Donald McGavran, His Early Life and Ministry

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by: Vern Middleton (Author)

This biography is more than one man’s interpretation of another person’s life—it has numerous traits of an autobiography. Donald McGavran, His Early Life and Ministry: An Apostolic Vision for Reaching the Nations includes insights gleaned from archives, as well as hours of discussion with both Donald and Mary McGavran about the interpretation applied to particular events.

Endorsements

When I was young, one summer in Mexico City I read Church Growth in Mexico, one of Donald McGavran's first books. What a revelation. He described “ten Mexicos”—Mexico City, Liberal Cities, Conservative Cities, Tight Little Towns, Roman Ranchos, Revolutionary Ranchos and Ejidos, Indian Tribes, Tabasco, Northern Border Country, and Oscar’s Masses (named for researcher Oscar Lewis). This analytical approach, this categorizing, this managerial perspective, was a breath of fresh air for me. I glimpsed how to begin making missiological sense of the maelstrom. I have been grateful ever since.
Miriam Adeney, PhDAssociate Professor of World Christian Studies, Seattle Pacific University Teaching Fellow, Regent College
Donald McGavran was one of the most important missiologists of the twentieth century, and no one is better equipped to write his biography than Vern Middleton. This work carefully traces the development of McGavran's thought from that of a traditional missionary who operated mission institutions, to a bold thinker and innovator who challenged both ecumenical and evangelical groups to discover new paradigms in mission.
Paul E. Pierson, PhDDean Emeritus, School of Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary