David A. Shank has been reflecting on the mission of the church from an Anabaptist perspective for more than half a century. His writings represent among the best biblical, theological, and missiological study on the matter, shaped by two primary contexts--Europe and Africa--where his ministry took place. This collection will be of particular interest to global church leaders wanting to know more about how to contextualize the gospel message; to mission and church historians interested in examining how missiological thought and practice evolves over time; and to pastors, students, and mission workers seeking insights from a wise elder as they serve the church through its mission efforts in the twenty-first century.

David A. Shank, retired in Goshen, Indiana, served as a Mennonite mission worker with his wife, Wilma, in Europe (1950-73) and West Africa (1979-89). His many missiological writings include a three-volume doctoral study of the Liberian Christian prophet, William Wade Harris, abridged and published as The Prophet Harris: ""Black Elijah"" of WestAfrica (Brill, 1994).
James R. Krabill served in West Africa as a Bible and church history teacher among African-initiated churches. He currently serves as senior executive for global ministries at Mennonite Mission Network in Elkhart, Indiana.