Recent Articles
What is a marginalized community?
You've probably read our mission statement before: Mission Alive equips leaders to develop innovative communities of faith focused on transforming marginalized communities. To us, "marginalized communities", isn't just a generic term but represents 100 identified...
St. Patrick: Innovative church planter
St Patrick's Day is upon us! Saint Patrick's legacy runs much deeper than shamrocks and wearing green. He joined God's mission in his day in innovative and inspiring ways. The following is an excerpt from the book, Trauma-Informed Evangelism: Cultivating Communities...
Celebrating the Life and Work of Dr. Gailyn Van Rheenen
At the Christian Scholars Conference in June, 2022, Mission Alive's founder, Dr. Gailyn Van Rheenen, was honored with a series of academic papers written to follow the three phases of his ministry: Mission work in East Africa Teaching missions at Abilene Christian...
Why 20 Matters
Last spring, National Public Radio published an article claiming that in 2019 more churches closed than opened. A lot more. Furthermore, they referenced a study conducted by the Public Research Institute that claimed the average congregation size declined by more than...
Listening Agendas from Steve Shaffer
Good coaching begins with a willingness to set aside our own needs to benefit from our conversations. When we stop trying to satisfy our need to have the answers, or be seen as wise, or helpful then we can be fully present with others and fully invested in them. This...
Bob Griggs–The Roots of The Crossing Church
In 2007, Patti and I moved to San Antonio and were soon inspired by the original staff of Mission Alive to do something we felt we had been prepared for since becoming followers of Christ--we wanted to plant house churches who would continue to meet in homes without...
Celebrating 10 Years at Redland Hills Church, AL
When Wes and Amanda Gunn hosted international guests, they frequently asked them what was most surprising about the USA. The answer was often how long Americans could go without talking to their neighbors. This convicted Wes and Amanda to be more intentional with...
Introducing Reimagining Church Project
A message from Rex Butts, lead minister for the Newark Church of Christ, NJ I have served as a minister among Churches of Christ for almost twenty-five years. With some lament, I may be among the last generation of full-time vocational ministers. Very few students at...
Updates from The Table-Irving, TX and Peace Initiative, SD
Missional churches are at the heart of everything Mission Alive does. What does it mean to be "missional"? The following quote from Dr. Elias Medeiros provides an excellent explanation. "It means to live as a sent one, to think as a sent one...for the sake of God's...
The Importance of Coach Training
From Steve Shaffer, Director of Coaching and Discipleship “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…” In God’s loving generosity, he created humanity with free will and then pours himself out to show his love in hopes that love frees us to...
