Becoming Native to Win the Natives: Cross-Culturally Becoming All Things to All Men

In the author's ten years living in China, Chinese friends and foreign friends alike have told him that in many ways he is more like a Chinese person than an American. He sees himself as an "egg," which is white on the outside and yellow (Chinese) inside. For cross-cultural ministry, we learn from the apostle Paul: "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some" (1 Cor 9:22). Paul's purpose in becoming all things to all men is so that some may be saved. We can see this displayed in his preaching to the Athenians in Acts 17, how he becomes a local by relating to them through their culture. This book first looks at how we are to imitate Christ's love and humility to effectively love the locals to whom we are ministering. Then the book covers many specific aspects of life abroad and how we can better live like the locals in many areas that some may be saved. Though this book is particularly targeted for those readers who are ministering cross-culturally, it is also a very beneficial book for Christians aiming to be light in their home country.