language and interaction in the host country

Knowledge and insights about customs and culture differences

Cross-cultural training and spiritual prepara­tion

Readiness skills and correct attitudes to live and minister abroad

Team-building skills with other inter-nationals

Preparation for developing international minis­try and missions

Communication etiquette of another culture

Coping strategies, adaptation, and survival in a foreign culture and country

Acceptance by a host culture, after entering a new culture

Skills and appreciation for another culture

A knowledge of world missions and church preparation

The biblical basis of missions and world evangelism

Managing conflict and problem resolution

Career related skills and talents for teaching and ministering to national people

As a result of inadequate preparation, training and education, many Internationals experience undue stress, disappointment and dissatisfaction with salaries, inade­quate levels of support raised, living conditions, the culture and the length of time for inconveniences related to shopping, banking and other routine tasks, to name just a few components. Missionaries become weary be­cause of the stress brought about by day-to-day encoun­ters with the unfamiliar culture and language barriers in addition to the tasks at hand. This stress is at times sublimi­nal, but it is almost always