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Across the Street and Around the World: Following Jesus to the Nations in Your Neighborhood…and Beyond
A practical guidebook that helps readers align with God's desire to cross cultures and reach all nations.
Many Christians experience a stirring in their souls after short mission trips or global conferences, or as they interact with the increasingly diverse sets of people moving into their neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools. But most don't know how to build intentional relationships with people from different backgrounds.
Across the Street and Around the World offers an answer to those Christians wondering, Is it possible to engage with people of other cultures right now, in my everyday world—or even beyond?Step by step, it helps them see how to prepare their souls, reshape their worldviews, and redesign their patterns of life to become the sort of people who can represent Jesus across cultural lines and take part in God's plans for their neighborhoods, their cities, and the world.
Many Christians experience a stirring in their souls after short mission trips or global conferences, or as they interact with the increasingly diverse sets of people moving into their neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools. But most don't know how to build intentional relationships with people from different backgrounds.
Across the Street and Around the World offers an answer to those Christians wondering, Is it possible to engage with people of other cultures right now, in my everyday world—or even beyond?Step by step, it helps them see how to prepare their souls, reshape their worldviews, and redesign their patterns of life to become the sort of people who can represent Jesus across cultural lines and take part in God's plans for their neighborhoods, their cities, and the world.
288 pages, Paperback
Published October 2, 2018
83 people are currently reading
1038 people want to read
About the author
Jeannie Marie
3 books21 followersHi! You can check out my website at www.jeannie-marie.com. But here's a little about me:
I'm the new author of Across the Street and Around the World: Following Jesus to the Nations in Your Neighborhood...and Beyond, published by Thomas Nelson and released last fall 2018.
I've walked across the street in America to welcome international students and refugees, and worked with a community development non-profit, and then at a church mobilizing others to go to the nations. I love to inspire others to get involved with people from other countries and cultures and have a spiritual adventure with Jesus.
I grew up as an expat kid in the Philippines my growing up years, until I came to America for a degree in Communications at Trinity International University. Later, my husband, four children and I moved to live and work in India for a year, and now I travel on short trips overseas a lot to cool places for work, and I often bring a kid or two along.
I'm a strategist for an international sending agency that recruits, trains, and sends long-term global workers to live overseas. I help people make a difference in the world by moving to places of pain, poverty, and people with no access to Jesus Christ and the freedom and peace he offers.
I'm also on the board of directors for Global Adventure Project, a group that places university students in strategic overseas internships, and a non-profit called PathWays to Global Understanding, an off-shoot training course from Worldwide Perspectives.
I live with my husband and four fun children in the sunny suburbs of Phoenix, Arizona. When I'm not reading a book, or dreaming up some idea to change the world, we do a lot of adventurous things outdoors.
I'm the new author of Across the Street and Around the World: Following Jesus to the Nations in Your Neighborhood...and Beyond, published by Thomas Nelson and released last fall 2018.
I've walked across the street in America to welcome international students and refugees, and worked with a community development non-profit, and then at a church mobilizing others to go to the nations. I love to inspire others to get involved with people from other countries and cultures and have a spiritual adventure with Jesus.
I grew up as an expat kid in the Philippines my growing up years, until I came to America for a degree in Communications at Trinity International University. Later, my husband, four children and I moved to live and work in India for a year, and now I travel on short trips overseas a lot to cool places for work, and I often bring a kid or two along.
I'm a strategist for an international sending agency that recruits, trains, and sends long-term global workers to live overseas. I help people make a difference in the world by moving to places of pain, poverty, and people with no access to Jesus Christ and the freedom and peace he offers.
I'm also on the board of directors for Global Adventure Project, a group that places university students in strategic overseas internships, and a non-profit called PathWays to Global Understanding, an off-shoot training course from Worldwide Perspectives.
I live with my husband and four fun children in the sunny suburbs of Phoenix, Arizona. When I'm not reading a book, or dreaming up some idea to change the world, we do a lot of adventurous things outdoors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
December 21, 2022
I think a lot of Christian’s think their way into the Great Commission is by buying a plane ticket. Though that is one way to participate with God, that is such a small view of how He is asking us to live missionally. I had so many paradigm shifts about what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus that challenged me to live differently and more intentionally. There are so many stories she shares of ordinary people who God used because they were willing to say yes in small ways. Very practical and encouraging! Everyone should read it!
August 29, 2023
**update. 3/5 is my true review I was faking a 4-star rating… this book is good and if I had read it a few years ago I would’ve loved it!! But I did know a lot of it and therefore 3/5
November 15, 2025
THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD. I love it.
January 11, 2024
I really loved this book!! It helped me to process what my future involvement with the nations!!
There were a few things I might minorly disagree on theologically, but helps challenge my default beliefs!
There were a few things I might minorly disagree on theologically, but helps challenge my default beliefs!
December 17, 2022
The most practical and engaging book I’ve read so far about living out our role in the Great Commission! Highly recommend all believers to read this! I’m so grateful for this book!
October 2, 2018
You don't need to be either Christian or considering local or international travel to a culture different from yours to benefit immensely from Across the Street and Around the World, yet if you're in either situation, and supremely if you're Christian and venturing into a nearby or across the globe community of mostly immigrants or refugees or permanent residents unlike yourself, so much the best.
Jeannie Marie reminds us everyone is not "all the same," so don't ever assume they are. Her experiences with people in Eastern – primarily Muslim – countries held high value and interest for me. I have enough basic western smarts to know (for example) despite North American culture possessing a sameness, every state and each province has quirky distinctions we need to watch out for and may not understand at first encounter. Hey, we may not even understand their regionally accented English!
Everyone everywhere is not all the same, so don't ever assume they are. "In the Gospels Jesus didn't offer the same good news [gospel] in the same way to everyone. How he offered good news always depended on the person's immediate visible need—and his or her inner felt need." (page 88)
Jeannie Marie explains Muslim culture ("culture" encompasses people who practice the religion of Islam and those who aren't necessarily religious but go along with ethnic Muslim culinary and social habits) is honor and shame based with almost no notion of sin and guilt. Although I've never been much concerned with guilt or sin, either, most Western Christians emphasize Jesus obliterating sin and guilt. That absolutely comports with many passages of scripture, and with Jesus' words recorded in Matthew 26:28, "this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured our for many for the forgiveness of sins," (though best guess is "for the forgiveness of sins" is a gloss by a later redactor to align Jesus' words and actions with passover), but the author makes clear Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension led to a full, abundant life in every way for the entire world, all the people, all creation, and wasn't simply a near-static cancellation of sin and guilt many assume. As we reach out to previously unreached / unengaged people, we need to be like the bible as the written word of God that brings us gospels by Luke the Physician and by John the Beloved, that provides thought-filled practical counsel by James, vivid apocalyptic by John the Revelator, and not offer the same pictures and words about Jesus the living Word of God to everyone.
In the author's world, "field worker" rather than "missionary" is the current term for anyone who lives cross-culturally in order to make disciples for Jesus. Because they contain the "sent" word root, I prefer the old-fashioned missionary and missioner we still use in the protestant mainline, but that's simply an aside.
Field workers, missionaries, Jesus people interacting with other cultures also need to be aware of different life styles and worship styles amongst Christians. An individual's post-baptismal apparel isn't necessarily a white shirt and black pants for guys, long skirt and long-sleeved blouse for women. The worshiping assembly may or may not meet in a rectangular room with stained glass windows, a cross, and a plushy red carpet. Friends of Jesus may or may not gather around a round kitchen table for praise, scripture study, breaking bread and drinking wine. Particularly in terms of worship we need to remember worship and hymn-singing in both the spoken and the cultural vernacular languages of the people was one of Reformer Martin Luther's seven marks of the true church.
Although you could describe Jeannie Marie's Christian perspective as conservative evangelical rather than my own more liberal mainline, in the end all of us are about helping lead people to Jesus and thus replace life-denying practices with life-engendering ones. As my review title states, Across the Street and Around the World is solid evangelism and solid anthropology. It's impossible to cite any part of the book as more valuable than any other.
I ordered Jeannie Marie's book especially because the urban church where I'm active is in an ethnically exceptionally diverse urban area and has been successfully reaching out to nearby Iranians; more than a dozen have been baptized and have become active in worship and other activities. As an amazon vine reviewer, I read it as interested individual so didn't do anything with the Small Group Plan, Small Group Bible Reading list, or Recommended Resources for Further Exploration at the end.
Jeannie Marie reminds us everyone is not "all the same," so don't ever assume they are. Her experiences with people in Eastern – primarily Muslim – countries held high value and interest for me. I have enough basic western smarts to know (for example) despite North American culture possessing a sameness, every state and each province has quirky distinctions we need to watch out for and may not understand at first encounter. Hey, we may not even understand their regionally accented English!
Everyone everywhere is not all the same, so don't ever assume they are. "In the Gospels Jesus didn't offer the same good news [gospel] in the same way to everyone. How he offered good news always depended on the person's immediate visible need—and his or her inner felt need." (page 88)
Jeannie Marie explains Muslim culture ("culture" encompasses people who practice the religion of Islam and those who aren't necessarily religious but go along with ethnic Muslim culinary and social habits) is honor and shame based with almost no notion of sin and guilt. Although I've never been much concerned with guilt or sin, either, most Western Christians emphasize Jesus obliterating sin and guilt. That absolutely comports with many passages of scripture, and with Jesus' words recorded in Matthew 26:28, "this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured our for many for the forgiveness of sins," (though best guess is "for the forgiveness of sins" is a gloss by a later redactor to align Jesus' words and actions with passover), but the author makes clear Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension led to a full, abundant life in every way for the entire world, all the people, all creation, and wasn't simply a near-static cancellation of sin and guilt many assume. As we reach out to previously unreached / unengaged people, we need to be like the bible as the written word of God that brings us gospels by Luke the Physician and by John the Beloved, that provides thought-filled practical counsel by James, vivid apocalyptic by John the Revelator, and not offer the same pictures and words about Jesus the living Word of God to everyone.
In the author's world, "field worker" rather than "missionary" is the current term for anyone who lives cross-culturally in order to make disciples for Jesus. Because they contain the "sent" word root, I prefer the old-fashioned missionary and missioner we still use in the protestant mainline, but that's simply an aside.
Field workers, missionaries, Jesus people interacting with other cultures also need to be aware of different life styles and worship styles amongst Christians. An individual's post-baptismal apparel isn't necessarily a white shirt and black pants for guys, long skirt and long-sleeved blouse for women. The worshiping assembly may or may not meet in a rectangular room with stained glass windows, a cross, and a plushy red carpet. Friends of Jesus may or may not gather around a round kitchen table for praise, scripture study, breaking bread and drinking wine. Particularly in terms of worship we need to remember worship and hymn-singing in both the spoken and the cultural vernacular languages of the people was one of Reformer Martin Luther's seven marks of the true church.
Although you could describe Jeannie Marie's Christian perspective as conservative evangelical rather than my own more liberal mainline, in the end all of us are about helping lead people to Jesus and thus replace life-denying practices with life-engendering ones. As my review title states, Across the Street and Around the World is solid evangelism and solid anthropology. It's impossible to cite any part of the book as more valuable than any other.
I ordered Jeannie Marie's book especially because the urban church where I'm active is in an ethnically exceptionally diverse urban area and has been successfully reaching out to nearby Iranians; more than a dozen have been baptized and have become active in worship and other activities. As an amazon vine reviewer, I read it as interested individual so didn't do anything with the Small Group Plan, Small Group Bible Reading list, or Recommended Resources for Further Exploration at the end.
February 6, 2021
Very inspiring and relevant. Would recommend!
September 22, 2018
I found this book to be really interesting.
Want to read
September 13, 2018I gifted this book to my pastor, she is thinking of making it a church bookclub book, she liked it that much !
August 24, 2025
It feels like it has everything you could need for understanding cross-cultural ministry, while staying concise, readable, and personal.
The last third of the book was particularly helpful for me, as that’s where I stand in my journey of cross-cultural missions, but every American Christian could benefit from this book. It’s hard to remember that I live in a bubble of abundance and comfort, and that I take my cultural beliefs for granted.
Highly recommend this one
The last third of the book was particularly helpful for me, as that’s where I stand in my journey of cross-cultural missions, but every American Christian could benefit from this book. It’s hard to remember that I live in a bubble of abundance and comfort, and that I take my cultural beliefs for granted.
Highly recommend this one
October 17, 2018
This book gives us guidelines on how to reach out to people from different countries starting in our home country, hence the title 'Across the Street...' The '...Around the World' part refers to the believers of God in moving to overseas where the nations are unreached to the Gospel.
I find it useful when Marie pointed out the short term trip and the long-term trip as a field worker. Not many can tell the difference between these two. Another you will find useful is about visa application before you embark to overseas. You will find out more when you read this book yourself.
The author wrote this book from the Western point of view with the knowledge of the Eastern cultures in general. I commend the author for having such knowledge and for writing this book packed with nuggets of wisdom yet written in a concise way supported with the scriptures.
I recommend this book to everyone who wants to make a difference be it on the small scale or big scale. If you are not Christian, you are still welcome to read this book because it doesn't take anyone to be religious first in order to make a difference but if you prefer a book to be religious-free, then this book is not for you.
DISCLAIMER: I receive a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I find it useful when Marie pointed out the short term trip and the long-term trip as a field worker. Not many can tell the difference between these two. Another you will find useful is about visa application before you embark to overseas. You will find out more when you read this book yourself.
The author wrote this book from the Western point of view with the knowledge of the Eastern cultures in general. I commend the author for having such knowledge and for writing this book packed with nuggets of wisdom yet written in a concise way supported with the scriptures.
I recommend this book to everyone who wants to make a difference be it on the small scale or big scale. If you are not Christian, you are still welcome to read this book because it doesn't take anyone to be religious first in order to make a difference but if you prefer a book to be religious-free, then this book is not for you.
DISCLAIMER: I receive a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2019
This is a woman of energy and commitment, passionate about what the Lord has placed upon her heart. She is an inspiration for those who desire to show their faith in Christ and don't know quite how to go about it.
As the title says, the reader can gain valuable insight into living and speaking Jesus whether it be right at home, or in a third world country thousands of miles and an entire culture away.
One of the lessons that stood out for me was with the desire must come practical preparation.
And Jeannie Marie knows what's she's talking about. She's lived it and learned from it, taking hard knocks, disappointments, defeats, along her own journey. She's seen the Lord completely change her vision and her direction.
But when an individual really loves the Lord, along with that comes the desire to want others to know that same joy. The reader will come away richer in heart and mind after reading this book.
As the title says, the reader can gain valuable insight into living and speaking Jesus whether it be right at home, or in a third world country thousands of miles and an entire culture away.
One of the lessons that stood out for me was with the desire must come practical preparation.
And Jeannie Marie knows what's she's talking about. She's lived it and learned from it, taking hard knocks, disappointments, defeats, along her own journey. She's seen the Lord completely change her vision and her direction.
But when an individual really loves the Lord, along with that comes the desire to want others to know that same joy. The reader will come away richer in heart and mind after reading this book.
October 26, 2019
I committed to read this book after going on a missions training weekend. The author is articulate, godly and enthusiastic. My take-away was two-fold. I can be praying more for global missions--and I have started to do that and hope to continue. It really is a privilege. The second is that the hindrances for going overseas on mission are the same as for going across the street and sharing the gospel. She highlights 4 aspects of the American Dream that stymie us and they are materialism, financial security, comfort, and safety. I could relate to all of them. She encouraged the reader to simply pray and ask God for help to surrender these things. I am glad I read this book for this simple reminder.
December 1, 2018
Jeannie Marie's book, Across the Street and Around the World, is filled with engaging stories, practical tips and wonderful insights that we can put into practice today wherever we are!
I especially appreciated the "Try it!" sections and reflection questions. It's a good reminder that we are to do something with what we're learning vs only gain head knowledge. I highly recommend it!
I especially appreciated the "Try it!" sections and reflection questions. It's a good reminder that we are to do something with what we're learning vs only gain head knowledge. I highly recommend it!
October 30, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It opened my eyes to so many practical ways I can reach the nations for Christ without traveling to another country. My daughter will be on 4 continents this year spreading the Good News and I cannot wait to put this book in her hands as well! We ALL have a part to play in God's Kingdom and Jeanne shows us how!!
August 8, 2019
This would be a wonderful book for anyone just beginning to build awareness about global missions and God's heart for the world. For me it was an inspiring reminder and summary of things I have been thinking, and doing in some cases, for several years.
January 5, 2019
if you're wondering about, thinking about, worrying about, or already planning on being obedient to Jesus and the Great Commission, this is probably THE book you need to read!
March 3, 2025
Overall this book is a very helpful gift to believers struggling to grasp the relevance and importance of the great commission in their lives whether they stay in their hometown, travel across the world, or anything in between.
Strengths: Marie does a great job dismantling common misconceptions about field work (missionary activity), explaining that sharing the gospel with all people groups is necessary, highlighting the reality that the church does not yet focus on field work even a fraction of as much as we should, and she explains clear strategic ways you can be a part of the course correction, whether you are called to stay or go.
My favorite takeaways are:
1. Her advice to choose the biblical description of Jesus’s mission “launching the kingdom of God” rather than the expected, partially true western cultural formula “Jesus died for your sins so you could have eternal life”.
2. Her critical assessment of short term mission trips, she is not against them, but she rightly gives good helpful warnings, I think every missions pastor should read.
Weakness: For as good as this book is (and it is good, I do recommend it - with caution) and as many misconceptions as this book breaks down, it does wholeheartedly cling to a common understanding of Jesus’s heart for the nations that is shot through with half truths. Jesus’s plan for the nations is not just for the other nations, it starts with his own nation. In other words -the Kingdom of God’s capital is in a Jewish city, an unreached city. Missing the importance of this truth shows up in the book several times when passages from the New Testament are quoted that show Jesus’s heart for the Jewish nation, it is misapplied to the nations. And the authors calls us to action with the reminder that Jesus will return when every tongue tribe and nation hear about Jesus, but leaves out the other side of that coin that reminds Jesus will not return until Jerusalem, says blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
In God’s redemptive plan the Jewish people and the Nations are always talked about as reciprocal groups. They are 2 sides of the human coin, if we emphasize one group while forgetting the other, our coin won’t be worth its full value. If we encourage reaching the Jewish people and forget the nations the body of Messiah will be unhealthy, and if we encourage reaching the nations but forget the Jewish people, the body of the Messiah will again be unhealthy.
Strengths: Marie does a great job dismantling common misconceptions about field work (missionary activity), explaining that sharing the gospel with all people groups is necessary, highlighting the reality that the church does not yet focus on field work even a fraction of as much as we should, and she explains clear strategic ways you can be a part of the course correction, whether you are called to stay or go.
My favorite takeaways are:
1. Her advice to choose the biblical description of Jesus’s mission “launching the kingdom of God” rather than the expected, partially true western cultural formula “Jesus died for your sins so you could have eternal life”.
2. Her critical assessment of short term mission trips, she is not against them, but she rightly gives good helpful warnings, I think every missions pastor should read.
Weakness: For as good as this book is (and it is good, I do recommend it - with caution) and as many misconceptions as this book breaks down, it does wholeheartedly cling to a common understanding of Jesus’s heart for the nations that is shot through with half truths. Jesus’s plan for the nations is not just for the other nations, it starts with his own nation. In other words -the Kingdom of God’s capital is in a Jewish city, an unreached city. Missing the importance of this truth shows up in the book several times when passages from the New Testament are quoted that show Jesus’s heart for the Jewish nation, it is misapplied to the nations. And the authors calls us to action with the reminder that Jesus will return when every tongue tribe and nation hear about Jesus, but leaves out the other side of that coin that reminds Jesus will not return until Jerusalem, says blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
In God’s redemptive plan the Jewish people and the Nations are always talked about as reciprocal groups. They are 2 sides of the human coin, if we emphasize one group while forgetting the other, our coin won’t be worth its full value. If we encourage reaching the Jewish people and forget the nations the body of Messiah will be unhealthy, and if we encourage reaching the nations but forget the Jewish people, the body of the Messiah will again be unhealthy.
June 24, 2019
This book caught my attention last year when it was first released but with a To-Be-Read stack 20 books deep, it was sitting patiently in my Amazon cart for a day when I had more time. Just in time for my push to prepare for this year’s annual team trip to Guatemala, I received a copy of the book. Any book with a reference to the Great Commission will catch my attention. I’m happy to share that Across the Street and Around the World caught my attention, pulled me in, and made me think.
The book in a couple sentences: Across the Street and Around the World is an intriguing mix of memoir, missiological discussion, scripture study, and conversation. Jeannie Marie invites readers to reconsider their role in the Great Commission at home and abroad. She gives thoughtful consider to the common misconceptions plaguing our country and shares stories of brave individuals who have lived out those challenges in the name of faith and witness. Her personal stories of reaching others both stateside and abroad allow readers to understand their potential role in discipleship to the nations. This is a great book every believer, especially in the current political climate.
What I liked most: Having many years of experience working with short-term missions programs and traveling internationally, I was unsure of how this book might help me. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth she includes for individuals along the full spectrum of discipleship and missions experience. She gives thoughtful insight into practical missions. My book is full of highlights and notes. I appreciate her thoughtful consideration for those she served. She isn’t afraid to write about issues I also find concerning—the purpose of short-term missions, the potential harm of missions trips, and how to combat the notion that short-term mission trips are “saving” people.
I might change: I would enjoy a companion book to dive even deeper into the topic of short-term missions programs.
A quote to remember: “Passion without knowledge is dangerous.”
The book in a couple sentences: Across the Street and Around the World is an intriguing mix of memoir, missiological discussion, scripture study, and conversation. Jeannie Marie invites readers to reconsider their role in the Great Commission at home and abroad. She gives thoughtful consider to the common misconceptions plaguing our country and shares stories of brave individuals who have lived out those challenges in the name of faith and witness. Her personal stories of reaching others both stateside and abroad allow readers to understand their potential role in discipleship to the nations. This is a great book every believer, especially in the current political climate.
What I liked most: Having many years of experience working with short-term missions programs and traveling internationally, I was unsure of how this book might help me. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth she includes for individuals along the full spectrum of discipleship and missions experience. She gives thoughtful insight into practical missions. My book is full of highlights and notes. I appreciate her thoughtful consideration for those she served. She isn’t afraid to write about issues I also find concerning—the purpose of short-term missions, the potential harm of missions trips, and how to combat the notion that short-term mission trips are “saving” people.
I might change: I would enjoy a companion book to dive even deeper into the topic of short-term missions programs.
A quote to remember: “Passion without knowledge is dangerous.”
January 2, 2022
"If we stay in tune with God's Spirit leading us and try to notice opportunities, taking a small step toward those opportunities to see what will happen, God will put our willingness, our friendliness, and our openness to good use for his purposes in drawing all people from every nation to him." (pg. 13)
I would have given this book a higher rating because it's very accessible and applicable, but it should be 3 small books:
Across the Street
Great, been-there-done-that advice for befriending and truly helping our international neighbors. This part is super-encouraging and makes the reader feel like they can really reach people! It's applicable to most any North American Christian.
Should I Go Around the World?
Who should go, why to go, and how to go short-term. This section clearly comes from someone who has experienced both good and "bad" mission teams. I appreciated the acknowledgment that not everyone needs to go overseas but everyone can and should be involved in overseas missions.
Around the World
What it takes and preparing/equipping oneself to make the move to a different culture. Lots of good advice, but not relevant for everyone in the way earlier sections were. Also, the personality descriptions are simplistic. This part would make a great training manual for those who think they are called to full-time overseas work.
Jeannie Marie writes for all Christ-followers, using a friendly and easy-to-understand tone. The advice is mostly practical and helpful, with some nice quotes from other authors. I would love to recommend this book, but when I do, it'll be for one or two sections, depending on the person.
I would have given this book a higher rating because it's very accessible and applicable, but it should be 3 small books:
Across the Street
Great, been-there-done-that advice for befriending and truly helping our international neighbors. This part is super-encouraging and makes the reader feel like they can really reach people! It's applicable to most any North American Christian.
Should I Go Around the World?
Who should go, why to go, and how to go short-term. This section clearly comes from someone who has experienced both good and "bad" mission teams. I appreciated the acknowledgment that not everyone needs to go overseas but everyone can and should be involved in overseas missions.
Around the World
What it takes and preparing/equipping oneself to make the move to a different culture. Lots of good advice, but not relevant for everyone in the way earlier sections were. Also, the personality descriptions are simplistic. This part would make a great training manual for those who think they are called to full-time overseas work.
Jeannie Marie writes for all Christ-followers, using a friendly and easy-to-understand tone. The advice is mostly practical and helpful, with some nice quotes from other authors. I would love to recommend this book, but when I do, it'll be for one or two sections, depending on the person.
August 4, 2024
I’ve read 4 chapters and cannot bring myself to finish. I also cannot in good conscience recommend this book.
If you’re looking for some easy ways to break the ice and form relationships with people from a different culture than you, maybe read the first couple chapters.
I knew early on that I disagreed with the author’s methodology on some things, but wanted to read to see exactly where she would fall and what’s being consumed on a more cultural level in terms of cross-cultural discipleship.
Chapter 4 sealed the deal on my (bad) feelings by encouraging obedience-based discipleship (teaching someone to obey the commands of Christ without necessarily repenting of sin and placing their faith in Him), discovery Bible studies (“Spirit-led” Bible reading without needing a teacher… which typically leads to heresy at its worst), and disciple making movements (new learners [who have not yet put their faith in christ] sharing what they’re learning with others… for the goal of “rapid multiplication.”)
This is unfortunately what’s being put forward as missions in the modern day, and does not lead to faithful followers of Christ. Without finishing it, I’d say this book is more about how I can be more comfortable and confident living “out loud” as a Christian with friends from other cultures, and less about seeing friends from other cultures turn from falsehood and to the truth of Jesus.
If you’re looking for some easy ways to break the ice and form relationships with people from a different culture than you, maybe read the first couple chapters.
I knew early on that I disagreed with the author’s methodology on some things, but wanted to read to see exactly where she would fall and what’s being consumed on a more cultural level in terms of cross-cultural discipleship.
Chapter 4 sealed the deal on my (bad) feelings by encouraging obedience-based discipleship (teaching someone to obey the commands of Christ without necessarily repenting of sin and placing their faith in Him), discovery Bible studies (“Spirit-led” Bible reading without needing a teacher… which typically leads to heresy at its worst), and disciple making movements (new learners [who have not yet put their faith in christ] sharing what they’re learning with others… for the goal of “rapid multiplication.”)
This is unfortunately what’s being put forward as missions in the modern day, and does not lead to faithful followers of Christ. Without finishing it, I’d say this book is more about how I can be more comfortable and confident living “out loud” as a Christian with friends from other cultures, and less about seeing friends from other cultures turn from falsehood and to the truth of Jesus.
August 23, 2022
In “Across the Street and Around the World”, Marie seeks to mobilize and educate the American church on doing missions not just in foriegn countries, but in our own backyards. She does this by telling personal stories and giving helpful advice on different ways to engage with the nations now, whether it be international students or just making cross-cultural friends with neighbors to hopefully win them to Christ. She then goes into giving a brief synopsis of the state of the world and how to begin to mobilize our churches through, among other ways, prayer and short term trips. A glimpse into this vision is seen in chapter 7 when she writes of short term trips: “What if these trips could discover the long-term field workers sitting in the chairs of our congregations, whom the church could raise up, commission, and send to unreached people groups? They can!”(129). Lastly, she wraps up by helping the reader to consider their call and giving helpful advice on steps that need to be taken to prepare your heart for the mission field. I was left slightly confused on the author’s idea of discipleship of unbelievers, especially in chapter
December 16, 2025
This is the perfect handbook for the committed follower of Jesus who wants to show love to people from unfamiliar cultural, national, ethnic, or linguistic backgrounds. It is not a dense read, yet it is RICH with patient encouragement, practical insight, and hard-won wisdom gleaned from the author’s experience and research. Excellent (perhaps indispensable?) for laypeople, ministry leaders, and long-term cross-cultural workers.
Chapter Titles:
•Adopting God’s Heart for the Nations
•Interacting with Other Cultures Well
•Engaging International Students and Welcoming Refugees
•Cultivating Intentional Cross-Cultural Disciples
•Offering Jesus in a Winsome Way to Other Cultures
•Increasing Your Missional Intelligence (MQ)
•Planning and Participating in Effective Short-Term Trips
•Mobilizing Inspirationally, Giving Extravagantly, and Praying Passionately
•Wrestling with Calling, Gifting, and Personalities
•Dreaming About Overseas Professions and Earthly Impact
•Surrendering the American Dream
•Getting Healthy and Hearing from God
One caveat: regarding her discussion of financial security and the Hudson Taylor faith model, I would strongly advise readers also to read The God Ask by Steven Shadrach in order to gain exposure to another—perhaps differing, but important—perspective.
Chapter Titles:
•Adopting God’s Heart for the Nations
•Interacting with Other Cultures Well
•Engaging International Students and Welcoming Refugees
•Cultivating Intentional Cross-Cultural Disciples
•Offering Jesus in a Winsome Way to Other Cultures
•Increasing Your Missional Intelligence (MQ)
•Planning and Participating in Effective Short-Term Trips
•Mobilizing Inspirationally, Giving Extravagantly, and Praying Passionately
•Wrestling with Calling, Gifting, and Personalities
•Dreaming About Overseas Professions and Earthly Impact
•Surrendering the American Dream
•Getting Healthy and Hearing from God
One caveat: regarding her discussion of financial security and the Hudson Taylor faith model, I would strongly advise readers also to read The God Ask by Steven Shadrach in order to gain exposure to another—perhaps differing, but important—perspective.
December 23, 2025
An excellent work on having eyes and heart for the world. Excellent and practical teaching and advice on reaching out to people near and far.
Very challenging. Very practical. This was loaned to me but not I want to buy it and read again with a pen and highlighter in hand.
I would say this should be required reading for all mission leaders in a church. And required for all prospective overseas workers.
Very challenging. Very practical. This was loaned to me but not I want to buy it and read again with a pen and highlighter in hand.
I would say this should be required reading for all mission leaders in a church. And required for all prospective overseas workers.
September 25, 2021
This book is packed full of great ideas about how to reach out purposefully, lovingly, graciously, and effectively with the love of God to the nations. I am thankful for this book and Jeannie’s course that helps people learn how to build bridges with people from other faiths and cultures--and winsomely and naturally invites them into the Kingdom of God.
December 5, 2021
This is packed with good stuff. I felt like it reinvigorated what Ive learned about true and good mission across lectures and books in a way that was grounded and grace-filled, but also persistent, inspiring, and steeped in prayer. I’d recommend this to any follower of Jesus in/from a western culture. Reconsider what it looks like to be sent.
March 4, 2024
Very good book for thinking through your role on God’s global mission both short- and long-term. I take issue with one small part - where she says that we can let converts continue referring to themselves as muslim or hindu bc of cultural reasons. Other than that though, the book is fantastic. The definitions and discussion of the different types of short-term trips was especially helpful
February 5, 2025
This is an enthusiastic and accessible explanation about how anyone can build meaningful relationships across cultures. Jeannie Marie shares valuable insights and practical steps to meet neighbors God has put in your life. Definitely worth a read - and then you'll need to carry out the suggested plans. Your life might never be the same again.
January 21, 2022
Very helpful guide on reaching the nations- where you are or overseas. Loved the practical suggestions. I think it’s very important to read something like this with grace and not guilt that you aren’t doing enough.
October 7, 2018
An easy good read for anyone who wants to better reach out to those of different cultures
The book contains good practical insights for reaching out. I won this book through goodreads.
The book contains good practical insights for reaching out. I won this book through goodreads.
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