Rheenen, Gailyn Van. Missions: Biblical Foundations and Contemporary Strategies. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996. pp. 279-306.

In order for missionaries to be successful, they must be formidable communicators, and this can be achieved by a three-step process. First, “missionaries must understand their culture… Second, missionaries must seek to understand biblical meanings” (p. 280). It is only when a missionary understands their culture and biblical realities that they can become effective ministers in their context. The third step is then achievable as its priorities have been done before in applying biblical realities to a context that was recently understood. This third step, as Rheenen writes, is that “missionaries must learn the cultures in which they wish to communicate… The message must attract, impact, and revolutionize the host culture while maintaining its eternal essence” (p. 280).

This process would not be possible without the practice that comes from steps one and two. In order to revolutionize a culture with the Gospel, one must understand it. Step one is great practice for this truth. Also, in order to convey the Gospel, one must understand the Scripture fully and be able to convey its ideas sufficiently in order to tell of salvation to whoever may be listening. Step three is a combination of steps one and two. The culture is new and, therefore, must be discovered and understood. The Scripture must be adapted to a new language, and its ideas and doctrines must be delivered clearly. 

In conclusion, steps one and two are preparatory for the third step, which is the goal of cross-cultural communication in global missions.