What if the future of global mission isn’t about going solo, but about radical collaboration? In this special episode of The Missional Leader, Rob unpacks the powerful story and personal conviction centered on “collaborative missiology” – a movement transforming how the Church approaches God’s mission in the 21st century.

Drawing from his experience growing up on the mission field and decades of leadership at OneHope, Rob traces the dramatic journey of missions: from the passionate Moravians and the resistance-defying William Carey to the profound turning points at Edinburgh 1910 and today’s explosive growth of the Church in the Global South. Discover how historic models, once shaped by Western influence, are giving way to global, indigenous leadership and “from everywhere to everywhere” mission.

You’ll hear unforgettable moments, including the convicting words of Samuel Azaria at Edinburgh that still echo today, and Rob’s own watershed realization that the Great Commission is simply too big for any one organization to carry alone. Learn why the Church’s greatest impact comes from cultivating networks of trust, generosity, and shared vision – and how innovations like the Bible App for Kids, massive Bible translation collaborations, and “plural-verse” missiology are reshaping the landscape.
Whether you’re a leader, a pastor, or passionate about cross-cultural mission, this episode will challenge and invite you: Will you pursue God’s mission independently, or choose to step boldly into true partnership with God’s people around the world?

CHAPTERS:
00:38 The real barrier to the Great Commission
02:03 Why unity is a kingdom core value
02:38 The Moravians and the spark of modern missions
03:26 William Carey: "Sit down, young man"
04:07 The Great Century of Missions and its complexities
05:14 Every model is a method for the moment
05:38 Edinburgh 1910 and Azariah's challenge
07:00 OneHope's shift from doing to catalyzing
07:52 The center of gravity has moved to the Majority World
08:43 From three-self to self-theologizing
09:23 Bosch and the "pluriverse" of missiology
10:04 Why the pioneering spirit isn't enough anymore
10:59 Collaborative missiology as the 21st century framework
11:55 What collaboration has already made possible

Show Note Links:

• Episode Guide
  — Access a resource designed to help you reflect and learn from this episode conversation!
• Miscio: Global Christian learning organization referenced as a case study example of collaborative missiology in action; Access full video story.
• David Bosch, Transforming Mission: Referenced for his framework of mission entering a new era with many voices and expressions
• Bible App for Kids with YouVersion:Referenced as a collaborative program reaching children globally
• Close the Bible Gap:Referenced as a collaborative Bible access initiative serving frontline missionaries and church planters