Reaching the World Across the Street: A Handbook for Sharing the Love and Message of Jesus with Internationals

by Stu Cocanougher

In 1960, about 1 in 20 U.S. residents were foreign-born. Today, around one-fifth of those living in the United States speak a language at home other than English. Many Americans attend churches that send missionaries around the world to tell others about Jesus. However, these same Christians who applaud overseas mission work do not even know the names of their foreign-born neighbors. Along the same lines, many churches have developed strategies and programs to reach out to people in their communities. However, many of these efforts ignore immigrant families.

The goal of this book is to help individuals, families, and churches engage foreign-born people through effective ministry and evangelism. These include immigrants, students, seasonal workers, tourists, refugees, asylum seekers, marriage migrants, work visa holders, unauthorized immigrants, and green card holders. Drawing from extensive research and years of practical experience, Dr. Cocanougher includes both the "why" and the "how" of cross-cultural ministry in our communities.

More than an instructional book, Reaching the World Across the Street includes the stories of many newcomers to the U.S. who were led to place their faith in Jesus by "ordinary" Christians. These stories will inspire you to engage in Great Commission work in your own neighborhood.

What others are saying about Reaching the World Across the Street..
Rather than a problem to be solved or an issue to be debated, Stu Cocanougher challenges the church to see the arrival of refugees, immigrants, and other newcomers to the United States as an opportunity to obediently live out Jesus' Great Commission.

Matthew Soerens
National Coordinator, Evangelical Immigration Table
US Director of Church Mobilization & Advocacy, World ReliefThis practical handbook offers western believers opportunities through which internationals can be both engaged and
loved. This would be a great book to read together as church staff and membership.

Nik Rikpen,
Author of The Insanity of God Reaching the World Across the Street is a must-read for any pastor or Jesus follower who is passionate about reaching
the nations living in their own communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Vance Pitman
Founding Pastor, Hope Church Las Vegas
President of Send Network, North American Mission Board, Southern Baptist ConventionWe have one of the greatest opportunities to globally fulfill the Great Commission by reaching internationals right
outside our front doors. We all need help to know how to do this effectively. Thankfully, Dr. Stu Cocanougher has
produced this essential guide for our ministries going forward.

Craig Springer
Executive Director, Alpha USA

434 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 25, 2022

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be an invaluable tool to understanding how to share Christ with those from around the world. My favorite line in the book came fairly early, "Having a basic knowledge of how people come to the United States can be a good thing." The author then goes on to give easy to understand explanations of a complex (& sometimes difficult to understand) situation. However, he then uses our new knowledge to help equip us in applying our love for Christ and helping to make Him known to people who come from different backgrounds. I highly recommend this book for both church leaders & the lay person!

[Debbie Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very enlightening in that we all can be missionaries with out leaving our home. Good reading would this church leaders.

[B. Tyler Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I try to read every book on this topic and I have to say, this is one of the best.

If you're a Christian, pastor, professor, or church planter who cares about reaching the nations but is unaware of the opportunity we have through the refugees, immigrants, and international students right here in our midst... it's time to catch the vision.

You can't afford not to understand the strategy behind this approach any longer. Especially because it allows for every member in your church to personally participate in the Great Commission.

This book is paradigm-shifting; thorough; practical; and full of stories from the author's firsthand experience.

Do the world a favor and read this book, and then do your best to get it into the hands of as many church leaders and influencers as possible!