Though not born or raised in the city, Kevin Hall has grown to love the city. Experiences, people, and his own study have cultivated in him a heart for the city and ministry within that context. He offers here five observations about the city and urban ministry.

One day, the twenty-first century might well be remembered as the urban century. Over half the world’s population, for the first time, lives in the urban settings of the world. Employing the acrostic G.O.I.N.G. U.R.B.A.N., J. D. Payne identifies significant components of urban ministry in today’s urban world.

Reflecting on six years serving as missionaries in Recife, Brazil Brent and Jennifer Waldrep survey Recife’s historical context, the history of Baptists in Recife, and present worldviews found there. Concluding with a discussion of two key challenges to Baptist growth in Recife, the authors hope for effective, contextualized ministry that will result in a bright future for Christian ministry in the city.

South America is the regional focus of study and prayer for the December 2008 Southern Baptist International Mission Board annual Christmas offering for international missions.