Series Preface
Introduction
 
Chapter 1: What Is the Church?
Chapter 2: What Is Missions?
Chapter 3: Church as the Origin of Missions
Chapter 4: Church as the Means of Missions
Chapter 5: Church as the Goal of Missions
Chapter 6: Churches Cooperating for Missions
 
Conclusion
General Index
Scripture Index

“The apostle Paul did not start ‘movements.’ He planted churches. We are overdue for a renewed emphasis on what the Bible emphasizes: prioritizing the church in missions. This excellent resource—written by two seasoned pastors serving in churches overseas—is just the antidote we need. Pastors, students, missionaries, mission committees, mission agencies, senders, and goers—everyone interested in missions will be helped by reading this book.”
Kevin DeYoung, Senior Pastor, Christ Covenant Church, Matthews, North Carolina

“Far too much mission work today is gospel-less or gospel-light. Even more is church-less or church-light. This book—which is written not just for pastors and missionaries but for all of us—is biblically faithful, deeply needed, and extremely helpful. May God raise up thousands upon thousands of followers of Jesus who both love the church and live to see it multiplied among all the nations.”
David Platt, Pastor, McLean Bible Church, McLean, Virginia; Founder, Radical

“In one sense the theme of this book is ordinary—the church is vital for missions. But in another sense it is extraordinary and explosive since so many have forgotten that message. Folmar and Logsdon show from the Scriptures that the church is vital for every aspect of missions, and they also provide many examples and stories to illustrate that truth. Pastors, missionaries, and church members need to hear the truth unfolded in this book. It will make an eternal difference.”
Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Prioritizing the Church in Missions should be required reading for missionaries and their churches. Written by two seasoned pastors, this book is grounded in biblical truth, enriched with practical application, and filled with both wise cautions and compelling examples from the mission field. The authors convincingly argue that bad ecclesiology weakens missions—harming missionaries and undermining the gospel—while a church-centered approach rightly establishes the church as both the means and the goal of missions. More than just a practical guide, this book offers a theologically rich and definitive vision for missions as God intended.”
Jenny Manley, author, The Good Portion—Christ: Delighting in the Doctrine of Christ; podcast host

“I trust no one more to speak on the church and missions than John Folmar and Scott Logsdon. This book is a concise distillation of their convictions about the church as the God-ordained means to display his manifold wisdom and uphold the truth of the gospel as a pillar and buttress. It is also a plea for those convictions to be applied to the task of missions. They argue convincingly and winsomely that the church is both the means and aim of God’s mission to make himself known and call his own to himself. I will be buying these by the case to pass out at my church, in my classroom, and beyond. Read, recalibrate, and rejoice in the wisdom of our God!”
Matt Bennett, Director of Long-Term Ministries, Reaching & Teaching International Ministries; Associate Professor of Missions and Theology, Cedarville University

“The church must be at the center of missions, as God’s human agency for his saving work in the world. Written by authors with extensive experience, this book affirms vital biblical truths about the church and gives valuable advice about how to keep God’s church central in God’s mission. It is packed with ministry stories, historical examples, and practical illustrations to guide church leaders and all sincere believers in applying these truths within their own contexts.”
Brian A. DeVries, Principal, Mukhanyo Theological College; Church Planting Pastor, Grace Reformed Church, Pretoria, South Africa; author, You Will Be My Witnesses

“This excellent book offers a needed critique of the weaknesses in contemporary missions methodology. But more than that, Folmar and Logsdon have put forward a compelling biblical vision of how the church is the origin, means, and goal of missions. When missions prioritizes the church, it is good for the long-term growth of the gospel. I highly recommend this book.”
Eugene Low, Lead Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Singapore

“Prioritizing the Church in Missions is a compelling, Scripture-based call to return to the biblical blueprint for reaching the nations. John Folmar and Scott Logsdon weave together Scripture, history, and their own frontline experiences to demonstrate why the local church isn’t just a bystander in missions—it’s the beating heart of it. This book challenges the pragmatism that has crept into modern missions, with methodologies focused on speed or quick results, and instead offers a vision that is both timeless and urgent: healthy churches planting healthy churches. It’s a must-read for anyone serious about seeing the gospel flourish globally.”
Greg A. Dye, Founder, Global Serve International

“Biblical missions work is always driven by and centered on the local church. In this book, John and Scott show us what church-centered missions looks like and how it best reflects God’s plan for missions. The book is filled with personal stories, church history, and life-giving instruction. I look forward to using it to help frame our church’s understanding for years to come.”
Jason Dees, Senior Pastor, Christ Covenant, Atlanta, Georgia

“The last few decades have brought encouraging biblical revivals in counseling and ecclesiology. But what’s still missing? A revival in missiology. This small book takes a huge first step toward that goal. The authors’ insistence that the church is both the means and the end of missions provides the solid foundation we need to build a truly biblical missiology for the third millennium.”
Sam Masters, missionary to Argentina; author, Doing Missions

“Prioritizing the Church in Missions is not just another way to do missions. It is the biblical way to go about the Great Commission. Folmar and Logsdon convincingly argue that sound theology (especially ecclesiology) needs to be the foundation of missions. Thus, the church needs to be the origin, means, and end of missions in order for missions to be and accomplish what God intends with it. This is a must-read for everyone involved in missions . . . and that should be every one of us if we know and follow Christ.”
Matthias Lohmann, Pastor, Free Evangelical Church, Munich, Germany; Chairman, Evangelium21

“Drawing upon the Scriptures, John Folmar and Scott Logsdon wisely and winsomely explain why biblical missions is church-based through and through. Rich and readable. Constructive and corrective. Insightful and inviting. Clear and compelling. This spiritually oxygen-rich book should be on your reading list this week.”
David B. Garner, President, The Southgate Fellowship; Charles Krahe Professor of Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary

“With a clear biblical philosophy for missions, inspiring true stories, and motivating, Christ-honoring exhortations, Prioritizing the Church in Missions equips pastors and local churches to engage in the Great Commission. At a time when Christians are pursuing misguided approaches to missions, seasoned missionaries Scott and John appeal to the Scriptures to reveal how God ordained the church, which includes your church, to be central in his plan for reaching the nations. This book will have a permanent place in my library and remain on my short list of giveaway resources.”
Bobby Scott,  Pastor of Discipleship, Community of Faith Bible Church, South Gate, California; Council Member, The Gospel Coalition

“This powerful and thought-provoking book beautifully reveals the centrality of the church in God’s mission. The authors masterfully demonstrate that the church is not only the origin of mission work but also its means and ultimate goal, grounded in the very message of the Bible itself. What sets this book apart are the vivid real-life illustrations the authors bring from personal experience—stories that not only illuminate the truths shared but also make them deeply relatable and impactful. A must-read for anyone passionate about missions and the church’s God-given purpose in the world!”
Sherif A. Fahim, New Testament Chair, Alexandria School of Theology, Egypt; General Director, El-Soora Ministries

“What’s missing in missions? More workers? More resources? Greater access to hard places? While all of these are important, John Folmar and Scott Logsdon argue that the most critical missing element is a biblical emphasis on the local church. In this compelling book, they seek to restore the church to its rightful place as the origin, means, and goal of missions. With careful biblical support, personal stories, and historical insight, they critique modern missions movements—not through caricature but with clarity and conviction—while offering a positive, church-centered way forward. This is an invaluable resource for church members, pastors, missionaries, and mission agencies seeking to think more biblically and ecclesiologically about missions to the glory of God.”
Omar Johnson, Pastor, Temple Hills Baptist Church, Marlow Heights, Maryland

“Evangelicals agree that Jesus commissioned us to reach the nations, but we often differ on how missions should be carried out. In Prioritizing the Church in Missions, John Folmar and Scott Logsdon argue that missions must be church-centered, with local churches as both the means and the goal of gospel work. Pushing back against pragmatic and movement-driven models, they make a compelling case that Christ builds his church through biblical preaching, discipleship, and local church cooperation. If you want a theologically grounded and practical vision for missions that prioritizes the local church, this book is an essential read.”
Juan R. Sanchez, Senior Pastor, High Pointe Baptist Church, Austin, Texas; author, Seven Dangers Facing Your Church