Onward is a magazine for news, stories, and updates from the members of the NAB family. It is published multiple times a year. The resources below were included in the spring 2026 edition.
BOOKS
The Unfolding Gospel
by John Bowen
Words like mission, discipleship, church, evangelism, renewal, and church planting are used like billiard balls – all rolling around a single table, unconnected and bouncing randomly off one another. This book pulls these ideas together into a coherent and organic whole. The Gospel is the hermeneutical key for understanding each of these topics and what draws them together.
The Patient Ferment of the Early Church
by Alan Kreider
In this unique historical study, Alan Kreider tells the amazing story of the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Challenging traditional understandings, he contends the church grew because of patience, not evangelism. They reflected on prayer, catechesis, and worship, yet the church grew—not by specific strategies but by patient ferment.
The King Jesus Gospel
by Scot McKnight
McKnight contends Evangelicals have reduced the Gospel to the message of personal salvation. After making his case across four arguments, McKnight makes a plea for us to recover the old Gospel as that which is still new and still fresh, ending with practical suggestions about evangelism and building a Gospel culture.
Evangelism
by J. Mack Stiles
Evangelism is more than a program. In this book, Stiles casts a biblical picture where evangelism is simply part of the culture. Leaders share their faith consistently and openly, and church members follow, encouraging one another to make evangelism an ongoing way of life.
Gospel Fluency
by Jeff Vanderstelt
Even if they want to, many Christians find it hard to talk to others about Jesus. Vanderstelt offers wise biblical insights, practical advice, and compelling stories aimed at encouraging and equipping Christians to gain fluency in how we speak the truths of Jesus into the everyday stuff of life.
ARTICLE
“Against Colonialism – Proposing a Presence Based Evangelism”
by David Fitch
In this self-published article from Fitch, he digs into some of the problems with standard evangelism practices and provides an alternative way: presence-based witness.
OTHER RESOURCES
The Priority and Practice of Evangelism
from Flourishing Congregations Institute & Alpha Ministries Canada
This report based on a survey of Canadian church leaders across the denominational spectrum provides a glimpse into the state of evangelism in the church today.