GMC 3 Reviews

ChinaSource book review, June 2026. "Stories and Strategies for Staying the Course is the third volume of Global Member Care series edited by Kelly and Michele O’Donnell. It is a good resource for anyone who is curious about what is going on in the field of member care and how much it has matured. It explores the expansion of what is involved in missions and member care, member care in different regions and different sectors, and staying the course in good practice. This volume describes the collaboration among proponents of member care, and the continuing maturity of non-Western member care approaches that are culturally sensitive and contextualized. Stories of the development of training programs, and how their applications yielded success, abound in this volume." (excerpt from thereview by Dr. Ruth Chang)
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International Journal of Frontier Missiology book review, October 2026 (pages 175-180). “A notable strength of the book is the integration of personal experience with professional insight. Authors candidly share both successes and failures, contributing to an atmosphere of transparency and ongoing learning. This honesty not only builds credibility but also invites readers to engage in their own reflection and growth. The inclusion of lived experience ensures that the content is not merely theoretical but grounded in real-world application.…This volume is a significant resource for advancing member care in an increasingly complex global context, particularly through its engagement with emerging sectors and nonWestern perspectives. Its strength lies in the integration of diverse global voices, practical application, and lived experience, offering both conceptual clarity and actionable insight. Emphasizing adaptability, collaboration, cultural awareness, and ethical practice, the work reflects the evolving realities of mission engagement. Building on prior scholarship, it makes a substantive and timely contribution to the field.” (excerpts from the review by John and Becky Leverington)
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Evangelical Missions Quarterly book review, October 2026 (note subscription required to access it). "Building on collective history, wisdom, and international growth of member care, the O’Donnells have extended the dialogue to address sustainable, contextualized approaches for member care workers and those they serve....This third volume, Stories and Strategies for Staying the Course, expands the current literature on member care and explores new dimensions, trends, resources, opportunities, and challenges in the overall global effort of caring for those in cross-cultural ministry. Churches, mission leaders, member care personnel, and missionaries will gain valuable insights, strategies, and perspectives in their respective areas of cross-cultural service." (excerpts from book review by Dr. Laurie Tone)