“The apostle Paul did not start ‘movements.’ He planted churches. We are overdue for a renewed emphasis on what the Bible emphasizes: prioritizing the church in missions. This excellent resource—written by two seasoned pastors serving in churches overseas—is just the antidote we need. Pastors, students, missionaries, mission committees, mission agencies, senders, and goers—everyone interested in missions will be helped by reading this book.”—Kevin DeYoung, Senior Pastor, Christ Covenant Church, Matthews, North Carolina

“Far too much mission work today is gospel-less or gospel-light. Even more is church-less or church-light. This book—which is written not just for pastors and missionaries but for all of us—is biblically faithful, deeply needed, and extremely helpful. May God raise up thousands upon thousands of followers of Jesus who both love the church and live to see it multiplied among all the nations.”—David Platt, Pastor, McLean Bible Church, McLean, Virginia; Founder, Radical

“In one sense the theme of this book is ordinary—the church is vital for missions. But in another sense it is extraordinary and explosive since so many have forgotten that message. Folmar and Logsdon show from the Scriptures that the church is vital for every aspect of missions, and they also provide many examples and stories to illustrate that truth. Pastors, missionaries, and church members need to hear the truth unfolded in this book. It will make an eternal difference.”—Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Prioritizing the Church in Missions should be required reading for missionaries and their churches. Written by two seasoned pastors, this book is grounded in biblical truth, enriched with practical application, and filled with both wise cautions and compelling examples from the mission field. The authors convincingly argue that bad ecclesiology weakens missions—harming missionaries and undermining the gospel—while a church-centered approach rightly establishes the church as both the means and the goal of missions. More than just a practical guide, this book offers a theologically rich and definitive vision for missions as God intended.”—Jenny Manley, author, The Good Portion—Christ: Delighting in the Doctrine of Christ; podcast host

“I trust no one more to speak on the church and missions than John Folmar and Scott Logsdon. This book is a concise distillation of their convictions about the church as the God-ordained means to display his manifold wisdom and uphold the truth of the gospel as a pillar and buttress. It is also a plea for those convictions to be applied to the task of missions. They argue convincingly and winsomely that the church is both the means and aim of God’s mission to make himself known and call his own to himself. I will be buying these by the case to pass out at my church, in my classroom, and beyond. Read, recalibrate, and rejoice in the wisdom of our God!”—Matt Bennett, Director of Long-Term Ministries, Reaching & Teaching International Ministries; Associate Professor of Missions and Theology, Cedarville University

“The church must be at the center of missions, as God’s human agency for his saving work in the world. Written by authors with extensive experience, this book affirms vital biblical truths about the church and gives valuable advice about how to keep God’s church central in God’s mission. It is packed with ministry stories, historical examples, and practical illustrations to guide church leaders and all sincere believers in applying these truths within their own contexts.”—Brian A. DeVries, Principal, Mukhanyo Theological College; Church Planting Pastor, Grace Reformed Church, Pretoria, South Africa; author, You Will Be My Witnesses