Jamie Mātenga

Jamie Mātenga

Articles by Jamie Mātenga

  • Rising political utilitarianism presents fresh challenges to global missions

    Rising political utilitarianism presents fresh challenges to global missions

    Here is an abridged introduction to a missions forecast from the WEA's Mission Commission warning against toxic utilitarianism as a threat to global stability. It leads to a narrow-minded view of national wellbeing and is a multi-faceted problem for those seeking to fulfill the purposes of God internationally. A related decline in philanthropy, trauma of tribalism, lack of theological education, and impact of migration present challenges to the future of World Christianity and missions that will
  • An introduction to the new book: Leading From Below

    An introduction to the new book: Leading From Below

    Taking editor's privilege, CDI Opinion Editor Jay Mātenga introduces a new book to the Christian leadership market that he had some involvement in bringing to life. Bill Taylor's "Leading From Below" is a counter-cultural yet biblically-faithful reflection on leadership from a veteran of the Evangelical global missions community. This is a landmark volume full of anecdotes from decades of leadership experience, providing an insider's perspective of what many wonder global Christian leadership mi
  • Repositioning missions and pursuing purpose as primary

    Repositioning missions and pursuing purpose as primary

    Mission is an English word that has morphed far beyond its Latin roots. As it transformed it embraced colonial expansionist meaning along the way. It is time Protestants return it to its original usage and pursue God's wider purpose instead.
  • The end is nigh so hold your faith up high

    The end is nigh so hold your faith up high

    Habakkuk's prophecy powerfully speaks to our current global crisis, providing a way to understand how God can use empire as a tool for his purposes. As we long for the return of our Lord we can find comfort in the song of Habakkuk with blessed Mary singing harmony.
  • The global church needs to listen to wise sentinels and prepare for change

    The global church needs to listen to wise sentinels and prepare for change

    In light of push back against claims of rising fascism, we would do well to take seriously the warnings from those who seek to understand the times and know how God's people should respond (1 Chronicles 12:32): wise sentinels. It may not come to pass but it is good to know what is at stake and to be prepared.
  • Indigenous lessons for gospel spread today from a context of colonial missions efforts

    Indigenous lessons for gospel spread today from a context of colonial missions efforts

    One of the most successful indigenous gospel movements of colonial missions history was short lived, interrupted by the oppressive ethnocentric Christianity of colonial settlers whose witness failed to match biblical expectations. While outsiders are often powerfully catalytic for the gospel where the gospel is least known, missions is filled with accounts of the gospel spread being hindered by outsider Christians. We can improve gospel effectiveness with greater trust in indigenous/insider beli
  • A global missions leader's reflections on Lausanne 4 - part one of three

    A global missions leader's reflections on Lausanne 4 - part one of three

    Part one of three. The fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization (Lausanne 4/L4) was many things to many people. This series is the perspective of one global missions leader. There is much to be celebrated and concerned about the event, and some conclusions are drawn to help the Evangelical Church and its missions walk more confidently and equitably into the future.
  • A gobal missions leader's reflections on Lausanne 4 - part three of three

    A gobal missions leader's reflections on Lausanne 4 - part three of three

    Part three of three. The fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization (Lausanne 4/L4) was many things to many people. This series is the perspective of one global missions leader. There is much to be celebrated and concerned about the event, and some conclusions are drawn to help the Evangelical Church and its missions walk more confidently and equitably into the future.
  • A global missions leader's reflections on Lausanne 4 - part two of three

    A global missions leader's reflections on Lausanne 4 - part two of three

    Part two of three. The fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization (Lausanne 4/L4) was many things to many people. This series is the perspective of one global missions leader. There is much to be celebrated and concerned about the event, and some conclusions are drawn to help the Evangelical Church and its missions walk more confidently and equitably into the future.
  • Lausanne Congress 2024: Non-negotiables, secondary issues, and global church unity

    Lausanne Congress 2024: Non-negotiables, secondary issues, and global church unity

    The fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization is rapidly approaching. This is the first time Jay Matenga is participating. He notes that a tumult of conversation is already emerging and hopes that participants will keep their eyes on Jesus through a time of robust discussion—maintaining unity in the essentials, liberty on secondary issues, and love throughout.
  • We will let the whole world know: introducing CDI opinion editor Dr Jay Mātenga

    We will let the whole world know: introducing CDI opinion editor Dr Jay Mātenga

    Jay Mātenga introduces himself as the new Opinion Editor for Christian Daily International while reflecting on women as influential in the growth of world Christianity. Following the example of the mother of King Lemuel in Proverbs 31, the CDI opinion section will work to amplify voices often silenced in global Christian conversations like women, the disabled, the poor, the persecuted, and other marginalized Christians, to bring a harmonic balance to opinion pieces written by those more privileg