My updated bio...

I have not posted an updated bio on this site in a while. I'm also posting a few prayer requests. Thank you for your prayers for me and for Europe!

Shannon Buckner, a native of Clarksville, Arkansas, is a veteran missionary to Europe, having served in Belgium and the United Kingdom since 1998.  Shannon's 25 years in missions has included church planting and the training students in England at Mattersey Hall Christian College (2012-2014), Belgium at Continental Theological Seminary (1998-2011), as well as ministry in Cambodia (1992-‘95 & ‘97), and Egypt (summers of '89 & '90).

Shannon’s main focus of missionary ministry has been the training of hundreds of international students preparing for vocational ministry throughout Europe. With a BA in Bible & Theology (CBC), MA in Christian Ministry (AGTS), and current work toward a PhD in Intercultural Studies, Shannon’s training and experience in mentoring, ministry, and practical theology have provided her with an opportunity to form the next generation of Christian leaders. This focus on training now translates into forming missionaries to effectively reach Europe.

Shannon currently serves on the leadership team for the AG World Missions in Europe with the role of “Resourcing Missionary Life.” She leads a team of missionaries that provide resources for the training, mentoring, and building of competency & community among the more than 400 Assemblies of God missionaries in Europe. This training takes place on the ground in Europe and among new itinerating missionaries preparing for the field.  As missionary effectiveness increases, we believe that our mission to reach Europe for Christ will also increase.

Why Europe?
Europe is generally viewed as a region that is steeped in history, adorned with beauty and confidently accomplished and cultured. The truth is that Europe is dominated by dark secrets, deep wounds and desperate spiritual brokenness. The message of the Gospel has been perverted, leading to the abandonment of Christianity, the growth of other religious expressions and the rise of secularism – removing God from all aspects of life.

Therefore, the purpose of our mission to Europe is this: By His Spirit, we do justly, through standing with the marginalized. We love mercy, by engaging the secularist. We walk humbly to inspire revitalization.

We envision a Europe where the Gospel is completely and accurately expressed through strong communities of faith – making disciples, birthing churches and impacting society.

Thank you for your prayers for Shannon and the AGWM missionary personnel throughout the continent of Europe.

• (This bio can also be found on my missionary profile page with the Assemblies of God World Missions).

Ways you can pray:
1) Shannon serves as a leader for AGWM Europe, with an emphasis upon resourcing missionaries. She leads a team of missionaries focused on the training & mentoring of new workers to Europe.  Please pray for wisdom in leadership and divine guidance in training efforts.
2) For new missionaries engaged in Europe missionary training.
3) For Shannon’s travel to Europe.
4) For current refugee crisis in Europe - wisdom for leaders, national churches, and AGWM missionaries as we respond with compassion & evangelism.
5) For the development of further training and mentoring programs in Europe.
6) For direction & open doors as it relates to Shannon’s future of ministry in Europe.
7) For physical health and strength.
8) For Shannon’s family, especially nieces & nephews.

Myths about refugees...

I'm reading this article from the Washington Post as I am finalizing travel in Europe in a few days. I will primarily be in and out of the areas where these dear people are traveling. It is humbling to understand the freedom that I have to live in a city that is not being destroyed and in a nation where I do not fear for my life. It is also humbling to comprehend that I can travel in & out of nations like Croatia without fear of the cold, land mines, separation from my family, or the rejection by a government. I simply show my passport, step on a plane, and return to the safety of my home country. So as I sort through travel arrangements, I am praying for ways that I can be involved in sharing God's love during this trip. 

If we find ourselves complaining about being "persecuted" or fearing what an influx of refugees will mean for our nation, or for Europe, please remember that each person that gets on a boat, swims, walks, or rides in a train or bus has a story. They have a family. They had a job, a home, a daily routine that has now been disrupted and they are on a quest to live in peace. They are not out to get us. Islam is not taking over. God is bringing yet another nation to us, perhaps because we have not been willing to go to them. The Gospel is being preached. With words, with water, with blankets, with time, with care. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE REFUGEES. See the faces. Read their stories. Pray for those that are sharing God's love with them daily through compassion. And please, ask God how you can help be the love of Jesus in a time of crisis to someone that is suffering. 

If you want to be involved through giving, Convoy of Hope Europe​ is on the ground, planting churches, and loving people. You can give to them here: https://giving.ag.org/Give/Details/600001-410946?Class=44&Comments=Europe%20Refugees


Here's a video from VOX about the History of the War in Syria:

The Refugee Crisis in Europe

While I am currently in the US, my heart is in Europe. 

I know you are all following the news and watching the influx of Syrian refugees coming across Europe's boarders. They are fleeing war and tyranny, and looking for hope. 

They are members of a community. White collar, blue collar, professional, athletes, dads, moms, siblings, grandmas & grandpas. They have walked hundreds, perhaps thousands of miles. 

Some have paid a lot of money to people who have made promises to get them into the European Union, only to be left on the side of the road to die. One van's back door was welded shut and the trafficker ran from police when they were stopped. Many are stopped at boarders to be registered, only to be held in detainment centers. They are kicked off of trains and buses. They sleep on the streets, or in a field, or outside of a station, hoping for something new to happen the next day. 

Hoping. 

It's quite amazing what hope can do for us. Especially when we are frightened.

It's quite amazing what fear will do to us, and we are willing to do anything to protect our families. 

It causes people to take off in the middle of the night, gather their families, and set out for something better. There has to be more than war. There has to be more than cities being overtaken. There has to be acceptance. There has to be hope. 

Europe is now at a crossroads: Offer hope or prolong fear.

As I watch my colleagues share love, compassion, and Jesus in the flesh across Europe, I am compelled to pray. I am also compelled to think that Jesus would respond in the same way. He would not see them as a nuisance. He would not reject them. He would not deny their value. 

Jesus would walk with them along the road.
Jesus would sleep next to them on the street. 
Jesus would pick up trash in their camp.
Jesus would make a shelter for them to sleep under. 
Jesus would offer water to wash their babies.
Jesus would fill their arms with food. 
Jesus would hug them. 
Jesus would give them the truth of His word to hold onto.
Jesus would love them. 

Would you join me in praying for Europe?
Join me in praying for these refugees. 
Join me in praying for governments and leaders to respond appropriately.
Join me in praying that the church rise up & be Jesus. 
Join me in praying for church leaders, missionaries, and Christians to do what is right. 
Join me in offering hope to a displaced people. 
Join me, and Jesus, and love them.

Here's a video taken by Europe Missions workers on the Macedonia/Greece border to give you an idea of what is happening in one area of Europe. 

This week the face of Europe has changed. May we change too.

This is not a "please give" post, but most of you will not be able to go to Europe to help. If you want to give, CLICK THIS LINK TO AG GIVING and all funds will go directly to the efforts to share compassion with these refugees via Europe Missions. 

Video courtesy of Peter Good.

New Year...New Europe

As 2015 begins, I am praying for a new Europe. The vision of Europe Missions is to envision a Europe where the Gospel is completely and accurately expressed through strong communities of faith - making disciples, birthing churches and impacting society.

Will you join with me in praying for 2015 to be the year of new life in the hearts of individuals, churches, and European society?

Click the link to read prayer needs from across Europe. These are submitted by our missionary family and national church partners. 

Together we are reaching Europe for Christ.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all of you a wonderful Christmas. Whether you spend time with family, friends, neighbors, or strangers - I pray that you feel the warmth and joy that only Jesus can bring.

Here's my Christmas update highlighting events from this fall as I work with the Assemblies of God in Europe. I am grateful for the opportunity to train missionaries, serve Europe, and partner with you to share the Love of Jesus with those who have not heard.

May the Lord bless you abundantly this Christmas and in 2015.

October Update

Hi friends! I am now back in the USA and am adapting to this "temporary stateside missionary assignment." I am currently living at my parents home, working remotely through online conference calls & webinars, and preparing to return to Europe next week for three weeks of meetings as I fulfill my assignment to resource our Europe missionaries. 

Following is the link to my online newsletter to give you the update of what is happening in my life & missions assignment since leaving England. Thanks so much for your prayers!

Click here to read the online newsletter.

You can read all of my updates by clicking this link.

Unknown Future Religion

I just read an article from about this man, Gerd Ludemann, a German theologian. The article states "he is a passionate New Testament scholar — and a nonbeliever who finds biblical miracles unconvincing for modern times." Further reading indicates Ludemann's thoughts on Scripture and his belief that it is merely an historical document with no relevance to modern society, however, demands that it be taught for it's historical value.

Regarding the spiritual condition of Europe, the article continues... "Luedemann suggests Europe will remain spiritually alert. New generations hunger for answers that speak morally to the fast-moving present, a Western spirituality that explains human beings to themselves. Scripture (its ethic of compassion) will be part of an unknown future religion."

I found this article interesting. Interesting that a confessed non-believer in Christianity, and non-Atheist, has such a public forum to express his thoughts on the "mystery" that truly is, as I see it, the love of God. People are searching. Europeans truly do hunger for answers. However, the only explanation that will truly satisify the question of who we are as human beings is when individuals encounter a living God that is around us every day, interacting in our lives, and longing for a relationship with us. The day of legalism is over. What we need is the love of Jesus to permeate society and change hearts - to not force conforming to a set of legalistic rules, but encourages a relationship with an almighty God.

I encourage you to read the article. What will this unknown future religion be? I believe it's what Jesus was teaching us in that historical document called the Bible. What are your thoughts?