Publisher's Synopsis
The Christian missionary movement's final push is to reach the unengaged people groups living in hostile and inhospitable places. For International workers serving in these places, however, the stress they face is beyond imagining. This stress becomes a tool the enemy uses to ruthlessly attack them in their weakest places. Most missionaries to hazardous places succumb to this stress in less than two years and return to their home countries feeling like personal and spiritual failures. In his series, Serving in Hostile Places, Dr. Burke applies lessons he learned serving as an Air Force psychologist, and from over twenty years of missionary service, to the intense stress that international workers experience as they take the Gospel to hazardous places. He then applies proven methods to help international workers develop Godly resilience. This resilience insulates missionaries from the stress of their service through integrating neural functioning, deepening their understanding of God's grace, and relying on their God-given transcendent nature to overcome their fleshly vulnerabilities. In this second book of the series, Dr. Burke addresses the unique training and support needs that international workers serving in hostile places have. They need screening, training and support that go beyond what most sending organizations provide their workers. The training and support they need is more like what special forces in the military receive. But for missionaries, these specialized interventions and support will not make them warriors; rather it will help them overcome their fleshly-vulnerabilities and develop Godly resilience under intense stress. Hamilton T. Burke, Ph.D. is the founder and Executive Director of Great Commission Consulting (www.2189consulting.com) a non-profit organization that provides professional psychological services to individuals and organizations that seek to fulfill the Great Commission throughout the world. Hamilton studied psychology at Asbury College and received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Arkansas. He served as a clinical psychologist in the US Air Force prior to serving overseas for twenty-plus years with his family. While overseas, Dr. Burke started two counseling centers that trained and served indigenous people and he developed and supervised a member care program for people serving in hazardous places. What others are saying: "A vital resource for all cross-cultural workers! Dr. Burke's work is groundbreaking and will become the standard preparation manual for the next generation of international workers serving in difficult places." - Dr. Brent Burdick, Adjunct Professor of Missions, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Director, Lausanne Global Classroom"Wow! I wish I had this 30 years ago! I see how the principles outlined in this book led to my demise working overseas. Fortunately, now as member care providers, we can help others put these principles into play early in their service. Dr. Burke uniquely connects 1) current brain research, 2) experience working with international workers, with 3) an understanding of the underlying spiritual dynamics. Amazing integration at a high level!"- Dr. R.M."Dr. Burke's explanation of 'stress-empowered flesh' and its remedy is a must read for every international worker, especially for those who serve in difficult situations!"- R.D., Pastoral Care Provider"Combining fascinating scientific explanations with strong Biblical applications, Dr. Burke provides excellent and very practical tools for cross cultural workers and the churches and organizations that send them. Even after more than three decades of cross-cultural ministry I learned very valuable lessons from these materials. This is a must read for both those preparing for cross cultural ministries and for those who are already involved in Kingdom service. "- J.S., International Worker
