Missional Transformation: God’s Spirit at Work
Essays Celebrating the Outreach Ministry of Dr. Eugene Bunkowske
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
I am looking east into the sunrise at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The upper edge of the cloud bank above the ocean is beginning to etch with pink. Next the entire cloud bank changes from blue to pink and then to brighter and brighter pink. Activity on the beach comes to a halt. People stop talking and walking. Their eyes are fixed on the changing colors. The breath-taking wonder gets bolder and broader until the fiery red sun breaks through. After several minutes of awe-struck wonder, the activity on the beach begins to move again as the sun turns from fiery red through all the shades of orange to yellow and then to bright white. As regular as clock work, God’s purposeful-sending of the sun happens every day. Without it, physical life as we know it on earth would not exist. But it isn’t only the sun that is purposefully sent. Throughout history God has been purposeful in sending His people out for and into His strategic goals and purposes. Qualitatively, God created the world “good[1]” and “very good[2]”. This “good” and “very good” creation also establishes God’s perfectly organized operating system (POOS). This system rests on the solid foundation of truth manifested in the Old Testament[3] and made fully explicit through Jesus the Christ in the New Testament[4].
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Missiologists and mission-oriented folks have been invited to reflect on topics that touch on the transforming power of God’s Spirit. This series of essays has been produced as one way of celebrating the fascinating, missional career of Dr. Eugene Bunkowske, long-time missionary to Africa, long-time linguist and Bible translator, long-time seminary professor, life-long sharer of the Good News of Jesus the Christ. This volume offers plenty of “meat” to engage the serious student of missions – but also a number of “gems” that will enlighten any Christian with a commitment to outreach or an interest in the church’s mission. Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod readers will be especially interested in some of the pieces, though any student of Sacred Scripture will benefit from many of the essays.
About the Author
Rev. Dr. Eugene Bunkowske and Rev. Dr. Mark Press have teamed up on this manuscript. Their friendship dates back to the early days of Mark’s involvement in the doctoral program in missiology, which at the time was chaired by Gene. Their teamwork has been intensified over the years since Mark’s move in 2006 to join the staff of the Oswald Hoffmann Institute for Christian Outreach in St. Paul, MN. With offices directly across the hall from one another, Mark and Gene have found it easy to communicate and to work together in a number of outreach related projects. It is their hope and prayer that this effort will bless many people as you navigate through this special look at the Mission of God.