"This book bubbles up out of the heart of a man who has been on pilgrimage in Central Asia's heartland. He has walked the dusty caravan trails he writes about in this perceptive and challenging book . . . . I've walked beside him as together we've sought to see Christ plant His church among an unreached Central Asian people group . . . . Gene will challenge you to radically rethink what we mean . . . when we speak of indigenous churches." –John Lee (pseudonym), Missionary, Central Asia|

A Missionary Pilgrimage

Like homesick travelers, many missionaries yearn for the trappings of their church culture back home—anything to feel comfortable. In time, this longing becomes so strong that any tradition offering a small taste of home becomes a strong lure. We stop, intending only to spend the night, but for many a weary and lost pilgrim the stay lasts a lifetime. But the purpose of this pilgrimage is too important for us to allow our fellow pilgrims to stop at deceptive destinations. What if we can truly find this thing we are seeking? What if real, indigenous churches can be planted in new places?

In Searching for the Indigenous Church, Gene Daniels communicates his experiences as a church planter. He takes the reader along with him on a journey-a pilgrimage-to Central Asia, vividly describing the challenges and pitfalls encountered by cross-cultural workers en route. We, the readers, take a "virtual" trip to plant an indigenous church in a foreign land with him and learn from his frustrations and difficulties.

If you have dreams of seeing Christ draw His bride from some new people group, tribe, or tongue, then we are on the same pilgrimage. May what follows be of help, from the hand of one pilgrim to another, as we travel along this road together.