Member Orientation Program Reading List

Updated December 2024. Download the list with checkboxes that you will submit to your sending office at this link.

For a Spanish reading list, click here.

For a reading list with some German titles, click here.

General Pre-field reading

Regardless of your future field of service or ministry, we expect that all new SEND appointees will read the following books before you leave for your field of service:

SEND history – read the following book by one of SEND’s retired missionaries.

Through open doors: a history of SEND International by Mildred Morehouse. (contact SEND to obtain a copy)

Spiritual Life/ Disciplines – Read one of the following books (suggested to read one of the first three if you have never read a book on spiritual disciplines):

The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives by Dallas Willard
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Spiritual Warfare: The Battle for God's Glory by Jerry Rankin
A Praying Life: Connecting With God In A Distracting World by Paul Miller

Engaging & Establishing – Read one of the following books:

I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus by Don Everts and Doug Schaupp
Global Church Planting: Biblical Principles and Best Practices for Multiplication by Craig Ott and Gene Wilson
The Messenger, the Message and the Community by Roland Muller. 4th edition. Particularly for those going to work in Muslim contexts. Some of this book was read during MOP 201. It is also available here.

Marriage / Family / Singles – Choose and read at least one of the following:

Missionary Marriage Issues by Ronald L. Koteskey (free download from the ebook section of his website www.missionarycare.com)
What Missionaries Ought to Know: A Handbook for Life and Service by Ronald L. Koteskey (free download from the ebook section of his website www.missionarycare.com)
Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds by David Pollock and Ruth Van Reken
A Biblical Theology of Singleness by Barry Danylak AND watch Learn how to use your singleness for good by Jonathan Pokluda

Cultural Adjustment - Read one of the following books:

Cross-Cultural Connections: Stepping Out and Fitting In Around the World by Duane Elmer. Much of this book was read during MOP 201, but read the rest of the chapters now.
Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret to Success by David A. Livermore
Crossing Cultures with the Gospel by Darrell L. Whiteman

Country-Specific Reading Lists:

Besides this general reading list, each of you will also have a country-specific reading list. Each SEND receiving country provides a list of books, articles and/or videos that will be helpful in understanding the history, culture and ministry challenges in that particular country. You can find the list of resources on the SEND U wiki under Country reading lists. If you cannot find a book or video, please contact the country field leader. From the list provided you should complete a minimum of 400 pages of reading. Field-specific reading is also to be completed by appointees before their first departure for the field.

back to the general MOP page

Table of Contents