Perspectives: God changing Austin; God changing the World

                                                                                             written by Troy Alexander*

The citywide course, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (aka Perspectives) will kick off another class year in January. Co-founded by Austinite Steve Hawthorne in 1974, the course is now offered worldwide. Despite its hometown roots and long-term familiarity among Austin Christians, the course is causing a stir among the Body in Austin.

Consider this: Over the past two years, more than 650 people from more than 81 Austin area churches representing 10 different evangelical denominations have taken the course. Lives are being changed, directions altered, churches energized and most importantly, our God glorified. 

Young adults are giving up their lives to serve peoples across Austin and in very different lands. Business owners are changing their plans and looking at new kinds of investing. Mothers are starting new efforts to love Arab women right here in Austin.  Policy-makers are finding answers to bring about community transformation. Pastors are dreaming bigger dreams for their churches.

According to their national office, "Perspectives is not so much a course, as it is a ‘movement’ involving tens of thousands of God's people throughout the world finding their niche in God's overall purpose to bless the nations." More than 100,000 people have taken the course across the world. It has been translated into a number of languages with more in process. 

Here's what some alumni have had to say about Perspectives: 

Nationally and internationally, the course is endorsed by a wide array of evangelical denominations, mission organizations and leaders. Dr. Avery Willis, former Senior VP of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, said that Perspectives provides "believers with the finest overview of God's worldwide work available. I wholeheartedly recommend it for any committed disciple of Jesus."

"Perspectives succeeds in communicating that God has always had a plan for the world, that He is carrying out that plan, and that He invites us to have a part in what He is doing. Many people who are looking to see where they fit into God's plan find the Perspectives course to be an eye-opener, whether they are involved in their local church or helping to build God's Kingdom among the least-reached," stated John Bush with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Pastor and author, Rev. John Piper, wrote, "Perspectives has been essential in mobilizing hundreds of lay people in our church to be World Christians." 

Locally, Pastor Michael Lewis of Great Hills Baptist Church has challenged his church leadership to take Perspectives.  Pastor Lewis stated, “The class reminds us there is a time that God calls ordinary individuals to do the extraordinary for the sake of the Gospel. I recommend Perspectives to anyone desiring to gain a Christ-centered worldview.” Meanwhile, the Austin Stone Community Church is making it essential leadership training as well as a prerequisite for anyone engaging in mission. Hill Country Bible-UT is urging community groups to attend together.

Tanya and Patrick Shinn were living in Austin as newlyweds. Patrick was working in a thriving business and Tanya was a local actress. During a Perspectives course, they discovered that God was calling them to go to the Fulani people of Senegal, where they now serve through Heart of God missions. “It's an eye-opening experience that God used to show us what our lives were purposed for and to draw us into a life of full-time ministry work among an unreached people group in Africa,” said Patrick Shinn. The Shinns also have their “advocacy" or sending team in their home church. Some say this type of symmetry between the local church and those abroad is where the church starts to look "glocal" -- living and serving locally but also engaged globally.

Church members in Austin are now beginning to see that God wants to change this city not for the sake of change, but for the sake of His name. And in the same process God will also use Austin to impact the world because He is a global God. Is Austin becoming a center for global change? At the moment, that is probably a matter of perspective. But more are discovering God's perspective everyday.

Revelation 5:9-10: And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

For more information, visit www.perspectivesaustin.org.

*Troy Alexander serves the Body in Austin through mobilization, equipping "goers", "senders", "welcomers" and "intercessors". He has worked for 15 years in health care public policy. He and his wife Kara have one child, Reid Charles (2006). They worship in The Austin Stone Community Church.

For reprint assistance, questions or story submissions, contact editor@abbaaustin.net.

Return to Home Page.