Called to Reach: Equipping Cross-Cultural Disciplers

by William R. Yount, Mike Barnett

What’s a cross-cultural discipler? It’s someone who crosses distinct cultural barriers—whether at home or abroad—to share the gospel and develop other effective Christian disciples. Think of the apostle Paul who was born into a Jewish heritage but preached in Greece and Rome among other places, or modern day missionaries, both short-term and long-term, who bravely go where God sends them despite the challenges of language and lifestyle differences when they get there. Called to Reach is a much-needed book of encouragement and training for cross-cultural disciplers new and old. Based on the authors’ dynamic experiences, it defines seven characteristics that best enhance the effectiveness of disciplers in overcoming cultural barriers and emphasizes the importance of personally growing in spiritual maturity with every outreach opportunity. Throughout, Jesus is presented as the model cross-cultural discipler, for He left the culture of Heaven to disciple us in our earthly culture.

Genres: Discipleship

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had some good nuggets in it. The problem was that the organization of the book was extremely confusing. I had a very difficult time knowing where I was in a chapter and following the flow of things. Additionally, the dialogue between the two authors (where one would comment on the other's chapter at the end) seemed very odd. Why not just write the book together, and include the best of two minds, rather than providing critiques on each other's work in the book?

As I said, there are some very good and helpful parts to the book. Some of the real-life examples illustrated the author's points very well. I think the chief problem may have been trying to tackle too much in one book, and then presenting it with an unfamiliar and complex model.

To be fair, I did not read the entirety of this book, and I was reading it on Nook. Perhaps seeing it in print would have helped me follow the organization.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a very educationally oriented book. Lots of repetition and modelling. I appreciate Yount's approach of holistic ministry - it's balanced and it reflects reality. I would even assert that "cross-cultural" discipleship could be applied just as easily to people in my local setting.

[Dan Domanski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was quite a good book, very practical!