The following article was originally published at Extending Our Reach.
I have had the wonderful privilege of meeting Ann Dunagan, author of The Mission-Minded Family: Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny recently, and as I have witnessed her passion and enthusiasm for the family working together to serve the Lord in missions and fulfilling the Great Commission, I am compelled to highly recommend her book. Her life speaks volumes! This is a resource for every Christian family to be devoted together with joy and enthusiasm to focus on the lost.
As Gregg and Sono Harris share in the forward: “Contrary to what some in missions have mistakenly thought, we do not have to neglect our family responsibilities in order to accomplish God’s will in our ministry to others. Sacrificing our children on the altar of missions is very close to a modern form of Molech worship, which God continues to abhor. The family is not an obstacle to ministry; it is a vehicle for ministry. But like all road-worthy vehicles, the family must be maintained in order to go the distance and finish the course over a lifetime. And it has been made for the road, not for the garage. It actually becomes stronger and more effective as all of its members devote themselves together as a team for service to others outside the family.”
We are each called to be an ambassador of Jesus Christ and our homes to be embassies of the kingdom of God. It is designed to be a place of hospitality, welcoming others in and displaying the glory of God. This book is a powerful tool in making the family and home the centerplace of evangelism and ministry and contains a wealth of resources and ideas to mobilize and equip each family member to work together in being lights in this dark world. It provides means for being more mission-focused through prayer resources, missionary skits, enjoying missions throughout the year incelebration of international holidays, and also an excellent chapter on missions and the family finances. She maintains the proper balance of prioritizing everyday life and God’s call to fulfill the Great Commission without leaving our children behind.
“Look beyond your children’s faces and see the potential of a new generation – the families they will guide, the friends they will lead to Jesus, and yes, even the nations they will impact.” – Ann Dunagan
Ann has written two other excellent books as well!
The Mission Minded Child is filled with facts, information and tools for teaching. It focuses on the “why” of missions, including the biblical basis, historical heritage, and the world’s needs. It contains short missionary biographies, dozens of mission stories, hymns, and classic poems. Many skit ideas are included as well! An excellent tool for your home education or for a Sunday school environment.
Hand Commands: The Ten Commandments for Little Ones is a fun means of teaching your little ones the ten commandments. It is so creatively written. Karis loves this book and has learned many of them already!
Giveaway
Ann Dunagan has graciously donated one copy of each of her books,The Mission-Minded Family,The Mission-Minded Child & Hand Commands: The Ten Commandments for Little Ones. We would love to give them away and bless a few readers and their families!
Entering is easy: Choose which of the three books you would like to win most and enter your choice in the comments below. To enter twice, simply share about this giveaway on your blog, come back and enter a new comment with the web link. We will then randomly draw three winners.
Giveaway is closed.
P.S. Check out Ann’s wonderful blog, Mission Minded Life, which contains great resources and ideas for becoming a mission minded family.
I have been enjoying and implementing ideas from your site for months and recently have benefited immensely from Ann’s site. All three books are vital for everyone, however, with a nine and one yr. old, “The Mission Minded Child” would be perfect!
Thank you,
I would love the Mission Minded Child book. I met my husband on the mission field and we have several opportunities to do mission work and I would love to hear what the author has to say for children. Thank you Lindsay for your great example and for sharing your resources.
Hi Lindsay,
I posted about the giveaway on my blog.
http://virtuousthreads.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/the-mission-minded-family-by-ann-duna%C2%ADgan/
I’m thrilled to find out about the existence of these books! I’d love a copy of the Mission Minded Family, as my husband and I have a calling on our lives as missionaries.
I am excited at the chance to win a copy! Thanks for the giveaway.
Would enjoy reading “Mission-minded Family”
My husband and I are in prayer about where God might lead us in ministry and this book may be an encouragement to us.
I would love a copy of the mission minded family. We love serving Jesus as a Family and want to continue to grow in our purpose. We would love the encouragement. Thank you
I would love to have a copy of mission minded child. My son is only 8 months old, but I desire so much for our children to love the Lord and serve Him as He has saved and moved my husband and I to.
I would love to have both these books…how do I get a copy?
My friend shared your blog with me and it’s already been a blessing! Thanks! We would enjoy a copy of any of the books, but I think our 4 and 2 year old boys would love the Hand Commands.
My husband and I have been reading the Christian Heroes Then & Now books. They really challenge you to think about missions. Any of these books sound interesting. Thanks for the giveaway. I have learned so much from your blog.