Website and Blog for Daring Daughters
There’s a fun new missions focus at Harvest Ministry:Ann is leading a new vision to mentor teenage girls (and their mothers) for world missions and God’s purposes. Momentum and interest is growing and many women are participating.
Resources include online audios, videos, blog-posts (from quite a few “Daring Daughter” mentors) and a FREE 12-week e-course.
It’s a new brand-new website — at DaringDaughters.org
Daring Daughters Radio: Leaving a Legacy
On today’s Daring Daughter broadcast, mother-daughter co-hosts Ann and Christi Dunagan chat about “Leaving a Legacy” from one generation to another — from mom to daughter, and also learning and growing from daughter to mom.
Leaving a Legacy: Mothers & Daughters
During this episode, Ann and Christi address comments and questions from speaker and homeschooling mother of six, Angie Tolpin (of Leaving a Legacy).
How have you nurtured a strong mother-daughter relationship over the years?
How do you focus on the heart attitude in your daughters?
How do you make an intentional effort to open communication with your daughters?
How are you leaving legacy with your daughters (especially in spiritual areas)?In raising our girls to be daring daughters for God, we as moms need to instill a godly legacy. But usually special mother-daughter moments don’t “just happen”; we need to be intentional. For more about the vision for Daring Daughters — including the new facebook page, twitter page, upcoming events, and blogtalk radio show, see our VISION page . . .
listen to the broadcast . . .
Listen to DaringDaughters on Blog Talk Radio
Ann with younger daughter, Caela, on a mission trip in Uganda
Q & A’s with Angie Tolpin @ Leaving a Legacy:
Q. ANGIE TOLPIN of LEAVING A LEGACY:
Ann, looking back at yourself as a mom of middle-aged children and babies, how did you begin proactively preparing your heart to let go and let God have your children for service overseas?A. ANN DUNAGAN:
With each child, there was definitely a time of “dedicating” each one to the Lord and praying over them and committing each little one into God’s hand. I didn’t know what that would look like, but I honestly made a conscious effort to surrender each child to God, like Hannah dedicated her future child (Samuel) to God’s purposes. I also spent quite a bit of time teaching our kids about world missions, and even as we learned about different missionaries and various countries, I would let the kids know that my heart as a mom was for each of them to fulfill God’s will for their life.I think surrendering our kids to God is a layered process; I keep thinking I’ve “done it” but then it’s like the Lord takes me to a deeper level of surrender. As Christi was beginning her relationship with Trae (who’s family lives in Niger, West Africa — a very poor and hot and predominantly Muslim country), the decision to surrender became a real process of “letting go,” and a real guy (who Jon & I had never even met in person) who was in love with our girl. But God is so AMAZING!!! What originally felt like a sacrifice has become one of God’s most wonderful gifts. Trae is an awesome man of God, and we are thrilled about how the Lord has led them together, and how he is now becoming our future son. And who knows where He will take them in the future. The two are looking at several different possibilities: Brazil, France, Niger, Asia . . . and even (now, brace yourself: doesn’t this sound scary and dangerous?) . . . Kona, Hawaii (to go through YWAM’s University of the Nations).
Q. ANGIE TOLPIN:
Christi, when you were growing up, around the ages 9-12, what was your spiritual perspective on missions & purpose in life in comparison to now? Do you see a direct connection with your mom & dads purposeful parenting style? Give some examples!A. CHRISTI DUNAGAN:
I see a huge connection between my parents’ style of raising us and my heart for missions. It is because of my parents that I want to go into missions. My dad and mom didn’t just talk the talk, they lived it — literally traveling to the uttermost parts of the earth for the sake of the gospel. I saw how alive and on fire they were, and it started a flame in me too.
Learn more about Angie Tolpin @ Leaving a Legacy
Mission-Minded Families: Articles & Links
Family Articles & Links
In response to several online requests, we’ve compiled some links to Ann’s online articles for Mission-Minded Families. Feel free to twitter, facebook, or to share with friends.
FEATURE ARTICLE on HomeGrownMom.com:
Teach Your Daughters Wailing, by Ann DunaganOur family doesn’t care for crying around the house — unless we have something to really cry about — like when someone is dying, or a kid is starving, or when we need to repent.
FEATURE INTERVIEWS on FamilyLife.com
Mission-Minded Family 3-part series, by Ann Dunagan#1 — Living a Life of Surrender. #2 — Leading Your Family in God’s Great Commission. #3 — Preparing for Missions.
Listen to this 3-part series on Family Life Today. Read more > > >
More articles . . .
Revive Our Hearts:
Unleashing Your Children’s Talents
I Was Naked, And You Clothed Me
Releasing Arrows Into the WorldVisionary Womanhood
Book Review: Mission-Minded Families . . . Raising Mission-Minded Children
An Important Christmas Focus about God’s HomeChristianity.com
Praying as a Family
Striking Balance as a Mission-Minded FamilyFamily Life Today:
(PDF Family Life Transcript 1) Living a Life of Surrender
(PDF Family Life Transcript 2) Leading Your Family in the Great Commission
(PDF Family Life Transcript 3) Preparing for MissionsPassionate Homemaking:
Daring Mothers & Daughters . . . & Dirty Feet
Finding PEACE in God’s PRESENCE (A Christmas article about prayer)
Hospitality Ideas for Holy Week
Living in SUB-Mission, as a Mom
Local Outreach as Mission-Minded Families
Mission-Minded Hospitality
MISSIONS in our KITCHENS
Picture-Perfect Families?
Teaching Our Girls to Cry
Q & A’s for Mission-Minded Families: HOMESCHOOLING
Q & A’s for Mission-Minded Families: IDENTITY
Q & A’s for Mission-Minded Families: MOTHERHOOD
Q & A’s for Mission-Minded Families: SIMPLICITY
Passports for Missions: Just for Fun & Just in Case!
Serving Thanksgiving – With Breakfast
George Müller: Trusting God for Daily Bread
During the 1800s, missionary George Müller cared for thousands of orphan children in Bristol, England. He also traveled over 200,000 miles (by ship) across the globe, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and encouraging Christians for world missions . . . all while maintaining a joyful example of ministry and family balance.
Over the next few months, we want to encourage you in your walk with God with examples from our missionary heritage.
The following excerpt is adapted from Ann’s book,
The Mission-Minded FamilyTrusting God for Daily Bread
George Müller (1805-1898) was a Christian missionary evangelist and a coordinator of orphanages in Bristol, England. Through his faith and prayers (and without asking for money) he had the privilege of caring for over 120,000 orphan children. He also traveled over 200,000 miles (by ship) to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 42 countries and to challenge believers about world missions and trusting God. In his journals, Müller recorded miracle-after-miracle of God’s provision and answered prayer:
One morning, all the plates and cups and bowls on the table were empty. There was no food in the larder and no money to buy food. The children were standing, waiting for their morning meal, when Müller said, “Children, you know we must be in time for school.” Then lifting up his hands he prayed, “Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou art going to give us to eat.”
There was a knock at the door. The baker stood there, and said, “Mr. Müller, I couldn’t sleep last night. Somehow I felt you didn’t have bread for breakfast, and the Lord wanted me to send you some. So I got up at 2 a.m. and baked some fresh bread, and have brought it.”
Mr. Müller thanked the baker, and no sooner had he left, when there was a second knock at the door. It was the milkman. He announced that his milk cart had broken down right in front of the orphanage, and he would like to give the children his cans of fresh milk so he could empty his wagon and repair it.
. . . and an example of family-balance
At his wife Mary’s funeral, Müller’s loving words also represent a good example of the joy God gives when ministry and family priorities are balanced:
Were we happy? Verily we were.
With every year our happiness increased more and more. I never saw my beloved wife at any time, when I met her unexpectantly anywhere in Bristol, England, without being delighted so to do. Day by day, as we met in our dressing room, at the Orphan Houses, to wash our hands before dinner and tea, I was delighted to meet her, and she was equally pleased to see me. Thousands of times I told her, “My darling, I never saw you at any time, since you became my wife, without my being delighted to see you.”
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways, acknowledge Him,
And He will direct your paths.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
The JOY of trusting JESUS!
George Müller is featured in this month’s Harvest Ministry mission newsletter:
Can we send you our mission newsletter?
This month’s Harvest Ministry mission newsletter (with a brand-new “look”) highlights this awesome missionary hero, George Müller — along this month’s theme of TRUSTING God (and — on the inside — current HM mission praise reports and highlights for prayer). We recently sent these out in the mail, but we have quite a few extras. We would be honored and thankful if you would like to become a mission prayer-partner with us.
If you would like a (in the real-mail) just CONTACT US with your mailing address.
7 FREE Mission-Minded Family Resources!
At Harvest Ministry, we want to motivate your family for world missions – and help get you prepared, with your bags “packed-and-ready” for whatever God has planned! Here are 7 FREE Mission-Minded Family resources. MAY YOU BE BLESSED!!!
(Also, be sure to see our Mission-Minded Books and Family Resources!!!)
Freebie #1
Take the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE!
FREE online mission class with Ann Dunagan – Click here!
In just 4-5 minutes per day you and your family will be encouraged to focus on God’s Great Commandment (to love God and love others) and God’s Great Commission. Progress a lesson a day – Monday through Friday – for eight weeks, or your own pace. Or gather a few families, and encourage others in the challenge!
“It’s eight weeks to becoming more effective . . . for eternity!”
Freebie #2
MAPS for KIDS! – Missions Adventure Preparation School
FREE Vacation Bible School Curriculum – Click here!
Take a week of the summer to train your church kids for missions! Your missionaries-in-training will “travel” on M.A.P.S. for KIDS International Airlines (with their own “passports”) and through customs officials to learn about the world and famous missionary heroes. They’ll taste international foods, experience daring adventures, make fun crafts, learn how to share the Gospel and pray for the lost, and get ministry training in perhaps puppetry, worship, drama, or how to use the EvangeCube!
“Missions is not just for missionaries! God’s call is for all!”
Freebee #3
Teaching With God’s Heart for the World
FREE One-year, day-by-day, homeschool unit study curriculum – Click here!
While your kids are young (during a year when most of your children are older elementary age), devote a year of your homeschooling commitment to establishing a life-long foundational family commitment to God’s Great Commission. This one- (or two-) year study presents a whirlwind tour all-throughout-history and all-around-the-world. You will learn the importance of developing a personal devotional life with the Lord and how to develop more of God’s heart for the world and the lost.
“Impart God’s Heart . . . for the World!”
Freebie #4
Homeschool Folder-Charts!
FREE tool to help kids be self-motivated in homeschool – Click here!
This helpful organizational tool is designed for use with the Teaching With God’s Heart for the World Curriculum (although it can also be used with your own curriculum). The feature article includes insight, based on 19 years of first-hand experience, about how to continue in your homeschooling commitment for the “long-haul” (if that’s what God wants for your family) by encouraging your children to become self-motivated and self-disciplined.
“Get your kids organized and self-motivated!”
Freebie #5
Mission-Minded “Passports”!
FREE craft project – to make “Mission-Minded” Passports – Click here!
A great learning tool for children. FREE PDF files and how-to instructions to make fun passport crafts to encourage children in missions, with a link to FREE coordinating international flag stickers.
“Mission-Minded Passports — Just for fun & just in case!”
Freebie #6
Sample excerpt from The Mission-Minded Child!
FREE sample of The Mission-Minded Child. Download a few chapters — Click here.
Learn more about “Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose.” Your children are God’s arrows, designed for an eternal impact; aim each one for God’s destiny.
“Raise your kids for God’s purposes!”
Freebie #7
Sample excerpt from The Mission-Minded Family!
FREE sample of The Mission-Minded Family. Download a few chapters — Click here!
Whether of not your family is called to “fulltime” international misssionary work, you’re called — as followers of Jesus – to live a fulltime mission-minded life. Learn more about “Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny.”
“Get your family excited about expanding God’s Kingdom!”
Book #1 in the Mission-Minded Set
Introducing:
The Mission-Minded Child
David Livingstone once said, “This generation can only reach this generation.” But will we raise our children to effectively impact their generation for Jesus Christ?
In The Mission-Minded Child, Ann Dunagan motivates parents and teachers to raise a new generation for God’s mission, whatever that may be!
THE MISSION-MINDED CHILD:
Raising a New Generation to
Fulfill God’s Purpose
By Ann Dunagan —(Published by InterVarsity Press)
Our Mission-Minded books . . .
- The Mission-Minded Child: Amazon — Barnes & Noble — InterVarsity Press
- The Mission-Minded Family: Amazon — Barnes & Noble — InterVarsity Press
- The Whole World Needs Jesus: YWAM Publishing
Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose
The Mission-Minded Child is a practical book to encourage Christian parents and teachers placed in the strategic position of impacting the next generation.
As a guide to world missions, The Mission-Minded Child is filled with facts, information, and tools for teaching. It focuses on the “why” of missions–including our Biblical basis, historical heritage, and the world’s need–and contains over 25 mini-missionary biographies, motivational mission stories, classic poems, hymns, and hundreds of easy-to-use ideas.
The Mission-Minded Child will inspire teachers and parents to look for God’s potential in their child, “release” their little one to God for His purposes, and “raise” their child to fulfill God’s specific mission, whatever that might be. As a resource tool, this book will be referred to again and again.
THE MISSION-MINDED CHILD:
“It’s the “WHY?” book of world missions . . . with kids!”
It’s easy to mentor FAMILIES with The Mission-Minded Child & The Mission-Minded Family. Get a set for yourself and a few friends, and go through the books together. Take the FREE 40-Day Family Challenge, or start a mentoring group in your home or church (be sure to see our new FREE online Mission-Minded Families study guide for small groups…)
what others are saying:
Ann, you have done a fantastic job [in writing The Mission-Minded Child] . . .Just think, the mature (31-year-old) missionary of 2025 is 10 years-old-today! May this generation rise up and fulfill the Great Commission, hastening the coming of our LORD!” — Dorothea Lander, Children’s Mobilization Coordinator for Wycliffe USA
May the Lord bless you in your publishing of this needed book. We are truly hoping the Lord will open our children’s eyes and hearts to the tremendous harvest field that they may be called to work in someday. I know that living in a Third-World country broadens our perspectives and helps us to see the bigger picture of God’s redemptive plan, so that’s what we’re praying for our children. May the Lord bless The Mission-Minded Child and your efforts for Him. — Mrs. Valerie Shepard, Pastor’s wife, missionary, homeschooling mother, and daughter of Jim & Elisabeth Elliot
We pray that The Mission-Minded Child will be a continued encouragement to your readers, to God’s glory. — Helen Davidson, assistant to the director, THE JESUS FILM
Our Mission-Minded books . . .
- The Mission-Minded Child: Amazon — Barnes & Noble — InterVarsity Press
- The Mission-Minded Family: Amazon — Barnes & Noble — InterVarsity Press
- The Whole World Needs Jesus: YWAM Publishing
Enjoying World Missions . . . in JANUARY
Throughout the year, international holidays and cultural celebrations can be focus-points for prayer and used to give our families an insight into our world’s need for Jesus. These vibrant festivities are filled with colorful expression, yet often these traditions are rooted in false religion and fear.
Enjoying Missions throughout the Year
A great way to involve your family in world missions – Excerpted from The Mission-Minded Family by Ann Dunagan, InterVarsity Press
Make a MISSION-MINDED CALENDAR:
As your family looks at current traditions around the world each month, you can utilize these specific days to target different people groups for prayer and to increase your family’s mission-minded vision. You may even want to commemorate some of these days. However, I am not encouraging your family to celebrate evil or pagan holidays. This international holiday list is simply to help your family learn about world cultures and to regularly remind you about the need for specific mission-minded prayer.
Get out your family calendar, and take a moment to write down the names of these holidays on their respective dates. Throughout the year, you can then come back to this section of The Mission-Minded Family to read about each holiday and pray accordingly.
January
1 – New Year’s Day, International – Around much of the world, this day is celebrated as a time of new beginnings. Many people make New Year’s “resolutions,” or promises, for the coming year.)
As mission-minded believers, pray for and seek God’s directions for the new year and take time to evaluate and realign your priorities.
6 – Epiphany, International – In many countries throughout the world, this day is celebrated to remember the wise men who came to bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child, Jesus. In Spain, children receive gifts on this day instead of Christmas. Children put hay in their shoes and find the hay replaced with treats the next morning.
Pray for the people of Spain to recognize Jesus Christ as Savior and Messiah, just as the wise men did.
14 – Pongal, India – In southern India, this day marks the beginning of a four-day harvest festival. The people gather to watch a pot of newly harvested rice boil. If it boils quickly, the people believe it is a sign of a prosperous new year.
Pray for a mighty spiritual harvest in India.
18 (2010 date) – Martin Luther King Day, United States – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, was a Christian minister and a civil rights leader. King was active in seeing segregation laws in the South abolished, and in 1964 he received the Nobel Peace Prize. He was assassinated in 1968. The third Monday of January is set aside as a national holiday to remember King’s leadership and the importance of civil rights.
Pray for harmony and love between different races and nationalities and for God to give you love and compassion for other people groups.
Check back each month, for more MISSION-MINDED HOLIDAY ideas for your family!
Mission-Minded Life Planning & Prayer Guide
Do you want to set aside time to seek God’s will? Do you want your life and your family to become more effective for God’s Kingdom . . . and for ETERNITY?
This year, don’t just make empty New Year’s resolutions that you’re likely to forget by February; instead, pray and seek God for His specific plans and purposes for your LIFE.
Get focused on God’s eternal mission and His long-term vision (including His Great Commandment — to love God and to love others, and His Great Commission — to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people who don’t yet know Him).
And no matter what “job” you do for a living, may you and your family be a part of expanding God’s Kingdom, both in your own sphere of influence and across the world.
Introducing your FREE New Year’s Guide
Watch this 2 minute video for a quick explanation of this evaluation and prayer guide.
Our heart is to help you to plan a more effective and MISSION-MINDED New Year:
Click here — for your FREE New Year’s Guide!
(PRINT 1 copy of the entire document, pgs. 1-16, and 3 EXTRA COPIES of pgs. 10-11.
Also, here’s our favorite 1-year Bible Reading Plan from www.Bible-reading.com.Please share this with your friends, and help us by posting it on facebook, twitter, and your blogs. And let us know what you think. How is God directing you and your family to impact God’s Kingdom? We would appreciate your feedback and comments!!!
Have a Happy (& Mission-Minded) New Year!!!
In His Harvest,
Jon & Ann
Click here for more details about Ann’s books, The Mission-Minded Family and The Mission-Minded Child including a link for FREE sample chapters (and info about how you can get your own copies)!!!
Plus, stay tuned to learn more about our brand-new upcoming book:
THE SCARLET CORD – Nothing But the Blood of Jesus (A Concise Call to World Missions – by Jon & Ann Dunagan)
Our Mission-Minded Books
Mission-Minded Set — TTD Convention Special
Here is our special Mission-Minded 3-book special
(Teach Them Diligently)
50% discount:
The Mission-Minded Child, The Mission-Minded Family
The Scarlet Cord (+ BONUS Online Study Guide)
You can receive Ann’s books, The Mission-Minded Child and The Mission-Minded Family (published by InterVarsity Press) plus Jon & Ann Dunagan’s new book: The Scarlet Cord: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus (published by Harvest Ministry):
Our 3-book mission-set . . . for only $20.00!
The Mission-Minded Child & Family
+ The Scarlet Cord!
You can order The Mission-Minded Child and The Mission-Minded Family + The Scarlet Cord: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus — A Concise Call to World Missions — our complete Mission-Minded 3-book set for $20.00!
Regular price:
The Mission-Minded Child: $14.99 +
The Mission-Minded Family: $14.99 +
The Scarlet Cord: $4.99 +
+ bonus MM Study Guide: $9.99 value =
Total value = $44.97
Order the complete 3-book-pack
Only $20.00
(Just add in the DISCOUNT CODE — DILIGENTLY50 — into the order form box.)
Learn more about
The Mission-Minded Child: Book #1 in the set
Learn more about
The Mission-Minded Family: Book #2 in the set
Learn more about
The Scarlet Cord: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus
Includes a Small-Group Study Guide!
Order now, and you will also receive our
Mission-Minded Families: Study Guide —valued at $9.99— FREE!!!
Order the complete 3-book-pack at a 50% discount
including the online Mission-Minded Families study guide . . .Only $20.00
(Just add in the DISCOUNT CODE — DILIGENTLY50 — into the order form box.)
MEATY: Aren’t All Cultures Equally Valid?
As Christians, we bring the cross-cultural, life-changing message of Jesus Christ and His forgiveness for sin. Our purpose is not to propagate our own cultural standards, but to present the Gospel in a redeeming yet culturally sensitive way to all people we meet.
Q.
Aren’t ALL cultures equally valid?
Why should we try to change other people’s cultures?
A.
The core issue of this question stems from a false application of “multiculturalism” — one that is politically correct, educationally encouraged, and sounds nice. But leaving people trapped in sin and isolated from God’s hope of salvation isn’t the “considerate” option.
As Christians, we bring the cross-cultural, life-changing message of Jesus Christ and His forgiveness for sin. Our purpose is not to propagate our own cultural standards, but to present the Gospel in a redeeming yet culturally sensitive way to all people we meet. Eliminating the beautiful uniqueness of international culture is not the purpose of missions; at times, however, sinful elements of a particular culture may need to change.
I will never forget an interview I had with an outstanding Christian teenager who attended a public high school. This young man led a lunchtime “Bible club” and worship time that grew to reach 250 of his fellow classmates. He was writing a school research paper on Christian missionary work and, specifically, he was trying to support his thesis that “modern missionaries do not attempt to ‘change’ foreign cultures.”
I understood this young man’s heart. He was trying to explain how today’s Christian missionaries are different — more culturally appreciative and sensitive — than some of the old-time colonial missionaries (who attempted to expand all aspects of Western civilization throughout the world). But I still disagreed with his conclusion.
I asked this young man a pointed question. “But don’t you try to ‘change the culture’ of the people you are trying to reach? Just look at the typical ‘culture’ of the teens in your high school before they come to Jesus Christ! Look at the way they dress! Listen to their music, their foul language, and the way they address their teachers! What about the DVD’s they watch and the movies they sneak into? What about typical teenagers involved in premarital impurity, or the girls who’ve had abortions? Aren’t all of these a part of teen ‘culture’?”
I went on to explain to him, “Culture is life!! When you share Christ in your high school, of course you don’t want your friends to stop being teenagers — that’s who they are! But you do want Jesus Christ to totally transform the way they live and the way they make their decisions!”
Around the world, societies that have developed isolated from God’s laws and the gospel are filled with sinful cultural elements:
- tribal hatred, ancestral worship, and idolatry
- immoral sex, adultery, and prostitution
- drug addiction, drunkenness, and witchcraft
- abuse and neglect of women and children
As Christians, our job is to bring the light of Jesus to every precious culture. Through His Word and His Holy Spirit, God will show people the changes they need to make to redeem their cultures back to Him.
All people are equally valid. All cultures need Jesus.
Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”
