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Ralph Covell is one of the thousands who make up our great cloud of witnesses. His life testifies the deep satisfaction found in serving Christ no matter our circumstances or the visible outcomes of our labor. His life encourages us to persevere in faith, or in his words, "to hang in there and move forward trusting Him." Dr. Mark Young ENGAGE 3 PRESIDENT'S LETTER Mark Young, PhD PRESIDENT Legends of buried treasure have inspired novelists, launched expeditions, and even started more than a few wars. Who can resist the allure of finding untold riches in exotic places? Evidently, quite a few evangelicals. Let me explain. Buried in plain sight in books, correspondence, and personal relationships is an untapped treasure trove of spiritual riches. This mother lode of blessing can be found in the stories of missionaries—humble servants of God who chose to leave their own land and learn the language and ways of another, so they could share the good news of Christ in places where He was not known. Missionaries have healed the sick, clothed the naked, fed the hungry, housed the homeless, rescued the trafficked, cared for widows, and nurtured orphans. These ambassadors of Jesus have built outposts of righteousness and compassion in worlds of injustice and indifference. They have announced the gospel and modeled the Kingdom, often at great personal cost. Yet, few of us hear their stories today. It's difficult for me to remember the last time I heard a preacher or speaker narrate the life of a missionary to an audience. I wonder why. While inspiring us with confidence in our great God and Savior, many missionary stories also remind us that the cost of discipleship includes suffering, deprivation, loneliness, rejection, and pain. That message doesn't sell well to congregations whose vision of the Christian life cannot abide anything other than happiness and prosperity. When was the last time someone called you to a life of costly obedience just because following Jesus is worth it? Perhaps evangelicalism in North America today has little bandwidth for the spiritual challenge that the lives of missionaries present to us. I pray that's not true while fearing it is. In the following pages, you'll find buried treasure that's more valuable than a chest full of gold doubloons. This hidden cache of spiritual riches is woven into the stories of those who have chosen to follow Jesus, no matter the cost. Embark upon this quest at your own risk. The journey and the discovery may jar you out of spiritual complacency. On that journey with you,