Christian Missions & Bible Insights for Impact

  Introduction The Book of Esther stands as one of the most remarkable narratives in the Bible. Unlike many other books, God’s name is never explicitly mentioned, yet His providence is evident on every page. It is a story of courage, faith, leadership, and divine deliverance. Through Esther, a young Jewish woman in exile, God orchestrates the salvation of His people from an imminent threat of destruction. Esther’s story demonstrates that God can work behind the scenes to accomplish His plans, often through ordinary people placed in extraordinary circumstances. This book encourages readers to trust in God’s timing, act boldly when called, and understand their role in His larger purposes. Historical Background & Setting The events in Esther occur during the Persian Empire under King Xerxes (also known as Ahasuerus) around 483–473 B.C. This period follows the Babylonian exile, during which the Jewish people had been scattered and lived under foreign rule. The Jews in Persi...

  Introduction The Book of Nehemiah is one of the most inspiring accounts of God’s faithfulness in the Old Testament. It tells the story of the Jewish people returning from exile, rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, and renewing their covenant with God. While the Book of Ezra focuses largely on the restoration of the temple and worship, Nehemiah focuses on the city itself, its security, its people, and their spiritual life. Nehemiah’s story is not just about construction and leadership—it is about faith, prayer, courage, and perseverance. Through the life of Nehemiah, we learn how God raises up leaders to guide His people in times of crisis, how opposition and discouragement can be overcome, and how restoration always begins with the heart. Historical Background To understand Nehemiah fully, we need to place it in a historical context. After the Babylonian exile, the Jews were allowed to return to their homeland under Persian rule. Ezra had led an earlier group to rebuild the...

## A Region That Holds the Destiny of Billions Imagine a vast rectangular region stretching across North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia—a window through which we can see some of the world's most spiritually urgent needs. This is the 10/40 Window, named for its location between 10 and 40 degrees north latitude. Within this geographic band lives the majority of the world's unreached peoples, communities who have little to no access to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The numbers are staggering. The spiritual reality is sobering. But the opportunity for impact is unprecedented in human history. ## What Exactly Is the 10/40 Window? The term "10/40 Window" was coined by missionary strategist Luis Bush in 1990 to draw attention to the rectangular area of North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia approximately between 10 degrees north and 40 degrees north latitude. This relatively simple geographic designation has become one of the most important concepts in modern missions stra...

  The Book of Ezra chronicles one of the most remarkable comebacks in biblical history—the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem after seventy years of captivity. This inspiring narrative documents the rebuilding of God's temple, the restoration of worship, and the spiritual renewal of a community that had lost everything yet found hope in God's unfailing promises. More than a historical record of construction projects and genealogies, Ezra reveals profound truths about divine faithfulness, the power of God's Word, leadership in crisis, and the necessity of spiritual purity that speak directly to believers facing their own seasons of restoration and renewal today. What is the Book of Ezra About? A Comprehensive Overview The Book of Ezra covers approximately eighty years of post-exilic Jewish history, from 538 B.C. when Cyrus the Persian issued his decree allowing Jews to return to Jerusalem, through approximately 458 B.C. when Ezra the scribe arrived in Jerus...