Revolution In World Missions [Paperback]

K.p. Yohannan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2004

Do you long to let go of self-centeredness and be more eternally minded? Do you desire to make a difference in the lost world but aren’t sure how to go about it? Based on the testimony of thousands who have read Revolution in World Missions, this gripping message can radically change your life.In this exciting and fast-moving narrative, K.P. Yohannan shares how God brought him from his remote Indian village to become the founder of Gospel for Asia. Drawing from fascinating true stories and eye-opening statistics, K.P. challenges Christians to examine and change their lifestyles in view of millions who have never heard the Gospel.

Editorial Reviews

Review

READERS RESPOND TO Revolution in World Missions“I have just read Revolution in World Missions. This book greatly ministered to me and stirred me in a way no book has ever done. How can we order more copies?”—Pastor J.P., Lakeside, Oregon“I was a missionary in Nigeria for 20 years and understand what this book is all about.”—Mrs. D.T., Kearney, Arizona“Your book stirred me to tears and drove me to prayer! Please send me more information about your ministry to native missionaries. May God continue to bless you and use you.”—Miss J.S., Towson, Maryland“I have just finished reading your book, and I have been deeply stirred by it. I am eligible for Social Security this year, and my husband is going to let me use all of my monthly check for missions. We will live on his Social Security and pension. It is amazing how the Lord stretches our funds. But our lifestyle is simple, and giving is our greatest joy.” —Mrs. D.F., Binghamton, New York“I read your book and think it is one of the most dynamic, down-to-earth books that I have ever read. I want to give a copy to our pastor, each board member and selected other people at our church.”—Mr. P.W., Santa Margarita, California“I just finished reading Revolution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannan. The thought that for the cost of supporting one missionary from Canada as many as 10 local Asian missionaries could be supported continues to astound me.”—Mr. S.D., Calgary, Alberta“We both read K.P.’s book and were very moved to change part of our lifestyle to further the Gospel. I hope we can do more as we get braver!”—Mr. and Mrs. D.F., Los Alamos, New Mexico“I saw myself too many times in your book, K.P. Although we are going through a financial trial right now, I realize how very blessed we are compared to most of the rest of the world. I have caught sight of your vision.” —Mrs. S.S., Chesapeake, Virginia“After finishing your book, our family is now deciding how we can be a part of God’s plan for His Church in Asia. If you have any suggestions, we would enjoy your input—especially from the experience you have acquired.”—Mr. P.P., Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin“We have been challenged and convicted by Revolution in World Missions. We believe that our Lord Jesus is offering us the chance to share in His work in Asia—a chance we don’t want to miss!”—Mr. and Mrs. M.D., Pacifica, California“After reading Revolution in World Missions, I am convinced our small amount of money can do more good in this mission than many others we participate in.”—Mrs. I.T., Houston, Texas

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: Gospel For Asia (Books); As stated, 13th printing dated Dec., 2004 edition (July 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595890017
• ISBN-13: 978-1595890016
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,251,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

K.P. Yohannan is a dynamic conference speaker and the prolific writer of more than 200 books published in Asia and 9 in the United States. His call to a radical lifestyle--with an all-out commitment to Jesus--has challenged the Body of Christ around the world for more than 40 years.

Born in India, Yohannan received his theological education at Criswell College in Dallas, Texas, and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Hindustan Bible College in Chennai, India.

Dr. Yohannan's Road to Reality radio program airs weekly on more than 900 radio stations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, his South Asian radio program, Spiritual Journey, ministers hope and practical help to more than a billion people in 113 South Asian languages. In recognition of his service, the National Religious Broadcasters Association (NRB) presented to Yohannan their Individual Achievement in International Broadcasting award in 2003.

In 1979, he and his wife, Gisela, started Gospel for Asia (www.gfa.org), and Yohannan continues to serve as the international director of this Dallas-based missions organization that is sharing the love of Christ in 13 South Asian countries. K.P. and Gisela have two grown children who are both serving the Lord with their families.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Eye-opening but read with caution August 22, 2007

By A reader

Format:Paperback

I enjoyed reading about KPY's perspective on the Western church and the current native missionary movement in Asia. I agree wholeheartedly that we in the West desperately need to open our eyes and share our material blessings with the rest of the Body of Christ. In many ways, our wealth has been our spiritual downfall because we have kept so much of it for ourselves and have been blinded by it. It was also exciting to read about the adventures of faith that God took him through in his life.

On the other hand, I think that the book erroneously asserts that the Western church *primarily* has only financial gifts and prayer support to offer the 2/3 world. If we followed KPY's recommendation, I think that missions would suffer, not because we're so great, but that God has commanded every member of the Body to minister cross-culturally to the other members. Jesus said "Go to the ends of the earth," not just to the 2/3 church but to all believers. Just like we need the perspective and unique gifts of the church in India, for example, we likewise have gifts to share with them. Also, as for the argument that native missionaries are more effective and economical than foreign missionaries, that needs to be balanced with the fact that missions began with disciples going to other cultures and lands to share the gospel. Cross-cultural missions should not be excluded on the basis of economy, but on the contrary we need to obey our calling by inciting more Christians in the West to go and reach out to the unreached peoples.

GFA seems to be a great ministry for planting churches in Asia, and we should support such ministries enthusiastically and work in partnership with them...but don't be discouraged to not send Western missionaries abroad or go yourself.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A new model of missiology. Much of value for the modern church. July 2, 2007

By No one of consequence VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I read this volume shortly after taking a "Perspectives on World Missions" course, and found an enormous difference in approach between the two missiological models. "Perspectives" assumes, to a great degree, that westerners are the ones going to foreign fields, but acknowledges the increasing degree at which non-western churches are sending out missionaries to other non-western countries. South Korea is an excellent example of this. Yohannan, however, places a much greater emphasis on what he calls the "native evangelism" model.

What's the difference? It's actually rather huge. Rather than trying to train, equip and support western missionaries to do evangelism work in cultures that are dramatically different from their own (like an American family serving in the "10/40 window"), Yohannan advocates supporting local evangelists to minister to their own people. The native evangelist, he argues rather convincingly, has enormous advantages over a western missionary in terms of familiarity with the language and culture, and is far less expensive to support. Thus, more effective ministry can be done with far fewer resources.

It was on this model that Yohannan built "Gospel for Asia" ministries from the ground up. Once an itinerant Indian evangelist himself, he was afforded the opportunity to come to the United States as a young man. When he arrived, he was shocked at both the affluence of the western church, and the degree to which it used its enormous resources in a way that did little to advance the gospel. The book goes on to detail the birth and growth of his ministry.

The one place where he lost me was toward the end, where he argues, in effect, that with the rise of the native evangelist model, there is no longer a need, or at least a very minimal need, for westerners to go to the foreign field. I disagree with the proposition for this reason. While cultural natives may be best suited for evangelistic efforts in their own countries, westerners continue to have a valuable role to play in training and discipling the native evangelists. A good example is our church's partnership with a church in Albania, where we are trying to foster native evangelism, but the leaders of that body are begging for western believers to come train them in theology, biblical counseling, small group methodology, spiritual leadership development, etc. These things take time and relationship-building, and that takes a long term missionary. Thus, while the role of the western missionary may be changing, the need is not diminished.

In short, this book provides excellent insights into the growing native evangelism movement, and issues a challenge to the western to pour its resources into this highly effective model of ministry. However, the author should take caution against becoming so enamored with his own ministry that he rejects the legitimate, indeed necessary, role that the western churches must continue to fill in world evangelism.

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars From a Missionary July 9, 2010

By Dustan Stanley

Format:Paperback

Honestly, he's right about around 10% of what he says in this piece of fire-starter. In essence what he says is, 'send us money and ask no questions how it is spent. We don't need accountability like the rest of the world.' Then he really steps over a line when he tells us Western Missionaries aren't needed anymore. That we don't need to obey Christ in the great commission, but just give them the money to do so. Sure he leaves room for us in a few countries where there are NO churches, but other than that the message is straight. Go Home. Non-sense. If every western missionary went home or stopped going people would starve all over the world.

His story of how he courageously turned down money because the givers wanted accountability is a pathetic mask to cover something dark. I've been in numerous countries, and one of the TOP rules (if you don't want to corrupt or tempt people, worldwide) is make them give account for the money given. NO ONE is above that. The LOVE of money is the root of all evil.

Honestly, was excited the first few pages, but soon realized this book was to be kept in case I am ever in a cold part of the world, sharing the gospel, and need something to burn. Hate to be mean, but this book in the hand of people who have never traveled will result in good hearted missionaries loosing support. I spend my life doing this, and we work hard to help other missionaries raise money, butto be spit in the face so blatantly is appalling. He LIVES in the USA for goodness sake.

God bless his awesome workers worldwide. Thank God for them. This is no way sheds a bad light on the faithful working for Gospel for Asia.